Welcome to our WeekiBlog!

Everything you need to know to help protect and enjoy the Weeki Wachee River

History of Weeki Wachee Swamp Fest!

Welcome to Weeki Wachee's best-kept secrets, where hidden gems and local treasures await those willing to venture off the beaten path. From secluded natural wonders to charming local haunts, these hidden gems offer a glimpse into the lesser-known side of Weeki Wachee.

Welcome to Weeki Wachee, a quaint town nestled along Florida's Nature Coast, where history, enchantment, and natural beauty converge.

Florida Manatees or “Sea Cows” , also known as the West Indian Manatees are gentle giants who roam the rivers of Weeki Wachee and make friends (distantly) with those they encounter. Here are some fun facts you probably didn’t know about manatees: -The manatee’s closest relative is an Elephant! -The average adult manatee weighs between 800 and 1200 pounds and is about 10ft in length. -You will find manatees in shallower, more slow-moving waters like rivers, saltwater bays, canals and coastal areas. They especially love places where seagrass or freshwater vegetation grows abundantly. For Florida, we tend to see them more in the winter months. -Most of a manatee’s time will be spent eating, resting and swimming. They are herbivores and therefor eat aquatic plants, or underwater vegetation. -Since manatees are mammals, like us, they need to surface to get air every 3-5 minutes, unless it is a more active day, where they may surface as much as every 30 seconds. When sleeping, they can stay submerged for up to 20 minutes! -Manatees can swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts, but that’s probably only if something scary is chasing them. Their typical speed is about 3-5mph. -West Indian manatees have no enemies, so they can live 60 years or more. Most manatee deaths are from boaters who don’t see them, cold stress, gastrointestinal diseases, which come from consuming fish hooks, litter and other human related causes, pneumonia and other diseases. -Manatees in the U.S.A are protected by law (Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the Endagered Species Act of 1973). These laws make it illegal to hunt, harass, capture or kill marine mammals. -If you do encounter a manatee while swimming or boating, be sure not to poke or prod them with your hands, feet, or objects. If the manatee avoids you, no need to chase them. Just let them go where they are going. Avoid feeding them, and do not isolate them from their group if swimming with more manatees or calves. Remember to respect the nature around you as this is their home. Make sure any trash is not left in the water. Enjoy Experiencing Weeki!

Packing for a trip to Florida is an art. So let us help. Everyone knows Florida is “sunny and hot”. But what most do not prepare for is that evenings can get chilly depending on the season of your arrival. We live in layers here, especially in the Spring. We wake up in the 50’s or 60’s and come home in the 90’s. Our cars have spare sweaters, jackets as a rule during these months. First determine which season you will be coming down to Florida. Always have sunscreen when you are in Florida, no matter the season, as our sun is sneaky and will even burn you when it’s overcast. Water-shoes may be helpful when walking in shallow waters that may have rock, or for walking on docks and other potentially slippery areas after being in the water. Spring, (Jan-April-ish), may have chilly mornings and evenings but hot afternoons. You will want both shorts and pants, bathing suits and sweaters. Layer in the mornings and remove as the day progresses. If you stay out all day into the evening, you will likely revisit that morning sweater. Summer, (Mid-April really until September), it will be more humid than anything and may rain. Summer is beautiful in Florida, but is also humid, which is basically a “Wet hot”. Pack plenty of shirts as you may sweat through some. Our humidity can make you break a sweat at 6am. Lots of sunscreen, preferably SPF 50 or higher. The 50 refers to minutes of protection. So, SPF 50 will provide 50 minutes of sun protection. It can last longer, but with the humidity and water, you will want to reapply. SPF 100 is even better. For kids, cream is more effective than the spray sunscreens. Summer months bring mosquitos, especially near water and after a rain. Bug spray with Deet/deep woods protection is recommended. Citronella candles outside are helpful but they do not keep them away completely. Florida thunderstorms can be dangerous. If you see any lightning at all, make sure you are not in or near the water. It can lightning in clear skies as well. Just be mindful of nature and it will be mindful of you. Bring an umbrella to keep handy when you are out and about. If you are staying at the beach or one of our properties, you will likely live in the water. If possible, bring multiple bathing suits. A “beach bag” is helpful for day trips to carry the essentials- sunscreen, bottled water, water-shoes, towels. Fall, (October/November), these are perfect days to us natives. A little less humid, a little crisper air. You will pack similar to Spring packing. Both Shorts and pants, bathing suits and sweaters. You will want to prepare to layer. Florida is sometimes unpredictable. So, it may still be hot all day. But the next day could be wildly different. Some extras you may want to consider: Waterproof phone case. These will allow you to take pictures under water and also keep your phone safe if it gets wet and/or dropped in the water. Hats- baseball hats, straw hats, bucket hats. All a good idea to help keep the sun off your face and neck. Quick Dry towels- helpful when you sweat so you can wipe sweat off your face and out of your eyes. Especially if you sweat with sunscreen on your face. We hope this is helpful! Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions that may arise with packing and preparing. Enjoy experiencing Weeki!!