Nothing says wildlife like Florida’s flora and fauna! Welcome to a kayaking adventure like no other—this guided all-women trip promises an immersive experience in the pristine waters of Homosassa and Chassahowitzka Rivers, where we’ll paddle with the gentle giants of the sea, the manatees. Get ready for expert-led kayaking sessions and wildlife sightings of shore birds and colorful fish in Homosassa Springs State Park. We’ll also hike the Salt Marsh Trail at the end of our Homosassa Springs kayaking trip. So, whether you’re seeking thrilling encounters with wildlife or simply craving a rejuvenating escape, spending four days in manatees’ winter home sure sounds like a good idea. The manatees can’t wait to meet you!
Join us for a guided all-women kayaking adventure through Florida’s pristine waterways, where we’ll explore the Homosassa and Chassahowitzka Rivers, and witness manatees in their natural habitat. This 4-day trip includes expert-led paddling sessions, hiking along the Salt Marsh Trail, and wildlife viewing, complemented by a visit to Homosassa Springs State Park. With all meals and sports equipment included, we ensure a seamless and immersive outdoor adventure. Create lasting memories while kayaking in Homosassa Springs!
Hello, ladies! We’ll meet at Tampa Airport at 10:15 am, then go for a 1.5-hour drive to Chassahowitzka Hotel. After settling in, we’ll enjoy a welcome lunch before hitting the water for a few hours of kayaking instructions on the Homosassa River to the back side of the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
We’ll learn how to paddle safely and efficiently, as well as how to spot gentle manatees—keep an eye out for soft exhalations of air! Despite weighing multiple tons, they are very slow moving and pose no danger to us. After our kayak lesson, we’ll return to the hotel and our group dining area, enjoy a delicious dinner and discuss our upcoming plans.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Kayaking: 2 hours
Accommodation: Chassahowitzka Hotel
Today, we’ll enhance our kayaking skills by heading up the scenic Halls River, potentially spotting manatees along the way. Depending on conditions and location of the manatees, we might choose a different destination. After lunch at the hotel, we’ll visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park by land.
As a haven for rescued wildlife, the park will give us the chance to see recovering manatees and various fish through the underwater viewing station and to learn about native wildlife. We’ll return to the hotel after a couple hours in the park and conclude our evening with a delicious group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Kayaking: 4 hours
Walking: 2 hours
Accommodation: Chassahowitzka Hotel
On Day 3, we’ll explore another spring fed river, the Chassahowitzka, for an enchanting kayaking experience. With its Spanish moss draped palm trees and over 30 springs, some of which are well hidden, “the Chaz” feels ancient and primitive. We’ll paddle through crystal-clear waters, abundant with colorful fish.
We’ll also keep an eye out for manatees in the turquoise blue water and watch for shore birds feeding in the waters. Afterward, we’ll return to our rooms to freshen up before visiting Three Sisters Spring. There, we can walk out on a boardwalk to three different springs where manatees hang out. We’ll cap off the day with a farewell dinner together.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Kayaking: 3 hours
Walking: 2 hours
Accommodation: Chassahowitzka Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll check out from our riverside hotel and embark on one last adventure! We’ll spend about an hour in the woods, hiking the Salt Marsh Trail. The trail offers a sweeping view of a vast span of salt marsh from an observation tower. It’s a perfect opportunity to stretch our legs before heading back to Tampa airport. You’ll be back by 1 pm and can book flights after 2:30 pm.
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: 1 hour
Plans for any specific day are subject to changes due to weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and the collective preferences of the group.
I love getting to learn how to kayak and experience the Manatees up close. The other ladies and guides were amazing. Great hotel with good food.
The waterways we kayaked were beautiful and full of manatees. The guides were incredible, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, organized, and fun. This trip delivered!
Seeing the manatees in the “wild” was amazing! I’ll never forget how magical it was sitting in my kayak having a manatee swim under my kayak. Or to sit in silence and listen for the intermittent sounds of the manatees coming up for air. The other women on this trip were all fun and the guides were excellent!
Included:
Add-ons
Not included:
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!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Footwear:
Clothing:
1 pair of comfortable, lightweight pants (light wool or Supplex/nylon material)
Toiletries:
Essentials:
Optional:
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.
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 pricing
Kayaking in Homosassa Springs can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
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.
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
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!
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
I love getting to learn how to kayak and experience the Manatees up close. The other ladies and guides were amazing. Great hotel with good food.