Is it safe to kayak in Florida with alligators? Gators at this size are usually weary of people, which is why they have grown to such size, especially in North Carolina. If you witness two gators fighting, one could very easily see you as the next competitor after winning his first fight. Where are you kayaking in South Carolina? We actually stand up in them to spot the manatees. Sure enough the park I chose to kayak with a friend this past Saturday had a gator warning sign posted next to the launch. I would stay away from it. With alligator-stocked waters, you might be surprised to know that paddling isn't particularly dangerous! Its located near Fort White, just two hours away from Gainesville. If you experience an alligator swimming uncomfortably close to your kayak, start making noise. There were some big ones there and sounds like you had an amazing experience! Avoid going into deep waters as it increases the risk of encountering alligators or other dangerous creatures. Is it Safe to Do. They obviously dont want to eat you. My biggest fear has been paddling in areas with gators. If they saw the opportunity, they would swim out and steal my fish. The Suwannee is perhaps Florida's most well-known river. They might be a bit heavier, but they are next to indestructible even from an Aligator Tooth! Ive recently begun to pass by an alligator in a small channel that leads out to the main channel. The alligator was . The best way to avoid alligators is not to kayak in areas where they are present (such as the southern U.S.). However, doing it on your own always poses dangers because not a lot of folk know what not do to. An erratic or fast-moving paddle seems to freak gators out. It sure is a great place for kayaking. A very old animal in terms of evolution, it is adapted much better to the conditions and the environment where you may meet them, the prime example being Florida and the largest of American alligator males can grow 12 feet or 3.6 meters in length and weigh up to 500 pounds. If you see an alligator, I need you to do this exactly as I say. >> the tail went on our kayak. Small children should not swim alone or be left unattended on the shore of a large Florida lake. It didnt move, so I figured it wasnt afraid of me and I should be wary. Encountering two gators in fight mode is an exciting experience to witness but also potentially dangerous. In areas like this, the gators are more comfortable with people. All of our guides are comfortable in gator territory. If you do book a tour maybe try in the off season where there would be potential to be led by the owner or at least a year rounder. For this reason, it's important to be aware of areas where alligators are known to reside so that you can avoid them and stay safe while kayaking. Great article! Reeling the fish in too fast would make too much noise. With so many great places to kayak in Florida, there's no need to risk an encounter with an alligator. The Gator stare in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia. On the other side of that, I have encountered mother gators in heavily used kayak trails like the Turner River in Big Cypress. First time out I do believe I had an encounter in Curry Creek. 3. A good thing about it all is that no alligator attacks without being unprovoked. - Just Go! Safety tips for kayaking in Florida: Here are some general safety tips for kayaking in Florida: So, if you find an alligator sunning itself out of the water, it is out of necessity, and I promise you he or she would prefer to be in the water if not for the temperature. It is designed more to educate the general public if they plan to kayak with alligators. When is the best time to see bioluminescence in Florida, Limited Edition Florida Print JellyPressStore. Is there anything known that I can do to protect myself, like punch a shark in the nose or poke its eye. I had actually thought the noise was an old, maybe even exhaustless vehicle rattling on the highway . What does an agitated gator look or act like? At least until you know for sure it is not someones home. Are there many people who kayak in inflatable kayaks? With that said, I still pay close attention when approaching that area. However, you still need to remember an Alligator does not see you as prey, but they can associate you with a meal. Wear a life jacket! If you rent a kayak or canoe, the trip will take approximately 2.5 - 3 hours to complete. Types of Kayaking: Coastal kayaking, river kayaking, fishing kayaking, camping kayaking. Definitely difficult to answer those questions. Following these safety tips can help you stay safe while kayaking in Florida waters and ensure an enjoyable experience out on the water. There are some risks to consider when Kayaking in Cape Coral Canals. Region: An island off of the eastern coast of Florida, east of Ft. Myers and just north of Cape Coral. The entirety of Florida; In Louisiana and Florida, more than a million alligators each may live in those two states, by far making them the riskiest places for kayakers, boaters, and swimmers. If you are interested in one of our kayak tours please dont hesitate to book one today! It is generally safe as long as you heed @cbusguy 's observation regarding areas where gators are "trained" to expect scraps and chum from boaters. It is one of the things people know best about this American state. Pingback: Kayaking with Kids: A Complete Guide - Just Go! Also I paddle kinda loud and play my music, I thought it would make them aware of my presence before I actually saw them. Are Kayaks Safe from Alligators? 