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    Rainbow River Kayak Adventures

    4.4 (69 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Rainbow River Kayak Adventures Photos

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    We all had a great time. Everyone there was friendly and laid back. We were there on a Sunday and it felt like we had the river to ourselves. We didn't feel rushed at all.

    Watching the otters was cool

    The day was wonderful. The ease of booking was good. The staff at the outpost were friendly. The driver was great in getting our kayaks unloaded and into the water.

    Aubrey F.

    Great company. Parking is odd, but it's behind what looks like a mini dealership. Yes, you're probably in the right spot. They are very strict on what you can bring on the river. Only reusable bottles, containers, and such. Nothing that you have to throw away. Tube rental was $15 per person. We rented one cooler tube to put our stuff in for $15. We just all put our stuff on and it in. Sadly you only now get 2 hours to get down the river. Hardly leaves time to stop and eat along the way or stop and take a picture. So much fun still!

    Rainbow River Kayak Adventures was amazing! They are extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable, WOW! Coming from out of town, we were looking for an easy way to go kayaking on the river and RRKA made it flawless; they do everything for you. Highly recommend, specially if you are visiting the area and are looking to make the most out of your time. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and service! THANK YOU RAINBOW RIVER KAYAK ADVENTURES!

    20MPH wind
    Dianna W.

    Buyer beware. Check the weather. Ask questions. Try to get a kayak that will function against the wind, which could have gusts up to 20MPh. We had to paddle in inferior craft against the wind for 7 miles. No options to take out except that. I learned the hard way. Winter 2023.

    Theresa E.

    They are helpful and awesome. Started the day getting there and fixing our reservation our bad kinda. Note for anyone interested in rainbow you can't bring your own tube you have to use theirs. I brought my own paddle board. They did check bags at the beginning of KP hole to make sure there were no plastic disposable items. It was relaxing and so very glad at the end of the day they came and picked us back took us back to the car.

    Otter!

    Awesome awesome place to rent kayaks Affordable but the customer service was great. Will definitely be back. My wife myself and our 2 kids went and had a blast. We seen otters turtles and plenty of wildlife.

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    2 years ago

    Once again the trip was great. Thanks Driver's are informative and helpful getting in the kayak.

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    Ask the Community - Rainbow River Kayak Adventures

    Review Highlights - Rainbow River Kayak Adventures

    We were greeted immediately and taken by shuttle to KP Hole, where our guide gave us detailed instructions!

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    Rainbow River Canoe And Kayak - Another great day at the springs!

    Rainbow River Canoe And Kayak

    4.7(55 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    This place is 10/10 amazing! There are so many options along the river and I'm so glad we chose the…read moreright one. From the second we parked, we were welcomed and ready to go! Derrick took the time to tell our kiddos about "oh shoot" the alligator and explain the directions to the coolest waterfront swing along the path. They also took the time to make sure our littles had the perfect size life vests and loaded us into the comfy shuttle van. At KP hole we were unloaded and given time to pay the park entrance and receive our wristbands, then loaded into our kayak at the bottom of the boat ramp. We paddled upriver to visit the headwater then paddled back down to where we parked at RRCK. A few things I wish I had known: be sure to pack plenty of snack in reusable containers, it seems easy to dock and get concessions at the headwater park or Swampy's, but it is not. Also, be sure to bring a rope to tie off while you explore the streams or deeper areas. Overall, it's a perfect day in old Florida! We loved seeing otters, alligators and turtles...and being welcomed by Derrick who loaded up our kayak and asked about our paddle. Nothing better than all the adventures, with none of the clean up or pack up!

    My family took a Kayaking tour down the river. Our guide Darian was kind, knowledgeable and…read morefriendly. He also shared some personal experiences with us. The water, wildlife and atmosphere was vibrant and awesome! We also went swimming and snorkeling in the swimming area. Tip: bring water noodles as it is too deep to stand.

