Enjoy beautiful surroundings and crystal clear waters! This guided adventure includes an intermediate paddle upstream and a relaxing drift back to the launch site.
Take a quick swim and enjoy the water on one of our breaks along the way! You may encounter wildlife like turtles, birds, fish, otters, deer, alligators, and more!
Rated The World’s #1 Tour Company by TripAdvisor, and the Best in the USA by USA Today! Get Up And Go Kayaking – Merritt’s Mill is the top-ranked activity in the area, with over 300, 5-Star reviews!
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 Land & Springs Conservation and the Florida Springs Council.
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.)
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.
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!
Booking a tour with us ensures year-round access to the springs, as park closures often restrict entry for a significant part of the year. Enjoy the beauty of the springs whenever you choose, with the convenience and assurance that our tours provide exclusive access throughout the seasons.
This 100% Clear Kayaking Tour in the Florida Panhandle will weave through cypress-tree filled crystal clear waters to find hidden underwater caves. Along the way you will discover yourself surrounded by limestone cliffs, wildlife, and irresistible opportunities to jump into the refreshing springs!
Your guide will educate you about Merritt’s Mill’s underground aquifer and wildlife, all while capturing those candid photos so that you can bring a little bit of the magic home with you!
Location: Nestled between Panama City, Destin, and Tallahassee, this North Florida adventure is nearby Florida Caverns State Park and is the perfect activity for families, friends, couples, bachelor and bachelorette parties, and even the solo adventurist! We can’t wait for you to enjoy Merritt’s Mill Pond in Marianna near the emerald coast!
Take a fully private tour at Merritt’s Mill with one of our amazing guides!
Collect the exclusive Merritt’s Mill 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!
Merritt’s Mill Pond in Marianna, Florida, holds a fascinating secret—it’s not a traditional pond at all. Located about 4 miles downstream, a dam transforms the body of water into what is effectively a lake. Without this dam, Merritt’s Mill Pond would resemble a narrow river, as it is primarily fed by the Jackson Blue springs and 7 other lesser known springs. Merritt’s Mill garners praise not just for its picturesque beauty and status as a fish preserve but is especially celebrated as a prime spot for kayaking enthusiasts! The clear, spring-fed waters provide an ideal setting for kayaking, allowing paddlers to navigate through the breathtaking landscape of cypress trees and lush surroundings.
Apart from its fishing appeal, Merritt’s Mill Pond stands out as a kayaker’s paradise, offering a tranquil and immersive experience for those seeking to explore its beauty from the unique perspective of a kayak. Booking a tour with us ensures year-round access to the springs, as park closures often restrict entry for a significant part of the year. Enjoy the beauty of the springs whenever you choose, with the convenience and assurance that our tours provide exclusive access throughout the seasons.
Our Merritt’s Mill tour is great for all skill levels (beginners welcome)! This paddle is simple and our guides are amazing at giving extra paddle tips to make it even simpler. We welcome all skill groups!
Each of our kayaks are tandem (made for 2 paddlers) however, if you have an odd number of guests in your party we can easily reconfigure the kayak to accommodate solos.
We highly recommend booking as far in advance as possible. We allow cancellations with full refunds up until 72 hours prior to the tour time. This allows you to book far in advance and cancel up until 3 days prior to the tour with no risk at all. We highly recommend you purchase TripProtection at checkout so you can cancel/reschedule up to 12 hours before your tour!
Yes! We love having the entire family out and kids love this tour! If you do plan on having more children than adults on the tour please give us a call at (850) 296-9269 so that we can accommodate.
Yes! We love when fur-babies join us! All we ask is that the total combined weight in the kayak doesn’t exceed 425lbs, and that you bring a towel to put down for your fury companion to help prevent scratches.
Acquiring the nickname “Bubbles” for her energetic personality, Keirstin is an avid outdoor lover who is always looking to dive into something new. She graduated from EMT school and is currently pursuing a degree in Biology with dreams of practicing medicine. Her passion for learning new things is palpable and she is always excited to share her knowledge of Florida’s flora and fauna! When she’s not buried in textbooks, she loves to play ukulele, compete in triathlons, crochet animals, and spend time with her corgi Gatsby.
A Florida native and animal lover since birth, Elijah was raised around a plethora of animals. Including dogs, cats, skunks, raccoons, lizards, fish, and even a Wallaby. If you are out on a tour with Elijah he will be sure to tell you some unique and interesting facts about the flora and fauna!
Matt is focused on a health and fitness lifestyle and is always looking for a great adventure in life. He enjoys going hiking, working out, kayaking, surfing, and just hanging out with his dog. As a child he always enjoyed going to the beach or the mountains and learning about the eco systems and observing how it all works together. He has always had a passion for laborious jobs, problem solving and helping people out. His goal is to make your paddling adventure on Merritt’s Mill Pond an enjoyable, and memorable visit you won’t forget!
Mike has been paddling quiet mountain lakes and exciting river rapids for many years. You can also find him beach combing or surf fishing on Florida’s many beaches. He’s a retired Wildlife Biologist and District Ranger after working 33 years with the US Forest Service out west and in Florida. Share a couple hours on Merritt’s Mill Pond with Mike and he’ll share his love of the outdoors and a bit of his ecological knowledge with you.
Brooke is always on the lookout for an adventure. She has her degree in Animal Science from Sam Houston State University and is working to get her masters in Wildlife Biology. Born in New Mexico and raised in Texas, she is not a native Floridian, but don’t let that fool you because she has vast knowledge of the ecosystem. Her favorite ways to pass time include hiking, fishing, photography, creating art, training horses, traveling, and exploring the great outdoors.
(850) 296-9269
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)
(850) 296-9269
(Available from 8:00am – 5:00pm)
