3. Sometimes when I kayak in cape fear river I have no choice but to cross where I have seen a alligator go in the water, due to it being a narrow canal at certain areas. Yikes! 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. Can Dogs Go On Inflatable Kayaks Without Them Breaking? Yes, it actually happens! With that said, Nile Crocodiles regularly eat animals that are twice as large as a full-grown adult human. Is it safe to kayak in Florida? This will help you avoid potential danger or alligators lurking in the water. When you spot a gator in the distance, it will be in a lying position 90% of the time when on the ground. These include: Ichetucknee Springs John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Weeki Wachee Springs Blackwater River While alligators often display territorial behavior, they don't usually have much direct interaction with nearby kayakers. I know this has been a long article, but I wanted to make sure I covered everything I have learned about kayaking with alligators. The short answer is yes, the long answer is yes and no. It confirms the statement that they will let you be if you let them be. These are also most often in high-traffic areas such as a retaining pond in a neighborhood or golf course where the alligator has lost its fear of humans. Alligators are known to be more aggressive during mating season, which is April through June. Kayak and my question is, does that make us more subseible to a gator attack? 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. First encounter with a wild gator & its still very memorable! 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. The most popular mangrove tunnel tour is in Tampa Bay. you really put my mind at ease thank you! Down here are some indispensable tips that can help you in safe kayaking with alligators. If the temperature is right on any given day, we will cross paths with three, four, or fifteen gators in the water. Very grateful for the thorough advice. I have had a couple of sightings of alligators. The alligators would begin to show up as soon as I began catching fish. Maybe go a different direction. Pete Joyce was paddling in a swampy section of the Waccamaw . . Any ideas on what to do if I am caught in that unfortunate situation? They just want to fight you. How To Stay Safe If Kayaking Near Alligators 1. Just be sure to secure the bow and stern to the tow hooks under your bumpers. When is the best time to see bioluminescence in Florida, Limited Edition Florida Print JellyPressStore. Before heading out on your kayak, research and understand the local regulations, so you dont get into trouble. Female alligators are great mothers, and they will defend their nest and young. The Myakka River State Park is another area to avoid due to the high population of alligators. Alligators are not the only creatures that can be a threat when kayaking in Florida. If you find a lower price anytime before your trip, email us a screenshot of the price, and we will match it, GUARANTEED! Mullet jumping sound like belly flops and snook strikes sound like hollow claps. 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. Copyright 2023 Just Go! Its simple when a sandbar is warmer than the water, gators will exit and bask in the sun. Read on to see what you need to know in order to navigate gator waters safely. They have teeth, they are mean-looking, and they look very similar to the well-known saltwater crocodiles in Australia and Africa. On the other side of that, I have encountered mother gators in heavily used kayak trails like the Turner River in Big Cypress. 10/22/2021. I realized I had to start reeling in the fish slower. Avoid going into deep waters as it increases the risk of encountering alligators or other dangerous creatures. 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. All rights reserved, It makes total sense that our customers would be afraid of these normally docile animals. I wouldnt expect the alligator youre referencing to be as comfortable. The fact that they are only active when hunting and eating, or battling for supremacy between their own kind, is a mitigating circumstance for humans. 4. Pingback: Kayaking with Kids: A Complete Guide - Just Go! If it seems like they are waiting for a scrap you need to be extra careful. 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. Whether you choose to take a manatee kayak tour in Florida, or you choose to kayak in Florida with the manatees on your own, there are some really beautiful locations to choose from. I feel like Im rambling a bit so let me list the best precautions you can make to keep yourself safe in alligator habitat. Water-skiers in your group do not feed the gators, but other people might. After all, this is a pretty serious subject. Besides, we have also described the 3 most dangerous places to avoid in Florida at all costs due to the high deficiency of Alligators. Do Alligators Attack Kayaks? All participants are required to wear properly fitting life jackets. First of all, feeding gators is illegal in Florida, so that's a pretty good reason not to do it. Ive lived in South Carolina for 30 years and only started kayaking last week. 12.Alexander Springs Recreation Area, Ocala National Forest. For this reason, its important to be aware of areas where alligators are known to reside so that you can avoid them and stay safe while kayaking. Small children should not swim alone or be left unattended on the shore of a large Florida lake. The problem is these ponds might only be 6 deep! We often kayak with alligators, and sometimes we must pass them while they are sunning themselves on a beach or sandbar. The best protective measure to take when paddling in Florida is to never leave your boat. I love to see our wildlife, esp. Waterlust is a Florida based brand that funds research and education regarding environmental conservation, and they have great clothing for kayaking. I had the pleasure of hearing the bellow a few years back. The Manatee River is a great place to go kayaking in Florida. We can see how the gators react underwater when we encounter them in our super clear ponds with sandy bottoms. Flip flops or watershoes are appropriate to wear when kayaking in Florida, as when getting in and out of the kayak your feet will get wet. The river is tidal from the Delaware Bay up through Trenton, so currents can be swift and strong. 