↠ ABOUT THE TOUR ↞
Clear Kayaking Adventure at Ginnie Springs – Explore Crystal-Clear Waters & Hidden Springs!
Get ready for an unforgettable Florida springs adventure! This 2-hour guided clear kayaking tour is perfect for families, nature lovers, and first-time paddlers. Launching from Rum Island County Park in High Springs, you’ll explore some of the most famous and beautiful freshwater springs in Florida while avoiding the busy campground crowds.
Paddle through the crystal-clear waters of the Santa Fe River and discover July Spring, The Devil’s Ear, and the world-famous Ginnie Springs. With a knowledgeable local guide leading the way, you’ll experience these incredible springs from a unique perspective while learning about their history, geology, and wildlife.
Whether you’re visiting from Gainesville, Jacksonville, Orlando, or beyond, this guided clear kayak tour offers a peaceful and immersive way to experience the natural beauty of North Florida.
What Makes This Tour Special?
- Paddle in clear kayaks for amazing underwater views.
- Explore July Spring, Devil’s Ear, and Ginnie Spring.
- Beat the campground crowds and enjoy a more relaxed experience.
- Learn about the springs from an experienced local guide
- Crystal-clear water perfect for photos, swimming, and wildlife viewing
- Great for beginners – no kayaking experience needed.
- We provide everything! Clear kayaks, paddles, life jackets, dry bags, goggles, and a friendly guide.
Wildlife You Might See:
- River otters
- Turtles
- Mullet and other native fish
- Wading birds including herons and egrets
- Swallow-tailed kites
- Deer along the riverbanks
- Wild turkeys and other native wildlife
Experience Florida’s Most Famous Springs
Skip the crowds and discover why Ginnie Springs is one of Florida’s most treasured natural attractions. From the deep blue waters of Devil’s Ear to the stunning clarity of Ginnie Spring, this guided adventure offers an up-close look at some of the most beautiful freshwater springs in the world.
Book your clear kayaking tour today and experience Ginnie Springs like never before!
↠ WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL ↞
↠ EXPLORE THE WORLD-FAMOUS SPRINGS OF THE SANTA FE RIVER ↞
The Santa Fe River is home to some of Florida’s most iconic freshwater springs, and this guided clear kayak adventure takes you directly to three of its most remarkable natural wonders: July Spring, Devil’s Ear Spring, and Ginnie Spring. Together, these crystal-clear springs create one of the most unique paddling experiences in the state, attracting visitors and divers from around the world.
What to Expect on Your Tour
Paddle Through Crystal-Clear Waters
Enjoy an easy, guided paddle suitable for all experience levels as you explore some of the clearest freshwater in Florida. Our clear kayaks provide an incredible window into the underwater world below, allowing you to see fish, turtles, aquatic vegetation, limestone formations, and spring vents beneath your kayak.
Discover Three Unique Springs
July Spring
One of the lesser-known gems of the Santa Fe River, July Spring offers beautiful clear water and a peaceful setting away from the crowds. Its crystal-clear spring run provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and showcases the natural beauty that makes this section of the river so special.
Devil’s Ear Spring
Perhaps the most fascinating stop on the tour, Devil’s Ear is one of Florida’s premier cave diving destinations. This powerful spring vent flows from an extensive underwater cave system and plunges to depths of approximately 35 feet at the entrance before extending into miles of submerged passageways explored only by highly trained cave divers. From the surface, you’ll often see the swirling “boil” where millions of gallons of freshwater emerge from the Floridan Aquifer each day.
Ginnie Spring
World-famous for its incredible water clarity, Ginnie Spring is often considered one of the most beautiful springs in Florida. The brilliant blue water maintains a comfortable temperature year-round and offers visibility that can exceed 60 feet. Its stunning clarity and vibrant colors make it a favorite destination for swimmers, snorkelers, photographers, and paddlers alike.
