Weikiva River Longwood FL

Super Sunday led to a super amount of clients canceling on Monday. I was done with my day at noon! When does that ever happen? I planned on just going out on my home lake Lake Maitland. When ,boom!, a brilliant thought entered my dome. Why not drive up to longwood and go out on the beautiful Weikiva River. This place is awesome. You can access the river from Weikiva Springs state park off of Weikiva Springs road or you can go from one of my favorite spots Weikiva Island off of Weikiva Springs and Miami Springs road across from the Sweatwater shopping center.

Weikiva island is amazing on weekends. It is a full on party. There are river cabanas, a bar, live bands, corn-hole, beer pong, some of the best BBQ i have ever had, and kayak/canoe rentals. It is one of those unique places where red-necks, yuppies, families, nature lovers, and college kids all come together for a good time. I was very much pleased to see only about 5 cars in the parking lot.

Main launching spot. You are supposed to pay $6 to launch, but i couldn't find anybody out there so I just went for it.


The River is absolutely untouched beauty. I saw one fishing boat and 2 canoes in the first half mile, but those were the only people I saw. Other than that lots of water birds and turtles. Can you see the bird?


Yet to see a Gator out here in my 5 or so trips down the river. This just before the redbird gathering spot. Where the dock their boats , drink canned beer, smoke some funny smelling stuff, and jump off a rope swing. Sounds pretty fun.


Funky Palm. The river is pretty easy to navigate, but their are trees hanging over and in the water. I had to be mindful of a few limbs in the water.


Wildlife everywhere. I am sure you can see the white bird, but do you see the hawk? How about the turtle? The turtles are hilarious, they lay out on the logs on the banks and freak out and dive bomb every time you pass. I thought a gator was coming after me a few times, but it was just turtles diving 3 feet in.


Any water any where, but this is what touring is all about.


A few major trees in the river to get around, but there is almost always a tributary's to get you by. This was my stopping point 3.25 miles down river.


6.5 Miles in 1:40 minutes. A nice leisurely pace.


If you live in Florida you must paddle this river at some point. It's got something for everyone. If you want to party go out on a weekend and make a day out of it at the Weikiva Island. The BBQ is off the charts and I am very picky with my Texas upbringing. The spring in the park is also a great place to swim year round. Orlando is much more than Disney World People explore it and it's beauty!