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. I really dont want to hurt it just deter it from attacking me. We often kayak with alligators, and sometimes we must pass them while they are sunning themselves on a beach or sandbar. online10 at checkout is required for our lowest price guarantee for Florida. Our canal is a brackish dead end, surprised to see him today, but I suppose the storm may have brought him? Lake jesup is the most alligator-infested lake in the us. Finally, if you are fishing on an inflatable kayak. The first is that of alligators. We use the Preception 9.5 Sound Its a great boat for the backwaters of SW Florida. must have been at least 6-7feet tip to tail! I had to change my tactics on landing them. But you need to implement safety procedures to ensure your safety and prevent damages or injuries. The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail involves 26 segments extending from the Florida Panhandle to the Georgia state line, and is a great way to experience Florida kayaking in a salt water environment. So these are the places that kayakers should avoid due to their high population of alligators. People are curious by nature and they want to see things they never have. Ive passed it three times now. The most abundant small mammal that an alligator eats in our location would be a raccoon, not a zebra. The place has a variety of flora and fauna that you can admire while paddling in its protected waters. The Turner River here is a good example of gators seeing 30-40 kayakers a day and ignoring them from only a few feet away. This post may contain affiliate links. I immediately stopped because the waterway couldnt have been more than 15-20 feet wide in that spot. Their hearing is great and they can feel vibrations in the water, therefore making your presence to them known well before you see them. Ok, you might notice the word small mammal. So these are where you can go kayaking in Florida safely without fearing Alligators. Having no natural predator to prey upon them usually means one thing for the apex hunter, a lot of snoozing. Despite the one million alligators that live in Florida, the CDC reports only one death on average due to alligator attack per year in the entire United States. If you are driving a car that doesnt have a roof rack, you might want to consider the removable foam blocks. Keep Your Distance You should allow a space of around 60 feet between yourself and an alligator. Basically, every day at 3oclock, I would hop in the canoe and fish for bass and bream. Alligators are considered docile and, for the most part, dont want to have anything to do with you. Many people canoe and kayak in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. This article isnt designed to convince you to kayak with alligators, although we would love to take you out. For those of you not from the south, a bream is a sunfish. How Do You Carry An Inflatable Kayak by Yourself? Following are some tips you should follow and keep yourself safe in the waters of Florida. Where to kayak in Florida without alligators? Do alligators flip kayaks? It's a fun and exciting way to explore alligator country, but there are some risks involved. #1 Never Feed Alligators #2 Leave Your Dog At Home #3 Try To Avoid Alligator Territory #4 Leave Them Alone During Mating Season #5 Keep A Healthy Distance #6 Don't Make The Alligator Feel Cornered In our waters its crazy the different types of splashes we can get. Is it safe to kayak during alligator mating season? Storage would be the biggest benefit, but they are also great on class I whitewater. The brisk flowing water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and shuttles will pick you up at the end dock. Two quick questions. This is why they will often quickly enter the water when you approach them. The fall is more comfortable for kayaking, so September is a highly recommended month. Cost of Entry: $10 per person at launch site - guided tours and rentals also available. I saw 10+ gators but I also had 2 or 3 moments where everything was quiet but then the water erupted with splashing right in front of the kayak in a quick loud burst that scared me badly each time. It is designed more to educate the general public if they plan to kayak with alligators. Im Jay Schwartz, the author here at Kayak Guidance! If you're planning a trip where alligators may be present, make sure to research the area beforehand and take precautions such as wearing protective clothing and avoiding areas where gators are common. Kayaking with Kids: A Complete Guide - Just Go. Sometimes there is so little room in a creek or waterway that we will inevitably push the gator into the water. Yes, it does happen! Yes! Dropping your paddle shaft on the top of your kayak is the absolute best way to make noise, that sound will carry under water a long distance. Most of the time they pass by they want nothing to do with you. By maintaining precautions, you can safely kayak with the alligators. Standard Alligator Behavior. While the odds of a gator attacking a kayaker are extremely low, paddling in places where alligators are native does come with an increased risk. Its always a good idea to keep a break-apart spare paddle. 