Orlando · SILVER SPRINGS KAYAK TOURS
Silver Springs pushes out half a billion gallons a day, keeps a colony of wild rhesus monkeys on its banks and runs glass-bottom boats over the vents. These 15 sort the guided paddles from the rentals, with prices, distances and what you are likely to see.
Meet guides such as Josh, Bry, or Sam at Silver Springs State Park, learn to paddle a tandem clear kayak, then follow the spring run for 90 minutes to two hours. Look below for fish and turtles, and along the banks for manatees, monkeys, alligators, birds, and otters.
“Can warmly recommend this trip, so amazing seeing all the wildlife! Our guide Bry was really amzing also 🥰”
Spend two hours on Silver Springs with guides such as Steve, Chris, Ashley, and Justin. Paddle a clear kayak, tandem boat, solo kayak, or paddleboard while looking for manatees, monkeys, turtles, alligators, fish, birds, and old film relics beneath the water.
“Justin was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and did a great job of finding and pointing out wildlife as we paddled through the park”
Paddle a tandem clear kayak along Florida’s spring-fed Silver River for about two hours. Guides such as Aly, Josh, and Emma point out wildlife, share local nature facts, and help beginners find their rhythm. Kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and dry bags are provided.
“Emma was a great tour guide. Would definitely recommend this tour. We saw not one but 10 alligators during this kayak tour. Wonderful experience. Saw plenty of monkeys as well. Water is amazingly clean and river looks beautiful.”
Spend about two and a half hours kayaking or paddleboarding on Silver River with guides such as Brad, Sassy, Maria, Carrie, or Pipi. Boats, paddles, life vests, and dry bags are supplied. Expect clear water, wildlife, local stories, and guide-taken photos, plus a separate $6 park and launch fee.
“My family had the best time with Brad! We love kayaking and all things wildlife, so we really enjoyed learning about the local ecosystem and springs. We didn’t see any manatees this time, but we did see so many other animals - gators, turtles, birds, snakes & fish! Can’t wait to come back and do this tour again!”
Spend about two hours on Silver Springs with a guide such as Ilissa, Sherri, Shary, Tanya, or Caitlyn leading the way. Your glass-bottom kayak, paddle, seat, PFD, and dry storage are included. Watch for manatees, alligators, turtles, monkeys, otters, birds, fish, statues, and wrecks.
“Great guides and an excellent experience! We saw an abundance of wildlife. A perfect place to see manatee and alligators.”
You rent a tandem clear canoe at Silver Springs State Park for a self-guided 90-minute paddle. Rebecca, Tania, Paul, or another staff member may help with check-in, maps, launch details, and wildlife-spotting tips. Expect crystal-clear water, manatees, turtles, birds, fish, and a chance of seeing rhesus monkeys.
“This was an Amazing Experience! As much as i love the gulf. Im willing to give up a few days at the beach to enjoy springs for a few days every year. I felt like i was in a jungle during some parts of the trip. It was Amazing. The glass bottom kyacks really made the trip.”
Join Aaron of AWA Kayak Tours for a relaxed 90-minute paddle around Silver Springs’ Fort King loop. You’ll use a single or tandem kayak, follow clear water past turtles, manatees, alligators, fish, birds, and monkeys, and receive basic gear, local guidance, and dry bags for small valuables.
“Book with Aaron!!! Very informed on the native species and pointed out many spots we certainly would have missed on our own. Gave us the history we even saw sunken boats. Would surely recommend and go again!”
Set out from Silver Springs State Park in a clear tandem kayak after a short lesson with Justin and the Kayaking Florida team. Paddle the King’s Trail and main river at your own pace, using a treasure map to find sunken ships and old movie relics while watching for manatees, monkeys, turtles, birds, otters, and alligators.
“A great experience in the wild but a real feel for safe kayaking. The water and wildlife were incredible!!”
Launch with Kayak Rental Silver Springs LLC for a self-guided paddle through Silver Springs State Park. You get a kayak or paddleboard, paddle, life vest, whistle, map, and optional dry bag. Watch for manatees, otters, turtles, birds, alligators, fish, and monkeys.
“Loved the beautiful clear water, getting to experience all the wild life1 we seen lots of turtles and birds and several alligators but no Manatees. Not sure which Lil cove they were hiding in. A very comfortable paddle. Water is GORGEOUS!! Would recommend this adventure to any and all!”
You’ll launch at Silver Springs State Park for about two hours of private kayaking with Sassy’s team. Sassy, Brad, or Destiny may help you get set up, with kayaks, life vests, dry bags, a safety briefing, and a route map provided.
“A fantastic experience,Sassy is a fountain of knowledge, she has a great passion and respect for the wildlife, I would recommend anyone that loves and respects wildlife to go on this.”
Launch at Silver Springs State Park for about three hours on a kayak or paddle board. Watch for manatees and monkeys, paddle up to five miles downriver, and use the free shuttle from Ray Wayside Park back to your car.
“Tour operator never showed up. We texted and were finally called back after the designated time to be told they didn't receive our booking confirmation.”
Paddle through Silver Springs beneath cypress trees and Spanish moss with an English-speaking guide, possibly Tania, who points out wildlife and explains the area’s plants, fish, and history. The two-hour tour includes kayak gear, but park admission and the launch fee cost extra.
“SCAM PAGE BEWARE!! Nobody was there to meet me, nobody replied when I tried to contact. No staff at the state park had ever heard of this company. I spoke to all the kayak rental providers and they confirmed this page is a scam!”
Launch from Silver Springs State Park in a glass-bottom kayak, follow a map through the Ft King paddle loop and Silver River, and return after about two hours. Wet Rabbit Kayaks provides basic instruction, safety gear, and dry storage, but you need solid paddling and navigation skills.
“It was wonderful, we did it after 3 pm so it was not so much people. Water was very clear, weather was not so hot with breeze. Easily to see fish turtles under water and gators resting on the bank.”
Meet Casey near the Silver Springs kayak launch for about two hours on the Silver River. Your clear kayak, paddle, life jacket, seat, and dry bag are provided. Small groups of up to eight make it easier to hear the guide and spot manatees, turtles, alligators, birds, fish, and otters.
“Great experience, beautiful views and easy to navigate. Got to see manatees and some gators. Even great for the inexperienced.”
Travel from Orlando to Silver Springs State Park in a small group of up to 14. Spend five hours among clear springs, forest trails, wildlife, and optional glass-bottom boat or kayak trips. Guides such as Gus handle the driving and help keep the day easy.
“I went to the Silver Springs of Florida, the driver's big brother was kind, the landscape along the way was beautiful, and people were happy. The only small disadvantage is that the season is not right, not seeing the long-awaited bulls. However, the glass boat experience is very special, so you can clearly see the underwater view. I also rented a transparent crystal boat, relaxed on clear waterways, very polite. Overall a relaxing and memorable trip, recommended for those who love nature and water activities.Auto-translated”