1. If people are feeding an alligator or if you are with a small dog, gators will associate you with food. Gators are now more solitary and territorial. Would the alligator consider my head turned toward it and my eye contact an aggressive action? Silver Springs is a great place to see manatees in the winter and is a family friendly kayaking destination, known also for its glass bottom boat tours and controversial rhesus monkey population. Wearing a life jacket can help you stay afloat if you fall in the water or your kayak overturns. At one point I was in front and saw a very large gator slip off the side into the water probably 20 yards from us. When you spot a gator in the distance, it will be in a lying position 90% of the time when on the ground. That is hard to say, but that does sound like what sometimes happens when paddling here in the very shallow waters. Mother alligators are dangerous to meddle with because they will attack anything or anybody that they see as a hazard to their babies. This also applies to alligator eggs. Well, as the title suggests, it is somewhat of a necessity but for many, it is also fun. Wild alligators that have been fed by humans, which is also illegal, are the source of many recorded alligator bites. Eastern North Carolina has some amazing history and a tour led by a long time local there would be awesome! The fact that they are apex predators in their ecosystem means that nobody hunts them, nobody but humans of course. Yes, it actually happens! Pingback: Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Where to Kayak In Florida Without Alligators. Are there alligators in the intracoastal waterway in north carolina? Many people canoe and kayak in Florida waters each year, and alligators can be present in any fresh or brackish water in the state. We try our best not to disturb them and have found the. This is where we start to get into the scenarios when kayaking with alligators could be dangerous. It also messes with your ability to be aware of your surroundings. Some kayakers even carry a rubber mallet with them for this purpose. Now, the larger older alligators will start to eat larger prey such as smaller white-tail deer, but a gator that is eating deer is probably over 11 to 12 feet. Had the gator not entered the water I probably wouldnt have noticed until we were just a few feet away from the bank he/she was sitting on, which is scary considering we kept getting caught up in trees and plants in the water. Sometimes when I kayak in cape fear river I have no choice but to cross where I have seen a alligator go in the water, due to it being a narrow canal at certain areas. As you may know, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators. It is not recommended for kayakers, as it can be dangerous to paddle amongst alligators. I saw 10+ gators but I also had 2 or 3 moments where everything was quiet but then the water erupted with splashing right in front of the kayak in a quick loud burst that scared me badly each time. If I see someone roaring and pounding his chest, like he just finished a cage fight, Im probably not going to and ask him for directions. By Lee Howard "Keep your elbows away from the water" - crucial advice I suddenly recalled from reading up about kayaking the Okefenokee Swamp, as my kayak, low to the drink, drifted a little further into the lily pads and towards whatever lurked amongst them.. If you would prefer to do a kayaking tour in a saltwater environment, here are some great options: Florida springs are the real star of Florida kayaking. 1. The simple answer is no. Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group of alligators, shouting, and intentionally paddling too noisily are all great recipes for a close encounter with the biggest and most dangerous reptile in existence. Yes! My husband and I saw our first alligator in our brackish canal in Wilton Manors, FL today. Now that we know alligators dont see us as food but might associate us with being fed, we understand we might want to be more cautious when kayaking with alligators at public boat ramps or docks. BK Adventure and A Day Away Kayak both provide the best bioluminescence tours in Florida and are highly recommended. Very helpful. At that point, they are just freaking out and trying to get away. Make sure to bring a first-aid kit, flashlights, whistle, and other necessary items with you before going out on your kayak. this is super important, listen up. In the extreme circumstance that a large alligator lunges at or bites your boat, rap the alligator on its snout with your paddle and quickly paddle away. I dont think spray would work and I wouldnt want to be that close to test it out. Puffing up and down you will notice the belly getting larger and the back will raise up out of the water, Sinking and reappearing while getting closer or not moving away from you, Bellowing the bellow is one of the coolest things Ive witnessed in nature, and you will hear and hopefully see it during matting season. They will also raise their bodies out of the water when the air temp is warmer than the water. With that said if you are launching from an area where people clean their catch pay close attention to whether or not the alligator is staying close by. This park is located in Key Largo, where you can kayak and explore the wildlife of the coral reef. For our Naples location in particular I wouldnt use an inflatable due to the number of barnacles, and oysters in the area. They make everything more difficult for you and us. Ive passed it three times now. Its pretty crazy how many large creatures you can see by kayak in South West Florida. Besides, you will find plenty of areas to explore and admire the places natural beauty. Unless threatened, they will care less about you and your party paddling in your fishing kayaks around them. If thats the case you need to pay more attention. 