Most alligators that slip into the water ahead of the arrival of a kayak are taking refuge on the river or lake bottom until the 'hazard' passes. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the perfect destination for kayakers. For our Naples location in particular I wouldnt use an inflatable due to the number of barnacles, and oysters in the area. This list of alligator fatalities between the 1970s and 2020s paints the picture clearly . A quality jacket with pockets gives you quick access to your phone, a whistle (a sound-making device is required by law in most states), and other essentials like sunscreen, chapstick, and a knife We also have crocodiles, but they are mostly in the very southern part of the state because they need consistent tropical temperatures. Alexander Springs Recreation Area. In June I was solo kayaking through Lil Big Econ Forest from the Canoe Launch on County Rd 419 all the way to snow hill rd. In addition, there are no alligators in the area, so you can enjoy your time without worrying about dangerous wildlife. Besides, the waters of the Manatee River are quite shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Fishing, Snorkeling and so much more. I maintained a steady paddle pace, but I also maintained eye contact through my sunglasses. Is it safe to kayak in Florida? Mount Rushmore Family Vacation: A Guide to the Perfect Trip! Yeah, it could have meant he was establishing his territory. For those of you not from the south, a bream is a sunfish. That dark bottom and tannic water make it very difficult to see the gators once they sink. This site is a participant in the Amazon services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In reality, the danger posed by crocodiles and alligators is overblown. Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Ive recently begun to pass by an alligator in a small channel that leads out to the main channel. Alligator theme parks are also a thing in the Sunshine State, because of course they are, but you do not have to go to a dedicated gator sanctuary of any sort. Alligators are found in freshwater habitats throughout the state of Florida and can pose a serious threat to both people and animals. The park covers over 2,300 square miles and is home to thousands of alligators. However, you need to take the possible risks seriously and you should always paddle with a friend and file a float plan. Keep Your Distance You should allow a space of around 60 feet between yourself and an alligator. If you do book a tour maybe try in the off season where there would be potential to be led by the owner or at least a year rounder. There were lots of narrows, sharp turns, tall grass, cypress trees, tiny islands and thick clusters of water plants going through. As . At least until you know for sure it is not someones home. 5) if they have been fed and have become habituated to humans. Lastly, it is always great to push your limits and get a little out of your comfort zone. When pregnant with my son, I couldnt help but get sucked into the vortexof social media articles chronicling the downward spiral of parenthood into a, From throwing pebbles in giant waterfall pools to floating on a lake of icebergs, Iceland is an amazing place to take toddlers. Does the Delaware River have strong currents? We recommend sunscreen, bug spray, a good hat, and layers. 3) Snorkel & Explore Dry Tortugas National Park. The area is 105 miles long, and you will find plenty of diverse wildlife to observe. These include: Ichetucknee Springs John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Weeki Wachee Springs Blackwater River However, following the steps outlined in this article can minimize your risk and stay safe. At that point, they are just freaking out and trying to get away. - Just Go! Worst-case scenario, they'll lunge at the kayak in an attempt to bite you. 1) when they are basking beside water bodies. Its helpful and reassuring to know how to respond should one occur. Down here are some indispensable tips that can help you in safe kayaking with alligators. If you buy a nice carbon fiber kayak paddle, your comfort level and performance will increase. Education and information are how you stay safe while kayaking with alligators in the state of Florida. I had to change my tactics on landing them. Thorough, informative, user friendly grammer & even a lil entertaining at times! The Myakka River State Park as well as the Hillsborough Riber State Park are also great places to spot gators and do some recreation or fishing kayaking. That information about other water hazards was VERY helpful. Lastly, we provide guided kayak tours through the. Then, of course, they blame it on the animal and call the area alligator-infested waters. Lastly, we provide guided kayak tours through the 10,000 Islands National Wildlife Refuge and the Fakahatchee State Preserve just south of Naples and Marco Island. Stay calm, keep your distance, and avoid sudden movements. That is it! On the very first 90-degree day in the winter or spring, alligators will immediately change from frozen statues to remote-controlled boats zooming around the pond. 5) See The Notorious Melting Clock At The Salvador Dali Museum. Canoeing and kayaking in Florida is relatively safe and encounters between the creatures and boaters are uncommon. Florida is arguably the most well-known place where alligators live. The most common instance in our area is a fisherman. Kayakers cannot resist disturbing the gators when kayaking in Florida and they bother them until one attacks. It sure is