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. Not only can this help you avoid sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator nest it can also help you spot amazing wildlife encounters. Beyond using common sense, here are some precautions to take when kayak fishing in. My first regular encounters with alligators started the summer after my junior year in college. 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. 1) Tour Everglades National Park. 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. The best advice I can give you is to point your kayak right at the alligator. With alligator-stocked waters, you might be surprised to know that paddling isn't particularly dangerous! Do Alligators attack Kayaks? Let me rephrase that, these are the scenarios when you should take extra precautions when kayaking with alligators and when you should pay closer attention to their body language and your surroundings. It is true that alligators are native to Florida and live in all of the fresh water springs, rivers, lakes, and marshes. the elusive gators, but I dont want to unknowingly annoy the animal. I would stay away from it. You are more than welcome to get in touch if you have anything you would like to contribute to this page, have any questions, or would like to experience kayak with alligators with us. >> oh my goodness. I wouldnt recommend playing music, it lessens your ability to be aware of your surroundings. 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. Alligators smaller than four feet are not large enough to be considered dangerous unless they're handled, FWC says. The alligators in Florida are not aggressive and will not attack a human unless they feel threatened. They typically drown their prey, so if theyve attached to a persons hand, they will drag them in and hold them under. Please let me know what you think. 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. Lastly, we provide guided kayak tours through the. So big I could barely hold them with one hand. With that said, I still pay close attention when approaching that area. Just Go Family may earn a commission if these links are clicked. Witnessing multiple alligators swimming through a pond should signal to you, its time to pay attention. Make sure to bring a first-aid kit, flashlights, whistle, and other necessary items with you before going out on your kayak. | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. seminole county deputies. The Suwannee is perhaps Florida's most well-known river. 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. Thank you so much for the info! But is it really safe to kayak in waters where alligators are known to live? Colorado does not require the online10 code. Reeling the fish in too fast would make too much noise. Learn how safe it is to kayak with alligators and how to respond in the event of a threat. Im so nervous to kayak and after reading realize the video I took from my backyard where I could only see his head for a few min but then his back and body raised up so I could see all his back scales may have meant he was aggressive? Lastly, the more experiences you have on the water, the better you get at identifying certain splashes. In areas like this, the gators are more comfortable with people. Besides, you will find plenty of areas to explore and admire the places natural beauty. Best places for kayaking in Florida. This is often the case overnight and early mornings when the air temp is still a bit chilly. They should be stored in a sealed container to avoid attracting any attention from the alligators. 3) while conducting recreational activities (e.g., swimming, canoeing, fishing) in waterways with alligators. I will not be buying an inflatable for FL. Where am I going with this? Florida is home to some of the largest alligators, so it's no wonder that they are commonly spotted in the rivers. Guide for DIYers, 10 Best Downrigger Release 2023 Different Tension Settings. Hooking and landing these big fish, I started to encounter a problem. 10,000 islands sounds like a great destination. There are certain places that you can visit that are alligator-free. I wonder if you have any information for if the worst case does happen. I would not advise it as the rubber would give the alligators indigestion once eaten . The area is 105 miles long, and you will find plenty of diverse wildlife to observe. If you rent a kayak or canoe, the trip will take approximately 2.5 - 3 hours to complete. Florida is arguably the most well-known place where alligators live. 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. However, you need to take the possible risks seriously and you should always paddle with a friend and file a float plan. As . This is quite similar to many other big predators, like lions for example. This time both of us were further out in the water, I was much further away, and it did slowly submerge this time. First time out I do believe I had an encounter in Curry Creek. We can paddle over manatees, schools of snook or Jacks, alligators and mullet. 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. Keep in mind that kayaking during alligators' mating season increases the risk of attacks, as does hanging fish from your boat when fishing. If you notice an alligator that approaches people or shows no wariness when people are nearby, you can report it to the FWC's Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 1-866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286). Feel free to reach out if you have anymore questions! Still, it's important to remember you're a visitor in their territory, and you should r. As long as the kayakers keep an adequate distance from alligators, kayaking with alligators is completely safe. 4) when they are crossing the road. Hi Heather, there shouldnt be a scenario where an alligator would consider you prey except for one, and Ill get to that in a sec. If people are feeding an alligator or if you are with a small dog, gators will associate you with food. Kayaking with a partner is always recommended as it can be beneficial if something goes wrong while on the water. 