14 Orlando Kayaking Tours Worth Booking

1.Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,459 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115Our pick

Meet behind Kings Landing in Apopka for a 2 to 2.5-hour guided paddle through Emerald Cut on Rock Springs Run. Your guide, often Jacob, Dani, Megan, or David, provides a clear tandem kayak, safety gear, and local stories. Expect cool spring water, shaded bends, wildlife sightings, photo stops, and an optional rope swing or swim.

“Jacob was great and the water way was beautiful but the grounds were mot for cleanness couldn’t wash our hands no soap or water i could go on. The attendant in the front of the store wasn’t too cordial and the lady who came in talking loudly over us to the attendant over us that was crazy rude not professional that’s for sure. Again Jacob was awesome 110 percent.”

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2.Glass Bottom Kayak Eco Tour through Rainbow Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 943 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Meet your guide at KP Hole Park for a two-hour small-group paddle in a clear kayak. You may spot turtles, alligators, otters, fish, and more than 14 bird species. Guides such as Sara, Andres, Sam, and Bria add local facts, photos, and detours into the beautiful Indian Creek.

“Angel was wonderful and full of laughter and fun. He was very helpful. Jumping off the tree was one of the best experience that I had on my whole day trip that day. I haven't stopped talking about it and wont. The who kayaking was the perfect fun and relaxing experience thanks to him. Definatley will come back to have angel guide me and my husband. Thank you.”

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3.Glass Bottom Kayak Tours of Silver Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 580 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.) · from $84

Paddle a tandem clear kayak through Silver Springs State Park with a guide such as Josh, Sam, or Bry. The 90-minute to two-hour tour includes equipment, safety gear, and wildlife spotting. Expect manatees, turtles, fish, birds, alligators, and sometimes monkeys. Park admission and the launch fee cost extra.

“Josh was very good as a guide. The tour was good and we saw a lot manatees. However the park people (not associated with company at all) who controlled boat access were not setup to handle the number of people on Saturday. They need to get their act together. However the kayaking was a very good experience”

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4.Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee, Monkey & Wildlife Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 419 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about two hours on Silver Springs with guides such as Chris, Steve, Ashley, and Justin. Paddle a clear kayak, tandem kayak, or paddleboard past fish, turtles, manatees, alligators, birds, and old movie relics. The guide sets the pace, points out wildlife, and helps beginners get comfortable on the water.

“we had a really good time. We brought friends from Maine and they were very excited to see the manatees and alligators and all the beautiful birds.”

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5.Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Paddle a clear kayak or stand-up paddleboard through Silver Springs State Park on the Fort King trail. Guides such as Stevie, Roger, Ben, and Rodger point out manatees, turtles, birds, alligators, otters, and sometimes monkeys while taking photos and underwater videos. The two-hour outing suits couples, families, and first-time paddlers with moderate fitness.

“It was so fun. Saw everything I was hoping to see. Tour guide was awesome, friendly and great sense of humor. Will highly recommend this to friends and family that will be traveling to FL.”

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6.Guided Nature Kayak Eco-Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · from $74

Paddle Shingle Creek, the Everglades headwaters, on a two-hour guided eco-tour from The Paddling Center. Guides such as Joshua and Ryan teach basic kayaking, explain local plants and animals, and lead you beneath an old-growth cypress canopy. Choose a single or tandem kayak. Children as young as four can ride in a tandem jump seat.

“Amazing guided tour by Josh!! The entire staff was incredibly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The tour was personalized and we were able to really learn a lot of not only the land around us but also the creatures within. Couldn’t recommend any higher!! It’s a must do! Secret hidden gem:)”

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7.Clear Kayak Wildlife Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 247 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Paddle a tandem clear kayak along Florida’s spring-fed Silver River for about two hours. Ecoventure Tours supplies kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and dry bags. Guides Aly, Josh, and Emma are praised for wildlife knowledge and patient instruction. Expect possible manatees, alligators, monkeys, otters, turtles, fish, and birds, with a $4 launch fee paid separately.

