Which will make your kayaking experience that much safer and worry-free. 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. If an alligator cant internally regulate their body temp then how do they do it? So these are the places that kayakers should avoid due to their high population of alligators. With that said, we all have a healthy respect for them. The sides of my kayak arent very high and it makes me nervous that one may come barreling out of the water and attack my kayak. Does the Delaware River have strong currents? Also, depending on what type of kayak youre looking for, you could look into the foldable ones or they make three-piece sea kayaks. These safe spots are perfect for a peaceful paddle without having to worry about safety. photos by Lee Howard Education and information are how you stay safe while kayaking with alligators in the state of Florida. It is not safe to kayak in Florida with alligators. I currently kayak Northeast Creek in Jacksonville NC. If the water temps are warmer than the air temp, they will simply float in the water. When paddling in this area, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, as the sun can be quite strong here. They have teeth, they are mean-looking, and they look very similar to the well-known saltwater crocodiles in Australia and Africa. So these are where you can go kayaking in Florida safely without fearing Alligators. Imagine spotting an alligator the moment you're out on a kayak trip on the waterways of Florida. FWC's mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance the natural and cultural resources of Florida. The area is 105 miles long, and you will find plenty of diverse wildlife to observe. Sometimes while launching or gearing up for your paddle, you will notice one, two, or three gators on the move. I been out a few times, definitely not Sullivan, Maine. It's always best to use common sense even though it's very safe. Are there alligators in Florida's coastal dune lakes? Manatees can be seen congregate in the Florida springs from late November to March. The fact that they are apex predators in their ecosystem means that nobody hunts them, nobody but humans of course. Our kayaks are designed for this specific area, are unbelievably stable, and have higher gunnels than a typical sea kayak. . The heaviest Florida alligator weighed in at 1,043 lbs taken from Lake Dora. Its located near Fort White, just two hours away from Gainesville. - Just Go! Following these suggestions, we will sometimes pass by a 10 footer within 10 yards, but. 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. BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak both provide the best bioluminescence tours in Florida and are highly recommended. Kayaking in these locations will give you an amazing experience. There are all kinds of things that could puncture an inflatable in Florida; oysters, and barnicles being the most common . That dark bottom and tannic water make it very difficult to see the gators once they sink. And, how far away from it do you think I should paddle? I kayak in the cape fear river in wilmington, nc. The Manatee River is a great place to go kayaking in Florida. Is kayaking with alligators safe . Get up and Go Kayaking provides clear kayak tours of this amazing area, or you can rent kayaks right in the park. The Everglades National Park is one place all kayakers should avoid due to the high population of alligators. After all, this is a pretty serious subject. Here, you can explore the winding river and discover its diverse wildlife while paddling along it. Launch Points: Pineland Monument Park. Asked By : Edith Mcclain. This will help you have a better view of your surroundings and potential hazards that could be present in the water. Pingback: Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Is Destin Florida safe to visit? It also messes with your ability to be aware of your surroundings. My friend wasnt concerned and has paddled around gators before so I went with it. You can put them on top, then run your cam straps through the windows of your car. Unlike people, alligators are cold-blooded, meaning they are not able to regulate their own body temperature. We try our best not to disturb them and have found the. A Complete Guide to New Smyrna Beach - Just Go! Water-skiers in your group do not feed the gators, but other people might. Types of Kayaking: Coastal kayaking, river kayaking, fishing kayaking, camping kayaking. What to do if you see an alligator while kayaking? We provide them with alligator safety information before entering the water. Had the gator not entered the water I probably wouldnt have noticed until we were just a few feet away from the bank he/she was sitting on, which is scary considering we kept getting caught up in trees and plants in the water. Kayaking with Kids: A Complete Guide - Just Go. I will not be buying an inflatable for FL. We waited a few seconds and paddled through but I was definitely scared he/she could be right under us. In fact, since they're cold-blooded, they tend to spend most of their time sunbathing on the swamp . Kayakers should stay away from this area as it can be dangerous due to the abundance of alligators. We encounter numerous alligators on a daily basis. Weather can change quickly in Florida, so its important to check the forecast before heading out and ensure you have all the necessary safety equipment. Alligators are considered docile and, for the most part, dont want to have anything to do with you. Its simple when a sandbar is warmer than