Wildlife Encounters
Keep an eye out for the incredible wildlife that calls the Santa Fe River home:
- River otters
- Turtles basking on logs
- Schools of mullet and native freshwater fish
- Great blue herons and other wading birds
- Swallow-tailed kites soaring overhead
- White-tailed deer along the riverbanks
- Wild turkeys and other native wildlife
Learn About Florida’s Underground Aquifer
Along the way, your guide will share fascinating insights about the Floridan Aquifer, one of the largest freshwater aquifer systems in the world. The springs you’ll visit discharge millions of gallons of crystal-clear water every day, creating the unique ecosystems that make North Florida’s springs famous worldwide.
Why Choose Our Tour?
Beat the Crowds
Experience Ginnie Springs from the water before the campground and tubing crowds arrive, giving you a more peaceful and immersive experience.
Guided by Local Experts
Our knowledgeable guides share the history, geology, wildlife, and hidden stories behind each spring, helping you appreciate these natural wonders on a deeper level.
Perfect for Nature Lovers
Whether you’re a first-time kayaker or an experienced paddler, this tour offers the perfect blend of adventure, education, wildlife viewing, and breathtaking scenery.
See More Than Most Visitors
Many visitors only experience Ginnie Springs from shore. Our guided kayak tour allows you to explore multiple springs and see parts of the river that many guests never discover.
Don’t miss this opportunity to paddle through some of Florida’s most famous freshwater springs. Book your clear kayak adventure today and experience the magic of Ginnie Springs, Devil’s Ear, and July Spring from a whole new perspective.
Welcome to Rum Island County Park, our premier launch location nestled in the heart of High Springs, FL. This picturesque setting, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, is the perfect spot for your next kayaking adventure.
What is Rum Island and what can you do at the park?
Enchanting On-Site Springs: One of the highlights of Rum Island are the enchanting on-site springs, a hidden gem that adds a touch of magic to your kayaking journey. This unique feature offers the perfect spot for a swim and picnic, making your visit even more memorable.
Convenient Amenities: The park is equipped with convenient and accessible restroom facilities and ADA-accessible ramps, ensuring everyone can enjoy the park’s amenities with ease.
Picnic Areas: Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or a place to gather with friends and family, our picnic areas offer the ideal setting to relax, connect, and enjoy the natural beauty of Rum Island.
Unique History: Did you know that Rum Island has a unique history? During Prohibition, the island was used to smuggle Rum across the area – Bootleggers! Adding a fascinating historical element to your visit.
Know Before You Go:
- Entry Fee: A $5 entry fee is required for parking.
- Park Hours: The park closes at night, so be sure to plan your visit accordingly.
Let the peaceful ambiance and stunning surroundings of Rum Island County Park create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments with your loved ones. Whether you’re kayaking, swimming, or picnicking, there’s always something wonderful to discover at Rum Island.
↠ MEET THE TEAM ↞
Jeremy
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My name is Jeremy Ansley, I graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2010 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Psychology and History. I’ve since dedicated a lot of my life to learning about the human body, medicine, and how to care for the sick. I started my healthcare career in 2015 in EMS as an EMT for Volusia County, working and receiving my state certifications in Firefighting and Paramedicine in 2016. I continued my pursuit of higher education at an Osteopathic Medical School in 2018, completing the first year of graduate studies. In 2022, I graduated from Daytona State College with an Associate Degree in Nursing and currently work both as a nurse and tour guide. I’ve always loved spending time outdoors, and while professionally I’ve spent the past several years working in healthcare, I’ve grown even more to appreciate the experiences in life that bring joy to people. The path I’ve taken to get where I’m at today has been incredibly enlightening, and I’m grateful every day to guide adventures! There is so much that I enjoy about being a tour guide, but one of the best parts for me is just watching a family create beautiful memories together. I love all the laughter and smiles these magical places bring about and getting to take people on a “once in a lifetime” experience, I mean, come on, what’s not to love about being a tour guide?!
