Airboating & Kayaking On The Wacissa River Paddling Trail, Florida

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Our airboat zig zagged over eelgrasses and aquatic plants and past startled alligators on the Wacissa River, in the Big Bend region of Florida.

Savannah clutched my arm with a mixture of terror and exhilaration on her face. I grinned and whooped back at her, “This is so awesome!!”

The Wacissa River is a 15-mile idyllic stretch of calm, clear water, surrounded by verdant vegetation and filled with thriving wildlife. It’s known for being home to an array of wildlife, from turtles, water snakes, river otters, and of course (this is Florida) alligators.

Despite its inhabitants, this river is a popular spot for water activities, such as swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and airboating.

We chose to airboat and kayak Wacissa River during our trip to Jefferson County. Here’s what our experience looked like!

What’s special about the Wacissa River?

The Wacissa River is widely regarded as the most beautiful river in Florida and is famous for its crystal clear waters. It’s fed by twelve major springs and is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and is part of the Aucilla Wildlife Management Area and Suwannee River Water Management District

Because the Wacissa’s river flow is slow and calm, it’s a popular spot for recreation.

While you might be put off swimming knowing that alligators inhabit these waters, there are designated swimming spots, including the famous Big Blue Spring, a popular swimming hole.

The crystal clear water flows for 15 miles before it connects to the Aucilla River, which is fed by the Aucilla Spring and is not so crystal clear. You’ll know you’ve reached the end when the water turns to a distinctive “blackwater.”

Our Experience Airboating and Kayaking the Wacissa River

The Wacissa River is accessed from the Wacissa Springs Country Park, a pristine, natural beauty in North Florida near Monticello, which we only discovered when we arrived at her banks.

This part of Florida is quiet and remote, offering solitude and serenity – but it’s no less beautiful than other places in Florida that get the fanfare and whistles.

Sometimes it pays off to go a little further off the trail, and adventuring down the Wacissa River is one way to prove this.

It was…