Wakulla River boat tour — Attraction in Florida

We were there 3-4 years ago before visiting this weekend. It turned out that they changed the policy of how to get tickets for a boat ride. Before you just come and buy a ticket onsite. Now, you have to either call or book online. Most frustrating is that they did not even update the park website to warn people. Before going to the park, I looked through the website and the only warning I noticed is that a group ride should be booked in advance. So, assumed we just come and buy tickets as before. When we came, there were no available tickets to buy. However, the 11 am boat was half empty (probably people did not show up). I explained that we planed this visit with kids, and we did not know about the policy change because the park website has not been updated. I offered to donate money to the donations box right there to cover the tickets price. Regardless, they won’t let us board and the boat left half empty. The gentleman, who I believe is one of the boat operators, was stone-hearted and, for some reason, noticeably enjoyed enforcing the policy. I understand the policy should be there. But every policy has its goal. What goal was achieved by not letting children take empty seats? It was 11 am, we were the only people on the deck, and the boat left half empty. Kids could enjoy the ride, and the park could get money through my donation (I offered even more). We did not ask for any special treatment. Instead, we just wanted to take empty sits, get some fun, and pay for it. I believe everyone should follow the rules, but, I also believe, there is always room for an exception to the rule if it doesn’t negatively affect anybody and anything. Unfortunately, our so anticipated day in Wakulla...

The boat tour is a must-do. First of all, it’s ridiculously cheap, a great value for an hour of entertainment. Secondly, the spring and river are completely free of man’s interference, aside from these boat tours, which means none of the wildlife are afraid of people.

I loved our guide. She was so into the wildlife and was great at pointing them out. We saw tons of alligators and manatees. When we got to our turn around point, there were some baby manatees. She stopped the boat so we could watch them longer.

Loved the swamp chickens and their babies, the chicken nuggets. Learned about mullet jumping (they’re just really good at it). Also that alligators eat turtles like hard shell tacos. She pointed out gator runs and told us stories of Joe Jr, the park’s biggest gator. It was a running commentary about wildlife in the spring and I loved every minute of it.

Of note, neither side of the boat is better. The right side follows the shoreline for more gator sightings in the first half, but after the turn around, the boat skirts an island that is loaded with critters, making the left side better for the second half. And manatees appear...

Nice tour , very informative , my kids enjoyed it . However , book in advance - we had four people in our group and had to book a week in advance. I had never been before and when I got to the park entrance someone stood at the entrance turning everyone away and walked off before I could ask questions . I followed the line of traffic out and ended up calling. It was packed and I did have a reservation but I had never been before and had no idea what to do. Luckily , once I came back the guy at the entrance taking money for parking was helpful. Plan to arrive early as parking was not ideal and it was a little walk from where we parked to the boat area.

Tour was great. Kids saw so many manatee and alligators . Tour guide was informative. We were told before boarding only allowed to bring water on board as there is a wasp problem . There is also no restroom on board . No standing on board and no switching seats once the boat has moved.

Made reservations at the restaurant for afterwards but wasn’t needed - there was one other family there. Service was great ,...