Though theres a certain level of risk involved with each outing, kayaking with alligators is safe if you remain alert. Alligator bites are most likely to occur in or near water, as alligators are not well-equipped to catch prey on dry land. The Wilderness Trail of the Suwannee River is a great place for kayaking. With so many great places to kayak in Florida, theres no need to risk an encounter with an alligator. So these are where you can go kayaking in Florida safely without fearing Alligators. RELATED: 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Loch Ness Monster. Leave no trace. The FWC decides whether it poses a risk and will then assign a trapper that it contracts with and licenses. Are there any alligators in Lake Murray SC? As you may know, Florida is home to around 1.5 million alligators. In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves died after he was snatched from the shore of a Disney World resort by an alligator. In order to help you, the following are the 12 best places to kayak in Florida without Alligators. Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail is a sea kayakers dream. As you move along the path, it will alternate between full shade and full sun. They can be found roaming pretty much all over the state. You can explore various rivers and creeks filled with wildlife and stunning views here. 2022 Kayak-sensei Built with Kayak-sensei. And if youre kayaking at night, be sure to wear a light so you can be seen. You will find many other kayakers here, so follow the local guidelines and regulations for a safe and enjoyable experience. Given their tremendous size and proclivity towards the water, you wouldn't expect that alligators would be skilled at climbing, but they are. Do not allow your dogs or children to swim in waters inhabited by alligators, or to drink or play at the waters edge. Alligators are plentiful in central Florida, including the Orlando area. Typically, alligators have about 80 teeth in their mouth at one time, but they lose teeth frequently. They can be found roaming pretty much all over the state. Some of the more popular areas in Central Florida that aren't occupied by alligators or sharks are freshwater spring-fed rivers. Home to more than 8,426 miles of coastline, Floridas beaches are all typically safe for swimming year-round, notes the Florida Department of Health. Theres no need to worry about alligators here as they are not present in the area, so if youre looking for a place to explore and observe wildlife while kayaking, the Suwannee River is your best bet. Here, you can rent a kayak or take a guided tour along the river, where you will find beautiful springs where to stop and explore. These rest areas provide a chance for visitors to stretch their legs, enjoy a picnic lunch, or take in the surrounding natural beauty of the Florida Everglades. There are an estimated five million American alligators in the southeastern U.S. with a quarter of the alligator population in Florida. Virtually any body of water can hold alligators. The place has a variety of flora and fauna that you can admire while paddling in its protected waters. The answer to that question is yes and no. Florida is home to an estimated two million American alligators, which means that there is one alligator for every twenty-one acres of land in the state. Why are there no alligators in Florida springs? What time of day are alligators most active? 1. West Palm Beach and its suburbs racked up a total of 205 removals over the past two years, with 139 taken from Wellington and 77 from Palm Beach Gardens. The waters of the swimming area are crystal blue, and there are a variety of shallow shores and mellow oxbow lakes that you can explore nearif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funoutdoorventures_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funoutdoorventures_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Rainbow Springs. https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-blackwater-river-state-forest/, https://myfwc.com/recreation/lead/big-bend/paddling-trail/, https://www.visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/outdoors-nature-great-kayaking-in-florida/, https://www.tripstodiscover.com/kayaking-in-florida/. This means the only surviving Archosaurs are the croc family and the birds. Besides, the waters of the Manatee River are quite shallow, making them suitable for beginner kayakers. If anyone alligator gets too close, you should make loud noises to scare it away. However, there have been repeated cases of alligators getting into peoples' yards and homes. March 01, 2023. They live in China and grow up to 1.5 to 2.1 meters or 5 to 7 feet long. You can read more about me on my about page. Additionally, these waters are safe to paddle in, as no alligators are present. In addition, the majority of natural Florida lakes have dark or stained water limiting visibility. Scour the Shore Since alligators spend most of their time sunbathing on the shores, there are often telltale signs of their presence. There was a lot of information on the internet, but we always spent hours searching for it. While paddling, keep an eye out for alligators or any other potential hazards that may be present in the water. Never paddle alone. Although Florida has a large alligator population. Low fences, therefore, may not be sufficient protection for pets in areas where alligators are present. No South Florida city south of West Palm Beach made