FAQ

The simple answer is, they are a marketing gimmick.  At LiveWater we are committed to giving Guests the highest quality experience we can AND maintain our environmental integrity. In our opinion clear kayaks simply don’t meet either of these standards.  We don’t partake in the clear kayak hype for a number of reasons:

#1. They are extremely uncomfortable!  With high sides and a very low seat position guests (unless very tall) must paddle the whole trip with their arms elevated in order to clear the edge of the boat.  The low seat position is also a big disadvantage when trying to view things in the water, beneath the surface due to the glare. In all cases whether trying to view manatees, turtles or any of our other underwater friends, a higher view point is always better. 

 #2. Seats provided are typically cheap, floppy disposable clip-in seats which offer no support or padding. With a 2 – 4hr trip time, from our experience most people are feeling quite a lot of discomfort, stiffness and/or pain in their back and hips by the end of the trip.

#3. Guests are rarely able to see through the kayaks as promised. Lighting, condensation, mineral build up, fogging, cracks and scratches all greatly reduce their transparency unless the kayaks are brand new.  With most companies doing multiple trips a day – every day – they don’t stay new for long. This brings us to the main reason we don’t do clear.

 #4.  They scratch, cloud, crack and break easily thus needing to be replaced at least once a season.  So where does all this cheap plastic inevitably end up? With all other disposable plastics… in our landfills and in our ecosystem!! At LW we refuse to contribute to the global crisis of micro-plastics polluting our oceans and waterways, leaching toxins into our earth and killing our wildlife for the sake of a gimmick.

We use high quality Jackson Riviera kayaks that will be reused over and over, capable of lasting well over a decade when cared for properly. 

We recommend guests bring the following on the boat: Reusable water bottle, hat, sunglasses, camera/phone. Remember to apply sunscreen before you get on the water. Less is more! You may want to have a towel and change of dry clothes in the car for after the trip depending on what the rest of your day looks like. We provide a dry bag for keys, wallets etc!

Summer :
Light, breathable clothes and fabrics that dry easily. Quick dry, linen, cotton is great. Jeans and heavy materials are not recommended. If you burn easily you might want to wear long sleeves and long pants. Shoes that are easy to slip off or can get wet such as sandals, water shoes and flip flops are appropriate. Heels, leather or anything formal is not recommended.

Winter :
North Florida weather can range widely in the winter and gets considerably colder days than you might expect! We strongly advise you to check the weather for the day of your booking to ensure your maximum comfort. Layering clothes in the winter is strongly suggested as mornings can be as low as 35 then swing
up into the 60’s & 70’s in the afternoon.

 Long sleeves, pants and sweatshirt or jacket are advised. Warm hats, ear coverage or gloves may be advisable depending on your sensitivity to the cold. Shoes that can get splashed, rubberized booties or water resistant shoes are recommended.

You are in a kayak on the water so there is always the possibility of getting wet. Splashes and drips from the paddle are most common. Water around the foot rest area is to be expected.

Silver Springs flat, glassy water makes this experience accessible to almost everyone. Previous paddling experience is not required! Guests must be of moderate health and able to get into and out of the kayak on an angled ramp. They must be able to paddle for the duration of the 2hr trip, in a seated position with their legs out in front of them with prolonged sun exposure. Guests with special needs are asked to call ahead to discuss accessibility.

Absolutely! We recommend this trip for children 5 and over. Younger children will be permitted with prior arrangement.

We recommend guests always bring water in a reusable bottle. Guests can bring hot tea or coffee in a sealable, reusable travel mug during winter. We recommend guests eat before and after the trip where possible. However if you are diabetic or have blood sugar regulation issues please make sure to bring enough snacks to sustain a higher level of exertion. No alcohol, drugs or smoking is allowed.

Swimming is NOT permitted anywhere in Silver Springs. There are nearby springs we can recommend for swimming depending on which direction you are headed, just ask your guide!

We typically run trips rain or shine, EXCEPT during lightning or high wind advisories. Your safety is our top priority, but we will make every effort to make sure you have your time on the water as scheduled.

YES, please! 🙂 LiveWater guides and crew work very hard to provide you with special, life-long memories. Showing your appreciation by tipping is never expected but always appreciated!! Our guides will accept cash, venmo, paypal, cash app and most other common forms of e-payments.

While we love our furry friends, kayaks do not have room to accommodate dogs. Leaving pooch at home is advised!

Most of our single kayaks have a weight capacity of 250 lbs. Please contact us if you are concerned about weight restrictions so we can try and make arrangements to accommodate you

The simple answer is, they are a marketing gimmick.  At LiveWater we are committed to giving Guests the highest quality experience we can AND maintain our environmental integrity. In our opinion clear kayaks simply don’t meet either of these standards.  We don’t partake in the clear kayak hype for a number of reasons:

#1. They are extremely uncomfortable!  With high sides and a very low seat position guests (unless very tall) must paddle the whole trip with their arms elevated in order to clear the edge of the boat.  The low seat position is also a big disadvantage when trying to view things in the water, beneath the surface due to the glare. In all cases whether trying to view manatees, turtles or any of our other underwater friends, a higher view point is always better. 

 #2. Seats provided are typically cheap, floppy disposable clip-in seats which offer no support or padding. With a 2 – 4hr trip time, from our experience most people are feeling quite a lot of discomfort, stiffness and/or pain in their back and hips by the end of the trip.

#3. Guests are rarely able to see through the kayaks as promised. Lighting, condensation, mineral build up, fogging, cracks and scratches all greatly reduce their transparency unless the kayaks are brand new.  With most companies doing multiple trips a day – every day – they don’t stay new for long. This brings us to the main reason we don’t do clear.

 #4.  They scratch, cloud, crack and break easily thus needing to be replaced at least once a season.  So where does all this cheap plastic inevitably end up? With all other disposable plastics… in our landfills and in our ecosystem!! At LW we refuse to contribute to the global crisis of micro-plastics polluting our oceans and waterways, leaching toxins into our earth and killing our wildlife for the sake of a gimmick.

We use high quality Jackson Riviera kayaks that will be reused over and over, capable of lasting well over a decade when cared for properly.