Seven Sisters Springs: Why This Attraction Should Be on Your Florida Trip Bucket List
Tucked away in sweet Citrus County on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Chassahowitzka River, known affectionately by locals as the “Chaz, feels a world away from the busy theme parks, beaches, and tourist attractions that fill so much of a Florida vacation. Just over an hour from Tampa and roughly 90 minutes from Orlando, this spring-fed river offers something a little harder to find: a glimpse of Old Florida that still feels wild. The Chassahowitzka is a first-magnitude spring system, meaning it produces at least 64.6 million gallons of water per day, and its clear spring water winds through cypress trees, lush vegetation, hidden spring runs, and undeveloped coastal wilderness before eventually reaching the Gulf. For travelers looking for things to do near Tampa, Orlando, or Winter Garden that feel more authentic and less crowded, a kayak trip on the Chaz is an easy way to trade the crowds for crystal-clear water and a completely different side of Florida.
At the heart of that experience is Seven Sisters Spring, one of the most distinctive features of the Chassahowitzka spring system. Unlike nearby Three Sisters Springs, which is made up of three primary spring vents arranged in a clover-like formation, Seven Sisters is named for its seven circular spring vents in the limestone. The springs are part of the larger network of caves, limestone passages, spring vents, and underground waterways created by Florida’s karst landscape. You don’t need to be a cave diver to appreciate what is happening beneath the surface, the crystal-clear spring vents offer a literal window into the underground aquifer that supplies the river. This combination of open spring water, limestone formations, narrow passages, and surrounding jungle-like vegetation gives Seven Sisters a character that feels distinctly different from the larger, more developed spring attractions found elsewhere in Central Florida.
One of the best ways to experience Seven Sisters is with Get up and Go Kayaking – Chaz on their clear kayak tour, especially early in the morning. On a two-hour paddle, you can experience the highlights of the area without spending your entire day on the water. The river changes constantly as you move between open stretches, shaded spring runs, tiny tributaries, and crystal-clear pools, and the wildlife can be just as varied. Depending on the season and conditions, you may spot West Indian manatees, river otters, turtles, wading birds, ospreys, anhingas, cormorants, and a variety of freshwater and coastal wildlife. And if you can snag an early-morning tour, do it. Cool morning air meeting warm spring water can create a beautiful layer of mist or fog along the river, while the soft morning light filtering through the trees makes the Chaz feel almost untouched. It’s one of those Florida experiences where the conditions are part of the attraction, not just something happening around you.
Nature Coast, a 2-3hour kayak tour can fit surprisingly easily into a Florida itinerary while still giving you the chance to experience something that feels genuinely wild, without sacrificing an entire day of your vacation. If you’re searching for an off-the-beaten-path Florida adventure, a Chassahowitzka River kayak tour to Seven Sisters Spring is one of those experiences that can make you feel like you discovered a side of Florida most visitors never see.
To reserve your clear kayak adventure: Call us at (352) 676-7295 or Book Online