WebIts possible for an alligator to upturn an inflatable kayak, and hence its important to use something sturdy like a hard-plastic kayak. It is one of the things people know best about this American state. Alligators love their peace and quiet. The river will end at Rogers Park, nearing the Gulf of Mexico. In the 1970s, four deaths occurred from gators: in 1973, 1977 (three deaths), and 1978. However, if you startle an alligator with loud sounds, that could cause the gator to attack you instead of the prey it wanted. There are plenty of other attractions that can make kayaking here quite the experience. Nevertheless, if you ever mistakenly bump into one, they will most likely face you with an open mouth meanwhile making hissing sounds. Lake George, Lake Kissimmee, and Lake Wales are the most popular. There are plenty of beautiful kayaking destinations in the U.S. where there are no alligators. The 1980s also had four alligator deaths, in 1984, 1985, 1987, and 1988. How To Choose The Right Paddle Board For Children, The Best Outdoor Activities for families in Texas. With that being said, alligators seem to be pretty rare in the Northern United States. The rate of kayaks being attacked by gators appears fairly low. Is there some stigma attached to kayaking alone, or should you always paddle in a group for safety? If you are doing recreational kayaking in Florida, you need to be cautious at all times. The Silver River is located inside the Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, Florida. There may not be any alligators nearby but drowning can be another concern in the deep waters. Otherwise, if youre smart, safe, and swift, you should be able to pass by an alligator without it really caring too much. Generally, its going to be safe to kayak in Florida. Following this advice, they will feel less threatened by your presence and in turn youre less likely to create a disturbance in their environment. I read a story a few years back of a woman paddling an inflatable kayak in Florida and it got bit by an alligator. Though you must make considerable preparation to kayak in alligators territory so you can be safe from a potential threat. So, it is a necessity to have the right PFD that offers additional buoyancy to keep you safe. (Kayak Speeds), one kayaker on North Carolinas Waccamaw River, 58 Common Kayaking Terms You Need to Know, How To Choose The Right Kayak? The majority of these attacks happened when people were attempting to feed the alligators or interact with them, or during swimming or fishing. Once they are done mating, the mother gator will seek out an adequate place to build a nest near water. As much as possible, you should go paddling when it is daytime. Its really important to not panic and aim to get away from the alligators attention. What if you want to take your kids on a fun expedition in nature or take your partner on a spellbinding date on a limited budget? Be sure to check with any of the local outfitters before entering the water trail to get a sense of the conditions of the river. Some alligators have even eaten black bears, Florida panthers, and dogs, so truly, no animal is safe. So its important to be aware of their presence and take some precautions. The reason, I am pretty sure that this will protect me if attacked by an alligator. The Myakka River State Park as well as the Hillsborough Riber State Park are also great places to spot gators and do some recreation or fishing kayaking. Although you may have concerns about being in open waters where alligators or sharks may frequent, it is important to understand the facts and statistics in order to accurately avoid an attack by these animals. Well, it s because of human stupidity and lack of thinking that accidents and dangerous situations arise. Rather, the alligators tend to stay at their places until they find a probable reason to attack you. The alligator will turn in your direction and open its mouth, revealing its vicious set of teeth. It sounds like a nightmare but. The first thing most people think of when considering kayaking in Florida is alligators. However, they seem to exhibit quite territorial behavior, which means they do not have direct encounters with kayakers and they will often choose to stay in their places. Take some deep breaths if you have to and then figure out what your exit plan will look like.

Many US-based alligators prefer brackish water such as whats found in swamps, lakes, rivers, wetlands, marshes, and ponds. She said had she been in a hardshell she would have capsized. Rather, the population of alligators somewhere is an indicator of productive fishing spots. If it charges at your kayak, hit it in the snout with your paddle. Whether you are a beginner paddler or more advanced, there is something that would suit your fancy. There are still plenty of other beautiful kayaking locations you can visit instead. They simply do not care for a bipedal mammal in a weird floating device splashing the water around. In fact, this state is teeming with several options for paddlers, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. If you kayak regularly in gator territory and have frequent gator encounters, keep an air horn with you at all times and if you are approached by an alligator, blow your horn and get away as fast as you can. Should You Rinse Your Kayak After Every Use? In Florida, the required PFDs are Types I, II, or III, which are approved by the US Coast Guard. There are two possible reasons for which the alligator approach the kayakers. Leave the pets at home, dont kayak when gators are active, avoid feeding alligators, and be prepared to make a lot of loud noise if a gator gets too close. Also, never corner an alligator try to keep a distance of at least 20 feet between your boat and the closest gator. With a good camera, you can make some amazing photos and that is it. Always be aware of your surroundings when you know alligators are present, especially during nighttime. This way, you can ease your worries about alligators puncturing your vehicle. This way you still have numerous kayaking options to choose from. Similar to how we scare away bears you need to get big and loud. It confirms the statement that they will let you be if you let them be. (in 8 Steps), How Long Does It Take To Kayak A Mile? The 5 Benefits of Using a Flashlight for Nighttime Fishing, What You Should Know Before Buying a Car Rooftop Tent, How to Catch Shrimp In Florida: Your Helpful Guide to Shrimp Fishing.

