Paddle Emerald Waters Through Rock Springs Wildlife Habitat
3 hours
Guide, kayak gear, snacks
Explore a crystal-clear stretch of Rock Springs Run surrounded by natural Florida landscapes and Timucuan history. Paddle with a certified guide while taking in the river's emerald color and quiet habitat.
Cancel or reschedule up to 72 hours before your tour. Within 72 hours, bookings are non-refundable. Rescheduling may be possible depending on availability.
Product ID: RT7XK7
Arrive 30 minutes before your tour begins.
Wear quick-dry clothing and water shoes or flip-flops. Dress for the weather (bring extra layers in cold weather). Bring drinking water, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, long sleeves), a towel, and a change of clothes for after the tour.
You get trail snacks and bottled water. Your guide also provides a light lunch riverside or on the river, depending on water temperature.
Kings Landing, 5722 Baptist Camp Rd, Apopka, FL 32712
TJ and Astrid clearly know their stuff when it comes to Florida's waterways and wildlife. Reviewers consistently praise both guides for being knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely kind throughout their tours. TJ seems to have a real talent for spotting wildlife even during off-season, managing to find manatees, alligators, and various birds when others might miss them. Astrid gets similar love for her expertise on local flora and fauna, particularly around Blackwater Creek and King's Landing. The tours work well for beginners and experienced paddlers alike, with guides adapting to different skill levels without making anyone feel rushed. People appreciate the small group sizes (sometimes even private tours), which creates a peaceful, personalized experience. Multiple visitors mention seeing manatees up close, alligators, and plenty of bird species. The guides also handle weather changes professionally and provide photo documentation of the trip, which is a nice touch that guests genuinely appreciate.
We took the tour tuesday evening 22.00-23.30 hrs and it was wonderful! Our guide Samantha communicated before very clearly and responded quickly about exact location and details. We saw the bioluminiscence the whole tour, and very clearly on different spots in the water. Samantha gave us materials to catch and let go again jelly fish which glowed in the net and on our hands. We booked for a group of at most 10 people but we only with the 4 of us. Samantha was very kind, and had a good balance between telling us things and experience the bioluminiscence. It was a really great experience! (Attached photo’s are not clear… live experience is much better!)
J S
August 20, 2026
We took the tour tuesday evening 22.00-23.30 hrs and it was wonderful! Our guide Samantha communicated before very clearly and responded quickly about exact location and details. We saw the bioluminiscence the whole tour, and very clearly on different spots in the water. Samantha gave us materials to catch and let go again jelly fish which glowed in the net and on our hands. We booked for a group of at most 10 people but we only with the 4 of us. Samantha was very kind, and had a good balance between telling us things and experience the bioluminiscence. It was a really great experience! (Attached photo’s are not clear… live experience is much better!)
J S
August 20, 2026
Float the Emerald Cut with a naturalist guide, paddling tips, and swim breaks
Paddle the Emerald Cut with a 2-hour guided kayak tour and swim stops
Paddle the Emerald Cut on a 2-hour guided clear-bottom kayak tour
Paddle 8.5 miles downstream with shuttle back to King’s Landing
Paddle out and back on Rock Springs Run from King’s Landing
Skip the paddle up the Emerald Cut with a golf cart ride, then float 2 miles by kayak