a great place for kayaking. This will help you avoid potential danger or alligators lurking in the water. Swimming in a Florida lake is generally safe, but there definitely have been people attacked and killed by alligators in Florida. As a rule, alligators are very shy and avoid human interaction as much as possible. If you are interested in one of our kayak tours please dont hesitate to book one today! Yes, it does happen! So, if you see an alligator on a sandbar, try not to point . Its always a good idea to keep a break-apart spare paddle. If you hear baby alligators calling that means their mom can be nearby and that can be very dangerous. With that said, I still pay close attention when approaching that area. With everything above being said, why is kayaking with alligators so frowned upon then and why is the whole debate of whether it is fun, dangerous, or necessary? Theres no need to worry about alligators here as they are not present in the area, so if youre looking for a place to explore and observe wildlife while kayaking, the Suwannee River is your best bet. Besides, you will find plenty of areas to explore and admire the places natural beauty. Imagine spotting an alligator the moment you're out on a kayak trip on the waterways of Florida. It is their natural home, and the fact that people are intruding means the waters are human-infested. You clearly explained alligator behavior, what kayakers should expect and how to react to potential threatening situations. While climate change is a whole other story, one in which the forces of nature are again going to cause havoc to everything human, nature in the general sense of the word is also dangerous. You will see about a foot or two of their head, or the telltale eyes and nose only. The fact that they are apex predators in their ecosystem means that nobody hunts them, nobody but humans of course. Also, the south isn't filled with nearly as many alligators as I . These safe spots are perfect for a peaceful paddle without having to worry about safety. Additionally, these waters are safe to paddle in, as no alligators are present. Get an internship that provided employee housing on a Carolina Bay in eastern North Carolina. Our canal is a brackish dead end, surprised to see him today, but I suppose the storm may have brought him? Following are some tips you should follow and keep yourself safe in the waters of Florida. Rarely would I pose for pictures with my hands halfway in the water, and I definitely wasnt reviving them with my hands in the water. 1) Tour Everglades National Park. So grab your kayak and explore Florida's waterways today! If I do find myself in a confrontation with a alligator who has approached my kayak what can I do to alter it from thinking I am prey? Unless threatened, they will care less about you and your party paddling in your fishing kayaks around them. As you might have already guessed, alligators like to sleep and they actually spend an average of 17 hours per day sleeping. Avoid leaving fish on the edge of your boat or even in the bottom. Kayaking in Florida can be quite the fun and exciting experience, no matter where you decide to do it! I had to keep my rod tip pointed closer to the water but still allow for play so I wouldnt break them off. Kayaking in these locations will give you an amazing experience. The best places to kayak with manatees in Florida are: Weeki Wacchee State Park is the best place to go kayaking with manatees in Florida, especially for inexperienced kayakers. For this reason, it's important to be aware of areas where alligators are known to reside so that you can avoid them and stay safe while kayaking. When I was in NC I was located outside of Lumberton. Well, you could easily say alligator out of water too, except an alligator can still breathe just fine. Many people canoe and kayak in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. Please, let me explain. June 16, 2022. Keep exploring and dont hesitate to send me another message if you have more questions! Is it safe to kayak in Florida with alligators? You should stay at least 60 feet away from alligators at all times. Pingback: Cayo Costa Camping Tips for 2021 - Just Go! If you leave them alone and keep your distance while paddling, you will never experience any problems. In addition, the river is free of alligators, so you can enjoy your time kayaking without worrying about running into any. Besides, you can paddle up the river or downstream, where there are plenty of sandbars where you can relax and make a picnic. Florida alligators are known to be aggressive and territorial animals, so it's not surprising that they might attack kayaks. Rentals and tours are available from Crystal River Kayak Company. Kayaking in the winter months in Florida is the best time to go, and also increases the likelihood that alligators will leave you alone. Where to get the best brunch: New Smyrna Beach 2022 - Just Go! It confirms the statement that they will let you be if you let them be. I use a hard plastic kayak. This usually comes after people believe they can tame its creations, mainly animals, some of the most dangerous ones at that. When comparing the American alligator to the Nile Crocodile, the most important difference is what they eat. Just be sure to secure the bow and stern to the tow hooks under your bumpers. If we werent, we would be kayaking in Maine. Often during this season, you will hear that deep bellow, or you will see and hear super loud splashes around a corner. This means they are more apt to stay on the shore when you kayak by. 4) when they are crossing the road. No need to get close and disturb them. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. . Should I try punching it in the nose or hitting it with my paddle? Youre welcome, and welcome to NC. There are certain places that you can visit that are alligator-free. However, the gators still knew I was there, and I did need to keep an eye out for them. Most often, nothing. Besides, there are no alligators here, so you wont have to worry about dangerous wildlife while paddling. If this starts to happen, then the answer is yes, alligators can be dangerous to kayakers. Yes, it is safe to kayak in Florida. stewart: allison haviland and a friend, with 4 school aged kids . Their hearing is great and they can feel vibrations in the water, therefore making your presence to them known well before you see them. must have been at least 6-7feet tip to tail! While the odds of an alligator attacking a kayaker are extremely low, paddling in areas where they're native comes with some risk. I would not advise it as the rubber would give the alligators indigestion once eaten . Now that we know alligators dont see us as food but might associate us with being fed, we understand we might want to be more cautious when kayaking with alligators at public boat ramps or docks. We try our best not to disturb them and have found the best way to keep them from entering the water is to not point your kayak directly at them and to utilize a smooth calm stroke. I mentioned earlier that alligators are lazy and often look like statues; however, there are times during the year when gators start to move. Best places for kayaking in Florida. By following this guide, you can stay safe while having a great time out on the water. Great article, thank you. Most often, we will enter the pond and spot one floating at the top, and as we get closer, they simply sink to the bottom and hope we pass by. The Manatee River is a great place to go kayaking in Florida. By maintaining precautions, you can safely kayak with the alligators. They want to eat, reproduce and maintain the proper body temperature. Here, you can explore the estuarine waters of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge or take a guided river tour. BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak both provide the best bioluminescence tours in Florida and are highly recommended. Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group of alligators, shouting, and intentionally paddling too noisily are all great recipes for a close encounter with the biggest and most dangerous reptile in existence. Feel free to check us out on Instagram or Facebook, where we are regularly posting photos and videos of our kayak experiences in South Florida and Colorado. kayak or take a guided tour along the river, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators, life jacket can help you stay afloat if you fall in the water or your kayak, safety tips can help you stay safe while kayaking. Safety tips for kayaking in Florida: Here are some general safety tips for kayaking in Florida: Earlier I mentioned not to point your kayak at the gator, but if you are trying to scare him off or make him back down you do want to point at him. Your article has provided me this morning much useful information to guide me before my maiden voyage this coming Monday in May where temperatures are now in the 90s. The best way to keep yourself safe is to keep your hands and feet in the boat and be aware of your surroundings when . Great article full of lots of good information. It is not uncommon to paddle right over one without ever knowing it, on the other side of that on occasion, you can rub over ones back with your kayak or hit them with you paddle. We also understand that alligators, like people, can be moody. Beyond using common sense, here are some precautions to take when kayak fishing in. If you see an alligator, I need you to do this exactly as I say. This park covers around 24,000 acres and is home to thousands of alligators. This is where we start to get into the scenarios when kayaking with alligators could be dangerous. All of our guides are comfortable in gator territory. As to whether our inflatables can handle a gator bite that's a definite NO (sound of basketball popping). I will not be buying an inflatable for FL. Mainly due to how shallow everything is. Certain springs around the state consistently attract large numbers of manatees, and the winter is really the best time to see manatees in Florida. They make everything more difficult for you and us. Just keep kayaking and stay alert. The waters are shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Unlike people, alligators are cold-blooded, meaning they are not able to regulate their own body temperature. Save. Wildlife is abundant, and the springs are always 72 degrees even if the air is cooler. Buy a quality primary paddle and always bring a spare. To stay safe, always avoid kayaking in the dark. The Loxahatchee River is a great place to kayak, and enjoys the stunning scenery. Back to music, there are a few things that would concern me. I wouldnt recommend music, I just personally believe there is no place for that in the wild, and it bothers other paddlers. Can you boat on the Tampa Bypass Canal? Suwannee River Wilderness. This guy (or gal?) Do Alligators attack Kayaks? If the idea of alligators in the water with you is just too much to handle, there are plenty of salt water kayaking options in Florida. 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