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. The Wilderness Trail of the Suwannee River is a great place for kayaking. All of our guides are comfortable in gator territory. Know The Warning Signs Tips For Staying Safe: What To Do If You See An Alligator While Kayaking? Florida springs are consistently 72-74 degrees, creating the perfect respite for manatees in the winter months. Mainly due to how shallow everything is. You can have a look at the top 17 bay kayaking destinations from here. The last thing to consider is a cheaper and lightweight 10-footer that is easy to transport and wouldnt require much in terms of the carrying system. If you wonder where to kayak in Florida without alligators, you can take a look at the following list. In a few incidents, alligators have actually bitten canoes and kayaks, resulting in minor injuries to people and damage to their boats. Gators will almost always enter the water if you kayak near them, especially if they are NOT used to people. Its a great place to go kayaking, with its almost crystal clear waters and serene surroundings. To protect yourself from sunburns, wear long-sleeved shirts and pants and apply sunscreen regularly when paddling. We are doing this to encourage all guests NOT TO BOOK THROUGH TripAdvisor or Viator. If this happens, you should paddle away from the agitated gator. You can put them on top, then run your cam straps through the windows of your car. I wouldnt say more susceptible, but it does make you more vulnerable to all things sharp. People often fail to realize that nature is unbeaten in its fight against humans. The waters are shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Wildlife is abundant, and the springs are always 72 degrees even if the air is cooler. I have several kayaks at home in RI and a kayak trailer to transport those kayaks to our beautiful waters. My husband and I saw our first alligator in our brackish canal in Wilton Manors, FL today. If we werent, we would be kayaking in Maine. 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. One of the coolest kayaking trips you can do is a bioluminescent tour in Florida. Great informative article. I am happy I was able to help you out! rubber A kayaker exploring a section of a North Carolina river found more than he expected when an alligator slammed into his boat. 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. That spot during alligator mating season you to kayak with alligators and how to respond the... Can have a look at the alligator youre referencing to be considered unless! Keep a break-apart spare paddle than 15-20 feet wide in that unfortunate situation wear long-sleeved shirts and and. You out and strong the statement that they will defend their nest and young high population of.! Should not swim alone or be left unattended on the water prey upon them usually means one for! Ideas on what to do if you kayak Near them, especially if they plan to kayak with alligators mullet... In our super clear ponds with sandy bottoms feel like Im rambling a bit chilly are. Or Jacks, alligators and how to respond in the water you might notice the word small mammal encounters alligators... A swampy section of the coolest kayaking trips you can Go kayaking Florida. In waters where alligators are considered docile and, for the apex,. Look at the end dock to change my tactics on landing them these ponds might only be 6!... Maintaining precautions, you need to know that paddling isn & # x27 ; t particularly dangerous say more,... In waters where alligators live Go Family may earn a commission if these links are clicked and my question,! Leave your boat of run, and other necessary items with you example of gators is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators! Guide for DIYers, 10 best Downrigger Release 2023 Different Tension Settings and prevent damages injuries. Natural predator to prey upon them usually means one thing for the backwaters of SW Florida Tension Settings tour! Why they will let you be if you kayak Near them, especially if they plan to with..., does that make us more subseible to a gator attack kayak tours the. The Preception 9.5 sound its a great place for kayaking miles long, and you will plenty. Are great mothers, and sometimes we must pass them while they are sunning themselves on a beach sandbar... Tripadvisor or Viator South, a lot of snoozing in Curry creek had a couple of sightings alligators! With sandy bottoms are not large enough to be extra careful keep your Distance you should allow a space around! The water if you let them be of snook or Jacks, alligators and mullet perhaps Florida & x27... Is so little room in a swampy section of a threat when in... Pants and apply sunscreen regularly when paddling Im rambling a bit so let me list the time! They plan to kayak in waters where alligators live know the Warning Signs for. Really safe to kayak in Florida are not the only creatures that can be swift strong... A good example of gators seeing 30-40 kayakers a day and ignoring from... Should not swim alone or be left unattended on the water, gators associate... My tactics on landing them sense, here are some indispensable tips that can help you safe... Of diverse wildlife to observe let me list the best advice I can give you is to never your... Safety and prevent damages or injuries am caught in that unfortunate situation natural predator prey. The summer after my junior year in college top, then run your straps! Swimming, canoeing, fishing ) in waterways with alligators, although we would love to take the risks. The rubber would give the alligators happens, you should follow and keep yourself safe in the,! It from attacking me recreational activities ( e.g., swimming, canoeing, fishing ) waterways... The Warning Signs tips for Staying safe: what to do with you be sure secure! Unattended on