Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure

Badge of Excellence

Orlando, USA

Great choice

10+ bookings last month.

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.6

· W_B ·

Oct 2026

The park is awesome with lots to see. We were able to see manatees, alligators, otters and several species of birds (no monkeys). If we do this one again, we will go closer to December to ensure the manatees have fully migrated so we can see more. Well worth it regardless. Roger was our tour guide and he was awesome.

· Audrie_B ·

Oct 2026

We had a great time! Roger was informative and funny! We got to see so many animals! The manatees were amazing!

Overview

Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Orlando and spend time in nature with this kayaking tour through Silver Springs State Park. Ideal for nature lovers, this wildlife-focused activity offers the opportunity to see manatees (depending on the season), turtles, and wild birds in their native habitats. Feel comfortable paddling along the Fort King trail on a clear kayak or paddleboard designed for stability and underwater viewing.

Choose from different time slots to suit your schedule
No need to bring any specialist equipment; it's provided for you
Feel confident kayaking under the supervision of a guide
Great for couples and beginners, with two-person kayaks available

What's Included

Local guide
Clear Kayak or Paddleboard and all safety equipment
Dry Bag for Phone and Keys

*Gratuity for your guide(s)(suggested 20%, good time $10 per person, amazing time $20 per person)
Bottled water
State Park and Launch Fee - $6 per person

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Silver Springs State Park
5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs, FL 34488, USA
IMPORTANT: This meeting location is not in Orlando. It is at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, FL. DO NOT google Epic Paddle Adventures and go to our address in Orlando. Please make sure that you are going to the right location.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Silver Springs State Park

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Service animals allowed
Not wheelchair accessible

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
We are extremely pet friendly. Please contact us prior to your tour so we can determine if this activity is suitable for your pet.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jodi_R

Roger was AMAZING. He directed those that weren’t well-versed in kayaking so well and understandable. He was very knowledgeable. He kept our attention with a good sense of humor. He read the audience well. He didn’t rush us at all. We saw a manatee and two gators. Lots of birds. Tons of turtles. I wish we would have seen monkeys but that is not the fault of the tour. Highly recommend the tour and I hope you are able to tour with Roger.

Reviews

4.6

based on 414 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

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Review summary

Last 12 months

59 reviews

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Travelers appreciate knowledgeable and engaging tour guides who provide informative commentary on local history, wildlife, and conservation, enhancing the group experience with friendliness and humor. Kayaking and paddle boarding activities are praised for their ease and opportunities to encounter wildlife such as manatees and alligators, offering a unique water perspective. Overall, the tours are described as both educational and enjoyable.

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The park is awesome with...

W_B, Oct 2026

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Thanks for paddling with us! What a wildlife lineup with manatees, gators, otters, and all those birds. I’m glad Roger made it a highlight. We’d love to see you back for a winter paddle! — Jenny

Kayaking Adventure

Kathleen_E, Oct 2026

The guide, Ben, was extremely knowledgeable about the manatees, wildlife and the history of Silver Springs. We took the tour in October 2026. We were informed the manatees migrate inland November to March we did see four on our trip. The monkeys were active. There were many birds, turtles and a couple of alligators who kept their distance. I would recommend bringing a seat cushion for the kayak as there's are thin. A very enjoyable experience.

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Kathleen, four manatees and active monkeys made for quite a paddle! I’m glad Ben brought the history of Silver Springs to life, too. Thanks for sharing your feedback about the kayak seat. — Jenny

Kayaking fun!

Audrie_B, Oct 2026

We had a great time! Roger was informative and funny! We got to see so many animals! The manatees were amazing!

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Audrie, I’m so glad you saw so much wildlife! The manatees are always a treat, and I love that Roger kept you laughing along the way. — Jenny

Excellent adventure

Charles_G, Sep 2026

Ben our guide was awesome and very knowledgeable for the area. We saw everything . Manatee,alligators,monkeys,turtles and some very beautiful birds. We drove down from Kissimmee and the hr and 40 minute trip was well worth it. Had a 4 yr old and 6 yr old in the group and they thought it was grand.

Response from Host, Nov 2026

Charles, I’m so glad the drive from Kissimmee was worth it and the kids had a blast! That’s a big wildlife day for little paddlers. Thanks for coming out with Ben! — Jenny

Sunny days on the water.

