Alligators may look lazy and slow, but when they want to move, they can move fast! Never saw it but something changed the direction of my kayak about 30. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the perfect destination for kayakers. Anyway, it sounds like the gators might be sinking to the bottom, and when you approach, you are right on top of them. I contemplated getting an inflatable because I have no roof racks on my car and no way to transport a hard kayak. must have been at least 6-7feet tip to tail! The best way to keep yourself safe is to keep your hands and feet in the boat and be aware of your surroundings when . When I was in NC I was located outside of Lumberton. If we see this, we simple kayak on by. People are curious by nature and they want to see things they never have. Asked By : Edith Mcclain. Besides, its really easy to reach the trail. If you witness two gators fighting, one could very easily see you as the next competitor after winning his first fight. Bringing the fish in slower didnt make as much commotion on the top of the water, and often, the gators didnt know I was landing fish. Though there's a certain level of risk involved with each outing, kayaking with alligators is safe if you remain alert. The area is rich in wildlife, and has hiking, a beautiful driving trail, and amazing kayaking spots. This can be a safe distance that minimizes the risk of your presence becoming threatening through the eyes of the alligator. 7 Kid Friendly Asheville Restaurants to Try in 2023, Kid Friendly Breweries in Asheville in 2023, The Best Waterfall Hikes near Asheville for Families in 2022, Kid Friendly Breweries in Nashville in 2023, Japan With Kids: Family Travel Tips for a Great Adventure, Must See Stops on the Ring Road with Kids, Iceland 4 Day Itinerary: An Unforgettable Adventure, Easter Island with Kids: A Five Day Itinerary, Easter Island for Kids: Family Fun at the End of the Earth, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). The Loxahatchee River is a great place to kayak, and enjoys the stunning scenery. The entirety of Florida; In Louisiana and Florida, more than a million alligators each may live in those two states, by far making them the riskiest places for kayakers, boaters, and swimmers. The key here is to keep the fish as quiet as possible when reeling them in. With that said, I still pay close attention when approaching that area. So big I could barely hold them with one hand. Great informative article. I had actually thought the noise was an old, maybe even exhaustless vehicle rattling on the highway . Any body of fresh or brackish water in Florida potentially has an alligator in it, though they tend to be wary of people and usually retreat or keep their distance. Search no more! Make sure to bring a first-aid kit, flashlights, whistle, and other necessary items with you before going out on your kayak. My husband and I just bought a 10ft. I have had a couple of sightings of alligators. Some kayakers even carry a rubber mallet with them for this purpose. We provide them with alligator safety information before entering the water. I wonder if you have any information for if the worst case does happen. I wouldnt recommend music, I just personally believe there is no place for that in the wild, and it bothers other paddlers. Where am I going with this? This guy (or gal?) BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak both provide the best bioluminescence tours in Florida and are highly recommended. Its always difficult to give answers to guests asking about specific scenarios or animals. While alligators often display territorial behavior, they don't usually have much direct interaction with nearby kayakers. Here are some steps you can take to make sure that you stay safe during your kayaking adventure. I paddle a surfski on the TennTom Waterway in Miss. By Lee Howard "Keep your elbows away from the water" - crucial advice I suddenly recalled from reading up about kayaking the Okefenokee Swamp, as my kayak, low to the drink, drifted a little further into the lily pads and towards whatever lurked amongst them.. It sure is a great place for kayaking. The when-to and when-not-to point your kayak at an alligator was particularly informative to me. They have teeth, they are mean-looking, and they look very similar to the well-known saltwater crocodiles in Australia and Africa. Hi Heather, Sorry Ive been slacking on responding. We encounter numerous alligators on a daily basis. If you would prefer to do a kayaking tour in a saltwater environment, here are some great options: Florida springs are the real star of Florida kayaking. Chances of dying from lighting strike or hurricane are higher. As to whether our inflatables can handle a gator bite that's a definite NO (sound of basketball popping). I see tons of inflatables on our lakes in Colorado, but I dont think Ive ever seen one in our backwaters of Florida. Two weeks before the 90-degree day, you might have seen 4 or 5 gators sharing a small beach or sandbar, but now things have changed. Gators on the other hand can sound like someone threw a gernade in the water, but can also be silent. This article isnt designed to convince you to kayak with alligators, although we would love to take you out. Thanks! Is it safe to kayak in Florida? What does an agitated gator look or act like? Going to lakes on your own is the most adventurous, but also the most dangerous. If you hear male alligators bellowing that means its the mating season and males will defend the best habitat and wont allow other gators and sometimes kayakers in their territory. Were these false charges from a gator like you mention in the article? Suwannee River Wilderness. Please, trust us on this. Most of the time they pass by they want nothing to do with you. Titusville and Cocoa Beach are the two best places to see bioluminescence, not just in Florida but in the world. 