Add Adventure to your Vacation

Trip Overview

We begin our day with a short paddle to the spring run at Blue Springs State Park. In the winter months the run is packed with migrating manatee in search of warm water. On some days we witness over 150 manatee in the spring alone. We will observe from a distance as our Florida Master Naturalist introduces us all to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area.

Blue Springs State Park:

·      Largest spring on the Saint Johns River

·      Designated Manatee Refuge

·      Historical home of the Timucuan Indians

·      Visited in 1766 by British botanist John Bartram

After our manatee fix we will  paddle north (downstream) a few miles to Hontoon Island S.P. This area of river is packed with manatee, otter, and sun worshipping gators. Overhead bald eagle, osprey, and red shoulder hawks scan the water and marshes for their next meal. On the river bank people will spot large wading birds, coots, morehens, and the occasional wild hog.

   Hontoon Island has a wonderful nature trail that leads to an ancient Indian shell mound. The park is also famous for its large owl population and  extensive Indian artifacts including the state’s largest totem pole.

Dates: Everyday in the months of December-March at 9:00 am. Private tours are available any day or time  for groups of 4 or more. Tour lasts 2-3 hours. All tours include guides, kayaks, paddling gear, bottled water, and a dry bag.

Price: $80 per person + 6.5% Florida sales tax

Tours begin and end at Blue Springs State Park.

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