6 miles. 2.5 hours. One unforgettable journey.
Trip 1.
The Little Manatee is one of Florida’s unspoiled river gems. Designated by the State as an “outstanding Florida water”, it is also part of the Florida State Canoe Trails system. Included in the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve, it flows through over 8,000 acres of protected lands including the 2,600 acre Little Manatee River State Park. These lands and the river’s waters provide a relaxing escape from development and city life, into the heart of Florida’s wilderness.
Manatees, alligators, river otters, wild hog, deer, and a huge variety of birds, turtles, and fish can be found on this beautiful run. We launch this trip from 9am - 2pm seven days a week, 9-3 on weekends through Daylight Saving Time. Reservations are not required but are recommended!
“This is a true taste of Florida within minutes of Tampa Bay. The water is clear and shaded by canopies. The river is easy to paddle with lots of wildlife. On my last trip I came across a manatee feeding on the bank. It was amazing. Pack a lunch and enjoy.”
-Tony S. from Saint Petersburg Fl. 5 stars. Review originally posted on Yelp on 10/10/2017.
Trip One - Canoe Outpost to Fish Camp
Our most popular trip. Start at the Canoe Outpost and paddle downstream with the current for about 6 miles or about 2 1/2 hours of paddle time. Like all our trips, it is self paced and self guided and you have the use of the boat for the entire day if you wish. You may choose to paddle some available side trips to extend your paddle time up to about 4 hours.
You’ll pass through the Little Manatee River State Park under a canopy of oak and willows. At the half way point there is a picnic area in the park with riverside pavilions with tables and grills, rest rooms, nature trails and a playground which help make this a great trip for families or group outings. Depending on water levels, in the first half of this trip there may be several shallow sand bar areas to visit if you choose to get out of your boat.
In addition to beautiful scenery, most commonly seen are a few birds and fish, an alligator or two and many turtles. On occasion, manatee, deer, hogs and otters are spotted.
We launch this trip continuously from 9:00 - 2:00 daily, with extended hours on certain weekends. Pickups at Fish Camp are at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00. An early 12:00 pick up is available by request. Other times by special arrangement. During select weekends in Spring and Summer, we extend our hours to take advantage of the extra daylight. Our last launch in that case is 3, and our last pickup time is 6:00.
Alligators are present, like on every Florida waterway, but we are a low population river.
Manatees are present from about March-October, don't miss these gentle giants!
Turtles are the most common wildlife you'll encounter. How many can you spot?
Sophie says wear your life jacket! They're not mandatory to wear, but it's always a good idea.
Brian's showing off one of our new hybrid Stand Up Paddleboards.
Cruise downstream in comfort in our single kayaks!
Trip One Pricing
We charge for our trips based on the type of boat, not the number of people in that boat. All prices include all needed gear like life jackets, paddles and boat cushions, as well as your $2 entry fee into the state park and shuttle service back to the Canoe Outpost at any of our preset pickup times, 1-5 pm, 7 days a week. Please note that prices listed do not include sales tax.
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Canoes hold more people and gear than any other boat in our rental fleet, making them a great choice for larger groups with coolers to carry. 2 adults and 2 kids, or 3 adults per boat.
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Double Kayaks are smaller and more maneuverable than our canoes, but hold less gear. Double sit ins can hold up to 2 adults and 1 small kid (under the age of 5), and 1 small bag or cooler. Double sit on tops hold 2 adults and 1 small bag or cooler.
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Single kayaks are a great way to see the river! Agile, maneuverable, stable, and easy to pilot. Maximum of 1 person per boat, with 1 medium or 2 small bags or coolers.
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If you have your own boat, we can give you a ride back from our pickup area for $23. If you have more than 1 personal boat in your party, we can give a $5 discount for each transportation fee.
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In addition to our rental boats, we also offer add-on items for your trip including:
dry bag rentals for $2
seat back rentals for $3 (canoes only)
Damage insurance for $1 per boatWe also have a fully stocked store with hats, shirts, water shoes, snacks, drinks, ice cream, camping supplies, and all sorts of souvenirs to remember your trip.