THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Escape the beach crowds for a 5–6 hour guided paddle to Cypress Springs on Holmes Creek. Kayak, canoe or SUP, snorkel with clear visibility and try an underwater scooter while guides handle logistics and equipment.
Escape the beach crowds for a 5–6 hour guided paddle to Cypress Springs on Holmes Creek. Kayak, canoe or SUP, snorkel with clear visibility and try an underwater scooter while guides handle logistics and equipment.
A steady breeze off the Gulf clears the air as the group assembles in the Publix parking lot and loads kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for a river run. Holmes Creek narrows and then opens into a bright, cold pool where Cypress Spring pours from limestone—water a constant 70°F with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. Guides leash gear to trunks and hand out snorkel masks; you can almost hear the spring pushing the surface into motion.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Coldwater Excursions · Panama City Beach, Florida
A steady breeze off the Gulf clears the air as the group assembles in the Publix parking lot and loads kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for a river run. Holmes Creek narrows and then opens into a bright, cold pool where Cypress Spring pours from limestone—water a constant 70°F with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. Guides leash gear to trunks and hand out snorkel masks; you can almost hear the spring pushing the surface into motion.
The springs here are products of Florida’s karst geology: rainwater sinks through porous limestone, re-emerging from underwater conduits that have sustained human use and settlement for millennia. Indigenous people and early settlers relied on these freshwater sources, and today the springs anchor a small coastal watershed that feeds St. Andrews Bay. The area’s low dunes and coastal marshes frame the freshwater channels, and on a quiet day herons and river otters patrol the edges.
On the trip, guides demonstrate kayak, canoe and SUP basics, fit snorkel gear and offer an underwater scooter for restful, wide-ranging views below the surface—great for long-visibility snorkeling without exhausting your legs. Practicalities matter: tours run about 5–6 hours (8:00 AM or 11:15 AM departures), have weight limits (single kayaks 300 lb, tandems 550 lb, SUPs 225 lb) and require a minimum of six participants. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a dry bag; pack light and be ready for some upriver paddling. The experience is equal parts calm immersion and hands-on exploration—ideal for paddlers comfortable with several hours on small craft and anyone eager to see a clear, cold Florida spring away from the busy beach.
Tours last about 5–6 hours; typical departure times are 8:00 AM (longer) and 11:15 AM (shorter). Meet at the Publix shopping center parking lot—check confirmation for exact location.
The trip is listed as suitable for all fitness levels, but children under 10 should be paired with an adult for upriver paddling; those with serious back or heart conditions are advised not to participate.
Guides provide kayaks, canoes, SUPs, snorkel gear and an underwater scooter; GoPro mounts are available so you can document the underwater views.
Full refunds are available if you cancel at least 24 hours before departure; tours may be canceled for bad weather or if minimums aren’t met.
Coldwater Excursions operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
A steady breeze off the Gulf clears the air as the group assembles in the Publix parking lot and loads kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for a river run. Holmes Creek narrows and then opens into a bright, cold pool where Cypress Spring pours from limestone—water a constant 70°F with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. Guides leash gear to trunks and hand out snorkel masks; you can almost hear the spring pushing the surface into motion.
A steady breeze off the Gulf clears the air as the group assembles in the Publix parking lot and loads kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards for a river run. Holmes Creek narrows and then opens into a bright, cold pool where Cypress Spring pours from limestone—water a constant 70°F with visibility often exceeding 100 feet. Guides leash gear to trunks and hand out snorkel masks; you can almost hear the spring pushing the surface into motion.
The springs here are products of Florida’s karst geology: rainwater sinks through porous limestone, re-emerging from underwater conduits that have sustained human use and settlement for millennia. Indigenous people and early settlers relied on these freshwater sources, and today the springs anchor a small coastal watershed that feeds St. Andrews Bay. The area’s low dunes and coastal marshes frame the freshwater channels, and on a quiet day herons and river otters patrol the edges.
On the trip, guides demonstrate kayak, canoe and SUP basics, fit snorkel gear and offer an underwater scooter for restful, wide-ranging views below the surface—great for long-visibility snorkeling without exhausting your legs. Practicalities matter: tours run about 5–6 hours (8:00 AM or 11:15 AM departures), have weight limits (single kayaks 300 lb, tandems 550 lb, SUPs 225 lb) and require a minimum of six participants. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes and a dry bag; pack light and be ready for some upriver paddling. The experience is equal parts calm immersion and hands-on exploration—ideal for paddlers comfortable with several hours on small craft and anyone eager to see a clear, cold Florida spring away from the busy beach.