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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / a day at weeki wachee springs

a day at weeki wachee springs

September 28, 2021      8 Comments

Weeki Wachee Springs is the destination for this week’s Travel Tuesday! This Florida State Park is best known for its mermaids, who perform daily for audiences in a unique underwater theater. Let’s take a look at the magic of Weeki Wachee!

About Weeki Wachee Springs

The Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is part of Florida’s renowned freshwater spring system. “Discovered” by Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy man, the 74ºF springs were in need of some major TLC. The river and caverns were full of garbage and old appliances, and Perry devised a system of air hoses to allow divers to work in the depths without resurfacing.

From there, Perry built a small theater looking into the crystal clear depths, and hired women to use the same air hose technology to perform for guests. Over the years, these women began to dress in full mermaid suits, and now perform daily, 30 minute shows for the audiences that come to the park.

Additionally, guests can take a riverboat cruise, enjoy a wildlife education show, and also spend time at Bucaneer Bay, which boasts a beach, floating dock, and swimming area. This is all included with the price of admission.

Arriving At The Park

Pro tip: Arrive early. The park fills up quickly, especially during high season (summer), and once it has reached capacity, the gates close and no one else gains entry.

Adults pay $13, children aged 6-12 are $8, and children five and under are free. Cash and card are both accepted.

What To Bring

Since we just planned on walking around and going to the Mermaid Show, we arrived with the bare minimum: regular t-shirts and shorts, with hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Had we planned on spending time at Bucaneer Bay, we would have brought beach bags with towels, a change of clothes, and a small cooler.

Things To Do In The Park

Once inside, guests receive a map, which provides the locations and/or times of the attractions.

weeki wachee springs

The park isn’t huge, and is very easy to navigate. On the mermaid side, guests can explore a few nature trails, take a riverboat cruise (it was not operating during our visit), or experience a Ranger Show with native Florida animals.

weeki wachee springs

The Bucaneer Bay side of the park offers a beach, waterslide, floating dock and swimming area, as well as a launch to rent kayaks for an additional fee. Guests can also snorkel in the depths. There are beach chairs and picnic tables available, and lockers to rent. The water is crystal clear and refreshing, and totally worth the initial chill!

The Mermaid Show

With run times of 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, the mermaid show is the main reason for visiting Weeki Wachee Springs. Again, guests need to line up early, because the theater is small and fills up quickly.

weeki wachee springs

I don’t want to ruin anything, but the shows last 30 minutes and are full of music, information about the history of the park and the mermaids, and choreographed underwater routines. It’s truly so one-of-a-kind, and everyone in our party really enjoyed it.

weeki wachee springs
weeki wachee springs

Final Thoughts?

Weeki Wachee Springs is pure Old Florida, and so unique. We love the Florida Springs in general, but it was nice to have this little bit of this mermaid twist. The admission is incredibly reasonable for all that’s included, and guests can really make an entire day of the park. We would love to go back when the river cruise is operating, and we would also love to check out the floating dock a little more closely.

weeki wachee springs

Have you visited the famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs?

Would you prefer swimming or kayaking in the crystal clear springs?

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Chocolaterunsjudy says

    September 28, 2021 at 7:09 pm

    I *think* we went there when we were kids. A very long time ago!

    I love to swim, so . . .

    Austin has a famous spring that’s cool year round. It definitely takes a bit of getting used to because I think it’s even cooler!
    Chocolaterunsjudy recently posted…Look Inside to Awaken: September 2021My Profile

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 4, 2021 at 1:38 am

      When the water is so cold and then the outside temperature and humidity is so high, it feels even worse. Like icy knives. Sometimes it will take your breath away. But it’s so clear and so beautiful, that you just have to go for it!

      Reply
  2. Wendy says

    September 28, 2021 at 11:27 pm

    Looks like so much fun, yes, very old Florida!!! I miss that. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 4, 2021 at 1:36 am

      <3

      Reply
  3. Darlene says

    September 29, 2021 at 11:42 am

    Love this. You keep adding places I want to visit in Florida.

    If the water isn’t warm I’d kayak.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 4, 2021 at 1:34 am

      The springs in Florida are 72-74 year round. They feel FREEZING, but it’s also so refreshing. Each of our parks offers different ways to enjoy: sometimes it’s just swimming, but sometimes it’s tubing, snorkeling, kayaking, SUPing, or paddle boating. You should definitely check some of them out.

      Reply
  4. Jenny says

    September 29, 2021 at 1:57 pm

    I’ve never been there, although I’ve heard about it and been intrigued. It sounds super nice, and truly unique! I’ll have to check it out when I get up your way next time.

    Reply
    • runswithpugs says

      October 4, 2021 at 1:31 am

      It’s probably about dead center between the two of us. It makes for a really fun day.

      Reply

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Welcome to Runs With Pugs. My name is Jenn and this is the story of my love affair with running and finding myself through fitness. From C25K to marathon, from triathlon to SUP, from broken leg to the recovery journey... I'm sharing it all. I'm a wife and mother of one, living in NE Florida, in love with travel, adventure, and food. Oh. We have pugs and a hedgehog, too. Thank you for joining us! We're glad to have you along for the ride!
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