For the most part, that mother is very used to seeing kayakers and seems to ignore them altogether. This is why I NEVER SUGGEST TAKING A DOG WITH YOU IN ALLIGATOR TERRITORY! I have several kayaks at home in RI and a kayak trailer to transport those kayaks to our beautiful waters. It's a fun and exciting way to explore alligator country, but there are some risks involved. How Do You Carry An Inflatable Kayak by Yourself? Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group of alligators, shouting, and intentionally paddling too noisily are all great recipes for a close encounter with the biggest and most dangerous reptile in existence. Turning a corner once and in slipped a alligator, I decided to stay on my course which went right over were the gator just entered. Its usually more about your whole body movement along with your paddle. We often kayak with alligators, and sometimes we must pass them while they are sunning themselves on a beach or sandbar. Yes, it is. They want to eat, reproduce and maintain the proper body temperature. To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience while paddling in Florida, let us write some useful tips that can help you stay safe on your kayaking trip in Florida waters. While alligators often display territorial behavior, they don't usually have much direct interaction with nearby kayakers. Its always a good idea to keep a break-apart spare paddle. Back to why an alligator would see you as prey. Stay at least 30 feet away from alligators, as they can attack if they feel threatened or provoked. With everything above being said, why is kayaking with alligators so frowned upon then and why is the whole debate of whether it is fun, dangerous, or necessary? Often during this season, you will hear that deep bellow, or you will see and hear super loud splashes around a corner. However, you still need to remember an Alligator does not see you as prey, but they can associate you with a meal. You know water sports you know me! My life is all about it. Out of habit, I try not to kayak directly over the gators last location. The alligator hangs out in the water by some tall water grasses. We have discussed some places where you can kayak freely without fearing alligators. At any time we could see a 500-pound manatee, 100-pound tarpon, or ten-foot alligator all in two feet of water! Yes, it does happen! With so many great places to kayak in Florida, there's no need to risk an encounter with an alligator. Alligators are considered docile and, for the most part, dont want to have anything to do with you. JOHNS COUNTY - See you later, alligator! Its always difficult to give answers to guests asking about specific scenarios or animals. Thorough, informative, user friendly grammer & even a lil entertaining at times! When paddling in this area, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, as the sun can be quite strong here. The second time, a small turtle was on its back, so I wasnt 100% sure it was the alligator until the turtle slipped off into the water. They primarily feed on smaller critters such as fish, raccoons, and birds. Can You Kayak While Pregnant? Earlier I mentioned not to point your kayak at the gator, but if you are trying to scare him off or make him back down you do want to point at him. I see tons of inflatables on our lakes in Colorado, but I dont think Ive ever seen one in our backwaters of Florida. In the extreme circumstance that a large alligator lunges at or bites your boat, rap the alligator on its snout with your paddle and quickly paddle away. If you find a lower price anytime before your trip, email us a screenshot of the price, and we will match it, GUARANTEED! With that said, we all have a healthy respect for them. Locals can come to Haulover Canal to see manatees in the winter, and several tour groups offer manatee kayak tours including Get Up and Go Kayaking. The Suwanee River is a 246-mile river that runs all the way from northwest Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. I loved it so much the first time that I bought my own the same week. Momma Gators are very protective and can be aggressive. Dinoflagellates emit glowing light through a chemical reaction, and lead to an amazing night time kayaking experience. I love to share my passion and knowledge with all of you. This will help you have a better view of your surroundings and potential hazards that could be present in the water. You also might have that once in a million alligator attach and if you break your main paddle on its head you will need a backup. Then, of course, they blame it on the animal and call the area alligator-infested waters. Gator at Wakulla Springs, FL. Many people canoe and kayak in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. Additionally, these waters are safe to paddle in, as no alligators are present. Great article full of lots of good information. Some kayakers even carry a rubber mallet with them for this purpose. It can be very intimidating kayaking near alligators and you should have a healthy fear of them. I saw 10+ gators but I also had 2 or 3 moments where everything was quiet but then the water erupted with splashing right in front of the kayak in a quick loud burst that scared me badly each time. In addition, the river is free of alligators, so you can enjoy your time kayaking