Wekiva Island’s tips for visiting Wekiwa Springs

If you’re new to Central Florida—or even if you’ve lived here awhile—you might have wondered, “Are there springs in Orlando?” If so, you’ve probably heard about Wekiwa Springs, one of the most popular Orlando springs destinations.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, we think Wekiwa Springs is an adventure you won’t want to miss.

Wekiva Island is located just about one mile down the Wekiva River from Wekiwa Springs State Park. Because of that, the Island is the perfect place to launch a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to make a visit to these springs. Today, we wanted to share a few of our tips for you to have the perfect visit.

Get an early start

As regulars know from the line of cars on Wekiwa Springs Road, Wekiwa Springs State Park tends to get crowded very early in the day, especially as the weather begins to warm up. At Wekiva Island, we always recommend visitors hit our entrance by 9 or 10 a.m. in the summer because we are such a popular destination.

Want to avoid the State Park rush? Start your adventure with us. You can even check our capacity meter online before you head out. Once you’ve arrived and parked, just pay the $2 entry fee and you’re on your way.

Take advantage of our Wekiva Springs kayak, canoe, and paddleboard rentals

We offer Orlando kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, and canoe rentals at Wekiva Island, and we think the trip from the Island to the State Park is one of the most scenic in Orlando. Head to our rental window, attached to our main building, and select your vessel.

As soon as you get your vessel of choice, you can paddle up-river toward the State Park. Being about a mile, it should take a little more than an hour to get to these springs near Orlando (depending on how often you want to stop and take in the scenery!). Once you arrive, make sure to pay the entry fee, tie up your vessel, and bring your paddle with you so your vessel doesn’t get taken.

From here, you can take a dip in the beautiful 72-degree water, which stays this temperature year-round. You can also take a hike through the unique Florida nature. Wekiwa Springs State Park offers trails with lengths varying from less than a mile up to 13.5 miles!

Head back to the Island to relax or fuel up

When you finish up at the State Park, the trip back to the Island will be a breeze, as the journey is completely downstream. This will allow you to relax and just enjoy the view.

When you get back from your adventure, you can continue the fun with some more swimming in the Wekiva River. However, if you’re feeling hungry, make sure to check out our Orlando food truck, Without a Paddle Café. There are plenty of options to choose from that will serve as the perfect reward for all your hard work.

Adults, if you are looking to have a drink, look no further than the Tooting Otter. Our outdoor bar in Orlando is the perfect place to unwind with a craft beer after a trip on the river and out in the sun.

Once you take one trip on the Wekiva River, we know you’ll be back for more. There are several awesome kayak trips you can plan, all with Wekiva Island as your starting destination.

Or, let the Island BE the destination. Check out some of our activities and amenities, as well as our rates. We hope to see you soon!