This Saturday, Wekiva Island will be closed until 5:00 p.m. for our annual Fall Egg Fest. We’d love for you to join the fun—grab your ticket and be part of the festivities. After 5:00 p.m., the Island will reopen and welcome guests as usual.
It’s probably one of the most searched and most asked questions we get here at Wekiva Island: What’s the difference between Wekiwa and Wekiva?
It makes sense. Drive around this area and you’ll see Wekiwa Springs Road and Wekiva Springs Road, Wekiwa Springs Baptist Church and Wekiva Presbyterian, Wekiva Elementary and Wekiwa Springs neighborhoods. And of course, there’s Wekiwa Springs State Park, Wekiva Island and the Wekiva River.
You’ll also find countless articles and threads proving the debate has gone on for decades. The truth is, there’s no way to know the true answer—but we’ll do our best to clear some things up here.
According to the Wekiwa Springs State Park website, “Wekiwa” means “spring of water” in the language of the Creek people, who were later called the Seminoles. “Wekiva” means “flowing water.”
Others (including Wikipedia, for what it’s worth) say the two terms don’t actually have different meanings, but rather Wekiwa was simply misspelled, and developers preferred the “v” spelling as things grew.
A 1999 Orlando Sentinel article on the topic backs that up, citing research from a historian and board member of the Seminole County Historical Commission who determined in the 1980s that the spelling was “Wekiwa”. The article also says that linguists determined that Native American languages don’t have the letter “v”.
While the words Wekiva and Wekiwa might not mean anything different (or do, depending on who you ask) the applications do have a difference. Wekiwa Springs, with a “w”, is a census-designated place in Seminole County (even though many subdivisions and streets in Seminole County are spelled with a “v”). It’s also the correct way to spell Wekiwa Springs State Park in Orange County—and what most people who ask us at Wekiva Island are referring to.
At the center of the entire debate is the spring itself. About 42 million gallons of water bubble up from the indigo depths of the springhead at Wekiwa Springs every day. Originally called Clay Springs, Wekiwa Springs was the Central Florida’s original tourist attraction. It included a bathhouse and hotel complex. Today, these Orlando springs attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year to swim in the cool, clear waters.
The spring doesn’t stand alone. The Apopka Sportsman Club bought the land that would become Wekiwa Springs State Park in 1941. It was previously used for logging. The club built hunting cabins around the property and used it for hunting and fishing until 1969, when they sold it to the state of Florida.
We’re all so lucky that the incredible land that is Wekiwa Springs State Park has been preserved and is available to the public to visit. Visitors can jump into the always-72-degree water of the springs and cool off or explore lush tropical hammocks on miles of hiking trails. Camping, birding, biking and more can keep you busy 365 days a year.
An important note: Reservations ARE required to visit Wekiwa Springs State Park, even just for the day. Admission is $6 per car.
Wekiva Island is a family owned and operated business located just about a mile down the Wekiva River from the state park. We are dedicated to a mission of sustainability, education and art and want our guests to learn while they have an amazing day floating on the river, soaking up the sun on the boardwalk or sipping cold drinks or great eats.
Wekiva Island as we know it started in 2008, when the Weinaug family purchased the property. Before our story, however, locals will remember several iterations of the property. The earliest of these was the Wekiwa Marina (another “w” spelling, and perhaps the cause of some of the confusion), which started in 1964. Eventually, a restaurant opened on the property, though it later burned down.
We, too, have had our share of ups and downs over our history, including our own fire in our main building. Even so, we’ve tried very hard in the nearly two decades since to make the property better and more enjoyable for our guests while maintaining the natural elements that make this area worth protecting.
Those who visit Wekiva Island these days can make awesome memories. Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard and explore the river. Grab your whole crew and rent a cabana for the day so you can have your own private space. Bring a volleyball and hit our sand court or challenge your friends to a cornhole tournament. Of course, you can always sit back in one of our riverside Adirondack chairs and sip a cold beverage from our bar. Some people even come down just for a bite from our onsite food truck, Without a Paddle Café—we promise you won’t be disappointed.
We also have an art gallery, Gallery CERO, upstairs, and we host tons of great events, from beer festivals to family holiday celebrations.
Now that you know some of the backstory, you know that no, Wekiva Island is not the same as Wekiwa Springs. The water flows from the spring down the Wekiva River. If you come to Wekiva Island, you can paddle up the river about a mile and visit Wekiwa Springs State Park—and vice versa! Both properties have a vessel parking area for visitors. Just remember to pay the entry fee. Start your Orlando canoeing adventure at Wekiva Island and tie up at the park for a dip at the swimming area, or try Orlando springs kayaking at the park and stop here for a bite and a beer. Just remember—the river is not a circle, and as far as you paddle, you have to paddle back.
If you’re ready to visit Wekiva Island, we’re ready to welcome you! Many times of the year, entry is free at Wekiva Island. During the popular months in the summer and during Winter Wonderland, we charge $5 for entry. You can check our website for a live capacity meter to make sure we have space and parking—but no need to make a reservation. Space is first come, first served.
The Wekiva/Wekiwa name extends beyond Wekiwa Springs State Park and Wekiva Island. As we mentioned, the entire area is known as Wekiwa Springs, and many neighborhoods, businesses and community spaces use one spelling or the other. There are also a few other entities on the river that might be confusing to some visitors.
First is the river itself. The Wekiva River is the name for the body of water that flows from the springhead. The river is so special and stunning that it is one of two Wild and Scenic Rivers in Florida. Wild and Scenic Rivers have such outstanding natural, cultural and recreational value that they are protected by a 1968 law. The Wekiva River is protected from its confluence with the St. Johns River to Wekiwa Springs, Rock Springs Run to the confluence with the Wekiwa Springs Run and Blackwater Creek from the outflow of Lake Norris to the confluence with the Wekiva River.
As another body of water with a Wekiva name, Wekiva Falls sometimes gets confused with Wekiwa Springs and Wekiva Island. Wekiva Falls is an RV resort in the Sorrento area. It features a unique lagoon with a waterfall, slides and more. It also features a marina with canoe and kayak rentals for exploring a different part of the Wekiva River.
Another point of confusion for some is other businesses and things to do near the river, specifically with Rock Springs Run. Rock Springs Run connects to Wekiwa Springs Run and the Wekiva River. If you’re paddling from the Island or the state park, you can head up this way to explore, too. Along this run, you’ll find King’s Landing and eventually, Kelly Park. Kelly Park is an Orange County park that features tubing. It’s very popular, so expect to wait or pick a weekday in the off season.
The answer to the question Wekiva vs. Wekiwa: What is the difference? is simply not as clear as the water flowing from the Wekiwa Springs springhead. We might never reach a consensus on the difference in the words themselves, but we’re happy to be part of both the community and the river system that connects us to all of these businesses and organizations. After all, for us, it’s all about the incredible natural resource that started it all.
This Saturday, Wekiva Island will be closed until 5:00 p.m. for our annual Fall Egg Fest. We’d love for you to join the fun—grab your ticket and be part of the festivities. After 5:00 p.m., the Island will reopen and welcome guests as usual.
Join Wekiva Island and 3 Daughters Brewing this Saturday for a seafood feast benefiting the Central Florida Zoo. Enjoy a pound of jumbo shrimp, clams, corn, potatoes, sausage, and three pours of beer, all for $45!