They can be seen to be very reclusive so you probably will not find them prowling around the water in the daytime. Keep a safe and respectful distance from alligators, and avoid jerky movements that will attract their attention. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Only when your presence would throw an alarming sign at them, they will potentially prefer to slide in water in order to hide their selves. Simply opt for the locations where you know alligators are not native. In the US, youre most likely to come across an alligator in the countrys southeastern states, especially these areas: In Louisiana and Florida, more than a million alligators each may live in those two states, by far making them the riskiest places for kayakers, boaters, and swimmers. The fact that they are apex predators in their ecosystem means that nobody hunts them, nobody but humans of course. Florida is arguably the most well-known place where alligators live. Be prepared to create loud noises if an alligator approaches. But wait, Alligators and kayaks in the same waters? In Florida, it is more likely that a shark attack will take place than an alligator attack, but both are rare. Does that mean the rest of the world doesnt have gators? Some alligators might approach you because they think you have food. Many people who die from alligator attacks drown. Even in your kayak, you dont really scare an alligator. The strategy often includes submerging in water for extended hours waiting for prey to trap while only permitting their muzzles to resurface whenever their respiratory choke due to less breathability.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[970,250],'floatingkayaks_com-box-4','ezslot_5',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-floatingkayaks_com-box-4-0'); When alligators feel endangered, their primal defense is sliding back into marshes. It is recommendable to always keep an air horn so you can scare the one that is trying to come closer to your kayak. If you happen to bump into one, that would really irritate the gator. Wildlife can include plenty of turtles, deer along the shore, and even an alligator or two. Though the male ones can be seen as extremely aggressive. Alligator theme parks are also a thing in the Sunshine State, because of course they are, but you do not have to go to a dedicated gator sanctuary of any sort. If youre not commandeering the kayak and you can snap a photo of the gator quickly (without flash and by muting your phone), then so be it. Still, its best to take precautions. Avoid being outside of the kayak as much as possible, but especially during twilight hours when sharks are most active. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Thats fine if you see a beautiful bird in your yard or even a deer, but not an alligator. Throwing rocks, casting too close to a group of alligators, shouting, and intentionally paddling too noisily are all great recipes for a close encounter with the biggest and most dangerous reptile in existence. Then, send your fish to a board or cooler, not a stringer. You must remain calm and tell anyone else in your kayak to do the same. Also, understand the signs of an aggressive alligator. There may not be any alligators nearby but drowning can be another concern in the deep waters. The best way to avoid an unpleasant encounter with an alligator is not to feed them. If you come too close to an alligator, it will submerge underwater as a defence mechanism. American alligators are mostly found in areas of the southern United States on the gulf coast, including, North and South Carolina, Florida (Prairie Creek), Louisiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, the piney woods of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Alligators act like traps. Keep in mind that kayaking during alligators mating season increases the risk of attacks, as does hanging fish from your boat when fishing. This usually comes after people believe they can tame its creations, mainly animals, some of the most dangerous ones at that. As a bonus, the Calusa Blueway is teeming with various wildlife. Alligators are territorial animals and can be aggressive toward humans, especially during their mating season. You can use the paddle to hit your kayak as a way to create loud noise, as well as creating vibrations in the water, which is sensitive to them. A very old animal in terms of evolution, it is adapted much better to the conditions and the environment where you may meet them, the prime example being Florida and the largest of American alligator males can grow 12 feet or 3.6 meters in length and weigh up to 500 pounds. If an alligator truly decides to attack you, a hard shell kayak is unlikely to protect you, but it will offer you greater stability in the water. You are putting yourself at a huge risk of being attacked if you choose to swim or enter any body of water, river, swamp or stream that is infested with alligators. (The Correct Way), How To Pack A Kayak For Camping? WebThat can be a difficult question to definitively answer, but overall, yes it is safe to kayak in Florida. And is mistakenly they see your pet they will want them as a food source, thereby increasing the likelihood that they attack the kayak to grab it. This way, you can make the most out of your trip and have a wonderful experience reconnecting with nature. The process of protecting their young ones will continue until the incubation period. From winding riverways, vast swampland, and crystal blue water, Florida has a lot to offer when it comes to kayaking. Thats natural, but you cannot let your fear cloud your judgment. Plus, youd have to stop your kayak to take the photos or video, and thats again very much not recommended. When most people think of having fun in Orlando, they think of Disney World, but what if you dont want to spend several hundreds of dollars exploring a theme park? (Read This First), link to Do You Need Lessons to Kayak? Those other creatures arent deadly animals, but a gator is. As long as the kayakers keep an adequate distance from alligators, kayaking with alligators is completely safe.

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Most of the time they pass by they want nothing to do with you. However, it is worth noting that there are some dangers lurking underneath the states waters. Alligators are usually most aggressive during breeding season.

It is quite the sight to see and a safe place to kayak through. You definitely dont want to paddle your kayak right up to an alligator if you see one. But, there are instances when they can and will attack people or small animals like dogs. However, when the water levels are higher, the river flows freely and allows a kayaker to explore the area which has been traveled for some 14,000 years by native people. Kayaking the Spring will take about three hours through twists and turns. You cannot outswim a gator or outpace them on your kayak. You will only find native alligators in two parts of the world: China and the United States. Still, its best to take precautions. Instances of alligators attacking kayaks in Florida are low. Be sure to keep your feet and hands inside your kayak all the time as you paddle along the river. Do not try to hit the gator with your kayak paddle, though. (in 8 Steps)Continue, Read More How Long Does It Take To Kayak A Mile? Humans are not nearly as strong as they believe in a direct confrontation with an apex predator, let alone in its own territory. Mating season is the leading cause of territorial alligators especially males. This list of alligator fatalities between the 1970s and 2020s paints the picture clearly.