    Photos
    Rainbow River Canoe And Kayak - Merchandise

    Merchandise

    Rainbow River Canoe And Kayak
    Rainbow River Canoe And Kayak

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    Rainbow Springs State Park - Rainbow Cafe!

    Rainbow Springs State Park

    4.2(201 reviews)
    3.4 mi

    From Tampa, it took an hour and 30 minutes to get to the river. We first wanted to take a swim in…read morethe swimming area so we went there first before it got really crazy. The area is a bit small and there isn't really a lot of sun spots for you to chill at. It is cool to experience once but I think if you tube, you still will be able to get a swim in because parts of the river are pretty deep. After the swim area, we headed to the tubing section. It is a 15 minute drive from the main park entrance. The fee was 54 for two people that had an annual pass. Highly recommend bringing a small cooler with snacks and drinks and an extra tube for it. It took us about 2 hours to float back to our car and the river is very calm and relaxing. I've floated a river in San Antonio but wasn't as nice as Rainbow springs. Very clean and the water is sooo clear. Overall, really enjoyed our day visit to this state park!

    Our tubing trip down the river was pretty, but it was quite boring. It took us two hours to float…read morefrom the entrance to exit, and it was extremely slow. We kept getting stuck in trees and bushes. The fun part was getting to swim in the clear water and passing off our tubes to a floating friend to hold onto. We also saw an otter. The lady at the rental station was very generous and let us borrow multiple pairs of goggles and masks. There were a bunch of motorboats passing by and blasting their music. They disturbed us with their waves and noise. It was around $27 per person in addition to $5 for one vehicle, and we paid all the fees upon entrance to the parking lot. They take you on a safari-like tram to get to the tubing entrance. I strongly recommend water shoes because my friends were suffering while barefoot on the hot ground. The walk was unexpectedly long and painful for my barefoot friends. They don't have showers or any sort of water spout/hose, so it was kind of gross to not be able to rinse the river gunk off then drive hours back to a major city. They have restrooms, but they were already closed when we walked from the river exit back to the tube station, even though the actual park wasn't closed yet, and there were still employees there. This was very inconvenient, and I wish they had at least told us in advance because we didn't have a place to change. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the restrooms to stay open while the park is open. Also, they have you sign a waiver that says you must wear a lifejacket at all times. They didn't even offer us one, so I was baffled why they made us sign a waiver that said that. Can't they get into legal trouble if they don't actually provide lifejackets? I was troubled by the fact that we had to sign something that wasn't in the slightest bit enforced.

    Photos
    Rainbow Springs State Park - Absolute Beauty~

    Absolute Beauty~

    Rainbow Springs State Park - The beautiful spring.

    The beautiful spring.

    Rainbow Springs State Park - Gift Shop Items!

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    Gift Shop Items!

    Manatee Paddle - Our shop 544 N Citrus Ave Crystal River FL

    Manatee Paddle

    5.0(47 reviews)
    13.7 mi

    Manatee Paddle truly went above and beyond to make our experience positive, exciting, and…read moreeducational. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles, warmth, and encouragement. I was personally a bit nervous since I hadn't paddle boarded much before, but every step of the way we felt supported and truly cared for. Hearing about the family's passion for protecting the ecosystem and the manatees, along with all the helpful tips they shared to optimize our experience, was absolutely incredible. When we got to the dock, we were guided so kindly - Mike even held our shoes in his truck for us! When he noticed me struggling a bit, he took the time to give me multiple tips on how to better move in the water and maneuver the board, which made such a difference. We saw so many manatees, including mama and baby pairs, which was unforgettable. When we returned to the dock and shared how excited we were, Mike went above and beyond once again by recommending another nearby location we could walk to where we ended up seeing even more manatees up close and personal. I would 10/10 recommend Manatee Paddle to anyone looking for an incredible manatee experience. I am so grateful to Mike and his family for making our day so special. THANK YOU!!