“Great experience even if you don’t have any/much kayaking experience. Aly was great as a guide pointing out things we would have never seen on our own! We even witnessed an alligator eating another alligator! We also saw half a dozen or so manatees. Very cool!”

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8.Sassy’s Silver Springs Kayak and Paddleboard Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 229 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Spend about two and a half hours on Silver River by kayak or paddleboard, with guides such as Brad, Sassy, Maria, Carrie, and Pipi sharing local wildlife and history. Boats, paddles, life vests, and dry bags are included. Expect a small group of no more than 16, clear water, and a $6 park fee.

“We had a great experience on the river with our guide Ryan! The manatees were plentiful and the alligators were out sunning on the banks. We learned a lot from Ryan and he was very patient in teaching us how to kayak. Definitely worth the trip.”

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9.Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Paddle a stable sit-on-top kayak through Blue Spring State Park with a guide such as Jeff, TJ, or Astrid. The two-hour trip suits beginners and experienced paddlers, with winter manatees as the main draw and alligators, turtles, herons, bald eagles, and otters possible along the way. Groups are capped at 10.

“This manatee kayak trip was great. Small group- just 5 of us along with the guide. Guide - TJ- was great- knowledgable, friendly, personable, and attentive. Saw tons of alligators and blue heron and manatees!”

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10.Florida Bioluminescent Kayak & Paddle Board Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 178 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.)

Meet in Merritt Island for a 1-hour-45-minute night paddle with A Paddle in Paradise. Choose a stable kayak or stand-up paddleboard, then watch summer dinoflagellates or winter comb jellies glow around your craft. Guides such as Nate, Jess, and Jeff add local nature and waterway insight. Photos, bug spray, and phone pouches are provided.

“Fab late night paddle. Nate is great - personable and very knowledgable ; promises to be a great experience.”

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11.LED Glow in the Dark Clear Kayak or Paddleboard in Paradise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 157 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Spend about two hours on Lake Ivanhoe in a clear, illuminated kayak or paddleboard. Guides such as Mike, Savannah, Bryce, Rich, and Bob provide a safety briefing, paddling help, local stories, and complimentary photos. Beginners are welcome, but expect some splashing and limited light beneath the boat.

“This was my first time it was very fun and had beautiful scenery I even seen a few big fish. Also prepare to get wet !”

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12.Bioluminescence Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $86

Join an English-speaking guide for a 1.5-hour evening kayak or canoe trip on Florida's Banana River. After a safety briefing, you paddle through warm, shallow water where dinoflagellates flash around every moving hand, paddle, fish, dolphin, or manatee. Bill and Gina have led especially well-liked trips, with guides also taking photos when possible.

“Overall good experience but I would like to have more time to explore and would not do it again if the caiaque was not transparente as expected.”

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13.Clear Kayak and Paddleboard 2-Hour Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 26 reviews · 2 hours · from $45Best value

Meet the English-speaking team at Lake Ivanhoe Boat Ramp, choose a clear single kayak, tandem kayak, or paddleboard, and receive a short lesson before setting off. You can paddle through three connected lakes, spot turtles, fish, birds, and perhaps otters, then finish near Ivanhoe Village restaurants. Mike is one of the named guides.

“We were not sure about this activity, but it was fantastic, 3 lakes to sail round all 7 of us really enjoyed it and to get a photo album at the end was the icing on the cake”

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14.LED Night Glow Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 15 reviews · 2 hours · from $75

You’ll paddle Lake Ivanhoe after dark in a clear kayak or LED-lit paddleboard, choosing your own glow color as city lights reflect on the water. Guides such as Bryce, Savannah, and Mike lead beginners across the lake, take complimentary photos, and help families, couples, and groups enjoy a calm, alligator-free setting near Orlando’s Ivanhoe Village.

“Merci à Mike pour la balade Super guide Un moment magique et fun”

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