Join your guide and experience the St. John's river up close and natural!
Time and Duration
- 1.5-Hour Duration
- **Tours depart at 9AM sharp.** We recommend arriving to the park at least an hour prior to allow for traffic at the gate.
Rates
- Boat rental and equipment is included in your ticket price.
Description
Join one of our experienced river guides as you discover the local flora and fauna of the St. Johns River. While every trip out on the water is unique and wildlife varies from day to day, animals that are commonly seen are wading birds, manatees, and alligators. In general, these trips are great for birders, sightseers, and photographers. These small group tours (up to 10 guests per guide) allow our naturalists to provide more special attention to the guests.
**Please note that we launch our boats from a beach. Your feet may get wet during the launch process, so please plan footwear accordingly.**
Policies
- Minimum 2 guests to operate the tour.
- Participants must be 12 years of age and older.
- PHOTO ID IS REQUIRED FOR EACH RENTER 18+ YRS OLD. COPIES ARE NOT PERMITTED.
- Guests are encouraged to familiarize themselves with our cancellation policies on the checkout page to follow before booking.
- For your personal safety “Animals are not allowed in canoes, kayaks, on Segways, or the tour boats unless they are service animals.”
- **CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS UNDERWAY**
Effective April 1, 2024: In-water activities are closed while we stabilize the shoreline at Blue Spring State Park. This closure includes swimming, snorkeling, tubing, diving and paddling in the spring run and spring head. Boat tours and paddling are only allowed in the St. Johns River. Visitors are asked to adhere to all posted signs and avoid closed areas when visiting the park.
Booking Notes
##What to Bring
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Water
- Please note that we launch our boats from a beach. Your feet may get wet during the launch process, so please plan footwear accordingly.
##Arrival Information
Please ensure that you arrive at the kayak/canoe building 30 minutes prior to your reserved time to avoid delayed reservations. Please note the park opens at 8:00am. The kayak/canoe building is located near the playground off the “lower parking lot” at the end of the main park road.
Please be advised that during peak seasons (manatee season & summer) the park typically reaches capacity early in the morning. If the park has reached capacity and stopped admitting vehicles, please present your reservation confirmation (via phone is sufficient) to a park ranger directing the car line.
Cancellation Policy
# Guest Tour Cancellations
**Guided kayak tours must be cancelled no less than 24 hours before your scheduled tour start time to be eligible for a full refund.** Cancellations within a 24-hour window will be rebooked to a future time. No call, no show, will not be eligible for a refund or to rebook once the scheduled tour time has passed.
# Weather Cancellations
Tours depart rain or shine, so please arrive prepared with a poncho or raincoat. If lightning is reported within 5 miles of the launch area, your tour guide will postpone or cancel the trip, depending on weather reports. If the trip is cancelled by Blue Spring Adventures for any reason (including weather), a full refund will be issued. If lightning is not detected, but the guest decides to postpone, the trip will be rebooked to a future time.
# Re-booking a Trip
Trips eligible to be re-booked may be scheduled up to one year out from the original departure date.
