Kayaking Florida — Local services in Belle Isle

Kayaking at Silver Springs was very chaotic for us; they are allowing too many outside companies to use their small in-and-out ramp for the spring with what seems like a very fend-for-yourself system, my family unknowingly booked with a third-party company even after following the link directly on the state parks page (we wanted as much of our money to go to the park and springs/ wildlife as possible, so booking with the park directly was important to us). Sassy and her crew have a small spot outside of the check-in booth where your tour group meets for 'instructions' which consist of standing around, listening to 4-5 employees try to come up with a plan of who was going on the tour with us, getting paddles put together and using their one cart to shuffle kayaks around and pass out life jackets (we're already 30-40 minutes into our scheduled time at this point, I feel like the basics should have been ready at our start time). I am not sure how long this outfit has been running but this felt like day 1, there was no process or organization, on top of the park already being very busy. It took a little over an hour past our scheduled time to actually get on the water but then another 20-30 minutes waiting for everyone to get in. Luckily we still got 2 hours on the water (which made the tour after ours way behind schedule), it was a cool experience because of how clear the water is with the clear kayak (which we didn't pay for a clear kayak but we benefited due to their lack of a system, so we weren't going to complain being handed the wrong one) and the sunken features but due to the amount of people and chaos, there was very little wildlife to see. Sassy and her other tour guide did a good job of taking us to each underwater attraction and answering any questions even though they did not have all of the facts but due to the size of the groups they take out, it's hard to see anything without it becoming bumper boats so we hung in the back most of the time. There was also lots of time spent having to dodge around other groups of kayaks on tours. I would highly recommend booking with Blue Springs, they run their own kayaking system (no 3rd parties), it seemed so smooth and it's not guided unless you want one, due to the number of manatees that come into the main part of the spring this time of year there are parts you cannot visit for their protection but still lots of wide open clear river to explore. I am giving my experience 2 stars because being out on the water was what we went for and that much did happen, but the rest of our time was not what we expected. I am also writing this review two days after our tour and have yet to receive the link with photos they said they would send. Not a big deal as you can take your own photos but adds to the lack of...

*EDIT from original. As the company tries to save face we were never given any instructions and or a map, because at that point I would have stated that is not what we planned. I did not select a 2 hour rental again I have been to silver springs many of times and I know 2 hours is not enough. And to be rude in your response was not necessary. This is not the company that is located at silver springs they are a 3rd party. Even after I confirmed and they said yes they are not. I rented kyaks for my family visiting to go down the river and I always rent from the company on site as I have never had any issues with them. This company did not say anything about not going down the river (not really sure what else you would do in a kyake). When we eneded we tried to contact and they did not answer. The number to call does not even have a voice mail set up. Not only do they not pick you up at the end they charge you an out landish fee 3 days later. We were done on time. When I ordered the kyaks I specifically stated our plans and was not told they did not offer a down river float, if they would have stated I would not have rented plenty of other company's that do especially the one on site. Do not order from this place unless you plan on floating your kyake in a circle. We didn't even get out on the river until 45 min after our rental time. Will not rent again from them and will tell everyone I know to not waiste their money and go to the one attached to...

Do not book via Groupon. I was never emailed the instructions or waiver that we were supposed to be provided the night before. We arrived five minutes late to the experience because they provided the wrong address. They had already left when we arrived. They supposedly offer a 15 minute grace period. That clearly didn’t happen. We called and texted with no response. $160 down the drain. Editing because I received a response. You are no longer on Groupon but you were previously. I see the Groupon has been taken down. Sara also somehow received my phone number. She is mentioned multiple times in your reviews so I know this is the correct company. Editing again because they felt the need to bring this back up a year later. It’s a shame you feel the need to continuing lying when I have proof. You got my $160, what else do you want? It looks like you fixed your customer service based on recent reviews so...