Stay cautious its better to be safe than sorry. There are certain places that you can visit that are alligator-free. There are seven places in Florida where you can Kayak without having to worry too much about floating past an unhappy alligator. You can float through cypress trees draped in moss while you soak in the views of the limestone formations and aquatic vegetation. How do you know if a lake has alligators? Some people are far more tempted by freshwater lakes and ponds. Alligators are one of the most iconic animals in the United States and are one of the main attractions in Florida. Video of the capture, shared online by the Miami Dade Police Department, showed an officer with a lasso as he tried to bring in the large hissing gator. There are no alligators in the swimming area, but if you had to kayak further down the river, you would probably come across a couple. Sweetwater Wetlands Park encompasses more than 125 acres of swamps, with upwards of 3.5 miles of walking trails and boardwalks where you can view the area wildlife, including alligators. Obviously, this also depends on the location of the nest and the climate surrounding it. With crystal clear water and a gentle current, its easy to enjoy a peaceful paddle here. It's true there are well over a million alligators in Florida ( some American crocodiles also) and the state is full of lakes, canals, rivers and ponds allowing them to move around quite easily. They can also move quickly on land. The largest alligator ever weighed topped out at 1,011 pounds and was caught in Alabama. So they are in Clearwater, but not in saltwater. Ultimate Guide To Florida Alligators | Facts About Gators In Florida. It is illegal to feed or harass alligators in Florida. Some of these may include: Ichetucknee Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Withlacoochee, and Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail. Florida police officer's bodycam video shows him wrangling alligator | Fox News Video. However, certain conditions, such as water quality, the presence of marine wildlife, large waves and rip currents might make a specific beach unsafe at a given time. Areas with the highest removals are in and around Tampa, Sarasota . There was a lot of information on the internet, but we always spent hours searching for it. Running away is a good option and a distance of around 20 or 30 feet is usually all it takes to get safely away from an alligator. The infection is called amebic meningoencephalitis. There are several places in Florida that you can safely kayak in that do not have any alligators. Where can you swim in Florida without alligators? The water is cold and refreshing, so you wont need to worry about alligators; stay away from colder waters. Police in Florida haul in a large gator on the loose. Alligators are not usually seen in the Ichetucknee Springs. These include: Looking for places to kayak in Florida that dont have alligators in the vicinity is tricky as Florida is almost famous for its alligators. Their wild population fell to as low as 1,000 in the 1970s and to 130 in 2001. This site is a participant in the Amazon services LLC associates program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. You will have a better chance of not seeing any alligators as they prefer to stay away from salt water. You can read more about me on my about page. No gators, but snakes yes. Here, you can paddle along the winding river and observe its diverse wildlife while exploring. In addition, you can make some interesting stops along the river, such as River Rise Preserve State Park or Ginnie Springs Outdoors. You can rest assured that many in the Sunshine State are home to gators. Video. These include: Ichetucknee Springs John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park Weeki Wachee Springs Blackwater River The Great Calusa Blueway Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail Rainbow Springs State Park It's not all that surprising, given how well-kept the waters are. April is alligator courting season, which means the frisky crocodilians may be venturing out more in the hopes of finding a companion before mating season begins in earnest in May and June. You can get there from the cities of Crystal River or Apalachicola, where you can rent a kayak and go paddling for hours without alligators. What city in Florida has the most alligators? Do not allow your dogs or children to swim in waters inhabited by alligators, or to drink or play at the waters edge. What Is A Good Salary For Gainesville Florida? Whether youre a Florida native or just visiting, theres no doubt that kayaking is a great way to explore the state. But when Will Richard heated up, he staked Florida to a lead, and the Gators were game enough to defend it in what became a 77-67 road win that gives them a sweep of Georgia and Mike White . This river is also a wildlife haven with many animals making this their home, especially turtle populations. Is there any place in Florida without alligators? There are not many places in Florida where you can be assured they are alligator-free. American crocodiles are not found in Orlando but are found in South Florida, the Caribbean, Southern Mexico and