without worrying about running into any. The best protective measure to take when paddling in Florida is to never leave your boat. The best places to kayak with manatees in Florida are: Weeki Wacchee State Park is the best place to go kayaking with manatees in Florida, especially for inexperienced kayakers. The Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail involves 26 segments extending from the Florida Panhandle to the Georgia state line, and is a great way to experience Florida kayaking in a salt water environment. If you are looking for a great place to kayak in Florida, Alexander Springs Recreation Area is an excellent choice. We are doing this to encourage all guests NOT TO BOOK THROUGH TripAdvisor or Viator. To stay safe, always avoid kayaking in the dark. Great article! Never saw it but something changed the direction of my kayak about 30. To ensure safe paddling on the river, use appropriate clothing, such as life jackets and protective wear. Put on your life jacket, grab your paddle, and set off for an exciting adventure in Florida! Thank you for volunteering for cleanup! Our posts may contain affiliate links. Then I saw Godzilla! Immediately & calmly retreated, gave respectable distance and have been nearly obsessed with these incredible creatures ever since!! Chances of dying from lighting strike or hurricane are higher. If you are knowledgeable and avoid breeding season, can it be safe? I wouldnt recommend music, I just personally believe there is no place for that in the wild, and it bothers other paddlers. That is why many kayakers found out the hard way how dangerous alligators really are. We use the Preception 9.5 Sound Its a great boat for the backwaters of SW Florida. Yes, it is intimidating, but if you know how to react, you can stay safe. Winter is the best time to go kayaking in Florida. The entirety of Florida; In Louisiana and Florida, more than a million alligators each may live in those two states, by far making them the riskiest places for kayakers, boaters, and swimmers. You will often see them puff up and down while floating on the water, or you will see their mouths snapping. Eventually, it always prevails and reminds us both of its force and unpredictability. In a few incidents, alligators have actually bitten canoes and kayaks, resulting in minor injuries to people and damage to their boats. While the odds of a gator attacking a kayaker are extremely low, paddling in places where alligators are native does come with an increased risk. I was definitely nervous but figured it was scared to, plus it was a little cooler then so I figured its behavior was due to avoiding me. The best noise you can make is banging your paddle shaft on your kayak. Florida is arguably the most well-known place where alligators live. Kayaking, Paddleboarding, Fishing, Snorkeling and so much more. When I was in NC I was located outside of Lumberton. If you hear baby alligators calling that means their mom can be nearby and that can be very dangerous. This is why they will often quickly enter the water when you approach them. Besides, the waters of the Manatee River are quite shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. Alligators smaller than four feet are not large enough to be considered dangerous unless they're handled, FWC says. . Pingback: Cayo Costa Camping Tips for 2021 - Just Go! At one point it was trying to get onto the dock. Well, you could easily say alligator out of water too, except an alligator can still breathe just fine. If you hear male alligators bellowing that means its the mating season and males will defend the best habitat and wont allow other gators and sometimes kayakers in their territory. This is why it is so important not to ever feed an alligator! A very old animal in terms of evolution, it is adapted much better to the conditions and the environment where you may meet them, the prime example being Florida and the largest of American alligator males can grow 12 feet or 3.6 meters in length and weigh up to 500 pounds. Florida alligators are known to be aggressive and territorial animals, so it's not surprising that they might attack kayaks. Other kayakers have reported seeing odd-behaving alligators approaching their kayak as if expecting a hand-out. The first thing most people think of when considering kayaking in Florida is alligators. Can Dogs Go On Inflatable Kayaks Without Them Breaking? Florida Circumnavigational Saltwater Paddling Trail, Florida State Park List JellyPressStore on Etsy, Take me to the River Sticker JellyPressStore on Etsy, 50 Inspiring Quotes about Travel and Family, Visiting Iceland with a Toddler: A Complete Guide. If you encounter an alligator while kayaking and they are perfectly still, they arent making any weird movements or noises, and they seem comfortable this is what I tell my customers. If you jump right in the middle of that sheep battle, those sheep might very well start charging you. Lastly, we provide guided kayak tours through the. Anyway, it sounds like the gators might be sinking to the bottom, and when you approach, you are right on top of them. I kayak in the cape fear river in wilmington, nc. Alligators live throughout Florida. What Safety Equipment is Required On a Kayak In Florida? The park covers over 2,300 square miles and is home to thousands of alligators. I will