Venture Outdoors: Paddle Towards Adventure in Orlando, Florida
Venture Outdoors: Paddle Towards Adventure in Orlando, Florida
Venture Outdoors offers an exceptional opportunity to discover the vibrant waterways of Central Florida through kayak and stand-up paddleboard (SUP) eco tours and lessons. Run by a team of knowledgeable guides, including founder Astrid Jackson, this organization specializes in safe, hands-on experiences that highlight Florida's unique ecosystem, all while emphasizing education and environmental conservation. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced paddler, Venture Outdoors provides an engaging way to experience the area's natural beauty and rich wildlife.
Why Venture Outdoors Stands Out
- Eco Tours: Guests paddle through the scenic springs, rivers, and lakes in and around Orlando, with a focus on observing local flora, fauna, and environmental conservation. Wildlife commonly spotted includes manatees, alligators, turtles, and countless bird species such as herons and ospreys.
- Hands-on Learning: Venture Outdoors’ certified guides not only ensure your safety but also enhance the experience by sharing intriguing details about the area’s ecology, history, and the impact of human activity on local environments.
- Adaptive Experiences: Lessons in kayaking and paddleboarding are tailored for individuals of all skill levels, including children, ensuring everyone walks away with new skills and a lasting appreciation for the outdoors.
Must-Try Experiences
- Manatee Encounters at Blue Spring State Park: During the cooler months, paddle alongside gentle manatees as they gather in the warm waters of this nearby spring. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
- Sunset Kayak Paddle on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes: Enjoy mesmerizing views of the sun casting a golden glow over the water, surrounded by charming lakefront estates.
- Wekiva River Wildlife Tour: This journey takes visitors through lush, tropical conservation areas where you'll likely spot alligators basking on the banks and turtles sunning on logs.
Insider Tips
- Best Time to Visit: For wildlife, early morning or late afternoon paddles offer the most activity. Winter months are best for viewing manatees in their natural habitat.
- What to Bring: Sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and a reusable water bottle are essentials. Water-friendly shoes and quick-dry clothing are highly recommended.
- Directions: Most tour locations are within a 30–40 minute drive from downtown Orlando, with Blue Spring State Park being approximately 45 minutes northeast.
Book your adventure now at VentureOutdoorsFlorida.com or call 407-267-9950 to craft unforgettable outdoor memories.
Adventure Map
Reviews
Randy Chapaa week ago
Jimi was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and kept us engaged the entire time. We had gotten into a small accident en route to meet and Jimi was patient with us being delayed and made it all work out. Would definitely recommend and do it again.
Petra Andres2 months ago
I took Venture Outdoors´ Introduction to Kayaking class.
We spent 5 half days together and got all the basics and more! Not only do I now know how to properly use several different strokes and how to rescue myself and others, I also learnt lots about the material, safety, weather, reading the river, how to pick my future kayak, and lots more.
Astrid encouraged me to try out different boats during the course which really helped me get a sense for what I will be looking for when buying. She is a wonderful teacher, explains very clearly and is patient and encouraging. I did not expect such a big difference in my ease and confidence, and can only highly recommend this class and Astrid as an instructor!
The highlight, of course, was the last day where we paddled a challenging river and had an incredible time in nature together - the perfect combination of being outside, applying what we learned and adding new skills. Thank you, Astrid!
Leanna Fecher11 months ago
You want to do this kayak tour! A great value, lots of fun, plus you can feel good that you’re supporting a local small business. Astrid is friendly, very knowledgeable about the surrounding plants and wildlife, and respectful of their environment. We were lucky to have an up close view of manatees, saw a Bald Eagle swoop down near us to catch a fish, a giant male alligator sunning himself, several baby alligators, turtles, and various other birds and fish along the way. A wonderful way to spend a few hours.
laura blair10 months ago
Astrid is amazing! Her knowledge of the area and all the wildlife made our trip even more enjoyable. Got to see you so many things we wouldn’t have seen on our own as she knows all the nooks and crannies of Blue Springs. Highly recommend booking an adventure with her. Can’t wait to book our next one.
Evan Bin the last week
TJ was a great guide! We had kids under 10 and he did a great job keeping them entertained and teaching them about the local ecosystem. It was cold but we saw tons of manatees and other wildlife. The perfect length of time even for my 5 y/o.
