Get Up and Go Kayaking at Gilchrist Blue Springs offers intimate guided clear-kayak adventures through the Santa Fe River’s crystal-clear springs. Launching from Rum Island County Park, their friendly local guides lead small group...
Get Up and Go Kayaking at Gilchrist Blue Springs offers intimate guided clear-kayak adventures through the Santa Fe River’s crystal-clear springs. Launching from Rum Island County Park, their friendly local guides lead small group...
My mom, Claire, and I took a two hour eco kayak trip with JP on glass kayaks near Rum Island. We loved it! We explored Rum Island and some of the incredible springs along the river, including Mermaid Spring, surrounded by crystal-clear water, ancient cypress trees, and an amazing array of wildlife like turtles, mullet fish jumping out of the water, ibis, herons, and so much more. And then there’s the history. Our guide told us that during Prohibition, this remote stretch of Florida was part of the network of waterways used to move illegal rum and other liquor. Rum Island became associated with that colorful bootlegging era, and stories of the area even connect it to the world of notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone. Standing there today, surrounded by nothing but nature, it’s hard to imagine that these quiet waters once played a role in the underground liquor trade. We even got to jump into the springs and swim for a while. Although we had some rain, it didn’t damper our fun. The two hours went by so quickly with JP. He was a fantastic guide. We were sad we had to stop. Definitely recommend, and hope to be back here on day.
Liora Rose Radicella
August 29, 2026
My mom, Claire, and I took a two hour eco kayak trip with JP on glass kayaks near Rum Island. We loved it! We explored Rum Island and some of the incredible springs along the river, including Mermaid Spring, surrounded by crystal-clear water, ancient cypress trees, and an amazing array of wildlife like turtles, mullet fish jumping out of the water, ibis, herons, and so much more. And then there’s the history. Our guide told us that during Prohibition, this remote stretch of Florida was part of the network of waterways used to move illegal rum and other liquor. Rum Island became associated with that colorful bootlegging era, and stories of the area even connect it to the world of notorious Chicago gangster Al Capone. Standing there today, surrounded by nothing but nature, it’s hard to imagine that these quiet waters once played a role in the underground liquor trade. We even got to jump into the springs and swim for a while. Although we had some rain, it didn’t damper our fun. The two hours went by so quickly with JP. He was a fantastic guide. We were sad we had to stop. Definitely recommend, and hope to be back here on day.
Liora Rose Radicella
August 29, 2026