    If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Paddle boarding with this crew in Crystal River was…read morehands down one of the best experiences I've had in Florida, and it's because of the people behind the business--Aidan, Mike, and Mandy. From the moment we showed up, they made us feel like family. Aidan was the first one to greet us, and right away you could tell how passionate he is about the river, the wildlife, and making sure every single guest feels confident before heading out on the boards. He has this calm, encouraging way about him that instantly puts you at ease--even if you've never stepped foot on a paddleboard before. He gave us tips, shared fun facts about the area, and somehow managed to keep the whole group laughing the entire time. Mike is the backbone of the operation--the guy making sure all the boards, paddles, and gear are in perfect condition, the one double-checking that everything runs smoothly so you don't have to worry about a thing. It's obvious how much pride he takes in the business, because everything is organized, well-maintained, and set up to give you the best possible experience. He's also just genuinely fun to chat with before and after you head out--one of those people who makes you feel like an old friend after five minutes. And then there's Mandy, who is truly the heart of the operation. She's warm, welcoming, and on top of everything. From making the booking process super smooth to making sure we had everything we needed for the day, she's the reason the whole experience felt so seamless. She checked in with us multiple times, gave us great local recommendations for after our paddle, and just made the whole day feel special. What really stood out to me was how much this team cares--not just about giving people a fun day on the water, but about the environment, the river, and the wildlife that call it home. They take time to educate guests about respecting the ecosystem, and you leave not only having had an amazing adventure, but also feeling like you've learned something important. I've been on plenty of tours and excursions, but very few have left me with such a lasting impression. These guys aren't just running a business--they're building memories for people, and they clearly love doing it. If you're anywhere near Crystal River, don't waste your time looking at other paddle board companies. This is the one. Between Aidan's energy, Mike's behind-the-scenes dedication, and Mandy's incredible hospitality, you won't find a better team anywhere. Do yourself a favor and book with them--you'll thank me later.

    Photos
    Manatee Paddle - Single kayak

    Single kayak

    Manatee Paddle - Fun activity for friends and family!

    Fun activity for friends and family!

    Manatee Paddle - Spring

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    Spring

    Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Rentals - Tubing

    Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Rentals

    4.1(19 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    Kennedy was our tour guide and we had a wonderful time! She was very knowledgeable about the area,…read moreshared lots of information about the land and environment, the history of springs, and how we can continue to take care of Florida. She taylored the guide to us and made sure we were comfortable with everything, water depth, etc. highly recommend and would definitely come back and request her as our guide.

    The tube experience itself is wonderful--- really serene and beautiful. Do it!!! It's appropriate…read morefor all ages. We had a gorgeous day and since it had rained in the morning there weren't many people and the river was quiet. We saw river otters, turtles, lots of birds, tons of fish, lush greenery and a fat snake sunning itself on a rock wall near one of the residences. The water is so clear and you can see so much underwater. The 2 hour float trip was perfect for us. We enjoyed looking at the houses and scenery. It was a fabulous day off for us to be all together in a beautiful place. Our only criticism was the organization of the rentals itself. It was a little confusing and the man driving the tram was somewhat immature. He was heard muttering that his colleague was micromanaging (she seemed to be doing most everything herself and he kept just wandering around and waiting to be told what to do). He also drove the tram wayyyyy too fast and didn't give clear directions on what to do when we got off the river. He was clear on where to get out but we didn't know we were very close to the tram station and just needed to walk there. We saw a covered bench and several of us thought perhaps we were to wait there for the tram to pick us up. Nope. You just keep walking a short way and you are right back at the rental place and your car. Also picking up the tubes was confusing because the man there said come and get your tube. Several people stepped forward and started taking an inner tube. He stopped them and told them they weren't allowed to be in there. What he meant to say was for them to indicate the tube they wanted. There was no line or anything so there was some mild jostling and confusion for us all. It wasn't a big deal, but it could definitely be improved. All in all we had a terrific time.

    Photos
    Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Rentals
    Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Rentals - Tubing in the springs

    Tubing in the springs

    Rainbow Springs State Park Tube Rentals - Tram

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    Tram

    Rainbow River Kayak Adventures - rafting - Updated May 2026

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