take a tour with Adventure Paddle Tours! We try our best not to disturb them and have found the best way to keep them from entering the water is to not point your kayak directly at them and to utilize a smooth calm stroke. Following these suggestions, we will sometimes pass by a 10 footer within 10 yards, but. Yes! Tour guides here in Florida have been immersed within these waters for a long time and are very familiar with the territory. I maintained a steady paddle pace, but I also maintained eye contact through my sunglasses. kayak or take a guided tour along the river, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators, life jacket can help you stay afloat if you fall in the water or your kayak, safety tips can help you stay safe while kayaking. Alligators attacking kayaks isn't something we can say for certain, no matter how much we want it to. I am planning to winter in Florida for the the first time. Know The Warning Signs Tips For Staying Safe: What To Do If You See An Alligator While Kayaking? Trip times will vary and change on a daily basis based on wind/water conditions. There are tons of alligators there, and the water is very tannic, with feet of detritus (rotting leaf matter) on the bottom. Besides, there are numerous access points along the river, such as Bayport or Pine Island Beach. The trigger for us is as reliable as my Toyota tundra. Theres no need to worry about alligators here as they are not present in the area, so if youre looking for a place to explore and observe wildlife while kayaking, the Suwannee River is your best bet. You really cant beat the durability of a quality plastic rotomolded kayak made by Old Town or Wilderness Systems. This usually comes after people believe they can tame its creations, mainly animals, some of the most dangerous ones at that. What better place to see some gators and kayak with them than Florida? It sure is a great place for kayaking. That is why only kayaking in places with no alligators is a must. Its located near Fort White, just two hours away from Gainesville. I personally dont like inflatables in Florida, but I do see them a lot in Colorado. I use a hard plastic kayak. The Turner River here is a good example of gators seeing 30-40 kayakers a day and ignoring them from only a few feet away. It's always best to use common sense even though it's very safe. There were lots of narrows, sharp turns, tall grass, cypress trees, tiny islands and thick clusters of water plants going through. This will keep your eyes on the gator and put the kayak in the position they dont like. If you see an alligator at a spring, if there has been a recent report of one, or there are "No swimming" signs up, then do not swim. There I lived with my black lab and got off of work every day at 3 pm. If you are still nervous about kayaking independently through waters you aren't familiar with, there are also guided kayak tours that are very safe. Youre welcome, and welcome to NC. Sure enough the park I chose to kayak with a friend this past Saturday had a gator warning sign posted next to the launch. Is there anything known that I can do to protect myself, like punch a shark in the nose or poke its eye. Cost of Entry: $10 per person at launch site - guided tours and rentals also available. Always be aware of other nearby boats and vessels when youre out on your kayak. Kayak with a friend - Just Go! The Everglades National Park is one place all kayakers should avoid due to the high population of alligators. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. That can be a difficult question to definitively answer, but overall, yes it is safe to kayak in Florida. I really dont want to hurt it just deter it from attacking me. Analyzing crocodile and alligator attacks in the U.S. and Costa Rica What to do if you see an alligator while kayaking? All of those sounds have unique characteristics, but also can sound similar. . Its helpful and reassuring to know how to respond should one occur. The first thing most people think of when considering kayaking in Florida is alligators. Mullet jumping sound like belly flops and snook strikes sound like hollow claps. The simple answer is no. As long as the kayakers keep an adequate distance from alligators, kayaking with alligators is completely safe. @jgram2 's link covers all the other do's and don'ts. June 16, 2022. If you wonder where to kayak in Florida without alligators, you can take a look at the following list. First encounter with a wild gator & its still very memorable! Who feeds a wild Alligator? Very helpful. So, if you see an alligator on a sandbar, try not to point directly at it and pass them with the broadside of your kayak facing them. There are some risks to consider when Kayaking in Cape Coral Canals. This park covers almost 40,000 acres and is home to thousands of alligators. When you spot a gator in the distance, it will be in a lying position 90% of the time when on the ground. Are there many people who kayak in inflatable kayaks? Alligators are just as afraid of us as we are of them, so typically if a kayak enters an alligator area, they will duck below the water and hide. An erratic or fast-moving paddle seems to freak gators out. Hit the kayak's side with the paddle, blow your PFD whistle, or use an air horn. 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