About Wekiva Island
Wekiva Island is your gateway to real Florida fun—an eco-friendly destination on the beautiful Wekiva River in Longwood, just outside Orlando. Explore the water with canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals provided by Paddleboard Orlando, or unwind on land with over 2,000 square feet of riverside recreation. Grab a drink at The Tooting Otter, enjoy a bite from Without a Paddle Café, and shop local in our General Store. From private cabanas to year-round events, we offer something for everyone—with sustainability, education, and art at the heart of it all.
Green Business
Our Mission
Wekiva Island is a family-owned and operated business. When we purchased this incredible property, we wanted our business to reflect what was important to us. Because of that, Wekiva Island is driven by three pillars: Sustainability, Education and Art. We are dedicated to leading the way as a green business, sharing what’s remarkable about this location with our patrons and imparting more beauty into the world than we found. It is our hope that you will see these values reflected throughout our property, that they will touch and change you, and that you will carry them with you when you leave this special place.
Our Three Pillars
Many of our guests know Wekiva Island for the great memories they’ve made there—hanging out with family in a cabana for the day, meeting friends for happy hour and grabbing a bite, or attending a fun event. But if you take a closer look at Wekiva Island, you’ll notice more: art on the walls, solar panels, recycling bins and signs educating visitors about this unique place.
Learn more about the three pillars that drive everything we do at Wekiva Island: Sustainability, education and art.
Our Sustainability Pillar
When our owner, Bill Weinaug, purchased Wekiva Island, his goal was to create a place for the community that showed off how sustainability could be done. Over the years, we have incorporated many green practices into our business, from our LEED Platinum Classroom to solar energy that has cut our carbon footprint significantly. These efforts support our goal of going carbon neutral by 2030.
Our Education Pillar
Our location along the Wekiva River means we have access to unique water, animal and plant features—and we love sharing them with our guests! We have many educational program opportunities available, as well as special events. And be sure to keep an eye out for signs and posters around the Island that explain more about what you can do and see.
Our Art Pillar
The owners of Wekiva Island have always been passionate patrons of the arts. In fact, Wekiva Island hosts a monthly Wine & Paint event and is the sponsor of the yearly Wekiva Paint Out, a celebration of plein air painting. We also have an art gallery upstairs, Gallery CERO, and of course you’ll notice gorgeous paintings in The Tooting Otter. Our location is incredible and inspiring, and it demands appreciation only art can give.
Wekiva Island History
We are proud to be part of the long history of Wekiva Island’s location.
- 1960
- 1964
- 1965
- 1969?
- 1970?
- 1999
- 1999
- 2008
- 2008
- 2009
- 2015
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2016
- ???
- 2021
- 2030
Orlando's #1 Paddle Provider
As the home base for Paddleboard Orlando, Wekiva Island offers a truly unique blend of adventure and relaxation you won’t find anywhere else in Central Florida.
A Unique Destination: We’re unlike any other place in Central Florida, offering a one-of-a-kind experience. With top-notch amenities, food and drink, and activities for all, we make it easy to relax and immerse yourself in nature’s beauty.
Committed to Conservation: We’re dedicated to preserving Florida’s wild beauty. As an eco-conscious destination, we help guests connect with nature and learn how to protect it for future generations.
Accessible Nature Adventures: Enjoy easy access to the Wekiva River with a variety of options—canoe, kayak, paddleboard, or a relaxing riverboat cruise—perfect for all adventure levels. Paddle solo, with your crew, or join a guided tour with our River Ambassador Ned Johnson!
Our ESG Approach
We Care at Wekiva Island. Our ESG program has evolved alongside us, consistently addressing our significant business impacts and prioritizing meaningful change. We are dedicated to embodying our organization’s values in every interaction—whether with customers, employees, non-profits, or local businesses—driving collective efforts toward a better, more sustainable world.
Our Team
Message From Our Family
We are family-owned and operated. We are blessed to have a great team working night and day to deliver a fun, safe environment to enjoy the beautiful Wekiva! We believe that we are here to make a difference. Not for us, but for generations to come. So, join us for a river cleanup, check out our education center, and stroll through the art gallery. Bring your family to paddle down our majestic river, settle in one of our cabanas, and enjoy a cold craft beer or glass of wine…but most of all, just COME! We believe that when you do, you too will be smitten. Our bottom line is we care. And we know that you will too!
