Paddle with Manatees—All-Women Kayaking in Florida

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • 4-day guided all-women Homosassa Springs kayaking adventure
    • Experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the area
    • Three nights double occupancy lodging
    • All meals from lunch on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 4
    • Round trip transportation from the Tampa airport to Homosassa Springs
    • Kayak rental and instruction
    • Entrance fees

  Add-ons

  • • Single supplement — please let us know if you’re interested prior to booking

  Not included:

  • • Transportation, i.e., flights to and from Tampa airport
    • Alcoholic beverages
    • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
    • Guide gratuities — optional
    • Travel and medical insurance — optional, but strongly recommended
• How fit do I need to be?

  This manatee tour in Homosassa, Florida is rated easy. Since it is both an instructional trip and full of opportunities to watch wildlife, the pace is slower. It is appropriate for active women in basic good health with sufficient mobility to get in and out of the kayak when necessary.

  This adventure combines the opportunity to learn or improve your kayaking skills with immersion into the unique wildlife of this area. In addition to manatees, there are outstanding bird watching opportunities. No previous paddling experience is needed, the guides will teach you everything you need to know. Expect up to 4 hours of kayaking per day.

  Looking to explore a different side of the USA? Check out these hiking vacations! And for more all-women trips, click here!

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  Footwear:

  • • 1 pair of shoes for paddling and walking. For winter, neoprene paddling booties/shoes are ideal
    • 1 pair of comfortable shoes for wearing around the hotel (e.g. Crocs, slippers)
    • 2 pairs of hiking socks
    • 1 pair of wool socks
    • 1 pair of neoprene socks (optional, but nice to wear with sandals if the weather is cold)

  Clothing:

  1 pair of comfortable, lightweight pants (light wool or Supplex/nylon material)

  • • 1 pair of shorts (optional)
    • 2 T-shirts or short-sleeved shirts, preferably synthetic or lightweight wool
    • 1 long-sleeved, lightweight shirt for protection from sun, button-up is ideal
    • 1 pair lightweight long underwear top and bottoms: silk, wool or synthetic equivalent
    • 1 medium-weight top layer: wool shirt/pull-over or synthetic equivalent
    • 1 fleece jacket
    • 1 rain parka and rain pants: coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex. Rain pants are essential because we will use some sit-on top kayaks where we will get wet
    • Warm hat and gloves
    • Underwear/nightwear
    • 1 wide-brimmed hat or ball cap
    • 1-2 changes of comfortable clothes to wear around the lodge
    • Bathing suit

  Toiletries:

  • • Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia, and sanitary supplies
    • Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15
    • Personal “patch kit”: Band-Aids, 1 safety pin, moleskin, cloth athletic tape, ibuprofen, personal medications, if any. Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an anaphylactic kit

  Essentials:

  • • Sunglasses (100% UV protection) w/ retention strap; polarizing sunglasses are recommended to help see the manatees
    • 1 one-quart water bottles or hydration system
    • Bandana(s)
    • Headlamp or flashlight with fresh batteries
    • Binoculars (highly recommended)
    • Ear plugs (for a good night’s sleep!)
    • Your favorite snack (snacks will be provided but if you have a favorite or dietary need, it is suggested you bring your own)
    • 1 medium-sized dry bag or daypack (lined with a garbage bag), large enough to hold your supplies for the day (water, snacks, raingear, extra layer, etc.)
    • Waterproof cellphone holder with strap

  Optional:

  • • Book, notebook, journal, pencil/pen
    • Wristwatch with an alarm or travel clock
    • Camera (extra battery) and film/memory card
    • Playing cards/small game
    • 1 pair paddling gloves
    • Neoprene pants/wetsuit bottoms

  A note on packing:

  Because we are paddling in Florida, you may be tempted to skimp on the warm clothes. Don’t. The weather at this time of year can be quite variable. You may not use everything you bring; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• Can you guarantee I will see wildlife?

  Your guides have a very high success rate for finding wildlife. However, these are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed. While wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed, kayaking in Homosassa Springs offers optimal opportunities to encounter protected Florida manatees in their natural habitat. You’ll also explore nooks and crannies to see the outstanding array of shorebirds wading, feeding and drying their wings: Great Ibis, Snowy Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Cormorant, and Wood storks all call this area home.

  Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, where manatees gather during winter to conserve the energy necessary to survive the cold Gulf waters, provides an ideal setting to observe these gentle giants. While your guides aim for up-close encounters, it’s essential to respect their space and practice your “manatee manners”—look, don’t touch! While wildlife sightings are likely, they remain unpredictable, adding to the thrill and wonder of each moment spent in their presence.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this group all-women Homosassa Springs kayaking adventure, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 6:1.
    • It takes a minimum of 8 people for this tour to operate. The maximum number of participants should not exceed 12.

  Kayaking in Homosassa Springs can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Getting there and meeting location

  To get to Tampa, FL, the starting point of your Homosassa Springs kayaking adventure, most people fly into Tampa International Airport (TPA), 1.5 hours from your hotel. Once there, your guides will meet you at the airport at 10:15 am and drive you to Homosassa Springs.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

  Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

  Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

• Deposits and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

  Secure your early bird spot with a 10% deposit! This tour gets sold out very quickly, but with early-bird booking, you will be the first one to know about any new upcoming dates. Pick your preferred dates without the risk of your bucket list adventure selling out!

  • • Only 10% of the total amount should be paid as a deposit upon booking. This deposit is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another 57hours adventure anytime in case the dates don’t suit you.
    • Once the dates are set, you can confirm your booking by paying another 20% of the total amount.
    • The final balance is due 3 months (90 days) prior to departure.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

  Basic

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

  Super Flexible

  • • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
    • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
    • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.