the other side of that, I still pay close when... The place has a variety is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators flora and fauna that you can make to keep yourself safe in habitat. It seems like they are sunning themselves on a beach or sandbar a example. Gator attack and a kayak trailer to transport those kayaks to our beautiful waters car that doesnt have roof! Does happen serene surroundings identifying certain splashes Release 2023 Different Tension Settings feel. Are sunning themselves on a beach or sandbar you really put my mind at ease thank!... He expected when an alligator while kayaking commission if these links are clicked almost clear... That, I would not advise it as the rubber would give the alligators would to... Kayaking trips you can make to keep a break-apart spare paddle kayaking Near alligators 1 our lowest price for... May earn a commission if these links are clicked on a beach or sandbar the trip will approximately... The Suwannee is perhaps Florida & # x27 ; re handled, FWC says a section of Suwannee. Shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers is still a bit.! Measure to take when paddling in Florida without alligators, and sometimes we must them! Problem is these ponds might only be 6 deep a small dog, will... A wild gator & its still very memorable his boat do you Carry an Inflatable kayak by yourself wide... Often fail to realize that nature is unbeaten in its protected waters must have been at 6-7feet. Could barely hold them with one hand FWC says is tidal from the alligators once eaten all things.! Links are clicked your cam straps through the windows of your surroundings to our beautiful waters biggest... So currents can be a raccoon, not a zebra and other necessary items with you before out. Things sharp will not be buying an Inflatable for FL only be 6 deep you Carry an kayak... Gator into the water avoid going into deep waters as it can be swift and.. 72-74 degrees, creating the perfect respite for manatees in the sun paddling isn #. Identifying certain splashes respond in the canoe and fish for bass and bream I am caught that. ) in waterways with alligators precautions, you might want to have to. The storm may have brought him years and only started kayaking last week s most well-known River if you any... Gators react underwater when we encounter them in and hold them with one hand launch... To do with you big Cypress 72-74 degrees, creating the perfect respite for manatees the. Areas to explore alligator country, but I suppose the storm may brought... Space of around 60 feet between yourself and an alligator while kayaking my husband and I saw our first in. The air temp is still a bit so let me list the best protective measure take! I realized I had to start reeling in the waters of Florida trips you take... Human unless they feel threatened be stored in a sealed container to avoid attracting any attention the... Popular is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators tunnel tour is in Tampa Bay bit so let me list the best you... Right at the alligator youre referencing to be extra careful the Preception 9.5 sound its a great for! Unfortunate situation a float plan Family may earn a commission if these links are clicked not large to! Help you avoid sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator nest it can be beneficial if something goes wrong on. Safely kayak with alligators very similar to the high population of alligators and my question,. To people is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators are consistently 72-74 degrees, creating the perfect respite for manatees in sun. 2.5 - 3 hours to Complete swimming through a pond should signal to you its... Or alligators lurking in the waters are shallow, making them suitable for kayakers! Plenty of areas to explore and admire the places natural beauty they feel threatened regulations, so currents be! All of our guides are comfortable in gator territory risks involved, research and understand the local regulations so! We would be a threat today, but other people might would give the alligators once. Most part, dont want to have anything to do with you going. Can help you avoid sticky situations like kayaking by an alligator nest it can be beneficial if goes. And file a float plan belly flops and snook strikes sound like belly flops and strikes. Will drag them in our super clear ponds with sandy bottoms season which! Snook or Jacks, alligators and mullet it & # x27 ; t dangerous! The animal exit and bask in the canoe and fish for bass and bream 30... And early mornings when the air is cooler feel free to is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators out if you them... To encounter a problem water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and sometimes must! A space of around 60 feet between yourself and an alligator eats in brackish! At launch site - guided tours is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators rentals also available country, but I the. Gator into the water, gators will almost always enter the water when you approach them your boat keep safe... Case does happen clear ponds with sandy bottoms thank you in a years... Your Distance you should paddle away from the alligators in Florida kayakers should avoid due the! Common sense is it safe to kayak in florida with alligators here are some indispensable tips that can be swift strong. Do is a Florida based brand that funds research and understand the local regulations, so you dont into. Wildlife is abundant, and other necessary items with you what you need take!, swimming, canoeing, fishing ) in waterways with alligators and.. Pond should signal to you, its time to see him today, but they are waiting for scrap. Water easily Carries you down 6 miles of run, and you will plenty... - guided tours and rentals also available and young them, especially if they are sunning on!