Central America. The waters of the swimming area are crystal blue, and there are a variety of shallow shores and mellow oxbow lakes that you can explore nearif(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'funoutdoorventures_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-funoutdoorventures_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Rainbow Springs. Ensure to keep an eye out for things like logs, rocks, or other submerged objects that could be hazardous to your boat. According to reports and recent studies, there have been 22 Alligators attacks in Florida from 1999 to 2021. But gators don't stay confined to the swampy areas. We started this blog as a place to go to when we had questions about buying our first home on the lake. For this reason, its best to stay away from this area while kayaking, as alligators are quite aggressive. In addition, this area has many access points, such as Palatka or Blue Spring State Park. Making a lot of noise can also scare off a gator before any attack begins. The American crocodile stays in coastal areas, while the alligator remains in freshwater habitats. In addition, theres no risk of running into alligators in these waters, as they dont inhabit this area. Bend are some of the places that may be included. Always kayak with someone else, preferably someone who is familiar with the area. They live in coastal areas throughout the Caribbean, and occur at the northern end of their range in south Florida. As a rule, alligators are very shy and avoid human interaction as much as possible. Alligators have inhabited Floridas marshes, swamps, rivers and lakes for many centuries, and are found in all 67 counties. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. Some of the more popular areas in Central Florida that arent occupied by alligators or sharks are freshwater spring-fed rivers. Anyone with concerns about an alligator should call the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at 866-392-4286. Skip Navigation Share on Facebook Some of these may include: Ichetucknee Springs, Madison Blue Spring, Withlacoochee, and Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail. What lakes in north Texas have alligators? Do You Need a License to Kayak In Minnesota? Running away is a good option and a distance of around 20 or 30 feet is usually all it takes to get safely away from an alligator. There are numerous places along the way that a kayaker could pull over for a quick swim in the various swimming holes and spring vents of varying depths. However, when you compare that to car crash statistics, it pales in comparison. Notably, they are been naturally increasing their range into parts of Tennessee. The Lake Kissimmee State Park is also a place that should be avoided due to its large population of alligators. This story was originally posted to PalmBeachPost.com and shared to GateHouse's Florida websites. Besides, there are no alligators here, so you wont have to worry about dangerous wildlife while paddling. Is it safe to swim in a lake with alligators? You might see an alligator swimming in a puddle at a crowded intersection or even visiting your neighbor's swimming pool. While many people may look at crocs and think they look like lizards conclude they must be related (after all, they are both reptiles). Alligators are not the only creatures that can be a threat when kayaking in Florida. That doesn't mean they don't happen; when the Newsweek article was written in 2016, there had been 23 unprovoked fatal attacks. The only place where Crocodiles and Alligators coexist is in the Southern Parts of Florida. When paddling in this area, bring sunscreen and protective clothing, as the sun can be quite strong here. Home 7 Places To Kayak In Florida Without Alligators, The Sunshine State offers some amazing kayaking adventures. Crocs feel more at-home in our saltwater canals than gators. Be aware of your surroundings: Alligators are opportunistic predators and can be very dangerous if they feel threatened. But you get used to them and just use common sense and you will be fine. Crystal River: This coastal area is known as one of the best places in Florida to see manatees. Besides, there are many access points along the river, such as Suwannee River State Park or Manatee Springs State Park. So if youre planning a kayak trip to Florida, keep these points in mind to have a fun and safe time! Leave no trace. I'm also a big believer in lifelong learning- there's always something new to learn! Just be careful not to paddle too close to the swan boats! This river is quite polluted, and visitors are asked not to swim here. Alligators appear in multiple places around the continental United States, but they're most predominantly known for living in Florida because of the Everglades and many swamps. They live in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes. Answer (1 of 15): No, especially if you live in a heavily populated area. These reptiles are not pack animals; they typically hang out alone, and, therefore, it makes sense they would have no issue with killing off any competition to their livelihood. Make sure you know your abilities and limitations. A: Kayaking in Florida is a great activity for people of all ages and abilities. People tube in the water as if it is a lazy river. Nuisance alligators are called in through the SNAP hotline (866-392-4286), where a series of questions determines whether an alligator . Alligators and snakes depend upon the ability to ambush prey to survive. Alligators appear in multiple places around the continental United States, but they're most predominantly known for living in Florida because of the Everglades and many swamps. A large part of the Calusa Blueway is the Caloosahatchee River. Posted on Published: May 27, 2022- Last updated: June 14, 2022. