Dive Into an Original Orlando Experience at Wekiva Island

Dive Into an Original Orlando Experience At Wekiva Island

When you’re ready to try something different on your Orlando holiday, head for Wekiva Island.

“Wekiva where?” we hear you ask. Well, it’s a small place, but it’s just 16 miles north of downtown Orlando and 31 from Walt Disney World.

Take the trouble to seek it out, and we promise you a day full of blissful Florida nature, paddling fun, and some tasty food and drink. In short, this is a mini-holiday within your holiday, as it transports you to a purely local destination that very few visitors know about.

Getting There

Considering its rural location, right on the edge of Wekiva Springs State Park, it’s pretty easy to find, just off I-4 exit 94, then 4.6 miles west on Wekiva Springs Road, and right on Miami Springs Drive.

It costs just $2 per person for entrance, and you can then take your pick of the Adirondack chairs on the boardwalk, spread out on the lawn, or hire a cabana for the day (taking from 6-20 people from $150-$250 per day).

A quick side note here – the Island gets seriously busy on weekends during the summer, so your best bet is definitely to visit on a weekday, when it is open from 8am to 7pm (10pm on Fridays).

For the energetic, there is a white sand volleyball court, and for the slightly less active you can try your hand at cornhole, a traditional American game that involves throwing beanbags at a target. In the cooler months, there is also a convivial firepit to sit beside.

Swimming is perfectly acceptable, as the Island is situated on the natural springs that provide the headwaters of the scenic Wekiva River, and the waters stay at a comfortably constant 72F/22C.

A Paddling Delight

The other big attraction here is the chance to go kayaking, canoeing or paddle-boarding along the crystal-clear river. There are several hundred rentals available on a first come, first-served basis, including two and three-person canoes and single and double kayaks ($35-$50 per day rental).

The waters are extremely calm, and you will be able to see fish and turtles along the way, while the occasional manatee also makes it this far inland from time to time, and they are truly amazing to encounter while paddling (as well as completely harmless).

The scenery is pure, pristine Florida, with little man-made evidence along the main waterway, and you can revel in the rural backwoods charm of the area that feels light years away from the theme parks and yet is only a 30-minute drive or so.

This is also extremely different to the bioluminescent kayaking experience we highlighted last year, and it is definitely family-friendly.

Food & Drink

The other prime features of the Island are the rustic Tooting Otter bar, with an array of local craft beers and wines that come with a much more wallet-friendly price point than Disney and Co, and the Without A Paddle Café.

The latter is a glorified food truck that serves up a tempting menu of local specialities, including shrimp, fish and tacos, as well as typical fare like hot dogs, chicken tenders and barbecue sandwiches, as well as a selection of vegetarian choices.

It is all good, satisfying stuff, and definitely adds some outdoor flavour to the occasion, especially if you enjoy things like pulled pork, nachos or just a good burger.

If you are renting a cabana for the day, you can bring your own picnic, but no outside alcohol is allowed.

Energy Efficient

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Wekiva Island, though, is its carbon-neutral approach. The owners are dedicated to an environmentally friendly and sustainable system for all their operations, which are boosted by solar power, recycling, rainwater collection and energy-efficient design.

Even the toilets are low impact for water use, and the overall aim is to be completely carbon neutral by 2030, so you can enjoy your day here in eco-friendly splendour.

To us, it all adds up to a particularly impressive experience in true Floridian style, with enough excitement – both on and off the water – to make it a valuable alternative from the mainstream attractions.

For more details and photos, look up WekivaIsland.com.

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