• Viewing wild manatees in the crystal clear waters of the Homosassa and Chassahowitzka Rivers from our kayaks
• Learning or reviewing basic kayak strokes and becoming confident and competent paddlers
• Viewing an outstanding array of shorebirds such as the Great Ibis, Snowy Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Cormorant, Wood stork, and perhaps even the Yellow Crested Night Heron
• Paddling kayaks in ancient, pristine, and unspoiled beauty
• Visiting Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to learn more about the manatees and wildlife of the area
  

Who can resist these gentle giants in their winter home of Florida's spring-fed rivers??  On this trip we experience the manatees up close and personal in their natural habitat, viewing them through crystal clear waters as we sit above and among them in our kayaks.  This is an ideal trip both for women who know they love paddling and for those who want to give kayaking a try: you'll learn basic kayak strokes on calm waters and by the end of the weekend you will be a competent and confident paddler. Even if you discover you don't like kayaking (which we doubt), the thrill of these wondrous creatures sticking their snouts out of the water beside your kayak, as if to be petted, is simply an amazing experience.

We've chosen two very different rivers to experience on this trip, the Homosassa and the Chassahowitzka.  The Homosassa, wider and more developed, offers an excellent opportunity to see the manatees as they move in from the cooler ocean temperatures to the warmer waters of this spring fed river.  The Chaz is a more primitive river with virtually no development along its shores.  It has over 30 springs tucked away on her tiny tributaries and feeder streams.  We'll explore just a few of these hidden gems in search of the manatees that hang there for the warmth of the springs.  We'll also explore nooks and crannies to see the outstanding array of shorebirds wading, feeding and drying their wings: Great Ibis, Snowy Ibis, Great Blue Heron, Anhinga, Cormorant, and Wood storks all call this area home.

Women in basic good health and sufficient mobility to get in and out of the kayak when necessary. No paddling experience is necessary, we teach all the skills you need to know.  Rating: 1 [2] 3  4  5

• three nights double occupancy at the Homosassa Riverside Resort.  Our "resort" is really a fishing and kayaking hotel that sits right along the Homosassa River.  The rooms are clean and comfortable with two double beds and a bathroom. In addition to out bedrooms we'll have a suite for cooking and dining and hanging out. It also has a porch with a great view of the river.
  

• experienced guides
  
• three nights double occupancy lodging
• all meals from lunch on Thursday though breakfast on Sunday
  
• round trip transportation from the Tampa, FL airport
• kayak rental and instruction
• entrance fees

Not included: transportation to Tampa, alcoholic beverages. guide gratuities

At 12:00 PM at the Tampa FL Airport (TPA) or 1:30 pm at Homosassa Riverside Resort

At 12:00 PM at the Tampa airport (you can fly out any time after 2:00 pm)

you can download the complete trip information here

As is true on any adventure trip, this itinerary may be modified based on weather, changes in conditions, group desires etc. While we cannot absolutely guarantee that you will see wild manatees, it is extremely likely based on experience.

Thursday: We meet at the Tampa, FL airport at 12:00 PM (if you plan to arrive that morning, please make sure your plane arrives by 11:30).  Our drive to the Homosassa Riverside Resort is about 1.5 hours and we'll stop for a picnic lunch along the way. After we settle into our rooms, we'll head to the water for a couple of hours of instruction in our kayaks. Contrary to popular myth, sea kayaking does not require significant upper body strength; we'll teach you how to paddle safely, effectively, and efficiently so that you are not totally exhausted at the end of the day. This practice time will also help you get to know your boat and how to get it to go where you want it to.  By the end of this session, you'll be ready to paddle with the manatees and enjoy your trip!! After our time on the water we'll return to our rooms and our group dining area for a hearty meal and a discussion of our plans for the rest of the trip.
 
Friday: We'll spend our first full day on the Homosassa River. Leaving directly from the boat ramp at our resort, we head towards Monkey Island.  Monkey Island is the home to several monkeys whose ancestors were left there after a Tarzan movie was filmed on the Homosassa River in 1937. We'll take pictures but we won't venture too close as these monkeys have very nasty tempers and like to throw things at unsuspecting paddlers.

Leaving Monkey Island we'll hug the shoreline and start watching for the manatees.  We’ll learn to spot them by the soft exhalation of air as they stick their snout above the water to breathe and by their form just below the surface of this clear water. We'll paddle at a relaxed pace as we keep a careful watch for them.  If they are curious, they may come right up to us!!  Despite weighing multiple tons manatees are very gentle and slow moving so no danger to us.

We'll continue exploring the Homosassa to its end at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where ill manatees are kept after rescue to be nursed back to health.  The park is blocked from the water but, oftentimes, healthy manatees hang out just beside the underwater gate to the park. After lunch back at the resort, we head back to the Park, this time by land. This little gem of a park is a great place to learn more about the manatees and the other birds and mammals in the area. We'll be able to see the recovering manatees and a variety of fish through the underwater viewing station.  We'll also listen to the ranger presentation on manatees and their habits. 

After spending a couple of hours in the park walking among the other animals and birds that also live in this area, we'll return to our rooms for some relaxation and showers.  You might opt to hang out on the deck of the group room overlooking the Homosassa River, or walk over to the decks of the Yardarm Lounge and Monkey Bar to watch the traffic on the Homosassa and the monkeys on Monkey Island. Whatever you decide to do, we'll end the day with a fabulous meal in our group dining area.
 
Saturday: Today we'll explore another spring fed river, the Chassahowitzka or 'the Chaz'.  The Chaz is very primitive and feels ancient.  You'll find yourself wondering if a T-Rex is going to stick its head over the Spanish moss draped palm trees or if a brontosaurus will be munching on the marsh grasses we paddle through.  The Chaz has over 30 springs, some of which are well hidden and hard to reach.  We'll pick a few and paddle to them in our kayaks in search of the manatees that like to gather in the spring's warm water.  The Chaz's waters are crystal clear, abundant with colorful fish as you look towards the bottom.  The springs are turquoise blue and beautiful to behold, with or without manatees.  As we explore the Chaz we'll also watch for shore birds feeding in the waters.  If we're lucky, we may even see a Yellow Crested Night Heron.

After our day of paddling we'll return to our resort to shower and change before our river cruise on the Homosassa.  Our vessel of choice is a pontoon boat with a licensed captain who will give us narrated tour of the Homosassa.  We'll explore more of the river than we were able to in our kayaks, learn more about her history, and watch the sun set on this lovely river.  After the tour we'll stop at one of the local restaurants for our farewell dinner.
 
Sunday: After a hearty breakfast we'll leave our riverside resort for one last experience of the Chaz.  This time we'll spend about an hour and half in the woods, hiking in the Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area.  We'll follow the Cypress Circle Trail, (1.5 miles) a beautiful walk that circles a Florida landscape feature: a Cypress dome.  We'll be walking on the upland sandhill, circling the wetland, and watching for birds and other creatures in this typical Florida landscape. We'll also walk the ¾ mile loop called the Wild Turkey Trace Trail.  This short hike could give us good views of Gopher tortoises lumbering in these open woodlands, and their burrows off the trail and hidden from the hot Florida sun.  Wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, and fox squirrels also frequent this area.

After our hike and a few last words about our adventures, we'll head back to the Tampa airport.  You'll be back by noon and can fly out by 2pm.