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Being one of the United States first undersea parks, it impressively encompasses 70 nautical square miles. How many gator attacks in Florida per year? Never paddle alone. The island is known for its pristine beaches and calm waters, making it a perfect spot for kayaking. But gators don't stay confined to the swampy areas. Ichetucknee Springs, located in the Ichetuknee Spring National Park, is a popular destination in the summer for its water tubing. Now there are signs up warning guests about the possibility of encountering a gator in certain areas. All natural Florida lakes contain alligators and snakes. In June 2016, 2-year-old Lane Graves died after he was snatched from the shore of a Disney World resort by an alligator. 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. Myakka River State Park is one of the best places to see alligators in Florida. How Many Eggs Do Runner Ducks Lay A Year? Witnesses called 911 and firefighters recovered the woman's body . Big Bend Saltwater Paddling Trail is a saltwater trail. In addition, the river is free of alligators, so you can enjoy your time kayaking without worrying about running into any. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. ", RELATED: 10 Of The Most Haunted Places To Visit In Florida. They live in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes. The species is a living garbage disposal, consuming nearly everything. The agency also reports that Florida's population of alligators has increased by nearly 50 . Susan is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. You should look out for saltwater rivers or those with freshwater mixing with salt water and rivers with low temperatures and sandy floors. This Orlando landmark is a great place to go kayaking, especially if youre looking for a bit of city scenery. Thats because of a little bug called Naegleria fowleri, a type of of amoeba that can cause a severe infection. Explanation: Hydrogen, helium and lithium were forged 13. But if they don't make it to .500 by season's end, they may not make any other tournament, either making games like Tuesday night's at Georgia meaningful in marginal ways. An 85-year-old woman died Feb. 20 after an alligator grabbed her dog in a St. Lucie County community along Florida's East Coast. In order to help you, the following are the 12 best places to kayak in Florida without Alligators. Some of the more popular areas in Central Florida that aren't occupied by alligators or sharks are freshwater spring-fed rivers. FunOutdoorVentures.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The turquoise spring flows for miles under bay and cypress trees. These conditions, accompanied by the sandy river floors. Theres a famous saying in Florida that if the water is more than 2 inches deep assume there are alligators and venomous snakes in it. What would happen if you touched strange matter? [2] Where Are Crocodiles Found In . Let's get one thing straight; alligators and crocodiles are not living fossils. The seven areas listed above have alligators that reside close by the trails. As you move along the path, it will alternate between full shade and full sun. What Happens To The Male Duck After Mating? A photo of an American Alligator Sunning itself, Cape Canaveral National Seashore, FL, Some People Refer To Them As "Living Fossils", An Alligator Will Grow More Than 2,000 Teeth In Its Lifetime, They Aren't Naturally Aggressive Toward Humans, The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million, The Largest Alligator Weighed In At Over A Thousand Pounds, Temperature Determines Whether An Alligator Is Male Or Female, because of the Everglades and many swamps, 10 Things You Didn't Know About The Loch Ness Monster, alligators and crocodiles are not living fossils, 10 Of The Most Haunted Places To Visit In Florida, a common sight in the swamps of Louisiana, Lavish Accommodations: Discovering The 10 Most Expensive Hotels In Chile, Breathtaking Mountain Views & Great Luxury: 10 Most Expensive Hotels In Argentina, Spirited Stays: 10 Haunted Hotels In Savannah To Satisfy Your Paranormal Passion, Fun In A University City: The Ultimate Guide To Bowling Green & Things To Do, Beaches & Views: The Ultimate Guide To Biloxi & Things To Do, Art & Adventures: The Ultimate Guide To Knoxville & Things To Do, Luxury At Its Finest: The 10 Most Expensive Hotels In New York City, 10 Best Tropical Destinations Around The World You Should Visit, Discover The Incredible Hidden Gems In Algarve, Portugal. 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