Included:

• • 1-2 experienced guides with extensive knowledge of the area
  • 4-day guided all-women Homosassa Springs kayaking adventure
  • Accommodation for 3 nights at the Chassahowitzka Hotel (double occupancy)
  • 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 (pricing shown at checkout)

• • Single occupancy room

Not included:

• • Transportation, i.e., flights to and from Tampa airport
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
  • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
  • Guide gratuities — optional

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.

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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.

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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 is set at 12.
  • Solo travelers can share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee. – if applicable

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.

The price for this kayaking adventure is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

Solo travelers are welcome—they can either share a room with another same-gender solo traveler at no extra cost, or guarantee a private room by paying a single occupancy fee.

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 insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors 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.