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Paddle with Manatees—All-Women Kayaking in Florida

Itinerary
Homosassa Springs Kayaking Adventure
Date and group size

Add-ons

Single supplement

The price of the adventure is based on double occupancy. If you’d like to have a room to yourself, please let us know prior to booking. Keep in mind that while this can be arranged for an additional fee, single rooms in this area can be in short supply and require early booking.

Your guides might be able to accommodate vegetarian, lactose-sensitive, and gluten-sensitive diets. If you have dietary requirements, let us know down below, but please bear in mind that the choices may be limited.

Select a cancellation policy

Things come up, and sometimes plans need to be changed. Check out our flexible cancellation options.
57hours flexibility options
Deposits

When booking a trip, you can either pay for it in full or reserve your spot with a 30% deposit. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

Cancellations

After 48 hours, booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. You can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

Basic
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 89 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period.
Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 90 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled 60-89 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Super Flexible
  • If canceled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
  • If canceled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • If canceled within 59 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
  • Booking fees are non-refundable after 48 hours grace period.
Paddle with Manatees—All-Women Kayaking in Florida
Itinerary
Homosassa Springs Kayaking Adventure
People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
4 day
Guide(s)
Adventures in Good Company
Reserve deposit ($300.00) $300
Second Payment Amount: $0

  • 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

      Group of women on a guided kayaking trip in Florida

    • 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

      Close encounter with manatees

    • 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

      Manatees swimming in Homosassa Springs

    • 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

      Flamingos in the river

    • Plans for any specific day are subject to changes due to weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and the collective preferences of the group.

    • 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

    • 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:

        • 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.

    • 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

        • 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.

    • 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!

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