↠ ABOUT THE TOUR ↞
Welcome to the ultimate kayaking adventure to multiple springs along the Santa Fe River from Rum Island!
Explore the crystal-clear waters of the Santa Fe and discover the beauty of several springs that surround Rum Island and the magnificent Gilchrist Blue Spring. Our guided clear kayak tours offer a unique and exciting way to experience the natural beauty of North Florida – one of the best things to do near Gainesville, FL.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the crystal-clear waters of Gilchrist Blue Spring, where you can see fish, turtles, and other aquatic life swimming in the crystal-clear water. You can also get out and hop in the refreshing spring waters at this stunning location!
Our kayaking trips are suitable for all skill levels and are a great way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. We provide all the necessary equipment, including kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, so all you need to bring is a sense of adventure!
Book your tour today and experience the beauty of Gilchrist Blue Spring and surrounding springs on the Santa Fe River via clear kayak for yourself!
↠ ABOUT THE TOUR ↞
Welcome to the ultimate kayaking adventure to multiple springs along the Santa Fe River from Rum Island!
Explore the crystal-clear waters of the Santa Fe and discover the beauty of several springs that surround Rum Island and the magnificent Gilchrist Blue Spring. Our guided clear kayak tours offer a unique and exciting way to experience the natural beauty of North Florida – one of the best things to do near Gainesville, FL.
You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the crystal-clear waters of Gilchrist Blue Spring, where you can see fish, turtles, and other aquatic life swimming in the crystal-clear water. You can also get out and hop in the refreshing spring waters at this stunning location!
Our kayaking trips are suitable for all skill levels and are a great way to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. We provide all the necessary equipment, including kayaks, paddles, and life jackets, so all you need to bring is a sense of adventure!
Book your tour today and experience the beauty of Gilchrist Blue Spring and surrounding springs on the Santa Fe River via clear kayak for yourself!
↠ WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL ↞
TOP-RATED
Get Up And Go Kayaking – Gilchrist Blue is owned by Jeremy who has received over 500 raving five-star reviews from his previous tour guiding at one of our locations!
GIVING BACK
We’re passionate about the outdoors and conservation! We believe in being good stewards of the environment, which is why we donate a portion of each tour to Florida Springs Conservation.
SMALL GROUPS
Our max group size is 10 paddlers – the perfect size to hear our guides and enjoy conversations along the way. (Larger private parties may be available upon request. Group size may vary slightly by location.)
BEST GUIDES
Soak up the sights – and some knowledge! Learn unique facts along the paddle about the local waterways, wildlife, and more from our awesome local guides.
GREAT VIEWS
Don’t let a normal kayak hinder your view! Our clear kayaks are the absolute best way to view the surroundings, and there’s plenty of opportunities to snag some Reels or videos for TikTok!
MULTIPLE SPRINGS
This exciting tour offers an opportunity to visit several springs in the area, all in one convenient and unforgettable experience.
↠ 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 HERE!
Experience the ultimate kayaking adventure at Rum Island County Park in Fort White, FL! Our carefully selected premier launch location is nestled in a picturesque setting, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.
What makes Rum Island truly special is the enchanting on-site spring. This hidden gem adds a touch of magic to your kayaking journey and opens doors for extended stays and memorable picnicking experiences. Convenient and accessible restroom facilities are available on-site, as well as ADA-accessible ramps allowing everyone to easily access the park’s amenities. Take your time to explore, discover, and appreciate the wonders that await you at every turn.
Whether you’re seeking a tranquil retreat or a gathering spot for cherished memories, our picnic areas provide the ideal setting to unwind, connect, and enjoy the beauty of Rum Island County Park. Let the peaceful ambiance and natural surroundings create the perfect backdrop for unforgettable moments with loved ones
↠ EXPLORE MULTIPLE HIDDEN SPRINGS ↞
The Santa Fe River is home to some of Florida’s most beautiful hidden springs, and there’s no better way to explore them than on a guided clear kayak tour. Starting from Rum Island Spring County Park, our tour takes you to several unique springs, including Lilly Springs, Gilchrist Blue Spring, Danielle’s Little Spring, Jonathen Spring, and Johnson Spring.
Our experienced guides will provide fun information about each spring as we paddle around Rum Island and the Santa Fe River. Not many people know of the several springs that you can experience in close proximity to our launch site at Rum Island Spring County Park, making this tour a truly unique experience.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to explore the hidden springs of the Santa Fe River.
↠ MEET OUR 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?!
Matt
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Hi I’m Matt! A Florida native with a deep love for the water and all the wildlife it encompasses. Having grown up in Daytona Beach, I’ve been blessed to be near some amazing beaches, springs and wildlife. Some of my favorite hobbies are surfing, swimming and kayaking! Growing up in Florida I also had the the opportunity to work as a life guard on the beaches of Volusia County for 4 years. Not only do I have a love for the water and the diverse wildlife in and around it, but I love getting to share my passion for these things. I would be thrilled to get the opportunity to be your tour guide at Get Up and Go Kayaking and take part in ensuring you have a memorable experience, and walk away with a new found love and knowledge of Floridas water and wildlife.
Abby
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My name is Abby Hastings and I will be graduating in 2024 from Florida Southern College with my bachelor’s degree in marine biology. I am particularly interested in freshwater ecosystems and hope to attend graduate school for herpetology. In my free time I enjoy hiking, gardening, reading, and hanging out with my pet rats. I grew up going to the Santa Fe river and it is an honor to now bring others out to one of my favorite places in the world.
↠ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ↞
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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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Tips are greatly appreciated. We like to say, “If you enjoyed your ride, tip your guide!”
Standard US gratuity is 20%!
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Yes! 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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Trips that are canceled by Get Up And Go Kayaking due to inclement weather, will be rescheduled or refunded.
Reservations that are cancelled 48 hours or more before a scheduled trip will not be charged. Those that are cancelled or in need of rescheduling within the 48 hour window of departure time will not be refunded.
No-show participants will not be refunded. This includes showing up with less paddlers than the original amount booked for.
Get Up And Go Kayaking will not launch in unsafe weather conditions. Because of this, trips may need to be cancelled or rescheduled due to safety issues. If this is the case, your reservation will be refunded in full (if it has already been paid). We will not be held responsible for any reservation that you fail to keep due to any unforeseen circumstances. We also reserve the right to change or cancel any tours due to circumstances beyond our control. In this instance, Get Up And Go Kayaking can refund the tour price, not any other expenses that may have been incurred.
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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
386-222-2856
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)
Call or Text Us
386-222-2856
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)
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