the list. We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website. Before heading out on your kayak, research and understand the local regulations, so you dont get into trouble. Stay cautious its better to be safe than sorry. over a year ago. American crocodiles are not found in Orlando but are found in South Florida, the Caribbean, Southern Mexico and Central America. The FWC estimates that the state is home to approximately 1.3m alligators of every size across its 67 counties, which offer around 6.7m acres of suitable wetland habitats for the animals. Leave alligators alone. Susan is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. It has 105 mile-long segments that run from the Aucilla River to Yankeetown and offer a bountiful array of marine and birdlife. The specific species of crocodile that lives in Florida is the American Crocodile. Fun Outdoor Ventures is owned and operated by Susan and is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This website participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Yes, there are crocodiles in Florida. The island is known for its pristine beaches and calm waters, making it a perfect spot for kayaking. Similarly, there are also some places you should avoid at all costs because of the high population of Alligators. Complete Guide. A warm nest means that most of the eggs will be male, while a cooler nest means that the offspring will be mostly females. That increased to 7,114 last year, according to FWC data. Cochran said if a nuisance gator is 4 feet or longer and the trapper doesnt have a special permit to take it alive, its usually killed. Lake Kissimmee near Orlando comes in second with just shy of 2,000. There are seven places in Florida where you can Kayak without having to worry too much about floating past an unhappy alligator. Wear a life jacket and always carry a whistle in case of an emergency. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. To an alligator, a splash potentially means a food source is in the water. The reason being is that alligators don't like the cold water. So always be aware of your surroundings and never approach an alligator, even if it looks like its sleeping. Alligator and Wildlife Discovery Center, in Madeira Beach on Florida's west coast, is a smaller stop that's good for kids who want to give a gator a smooch, while Jungle Adventures, near Merritt Island on the Space Coast, features all sorts of Florida critters plus a jungle swamp river cruise. Twenty five of those attacks have been fatal. Crocs feel more at-home in our saltwater canals than gators. First of all, feeding gators is illegal in Florida, so that's a pretty good reason not to do it. There are several places in Florida that you can safely kayak in that do not have any alligators. Florida has over 30,000 Lakes and every single one of these lakes is home to gators so always be careful while walking around Lakes in Florida. Theyve attacked 410 people in the state since the FWC began keeping records in 1948. The only surviving members of the dinosaur clad today are the birds. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. How do you know if a lake has alligators? Lake Okeechobee has the most alligators, due to its size and availability of suitable habitat, an FWC spokesperson said. So, grab your paddle, and lets hit the water! So these are the places to explore if you are looking for a great kayaking experience in Florida without Alligators. Copyright 2022 lakeaccess.org - Sitemap. American alligators reside nearly exclusively in the freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the southeastern United States, primarily Florida and Louisiana. (FWC) is responsible for the management of alligator and shark populations in the state of Florida. Susan also participates in affiliate programs with Bluehost, Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Nevertheless, it is undeniable that these creatures are somewhat monstrous in appearance. Ensure to keep an eye out for things like logs, rocks, or other submerged objects that could be hazardous to your boat. That is why only kayaking in places with no alligators is a must. The John Pennekamp Coral Reef is a popular destination for kayakers. But if they don't make it to .500 by season's end, they may not make any other tournament, either making games like Tuesday night's at Georgia meaningful in marginal ways. Home University Of Florida What Part Of Florida Has No Alligators? [Whats The Best Method? Bear in mind that the John Pennekamp Coral Reef is very popular over the weekends, especially if it is good weather, attracting crowds of kayakers and people on jet skis and motorboats.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funoutdoorventures_com-box-4','ezslot_4',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funoutdoorventures_com-box-4-0'); For the average kayaker, open-water paddling in the protection of the mangrove wilderness is a calming experience. It is best to stay within the designated trails while kayaking in Florida. 14 Best Places To See Wild Alligators In Florida Everglades National Park The Everglades National Park is the third-largest national park in the United States! This beautiful river near Dunnellon is a popular spot for kayakers of all levels. For this reason, its important to be aware of areas where alligators are known to reside so that you can avoid them and stay safe while kayaking. 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