Blue Spring Adventures — Local services in DeBary

Yesterday, I had a very unpleasant experience with the staff at this park. I’m still in shock over how ridiculous the whole situation was. I’m especially surprised by how two female park employees acted and responded.

There’s no doubt this is a beautiful nature reserve, but the people working there matter too and they completely ruined my mood.

Yesterday, I paid for a solo kayak ride. After filling out all the forms and making the payment, right when I was about to get my life vest, two women told me they were denying my trip because “my English wasn’t good enough.”

Mind you we were communicating just fine. I was asking questions, and they said they understood me. But then they claimed that if something were to happen on the water, like an alligator attack or an emergency, they wouldn’t be able to help me because, in their opinion, I didn’t understand English well enough.

I’ve been living in the U.S. for two years. Sure, my English isn’t perfect, but it’s more than enough for daily life and to communicate with people. What they did felt like discrimination.

And if they’re saying things could happen on the water doesn’t that mean it’s not safe to be kayaking alone? Then why do they even offer solo kayak rentals if it’s dangerous?

Also, keep in mind: if you’re an immigrant in this country, this park apparently judges your language skills and decides whether you’re “worthy” of kayaking based on your English level.

I filmed a video where I asked for a refund, and instead of helping me, they demanded I delete the video because, ironically, they said I was speaking in a language I “don’t understand.”

They refused to give my money back. The whole conversation was long and very unpleasant. My entire mood was ruined.

I had driven over an hour and a half to get to this park. The women were rude, unhelpful, and couldn’t offer any clear options to resolve the issue even though there are tours available with guides. They didn’t even mention that possibility.

Later I found out that guided tours have to be booked in advance but it was still during working hours, and I’m sure someone could’ve helped if they wanted to. There was zero effort on their part to assist or show empathy.

I had to search the park for a manager. His name is Ron and honestly, thanks to him. He was the only polite and respectful staff member I encountered. He listened to my “bad” English, understood me perfectly, and explained the situation.

Ron told me they didn’t have any instructors available at that moment to accompany me. Still, I don’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to kayak. I do understand English and fully understood what was being said.

And what exactly were they afraid might happen to me out there? To me, it just seemed like the whole experience wasn’t safe and that’s the real reason they didn’t want me going out alone.

Ron went back to those employees and refunded me.

I just want to say: the park staff were completely unprepared, couldn’t communicate with guests properly, and didn’t know how to handle a basic situation.

My mood was ruined and I wouldn’t recommend visiting this park if you want to enjoy your day. My experience was incredibly disappointing.

Not to mention, my rights were clearly violated. I was recording a video to document how the park employees were speaking to me in a rude and unprofessional way. I made it clear that I was filming, but they still told me I wasn’t allowed to.

This is a public park—it’s a public space—and I have every right to record on my personal phone. My rights were violated.

They gave me false information, claiming I wasn’t allowed to film there, even though it’s legal. These aren’t police officers or government officials—they’re park employees who were being disrespectful.

They tried to force me to delete the video, and basically blackmailed me—saying that unless I deleted the footage, they wouldn’t give me a refund.

What is going on there? Can someone explain this?

Maybe it’s time the park administration pays attention to how untrained and unprofessional some of...

Been coming on this tour for over 15 years now every time we visit central Florida and won’t ever be back since it’s gone downhill so much. Used to be a highly informative cruise with detailed wildlife info and interesting stories about the history of the river, and now the narration is more like a baby book with no stories. Guests before were always respectful and this trip one large group was talking loudly the entire time off-topic to where I could barely hear the captain’s narration. The two young kids behind me were bored and oinking loudly. The captain encouraged people to get up and move around to see the wildlife but that entirely blocked the view for the two of us with mobility issues that couldn’t leave our seats, one in a wheelchair. Never before were people encouraged to stand up and walk around. The captain also didn’t help when guests were trying to climb over the two of us to squeeze into our small viewing area by our seat. No idea why we were sent on the boat with plastic windows covering most of the outside, making viewing of most things blurry or impossible. The other boat was in dock the entire time. With people standing and blocking most of the view and plastic covering the other areas, my family barely saw anything. So wheelchairs are allowed on the boat but you won’t see anything while everyone else is having fun. We used to recommend this boat ride to everyone we met but now will warn others against it. Also noticed that no one tips anymore. Used to be almost everyone did. If this company went out of business it really wouldn’t be a loss considering the quality it has sunk to. Don’t waste your money if disabled or want to learn something. I saw more manatees and wildlife on the boardwalk by the spring and learned more reading the sign boards along the path than on...

Blue Springs Adventures in Florida offers a memorable experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. The park boasts stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear springs, lush greenery, and abundant wildlife, creating a perfect setting for relaxation and exploration. A major highlight is the opportunity to view manatees, especially during the cooler months when they gather in the warm springs. The St. Johns River cruise is another must-do, offering beautiful scenery and wildlife sightings like alligators and birds, often narrated by knowledgeable captains. Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities, from swimming and snorkeling in the spring to hiking and kayaking, with camping facilities available for extended stays. The park also provides valuable educational opportunities about the ecosystem and conservation. However, Blue Springs is a popular destination and can get crowded, particularly during peak season and weekends. Manatee viewing is also best during the cooler months (November to March), and kayaking within the spring itself might be limited to protect the manatees. Despite these potential drawbacks, the overall experience is well worth it, making Blue Springs a must-visit destination in Florida. Visiting during the off-season or on weekdays, arriving early, checking the park's website for updates, and bringing essentials like sunscreen and insect repellent are helpful tips for...