Suwannee River Wilderness. The Suwanee River is a 246-mile river that runs all the way from northwest Florida to the Gulf of Mexico. | Powered by Astra WordPress Theme. I really dont want to hurt it just deter it from attacking me. This will help you avoid potential danger or alligators lurking in the water. Most alligator attacks in the Carolinas involve someone walking a small dog close to the water. Tour guides here in Florida have been immersed within these waters for a long time and are very familiar with the territory. This is often the case overnight and early mornings when the air temp is still a bit chilly. As population and development has increased in Florida, scientists say, so too have alligator attacks. Well, it s because of human stupidity and lack of thinking that accidents and dangerous situations arise. - Just Go! Lets discuss those places in detail so you can be extra careful while planning your kayaking trip. You will see about a foot or two of their head, or the telltale eyes and nose only. Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group . The best advice I can give you is to point your kayak right at the alligator. Can You Sleep in a Kayak? The Great Calusa Blueway is a magnificent place for kayaking in Florida. Well, you could easily say alligator out of water too, except an alligator can still breathe just fine. 2. While alligators can attack your kayak, the reality is they probably won't. Alligators are extremely powerful creatures but will only attack if they feel threatened or if they see you as food. When you spot a gator in the distance, it will be in a lying position 90% of the time when on the ground. Ok, you might notice the word small mammal. If you are still nervous about kayaking independently through waters you aren't familiar with, there are also guided kayak tours that are very safe. At any time we could see a 500-pound manatee, 100-pound tarpon, or ten-foot alligator all in two feet of water! Alligators are known to be more aggressive during mating season, which is April through June. So what are you waiting for? You know that phrase fish out of water? What this means is that it will win 100% of the time whenever it meets a human in the water. At that point you are very aware of them and the water definitely erupts as you mentioned in your comment. Yeah, it could have meant he was establishing his territory. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is the perfect destination for kayakers. Is kayaking with alligators safe . Also, like you mentioned making noise does help, I like to bang my paddle shaft on the top of my kayak. Chances of dying from lighting strike or hurricane are higher. Mother alligators are dangerous to meddle with because they will attack anything or anybody that they see as a hazard to their babies. I had to change my tactics on landing them. Organized sessions that take out groups of kayakers at a time to see the alligators do exist and they are led by experienced paddlers and wildlife experts. Standard Alligator Behavior. First of all, feeding gators is illegal in Florida, so that's a pretty good reason not to do it. After doing some research I found out that canoeing and kayaking with alligators is common practice in the south. So, if you find an alligator sunning itself out of the water, it is out of necessity, and I promise you he or she would prefer to be in the water if not for the temperature. Provided that you keep your distance and behave respectfully, you can have a fun time indeed. We provide them with alligator safety information before entering the water. Region: An island off of the eastern coast of Florida, east of Ft. Myers and just north of Cape Coral. When comparing the American alligator to the Nile Crocodile, the most important difference is what they eat. If you leave them alone and keep your distance while paddling, you will never experience any problems. Its helpful and reassuring to know how to respond should one occur. >> oh my goodness. You can explore various rivers and creeks filled with wildlife and stunning views here. Thank you for writing this so I know what to be aware of still may not kayak for a bit. I had the pleasure of hearing the bellow a few years back. With that said, we all have a healthy respect for them. You clearly explained alligator behavior, what kayakers should expect and how to react to potential threatening situations. Water-skiers in your group do not feed the gators, but other people might. In that case, call the hotline at 866-392-4286. With everything above being said, why is kayaking with alligators so frowned upon then and why is the whole debate of whether it is fun, dangerous, or necessary? Female alligators are great mothers, and they will defend their nest and young. We try our best not to disturb them and have found the best way to keep them from entering the water is to not point your kayak directly at them and to utilize a smooth calm stroke. I was releasing them as quickly as possible, making sure no alligators were hiding out below the surface of the water, ready to snatch my catch or my hand. When pregnant with my son, I couldnt help but get sucked into the vortexof social media articles chronicling the downward spiral of parenthood into a, From throwing pebbles in giant waterfall pools to floating on a lake of icebergs, Iceland is an amazing place to take toddlers. So, if you see an alligator on a sandbar, try not to point . If we werent, we would be kayaking in Maine. 