the water, gators will exit and bask in the sun. Thanks again for having a helpful spirit . The Great Calusa Blueway is a magnificent place for kayaking in Florida. Alligators have shorter and broader snouts than crocodiles. It is their natural home, and the fact that people are intruding means the waters are human-infested. Any ideas on what to do if I am caught in that unfortunate situation? You just gave me all the information I was searching for. The Rainbow Springs State Park is a great place to go kayaking in Florida. I immediately stopped because the waterway couldnt have been more than 15-20 feet wide in that spot. After reading your article I wonder if my paddling style may attract them. If you see a weird elevated mound in the middle of a pond, you could and probably should consider that to be an alligator nest if a gator is nearby. Do Alligators Attack Kayaks? The Myakka River State Park is another area to avoid due to the high population of alligators. 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. Gator at Wakulla Springs, FL. There are several places in Florida that you can safely kayak in that do not have any alligators. Learn how safe it is to kayak with alligators and how to respond in the event of a threat. Keep an eye out for the following warning signs Well cover where to go, what safety tips to follow, and where to avoid going due to the fear of Alligators. Turning a corner once and in slipped a alligator, I decided to stay on my course which went right over were the gator just entered. Yikes! In the end, we have outlined some safety tips for kayaking in Florida. We can see how the gators react underwater when we encounter them in our super clear ponds with sandy bottoms. They might be a bit heavier, but they are next to indestructible even from an Aligator Tooth! As a Florida family, kayaking is one of our favorite things to do. Thanks for the information perhaps some day we shall paddle . We get this question all the time. So what are you waiting for? Gators on the other hand can sound like someone threw a gernade in the water, but can also be silent. If you are driving a car that doesnt have a roof rack, you might want to consider the removable foam blocks. The key here is to keep the fish as quiet as possible when reeling them in. The same thing can happen in gator territory. Search no more! If the gator swims directly at you, you should line the kayak to point directly at him, then back paddle. 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. Crystal River is well known as a great manatee spotting site, and leads to Three Sisters Spring, a beautiful kayaking site. Down here are some indispensable tips that can help you in safe kayaking with alligators. A Comprehensive Guide. Lastly, it is always great to push your limits and get a little out of your comfort zone. If you encounter an alligator while kayaking and they are perfectly still, they arent making any weird movements or noises, and they seem comfortable this is what I tell my customers. I hope this helps! I wouldnt say more susceptible, but it does make you more vulnerable to all things sharp. While paddling, keep an eye out for alligators or any other potential hazards that may be present in the water. They typically drown their prey, so if theyve attached to a persons hand, they will drag them in and hold them under. 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? . Lake jesup is the most alligator-infested lake in the us. 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. Titusville and Cocoa Beach are the two best places to see bioluminescence, not just in Florida but in the world. 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. Most alligator attacks in the Carolinas involve someone walking a small dog close to the water. [edit] I dont think your kayaking style would attract an alligator unless you were splashing like a fish or bird in distress. Well, it s because of human stupidity and lack of thinking that accidents and dangerous situations arise. Thank you for volunteering for cleanup! If you are planning on kayaking in Florida, it is important to be aware of the potential dangers posed by alligators. Yes, they are perceiving your kayak as an unknown, potential hazard and they're going to a different location where they feel safer. Know Now! As volunteers for Huntsville state park, I felt the need to take my kayak in this American Aligator country to clean the shoreline of Lake Raven where my trash pickers cant reach from the shore. If this happens, you should paddle away from the agitated gator. The most popular mangrove tunnel tour is in Tampa Bay. Yes, it is safe to kayak in Florida. Its always a good idea to keep a break-apart spare paddle. I loved it so much the first time that I bought my own the same week. >> we were kayaking and a gator almost flipped us over. 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. If you are interested in one of our kayak tours please dont hesitate to. (FWC) is responsible for the management of the state's water resources. Chances of dying from lighting strike or hurricane are higher. With that said, Nile Crocodiles regularly eat animals that are twice as large as a full-grown adult human. The most common instance in our area is a fisherman. To be honest, I dont think I would be able to look away, but I could maybe fake it. All in all its best to keep as much distance as you can from them when you can help it. Buy a quality primary paddle and always bring a spare. 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