Are you planning a trip and looking for a Spring? Weeki Wachee Springs State Park will be one of the greatest options. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park was my husband’s and I first spring to visit in Florida. We discovered this magical place in September of 2019 and ever since that day, we visit this spring every couple of months. There is something about Weeki Wachee Springs that makes us feel at peace, recharged and reenergized. Weeki Wachee is located in Spring Hill, Florida. If you are driving from Tampa, it will take you around 45 minutes of North Tampa and about 2 hours if driving from Orlando. Weekie Wachee means “little spring” or “winding river“. According to Weeki Wachee’s website, this spring is very deep and the bottom has never been reached. Everyday millions of gallons of crystal clear, fresh and 74-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. If you are interested in reading a little bit more about the History of Weeki Wachee, you can click this link for additional information.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has several activities and amenities to enjoy for all family members, budgets and levels of physical activity. What can you do in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park? You can go to Buccaneer Bay located within Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. This place has plenty of activities for every family member. You can have a relaxing day in front of the Springs white sandy beach area. If you arrive early enough, you can get a great spot with beach chairs and umbrellas in front of the Springs with no extra costs. Additionally, you can rent a tube and go tubing down the lazy river. If you like snorkeling, you can snorkel away in their crystal-clear waters. Are you a little more adventurous? you can use various water slides within the park or jump from the dock into the deep springs water. You don’t like going into the cold waters? That is fine, you can visit the Mermaid Show where you can see the live mermaids or go on their Boat Tour down the river where you see the beautiful river and learn more about this amazing place. This park is also perfect to have a nice picnic with your family in the nice grassy areas or in the pavilions. Lastly, they serve great food and drinks for you to enjoy at the various establishments. You can do and have all that in just one whole place. Something that I like about Buccaneer Bay is that there are many life guards throughout the water park, so you and your little ones can be and feel safe.
What else can you do in this wonderful spring? My all-time favorite, going kayaking or paddle boarding down the Weeki Wachee river. This is a great activity if you want to relax and escape for a couple of hours with nature. This is a 5 and 1/2 mile launch down the river and can take you up to 4 hours approximately if you make stops. If you are lucky enough you may have an encounter with a beautiful manatee. Other animals you may see are alligators, snakes, otters and birds. There are a couple of sandy areas where you can park your kayak or paddle board while you have a snack or lunch. You can also jump in the crystal-clear cold spring water in various areas while you are kayaking or paddle boarding. Don’t have a kayak or paddle board? That’s fine, you can rent a kayak with “Weeki Fresh Water Adventures” since they are the only kayak and paddle-board rental facility located on the river at the facilities. Here you can rent one of three options they have. These are: Single Sit on Kayaks, Tandem Kayaks that holds up to two passengers and a Stand Up paddle board. The date of availability and prices can be found in the following link. If you have your own kayak or paddle board, you can bring it as well. A new policy has been established this year which is that all foods and drinks should be on non-disposable containers. The items that are disposable can’t be brought in you excursion (Kindly Note: the staff of Weeki Wachee verify your bags before you launch the kayaks in the water).
I have included below a list of tips that will help you have a smooth and great experience in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park:
- If you’re going to the Buccaneer Bay Water Park:
- Arrive early to get a perfect spot in the beach area.
- Bring Snacks or Lunches in re-usable containers.
- Check the Weather prior days in advance.
- Do not approach, touch or feed wild life animals.
- No cooking or grilling permitted.
- Pavilions are on a first come, first get basis.
- Personal tubes are not permitted. Only children’s safety flotation device is permitted.
- Use Sunscreen Protection.
- If you’re Kayaking or Paddle Boarding:
- Arrive 15 minutes or more earlier from the reservation hour.
- Complete the online Risk Acknowledgment before arriving.
- Check the Weather prior days in advance.
- Do not approach, touch or feed wild life animals.
- No Alcohol is permitted.
- No disposable containers of any kind (Plastic, aluminum, glass, styrofoam, paper-all drinks must be in a permanent container).
- Use Bug Spray.
- Use Sunscreen Protection.
- Use Water Shoes.
You will not regret visiting Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Like mentioned before, there is something for everyone in your family due to their amenities, activities and prices they offer. As a friendly reminder, try to always get out of the daily routine. Make memories that will last a lifetime. Take pictures and videos that you will see a couple years later and feel happy about them. Please remember to always use your SPF to protect yourself from the Sun.
During the pandemic/Covid-19 days, always try to keep the CDC guidelines. Please follow the 6 foot distance rule from other families, wear the mask whenever possible and if your health permits it, wash your hands, take hand sanitizer and go as early as possible to avoid being in big crowds.
As always, hoped you enjoyed this blog. Feel free to reply and recommend new places for me to visit. Thank you so much for reading this post.
As a side note: Currently the Buccaneer Bay Water Park is closed. However, you can still go kayaking or paddle boarding with Weeki Fresh Water Adventures.
Kind Regards,
Jaileen
“If you want to be flooded with peace, take a long walk or swim in nature”