3. If you are interested in seeing Comb jelly fish, they can be seen between November and May. In addition, the area is free from all the dangerous wildlife, so you can be sure there wont be any alligators. Mainly due to how shallow everything is. So if I do ever find myself in that senerio, do you have any suggestions? Which will make your kayaking experience that much safer and worry-free. If you have something to add to this article, have questions or want to join us and kayak with alligators, please dont hesitate to reach out. Were these false charges from a gator like you mention in the article? Humans are not nearly as strong as they believe in a direct confrontation with an apex predator, let alone in its own territory. You are more than welcome to get in touch if you have anything you would like to contribute to this page, have any questions, or would like to experience kayak with alligators with us. If you encounter an alligator while kayaking and they are perfectly still, they arent making any weird movements or noises, and they seem comfortable this is what I tell my customers. Even if they swim at you, they are hopefully false charging. Always be aware of other nearby boats and vessels when youre out on your kayak. I wouldnt cross large bays in it, but its perfect for the smaller ponds and tunnels. What to do if you see an alligator while kayaking? The best noise you can make is banging your paddle shaft on your kayak. Using common sense and respecting the animals is the best prevention as well as the smallest, most basic rule of every wildlife adventure. If you hear male alligators bellowing that means its the mating season and males will defend the best habitat and wont allow other gators and sometimes kayakers in their territory. 4. Aligator teeth would be another sharp object capable of blowing your inflatable. 2) Train Like An Astronaut At The Kennedy Space Center. So, if you find an alligator sunning itself out of the water, it is out of necessity, and I promise you he or she would prefer to be in the water if not for the temperature. After all, they are capable of seriously injuring you or even killing you. I currently kayak Northeast Creek in Jacksonville NC. This requires slightly more effort than Weeki Wachee but still can be done by inexperienced kayakers. To stay safe kayaking in Florida, never confront or feed alligators, as they will change their behavior and approach kayaks more readily. Of course, they will know full well that you are there as it does not take long for them to notice disturbances in the water. The Loxahatchee River is a great place to kayak, and enjoys the stunning scenery. When is the best time to see manatees in Florida? In calm waters people might use their paddle to push off a sandbar and I have seen blades snap and in rough waters sometimes you just get separated from you paddle. If you should encounter an alligator, try to stay calm and keep your distance. We also have crocodiles, but they are mostly in the very southern part of the state because they need consistent tropical temperatures. If this starts to happen, then the answer is yes, alligators can be dangerous to kayakers. Buy a quality primary paddle and always bring a spare. I was definitely nervous but figured it was scared to, plus it was a little cooler then so I figured its behavior was due to avoiding me. Sometimes however, FWC says the small gators can pose a legitimate problem and must be addressed. If you see a weird elevated mound in the middle of a pond, you could and probably should consider that to be an alligator nest if a gator is nearby. As you may know, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators. Just lightly dropping it maybe 3 inches is enough to resonate a long distance. Dropping your paddle shaft on the top of your kayak is the absolute best way to make noise, that sound will carry under water a long distance. However, following the steps outlined in this article can minimize your risk and stay safe. 1) Tour Everglades National Park. If you wonder where to kayak in Florida without alligators, you can take a look at the following list. The most common instance in our area is a fisherman. Your article has provided me this morning much useful information to guide me before my maiden voyage this coming Monday in May where temperatures are now in the 90s. To stay safe, always avoid kayaking in the dark. Stay inside the boat. That information about other water hazards was VERY helpful. This also reminds me of the East River in Fakahatchee state park. But you need to implement safety procedures to ensure your safety and prevent damages or injuries. Also, you need to think about whether that gator is close to a boat launch because fisherman are cleaning their catch. Most alligator fatalities are associated with wading, swimming, or snorkeling in fresh water. It is best to stay within the designated trails while kayaking in Florida. Alligators are just as afraid of us as we are of them, so typically if a kayak enters an alligator area, they will duck below the water and hide. Of that, I have encountered mother gators in fight mode is an exciting experience to but! 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