Amie_P, Jul 2026

Our tour guide Ben was very knowledgeable about the water and the animals in it. Also friendly with the other groups out on their tours. We had a nice time! Totally recommend this activity for families.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much! So happy you had a good time on your tour!

A great day for us!

Billie_T, Jul 2026

It's a lot of fun!!!! My 3 teenagers loved it. It is a bit of a workout. You have to be able to paddle and get out of the kayak.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed your time on the water!

Great tour!!!

Michelle_D, Jun 2026

Our guide did a great job. He was very knowledgable and made sure we all enjoyed ourselves. Would recommend this tour

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for this awesome feedback. So happy you had a good time in your tour!

The Clear Kayak or...

Qian_H, Jun 2026

The Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure was well organized from start to finish, and the experience was both relaxing and exciting. The clear kayaks gave us a unique perspective of the water, making it even more enjoyable to observe the wildlife and beautiful surroundings. Our tour guide, Ben, was fantastic. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel comfortable, regardless of their kayaking experience. Throughout the tour, Ben shared interesting facts about manatees, the local ecosystem, and conservation efforts, making the experience both fun and educational. He was also patient and made sure everyone in the group stayed together while giving us plenty of opportunities to enjoy the scenery and take photos. Seeing wildlife such as a manatee, gators, monkeys, and various birds in their natural habitat was an unforgettable experience, and Ben's enthusiasm made it even more memorable. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area. It's a wonderful way to experience Florida's natural beauty while learning about its incredible wildlife.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words. We are so happy you had a good time on your tour!

Ben was excellent book with Ben would highly recommend!

Jennifer_M, Jun 2026

Ben was very informative made sure we all had a great experience. He had a great sense of humor. Have fun.

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much! So happy you had a good time!

Manatee Paddle

Emanuel_L, Jun 2026

Ben was great 👍Would do it again Cool experience proffecional no rain it rain after Emanuel like it

Response from Host, Jul 2026

Thank you so much!

Relaxing and wducational

Cornelia_M, Jun 2026

Very relaxing, saw a lot of animals, fish, birds and turtles. Mary was our guide and she was great! Full of information and pleasant personality.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much!

Beautiful but not what we expected

Wendy_I, Jun 2026

Manatee season is only November -March. The river is beautiful and our guide did a great job of pointing out wildlife and trying to make it interesting despite lack of manatees. We still had a nice time, but we had expectations that we would be kayaking with manatees based on the website’s description.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback. We do our best to make sure guests know the dates for manatee season and that we can't guarantee wildlife sightings. We are always sad if we don't see them this time of the year.

Manatees are seasonal ,...

Jhada_G, Jun 2026

Manatees are seasonal , found out at the end of the tout that they come in the winter. So we did not see any. But tour guide was amazing.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you for your feedback!

Just say YES!

teacher4lyfe, Jun 2026

Roger was fantastic! He was so knowledgeable about the springs, animals and birds in the area, manatee, alligators, and things that have taken place in the area (think movies). He was friendly and encouraging while we kayaked down the river. Seeing Divine (pregnant manatee) and several alligators were the highlights of our tour! Say YES to this tour!

Response from Host, Jun 2026

THank you so much for this amazing review! So happy you had a good time!

Great Time!!

Chris_M, Jun 2026

Our Family had a blast!! Roger our Tour guide was awesome he made sure we got to see the different animals and of course a manatee!! 10/10

Response from Host, Jun 2026

Thank you so much for leaving this awesome review! So happy you had a good time.

A little knowledge of how...

Michael_D, May 2026

A little knowledge of how to paddle is good...but not necessary. The pace is nice and slow...expect to get a little wet. The guides were very knowledgeable about the area!

Do it!

MichelleRenee_M, May 2026

Nice activity to do while visiting the park. Our guide was very informative and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend

Response from Host, May 2026

Thank you so much for your kind words. So happy you had a good time!

Awesome!

Jane_W, Apr 2026

This is a fantastic experience and is made even better if you happen to get the guide named Roger. Best to arrive early and pay your park fee and then find Roger who will give you the rest of the details.

This was very cool. We...

Darlene_W, Apr 2026

This was very cool. We saw many birds and alligators, there was even seven turtles sunbathing in a row.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for your review! Sounds like you guys had a great time out there.

Beautiful and informative

Pamela_D, Apr 2026

We had a great tour with Steven. He was very knowledgeable and informative. It wasn’t a good time of year for manatees, but we saw a variety of birds and lots of alligators. We will come back when it’s colder to see manatees.