Weeki Wachee River

April 2016

There has always been a fair amount of river traffic on the Weekie Wachee, but with the recent explosion of paddlesports, it is getting quite congested. The sheer number of people on the river during the weekends causes the water to get stirred up with sand and debris. I suspect that the manatees are staying in the canals at these peak times. It gets hard to paddle around so many people.

Launching your own vessel at the Weekie Wachee State Park will cost you $ 16 if you use their shuttle pick up at Rogers Park downstream. You could just launch your own vessel for $6 but the catch is you're not allowed to return to the launch point which means take out at Rogers Park. They rent single and double kayaks for $32.50 and $ 37.50 Launching is between 8 AM and noon. The trip takes about 3 hours. The last shuttle pick up is at 5 PM. They charge you $ 50 per hour if you arrive later than that. The operator does a good job of picking you and your kayak up.

Another place to launch at times of your own choosing is Rogers Park. It is 5 1/2 miles downstream from the head spring, but it only costs $ 5 to park. It fills up quick in the summer. The launch area is superb. The water is less clear at this point on the river. The idea is to paddle upstream past the houses where it clears up considerably. There is some current to paddle against, but you get an easy ride on the way back. Aquatic life you might see includes; Bass, bream, catfish, mullet and turtles. Alligators and snakes are not commonly seen unless you go into one of the canals off of the main river, but keep an eye out just in case. The bottom is sandy in places and varies in depth between 2 feet and as much as 16 feet in sharp current swept turns. The water comes out of the spring at 72 degrees F and gets warmer away from the head spring but stills stays rather cool. There is an over head canopy of trees in places and with the coolness rising from the river, the temperature can be pleasant in the heat of the summer. People will be on the river in a variety of tubes, floats, rafts, canoes,kayaks, and motor boats. In places it can get a little crowded with inexperienced kayakers that you'll have to maneuver around.

The local laws are very stringent about bring any food or water in disposable containers. Alcohol is prohibited. A can of soda or beer can result in a fine over $ 200. A reusable container with say orange juice and vodka represents the least risk.

Fishing on the river can be difficult due to the water clarity enabling the fish to see monofilament line. Clear rivers aren't the best places to fish. Snorkeling is very good here if the river isn't stirred up by crowds. Just make sure you don't get swept downstream away from your boat as it is very hard to swim against the current. A technique I have used is to hold the boat by a rope and pull it with you. Some places have low overhanging branches that will knock your stuff off. This happened to me. My paddle got knocked off and when I surfaced, it was nowhere to be found. Had to paddle back using a fin. That technique won't work during the weekend when there are large numbers of vessels on the river. The water is cold enough to want a wetsuit for any extended dive. Swimming with the current is quite a thrill, like flying underwater. There are some places where the bank has been washed out and there are tree roots in the water, so a diver must be careful to not become entangled.

Overall, boating in such clear water is a pleasure.