Enjoy a 2-hour scenic boat tour from Horseshoe Bend Marina into Bighorn Canyon. Spot wildlife, admire towering cliffs, and learn about the area’s history and ecosystem from an expert guide.
Wekiva River Kayak Tour
About Tour
There are only two National Wild and Scenic rivers in Florida. The Wekiva is one of them and is only 30 minutes from downtown Orlando! Come discover what makes this river so outstanding by paddling the most amazing section with us. We paddle the lower ten miles through the Seminole State Forest, Wekiwa Springs State Park, and the Sanford Black Bear Wilderness. And YES, there is a good chance of seeing bears!
Depending on the season you can expect to see manatee, alligators, turtles, otters, deer, bear, bobcat, and large wading birds on the water. The riverbanks contain Orchids, Bromeliads, Spiderworts, Marshmallow, and many varieties of Coreopsis. In the skies you will spot Eagles, Osprey, Ibis, Limpkin, and Woodpeckers of all sorts.
Half-way through the tour our group will stop for a possible swim break and a picnic lunch. On most tours home made cookies, banana bread, or guava pastries will be served.
At the end of the paddle we do what no other tour company in Orlando will, we shuttle you back to your car. We believe having to paddle out and back upstream is a horrible idea and only allows you to experience half of the river.
What’s Included
Kayak
Paddle
Life Vest
Bottled water
Guide
A shuttle back to your car at the end of the Paddle
Light snack
What to wear
Swimsuit or nylon shorts that can get wet
Sandals, flip flops, or water shoes.
Sun protection, hat, sun glasses, sun screen
What to bring
Sun protection
Towel and a change of clothing
Your favorite beverages
Waterproof camera or cell phone
Please Note
There is no public transportation however, Uber works great
Not wheelchair accessible
Not stroller accessible
We have no age restrictions but everyone MUST know how to swim.
Total tour time with lunch and shuttle is a minimum of 4 hours
There are no restrooms
- Duration: 5 hours
- Group Size: 5 -25
- Ages: 3 +
- Live Guide: English
Why travelers love this
(4 reviews)
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 4 reviews)
(3 reviews)
4.9
Suitable for beginners
Professional local guide
Safety-First Experience
Highlights
- Paddle Florida’s scenic Wekiva River through protected wilderness.
- Spot wildlife like manatees, alligators, and birds along the way.
- Enjoy a riverside picnic and optional swim break.
- Shuttle back included for a relaxing return.
Adventures In Florida
CEO / Founder
About the operator
Founded in 1995, Adventures in Florida is known for its amazing kayaking and canoe tours down scenic rivers and crystal-clear springs, as well as its Bioluminescence paddles. Visitors have excellent opportunities to view and photograph alligators, manatees, turtles, dolphins, and countless wading birds in their natural wild areas. Adventures in Florida started with a group of lifelong friends who always seemed to find better things to do than hold a job. Weekend trips stretched into month-long expeditions. Family trips grew to include family, friends, and friends of friends. When it became impossible to even consider regular work, we incorporated. Over the years, we have managed our growth to avoid losing the very things that made us successful: small-group travel and first-class service with the highest level of professionalism. We will never compromise our commitment to you, our guest, or to the preservation of the natural environment. TripAdvisor has recognized our commitment to quality by awarding us its 5-star “Certificate of Excellence” consistently since 2011.
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Customer Photos
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars (based on 4 reviews)
Great Morning on the Water!
April 8, 2026
Great morning kayaking tour with Ryan! Saw lots of birds, gators, and even a manatee. Ryan was very knowledgeable and easygoing, making the experience perfect for our group. The Wekiva River scenery was breathtaking and we felt like we were miles away from the city. Can’t recommend this enough — a must-do in Orlando!
Quiet, Misty Morning on the River
April 8, 2026
We enjoyed our kayak tour with Matthew immensely. It was a quiet, misty morning and the setting was majestic. Matthew added so much to our experience — he is a gentle soul, and his love for nature was obvious. The Wekiva River is absolutely stunning and we saw incredible wildlife throughout the entire paddle.
Perfect Day Kayaking on the Wekiva!
April 8, 2026
We spent about 5 hours kayaking on the Wekiva River with our amazing guide, Tia. She was a fountain of knowledge about the ecosystem, the birds, animals, and plants. We saw upwards of 50 alligators peacefully sunning themselves on the banks and hundreds of birds, all in a peaceful, natural, beautiful corner of the planet. I highly recommend this tour — ask for Tia if you have the option!
Great Kayaking Tour – Saw Alligators AND Manatees!
April 8, 2026
My wife and I love kayaking, and we were eager to do that in Orlando. Greg was very professional and we had a great time. The kayaks were in excellent condition — better than any we have gotten from other rental or touring companies. Greg clearly knows his way around the river, and we saw quite a few alligators and manatees. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys kayaking or wants a different way to see the river.
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