Weeki Wachee Kayak & Canoe — Local services in Spring Hill

I am not sure how this company is rated number one on Trip advisor because it for sure is not! We arrived at 11:40 to check in, which is at least 15 min prior to our reservation time of 12:00. After checking in the front desk lady informed us that we all needed life jackets, no biggie, but when i asked where i could get them she pointed to a pile of old, dirty and smelly jackets thrown in the corner and said " go pick one out!"

While waiting to load into the van i heard the front desk lady tell the driver that my family was taking off from the bottom of the river, Rogers park. I had to ask them to confirm what I had overheard, and they did. I said that I had reserved to take off from the top, the State park, and the driver said that that was not what the reservation was for. He asked who i spoke to and when I told him it was him he said "that is impossible because she (pointing to the front desk lady) is the only one who answers the phone here, you must have made a reservation at a different company". i told him that i not only had a text confirming my reservation from them but my reservation was also in the computer. His only solution was to refund my money if I " didnt like where we would be launching from" . If we had not driven 3 hrs to get there I would have taken a refund but my kids were all set to spend the day on the water.

At 12:21 we finally loaded up in the van for a 12:00 departure. Our driver reeked of pot but got us there safely. Once in the kayak my husbands kayak started taking on lots of water, the gentleman told him to bring it back up to the launch. It was missing a plug and the guys solution was to take all the plugs out. He said "it will float but you will have to run with water in it all day" . My husband said "absolutely not, I did not pay for this" so another one of the guys took a plug from another kayak and put it in my husbands.

The route to get to the river from the launch was quite a hike. We went about 2 miles UPSTREAM, which was not the plan of the day at all, but we did end up having a great time. The water is amazing and are so many cool little spots to stop and enjoy.

My family had a great time but it was by no means because of...

Yes it is true getting a hold of this company is an absolute pain......be persistent. Kayaks were fine and in good condition. Paddles were average and some could use the grips replaced. They provide life jackets. Dry bags on request. I would definitely get a dry bag or bring one you never know with Florida rain. Overall for the price it's definitely a good value. We went on an extremely slow day and we were their first customer. They did not shuttle us to their launch site but it's literally a 3 minute drive from the office. I assume they only use the shuttles on busy days because parking is limited at the launch site. Yes you have to paddle up stream from the launch but it is a super easy paddle if you have any experience. Our family went 4 miles up stream then floated leisurely back. We were on the river 5 hours total and half that time was spent stopping and playing in nice spots outside the state park (no getting out of your kayak inside the state park). The reason for the 3 star rating is just the difficulty with contacting the business itself. The value is good. Their equipment is more than adequate to get you paddling on this gorgeous river without having to have all your own equipment with you on vacation. As for the others mentioning to just rent with the state park itself, that's fine if you only want to see the state park portion, if you don't mind not being able to get out for a quick swim and if you don't mind paying double for a strict 2 hour time limit that ends with a late fee if you're late at all. Also you cannot go past their take out point and paddle back up once you reach it you're done. My advice do some research, read reviews and decide what option is best for you and your family. I would rent with this company again but I wouldn't be afraid to look at other options and compare. Someone could really come into this area and do very well for themselves with good rates and good...

Started out fine when we first arrived as we loved the dogs and the staff was nice. The kayaks are old and as I found out not sturdy. I’m a 150lbs female that tipped it . How ...? You have to paddle up stream and let me tell you girls and even some guys that will not be a fun experience at all, besides most everyone else is floating down stream. After I couldn’t go any further we turned around to float back down. Which the River was nice and blue water. Then cam the unloading back onto their floating so called dock. No steps to use, the attendant was not much help at all except to say;”Point the kayak nose here as he pulled the kayak tip up the unsteady floating plastic dock and then just stood there waiting for you to try to awkwardly get out onto the unsteady dock with no assistance. My husband tried to get out of he kayak made it onto he doc to have slipped into the water. No one helped said Oh I’m sorry r you okay. After he pulled himself out of the water back onto a unsteady dock, now remind you No Steps or help of any kind the attendant put down a piec of carpet. Still no one said a word. We had to ask which vehicle we get into to go. Also, I am no saint and I do cuss BUT they had an employee that was to busy saying F@,:” I’ve got to go multiple times and to busy talking to whomever he knew that worked in the restaurant back lot( that’s the drop off and pick up area) that he had an emergency. I do hope what ever it was everything turned out ok. But, come in be situationally aware of your customers and surroundings. All in all it a good experience and would not recommend to anyone. Loved the pups thpighthats whythe start...