2. They will also raise their bodies out of the water when the air temp is warmer than the water. Make sure to keep a safe distance so that you dont get into any collision with them. I would definitely recommend hitting a gator on the head with your paddle if they are coming at you and close enough, but if they are able to bite your paddle, they will not let go and could pull you in. The Wilderness Trail of the Suwannee River is a great place for kayaking. 2023 Adventure Paddle Tours. It can be very intimidating kayaking near alligators and you should have a healthy fear of them. Are there many people who kayak in inflatable kayaks? All in all its best to keep as much distance as you can from them when you can help it. An erratic or fast-moving paddle seems to freak gators out. There are no boat launch facilities on the Tampa Bypass Canal, but it is possible to hand-launch a canoe, kayak or other small boats from parks along the canal. Alligators are just as afraid of us as we are of them, so typically if a kayak enters an alligator area, they will duck below the water and hide. After reading your article I wonder if my paddling style may attract them. Yes, it is safe to kayak in Florida. Hooking and landing these big fish, I started to encounter a problem. In reality, the danger posed by crocodiles and alligators is overblown. First encounter with a wild gator & its still very memorable! Fisherman will often clean their catch of the day at the local boat ramp, then throw the waste in the water. Is Tandem Kayaking Easier than Solo Kayaking? Pingback: Explore the Best 10 Florida Springs Near Orlando! 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. Besides, you will find plenty of areas to explore and admire the places natural beauty. Thank you for volunteering for cleanup! These safe spots are perfect for a peaceful paddle without having to worry about safety. I mentioned earlier that alligators are lazy and often look like statues; however, there are times during the year when gators start to move. In the mangroves we sometimes get boaters going way to fast in the tight creeks and music will inhibit my ability to hear their boat. Pingback: Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Provided that you keep your distance and behave respectfully, you can have a fun time indeed. If I see someone roaring and pounding his chest, like he just finished a cage fight, Im probably not going to and ask him for directions. I have experienced some charges in years past, but the gator will usually swim towards you, suddenly change direction, and dive, making a huge splash. Pingback: A Complete Guide to New Smyrna Beach - Just Go! Find the trail maps here: Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail. It is true that alligators are native to Florida and live in all of the fresh water springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. Well, you could easily say alligator out of water too, except an alligator can still breathe just fine. Basically, every day at 3oclock, I would hop in the canoe and fish for bass and bream. With that said if you are launching from an area where people clean their catch pay close attention to whether or not the alligator is staying close by. You can put them on top, then run your cam straps through the windows of your car. 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. Make sure your valuables are secured by locking your car doors. Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, Florida State Park List JellyPressStore on Etsy, Take me to the River Sticker JellyPressStore on Etsy, 50 Inspiring Quotes about Travel and Family, Visiting Iceland with a Toddler: A Complete Guide. However, as with any outdoor . You can get there from the cities of Crystal River or Apalachicola, where you can rent a kayak and go paddling for hours without alligators. The most abundant small mammal that an alligator eats in our location would be a raccoon, not a zebra. Fisherman will often clean their catch of the day at the local boat ramp, then throw the waste in the water. Lastly, we provide guided kayak tours through the. So this is all about kayaking in Florida without Alligators. Kayakers cannot resist disturbing the gators when kayaking in Florida and they bother them until one attacks. 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. Then, of course, they blame it on the animal and call the area alligator-infested waters. Kayaking is easy, and can be done in two hours, but in the cooler months this is a great place to kayak with manatees in Florida. Not only can this help you avoid sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator nest it can also help you spot amazing wildlife encounters. 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. Just Go Family may earn a commission if these links are clicked. I was definitely nervous but figured it was scared to, plus it was a little cooler then so I figured its behavior was due to avoiding me. Avoid leaving fish on the edge of your boat or even in the bottom. 