We went to the world famous Weeki Wachee River and started at the Weeki Wachee State Park Home of the world famous Weeki Wachee Mermaids. The Seminole Indians named the spring “Weeki Wachee,” translated it means “little spring” or “winding river.” Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 72-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. The first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened on October 13, 1947 Water is some of the clearest in Florida. The Weeki Wachee River has a nice flow for a leisurely float down river. You can paddle up stream to the spring and see the spring. There is a $5.00 launch fee per boat, and you can only launch Kayaks, Camoes and paddleboards there, NO INFLATIBLES. They are open every day except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The latest you can launch is at 12 p.m. if you rent a kayak or canoe from them, if you have your own kayak or canoe, you can launch up to 2:45 p.m. with no return transportation. All RENTED KAYAK and CANOES HAVE TO BE AT ROGERS PARK BY 3:30 pm or they charge a $50 dollar an HOUR LATE FEE. Therefore, if you rent from them WATCH YOUR TIME it is easy to lose track of time when you are having fun on the river. Reservations are accepted and suggested. (Especially on weekends.) We had one from our group rent one and they had none when we arrived but luckily they had a cancelation and he was able to get a tandem kayak. (Close call) They do not allow Styrofoam items or ADULT beverages on the river and might check coolers when you launch. When we went down, we saw no trash all the way down. The trip is about 6 miles and is a very easy trip with the nice flow. We did see people tubing down river but do not know where they launched. On the way down the river, we found a rope swing and had all kinds of fun there. Many people were stopping to swing and swim or watch. There are several points that we stopped to cool off and relax in the river. We did see a manatee swimming up river. We went on a Sunday and there was a lot of people on the river. Down river, we ran into people in powerboats and around Rogers park there are some large boats. The lower part of this paddle you have houses. The closer to Rodgers Park you get the more populated it gets. Rodgers Park is a very popular place to swim and the parking lot was full when we arrived. There are a couple canals on the way down river just keep left and you will come to Rodgers Park. This trip is excellent for beginners. They will even give you instructions when you start. This is a very good trip.
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