| The following are brief descriptions of a number of the trips we offer. Click on the maps to get a larger view of the normal routes. Routes and distances may vary according the the paddler abilities and environmental conditions. For more information on booking public and private tours, click HERE. 1. Kings Bay Manatees. This trip is our seasonal specialty and features interpretation of the life history and ecology of the Florida Manatee. Passive observation is the order of the day. The trip is a flatwater loop and not at all strenuous. Polarized sunglasses are a must. Manatee Viewing Guidelines 2. Rainbow River. The Rainbow River is a clear, spring fed river. Gentle current, large springs, crystal clear waters. Moderately developed, but beautiful. We'll depart KP Hole, a Marion County Park and paddle upstream for about an hour to the headwaters at Rainbow Springs State Park. We'll disembark and hike the paved trail through the park with a stop at the falls. An easy trip back to the launch 3. Chassahowitzka River. A Creek derivation meaning "Land of the Hanging Pumpkins", a Spanish reference to the tree hanging gourds the natives cultivated for food. A wild and scenic river. The trip begins at a county campground and winds up and down the main channel through portions of the Withlacoochee State Forest. We'll explore some of the more interesting side creeks including Baird Creek and Potter Creek. 4.Ozello Walk About A small coastal community surrounded by the waters of St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve and the islands of the Crystal River Preserve State Park. Aardvarks job (for 15 years) used to be to manage these areas for the Florida Dept.Of Environmental Protection. Clear shallow grassflats, pre-columbian shell middens, white pelicans, wading birds galore, and eagle and maybe a dolphin or 2 will be the highlights. This is more of a 4 hour wander than a set path. This is the best trip for Saturdays when the other areas may be congested. 5. Weeki Wachee. A 6 mile trip from Roger's Park back up to the home of Florida's Mermaids. This is the most strenuous of the trips, but still doable without too much trouble. Swift water and narrow channels combine for an easy trip home. Many protected lands along the way. This trip is considered a full day trip because of the distances involved ans is offered only as a private tour. |
Manatees on Kings Bay
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| Day Trip Options |
Kayak Trips
| Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company Crystal River, Florida |
| Click on the maps to see the routes. |