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Join Wekiva Island’s Annual Seafood Boil for a riverside feast of jumbo shrimp, clams, corn and local craft beer—an uplifting evening where animal ambassadors from the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens headline a community fundraiser. Roll up your sleeves, enjoy river views on the Wekiva River, and help support local wildlife.
Join Wekiva Island’s Annual Seafood Boil for a riverside feast of jumbo shrimp, clams, corn and local craft beer—an uplifting evening where animal ambassadors from the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens headline a community fundraiser. Roll up your sleeves, enjoy river views on the Wekiva River, and help support local wildlife.
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Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
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Operated by Wekiva Island · Longwood, Florida
On a cool November evening at Wekiva Island in Longwood, Florida, the riverbank fills with steam, laughter, and the smell of boiled seafood. The Annual Wekiva Island Seafood Boil brings together locals and visitors for a three-hour riverside feast on the spring-fed Wekiva River, a tannin-stained blackwater stream carved through Florida's limestone karst and lined with cypress and live oak. It’s simple: a pound of jumbo shrimp, steamed clams, corn, potatoes, sausage and three pours from 3 Daughters Brewing—served family-style and priced at $45 per person for the November 7 event from 4–7 PM.
What makes this gathering special is the combination of food, place, and purpose. Tables sit on the sand-and-grass edge of the river with flat, steady views of the water, where turtles pop up and great blue herons quarter the shallows. Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens joins the night with animal ambassadors, turning a casual meal into a hands-on conservation moment. Raffles and a silent auction channel proceeds back to the Zoo, so every clamshell and beer pour helps local wildlife care.
The scene is Florida: live oaks dripping with Spanish moss, palmettos along the trail to the river, and the warm, slightly sweet scent of that tannin-rich water. Wekiva Island itself operates as a low-key outdoor hub; expect picnic benches, a bar pouring local craft beer, and a crowd that shows up ready to eat with their hands. It’s not fine dining—it's communal, loud, and very much outdoors.
Practical details matter. The event runs rain or shine; Florida weather can shift fast in November. Bring bug spray, a portable seat if you want comfort, and a jacket for the river breeze after sunset. Parking can fill early, so arrive with time to spare if you want a spot near the water. The boil is family-friendly and accessible to a wide range of ages, though check event notes for any age-specific restrictions.
Whether you come for the shrimp or to support the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens, the Annual Wekiva Island Seafood Boil is an evening that connects food, place, and community on one of Central Florida’s most characterful rivers. Peel your shrimp, raise a beer, meet an ambassador animal, and leave knowing you helped the animals that call this region home. Expect a mix of families, anglers, paddlers and craft-beer fans; conversations orbit around river access, recent manatee sightings upriver, and the best local bait shops. Children can meet animal ambassadors up close while volunteers explain care and enrichment programs funded by the event. Tickets are limited; buy ahead to guarantee a plate and the beer pours. The tone is upbeat, grassroots, and unapologetically Floridian—salt-free, sun-bright, and firmly focused on community and conservation today.
The $45 ticket includes a pound of jumbo shrimp, steamed clams, corn, potatoes, sausage and three pours from 3 Daughters Brewing for the November 7 event from 4–7 PM.
Yes—families are welcome and animal ambassadors from the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens will be on site; check event notes for any age-specific program details.
The event is scheduled rain or shine; come prepared with rain gear. Organizers typically make accommodations but check the event page for last-minute updates.
Tickets may be limited; buy ahead through the provided referral link to guarantee your plate and beer pours.
Yes, but parking can fill early—plan to arrive 30–45 minutes before the event to secure a spot near the river.
Raffles, a silent auction, and proceeds from ticket sales help fund animal care, enrichment, and education programs at the Zoo.
Wekiva Island is a riverfront recreation and rental destination in Longwood, Florida, offering cabana rentals, group spaces, guided paddle experiences, and seasonal family events. The property features multiple private and semi-private cabanas—Audubon Cabana, Otter Cabana, Barefoot Cabana, Cabana #1, Cabana #2, Cabana #3, Canoe Cabana, The Point, and The Beach Club—each with outdoor seating and amenities that include gas grills, coolers or beverage refrigerators, and direct water access where noted. The Beach Club is the largest rentable space and accommodates up to forty guests, while several cabanas serve groups of ten to twenty-five people. Guided offerings include the Wekiva Island Paddle Adventure, which begins with a brief paddling lesson and proceeds with a guided tour on the Wekiva River; participants may have opportunities to swim in clear springs during suitable conditions. Seasonal and holiday programming includes family-friendly events such as Donuts with Santa, Breakfast With Santa, Ornament Decorating with Elves, and Stories with Mrs. Claus. One cabana—The Point—permits pop-up tents, a unique allowance on the island that supports small gatherings and customized setups. Wekiva Island operates on the Wekiva River corridor and supports responsible recreation near local conservation partners. Rentals clearly list capacities and included amenities, while larger spaces provide picnic tables, fire pits, and direct water access for paddling and swimming. Visitors can reserve day rentals for private events, group outings, or relaxed beach-style days. The venue emphasizes convenience with stocked coolers or beverage refrigerators, upgraded privacy features, and on-site grills to support cooking and catering options.
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