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. Well, it s because of human stupidity and lack of thinking that accidents and dangerous situations arise. Having no natural predator to prey upon them usually means one thing for the apex hunter, a lot of snoozing. Why Is Boat Speedometer Not Working? Where to Kayak In Florida Without Alligators. If you are driving a car that doesnt have a roof rack, you might want to consider the removable foam blocks. To protect yourself from sunburns, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and apply sunscreen regularly when paddling. True nature enthusiasts and observers know that this is more than enough. These include: Ichetucknee Springs John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Weeki Wachee Springs Blackwater River >> the tail went on our kayak. Down here are some indispensable tips that can help you in safe kayaking with alligators. The Best Disney Springs Happy Hours in 2022 - Just Go! 1- DO NOT FEED THEM For a good reason, it is restricted feeding alligators. Yes, newborn alligators are adorable but don't approach or try to handle them. This is the first and most important rule when kayaking in Florida. Encountering an alligator while kayaking can be a scary and potentially dangerous situation. Luckily, kayakers are usually not perceived as a threat. As long as the kayakers keep an adequate distance from alligators, kayaking with alligators is completely safe. 5) if they have been fed and have become habituated to humans. Being from South Carolina, I have kayaked all over the state and the one thing that would worry me is whether or not fisherman are cleaning their catch at that boat ramp. Mount Rushmore Family Vacation: A Guide to the Perfect Trip! That information about other water hazards was VERY helpful. When you fight a fish and allow them to splash enough it can attract attention from a gator and they have been known to steal your catch. When comparing the American alligator to the Nile Crocodile, the most important difference is what they eat. Then, the alligator stepped with its front feet to keep its head pointed at me as I paddled by. In our waters its crazy the different types of splashes we can get. I was releasing them as quickly as possible, making sure no alligators were hiding out below the surface of the water, ready to snatch my catch or my hand. Here, you can paddle along the winding river and observe its diverse wildlife while exploring. Please, let me explain. They primarily feed on smaller critters such as fish, raccoons, and birds. Similarly, if I see an alligator swimming back and forth quickly, snapping its jaws or, better yet, bellowing and vibrating the water with its back, You better believe Im going to go around that alligator. . It is not safe to kayak in Florida with alligators. In addition, there are no alligators in the area, so you can enjoy your time without worrying about dangerous wildlife. Kayak with a friend With a good camera, you can make some amazing photos and that is it. The Blackwater River is located in the Florida Panhandle and flows through the Blackwater State Forest. However, there are some areas that see 100s of kayakers a day, like the Turner River in the Big Cypress Preserve. All rights reserved, It makes total sense that our customers would be afraid of these normally docile animals. 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? The alligators would begin to show up as soon as I began catching fish. I kayak in the cape fear river in wilmington, nc. Yeah, it could have meant he was establishing his territory. The best advice I can give you is to point your kayak right at the alligator. They obviously dont want to eat you. If you see an alligator, I need you to do this exactly as I say. Lake George, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Wales are the most popular. As you may know, Florida waters are home to many alligators, and its important to know where to go without running into one. It is quite the sight to see and a safe place to kayak through. Can You Sleep in a Kayak? How dangerous are alligators? There are all kinds of things that could puncture an inflatable in Florida; oysters, and barnicles being the most common . I been out a few times, definitely not Sullivan, Maine. this is super important, listen up. However, doing it on your own always poses dangers because not a lot of folk know what not do to. Canoeing and kayaking in Florida is relatively safe and encounters between the creatures and boaters are uncommon. When a gator does attack a person walking the dog, it seems that the gator gets the person by accident, but at this point, when a gator senses its made a connection they go into kill mode and wont let go. Any ideas on what to do if I am caught in that unfortunate situation? This is another potentially dangerous alligator scenario. Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Smyrna Dunes Park: the New Smyrna Beach - just Go Family may earn a commission if these are! Sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator eats in our location would be afraid of these normally animals... By they want to see bioluminescence, not a zebra Turner River in wilmington, is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators that!, whistle, and they look very similar to the perfect Trip eats in our backwaters Florida... A gernade in the boat and be aware of your car own is the and... 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