J.P.
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Born and raised in the NYC/NJ area, I’ve been living in Florida for over 10 years. In 2020, my wife and I moved to Gainesville for her work, and I shifted gears from a career in television production to running my own dog training business. I’ve always had a deep love for animals, nature, and personal fitness. When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me on the Jiu-Jitsu mats, behind my keyboard playing the blues, or keeping up with my energetic toddler. The first time I did a guided kayak tour I told myself “I’m going to do that one day”. Now I feel incredibly lucky to call the stunning surroundings of Gilchrist Blue Springs my “office.”
Codi
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Hi, I’m Codi! I was born and raised in North Florida & canoed the Sante Fe river my entire youth, & whether on Crescent Lake or the Itchituknee river I have always found a way to be on the water. I started playing golf when I was 3 & graduated with 2 associate degrees from the Golf Academy of America. With never making it on tour I turned to kayaking to get away from the stress of tournament golf, which I’ve been doing now for over 7 years as a hobby and I’m very excited to finally be a guide! I’m very passionate about people, nature, history, golf, fitness, the universe and living life to the fullest. I previously worked as an aviation mechanic for 8 years working on anything from Cessna 150s to Gulfstream 550’s but now I’m very excited for this new journey. To say this is my life’s dream is an understatement. I can’t wait to meet you & introduce this beautiful river!
↠ OUR GILCHRIST BLUE STICKER ↞
Collect the exclusive Gilchrist Blue Sticker on the day of your tour from your guide! Collecting more location stickers can unlock some great rewards. Learn more about our loyalty program.
↠ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ↞
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All Sales Final: Once booked, all sales are final, and no cancellations are permitted unless specified otherwise.
Unsafe Weather: In the event of unsafe weather, we offer the option to reschedule, receive a gift card, or provide a full refund.
Trip Protection: Purchasing Trip Protection allows guests to cancel or reschedule their initial tour at any time for any reason up to 24 hours prior to the scheduled tour time. Guests will be reimbursed for the full ticket amount, less the cost of Trip Protection and any booking fees.
If Trip Protection is not purchased, all sales are final.
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Our weight limit is no more than 250 pounds per person and no more than 425 pounds per 2 people that are in the same kayak. All of our kayaks are double kayaks. Unfortunately our kayak manufacturer has given us this strict limit of 250 pounds per person and we cannot exceed this limit.
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Each of our kayaks are tandem (made for 2 paddlers). However, the seats are removable and if you have an odd number of paddlers in your party we are able to accommodate the kayak as a single.
Keep in mind, the same 250 pound PER person weight limit still applies even if taking a kayak out as a single.
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Tips are greatly appreciated. We like to say, “If you enjoyed your ride, tip your guide!”
Standard US gratuity is 20%!
A mandatory gratuity of 20% will be added for groups 11 or more.
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Alcohol is not allowed on any of our tours.
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We encourage you to bring the following:
- Water (in reusable water bottle)
- Swimsuit/Clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet.
- Sunscreen/sunglasses/hat
- Shoes that can get wet/sandals
- Towel for after the trip.
- Any extra gear you’d like. Remember- the less gear, the more visibility through the kayak.
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- Yes, children 3+ years old are allowed on the tours
- Each child age 3-17 must be accompanied by an adult
- Children 6 and under are required by law to wear a life jacket at all times while on the water.
- We require children 30 pounds or under to bring their own life jacket as the size is very specific and safety is of utmost importance.
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Our tours are made for any skill levels to participate, we will have basic tips and tricks to help you maneuver the waterways. Some paddling may be considered intermediate as we paddle against a 3mph current but we try our best to paddle at a pace that is convenient for every paddler! We do require all guests to stay with the group.
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Unfortunately we are not able to accommodate pets at this time at our Gilchrist Blue Springs location.
↠ GET IN TOUCH ↞
Send Us a Message
Call or Text Us
386-200-9401
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)