3. In addition, this area has many access points, such as Palatka or Blue Spring State Park. I realized I had to start reeling in the fish slower. It confirms the statement that they will let you be if you let them be. There are all kinds of things that could puncture an inflatable in Florida; oysters, and barnicles being the most common . In reality, the danger posed by crocodiles and alligators is overblown. It didnt move, so I figured it wasnt afraid of me and I should be wary. However, following the steps outlined in this article can minimize your risk and stay safe. Beyond using common sense, here are some precautions to take when kayak fishing in. Hooking and landing these big fish, I started to encounter a problem. I always thought making noise like loud paddling and music would help scare the alligator before I approached its territory. Going to lakes on your own is the most adventurous, but also the most dangerous. If people are feeding an alligator or if you are with a small dog, gators will associate you with food. You will often see them puff up and down while floating on the water, or you will see their mouths snapping. By following this guide, you can stay safe while having a great time out on the water. Walking small pets near fresh water is also higher risk. Besides, its really easy to reach the trail. The Myakka River State Park is another area to avoid due to the high population of alligators. If thats the case you need to pay more attention. There were some big ones there and sounds like you had an amazing experience! I wouldnt expect the alligator youre referencing to be as comfortable. If you're planning a trip where alligators may be present, make sure to research the area beforehand and take precautions such as wearing protective clothing and avoiding areas where gators are common. I recently moved to Florida from the Northeast where I was an avid kayaker and Im just itching to get on the water but terrified of alligators! @jgram2 's link covers all the other do's and don'ts. With that said, I still pay close attention when approaching that area. I paddle a surfski on the TennTom Waterway in Miss. The last thing to consider is a cheaper and lightweight 10-footer that is easy to transport and wouldnt require much in terms of the carrying system. The problem is these ponds might only be 6 deep! Yes, they are perceiving your kayak as an unknown, potential hazard and they're going to a different location where they feel safer. The river is tidal from the Delaware Bay up through Trenton, so currents can be swift and strong. If the water temps are warmer than the air temp, they will simply float in the water. Theres no need to worry about alligators here as they are not present in the area, so if youre looking for a place to explore and observe wildlife while kayaking, the Suwannee River is your best bet. This guide will provide you with all the information you need to find the best places to enjoy your time kayaking without worrying about running into any alligators. Not only are these places safe, but also they are quite beautiful, and you must visit them. We have discussed some places where you can kayak freely without fearing alligators. For those of you not from the south, a bream is a sunfish. There are no boat launch facilities on the Tampa Bypass Canal, but it is possible to hand-launch a canoe, kayak or other small boats from parks along the canal. Lake George, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Wales are the most popular. Pingback: Spend A Day at Smyrna Dunes Park: The New Smyrna Dog Friendly Beach - Just Go! Youre welcome. Additionally, there are multiple areas along the river where you can take a break and enjoy the stunning scenery. Please, let me explain. Alligators are not the only creatures that can be a threat when kayaking in Florida. With so many great places to kayak in Florida, there's no need to risk an encounter with an alligator. The Wilderness Trail of the Suwannee River is a great place for kayaking. I contemplated getting an inflatable because I have no roof racks on my car and no way to transport a hard kayak. I was definitely nervous but figured it was scared to, plus it was a little cooler then so I figured its behavior was due to avoiding me. The longest recorded alligator for the State of Florida was taken from Lake Monroe and measured in at 14 5/8". You may have noticed I said if you kayak with alligators and they arent moving or making noise, you are safe. They have teeth, they are mean-looking, and they look very similar to the well-known saltwater crocodiles in Australia and Africa. They obviously dont want to eat you. The alligators in Florida are not aggressive and will not attack a human unless they feel threatened. Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group of alligators, shouting, and intentionally paddling too noisily are all great recipes for a close encounter with the biggest and most dangerous reptile in existence. Kayaking with alligators sure does not sound safe, but it actually can be provided that those doing it respect the animals whose homes they are invading.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'kayakpaddling_net-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-kayakpaddling_net-medrectangle-4-0'); Organized sessions that take out groups of kayakers at a time to see the alligators do exist and they are led by experienced paddlers and wildlife experts. Certain springs around the state consistently attract large numbers of manatees, and the winter is really the best time to see manatees in Florida. 7 Kid Friendly Asheville Restaurants to Try in 2023, Kid Friendly Breweries in Asheville in 2023, The Best Waterfall Hikes near Asheville for Families in 2022, Kid Friendly Breweries in Nashville in 2023, Japan With Kids: Family Travel Tips for a Great Adventure, Must See Stops on the Ring Road with Kids, Iceland 4 Day Itinerary: An Unforgettable Adventure, Easter Island with Kids: A Five Day Itinerary, Easter Island for Kids: Family Fun at the End of the Earth, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window). If you are interested in seeing Comb jelly fish, they can be seen between November and May. Basically, every day at 3oclock, I would hop in the canoe and fish for bass and bream. This is where we start to get into the scenarios when kayaking with alligators could be dangerous. The Lake Kissimmee State Park is also a place that should be avoided due to its large population of alligators. Kayaking with a partner is always recommended as it can be beneficial if something goes wrong while on the water.

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