Alligator in Wakulla Springs State Park in Florida.

Wakulla Springs State Park: Amazing Wildlife Viewing from a Boat Tour

Beneath a thick canopy of moss-draped cypress trees in the Florida panhandle, Wakulla Springs State Park is a bucket-list destination for wildlife viewing. The park is less than half an hour from Tallahassee, Florida, and is not well known outside of locals. But it should be, Wakulla Springs is one of the very best state parks in the country.

The natural wonder is home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, pumping out 400,000 gallons of crystal-clear sapphire water every single minute.

My wife and I visited on an early winter morning. We were on a road trip through north Florida and had spent the night before camping at nearby Florida Caverns State Park.

Wakulla Springs River Boat Tour

We pulled into the parking lot about half an hour before our riverboat tour was supposed to begin. I’d read the riverboat tour was one of the best things to do in the greater Tallahassee area. It takes you on a one-hour, two-mile look downstream along the bald cypress-lined Wakulla River. The tour is billed as a world-class wildlife-viewing experience. We did not know it yet, but we were about to agree.

Getting on the boat, we were very excited. I was surprised by the number of people joining us in the middle of winter on a weekday. It was about three-fourths full. The weather was perfect, just chilly enough to need sleeves, but not freezing. The sky was deep blue and dotted with big, white, fluffy clouds.

Within 30 seconds after leaving, our guide pointed out a few manatees on our left. I knew then this was going to be special. Manatees are generally only in the park from October through January.

Wildlife Viewing Paradise

I was certainly happy I remembered my binoculars and camera with a telephoto lens because wildlife was everywhere. As the boat leisurely made its way down the river, the guide slowed and stopped frequently to point out wildlife and encouraged everyone to point out what they saw.

We made our way down the river, and the guide explained that tours along it have been operating for more than 100 years. The area’s beauty has drawn explorers and filmmakers alike—classic movies like Tarzan’s Secret Treasure and Creature from the Black Lagoon were filmed right here.

A highlight for most of the people on our boat was the dozens of alligators, which were very cool. But there is so much more. We really enjoy birding, and this was a spectacular opportunity to do so!

We saw anhingas sunning themselves, purple gallinule swimming through cypress trees, great blue herons hunting, white ibis, osprey tending young, double-crested cormorants, black-crowned night-herons, and dozens and dozens of songbirds.

We saw so much so quickly that the hour-long boat ride felt like it went by in no time. As we neared the end, the guide took us over the spring, which was stunning. We were also in for one last treat, we saw a group of a dozen or so more manatees! This was one of the more enjoyable tours we’ve done in a park, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Wakulla Springs Lodge

The park’s historic Wakulla Springs Lodge, built in 1937, is a destination in itself, with art deco architecture, polished marble floors, and sweeping views of the spring. Guests can enjoy southern-style dining at the lodge restaurant, swim in the refreshingly calm waters, or wander the scenic nature trails that wind through the surrounding wetlands and forests.

Whether you’re swimming in the river, spotting wildlife along the river, or simply relaxing in the shade with a glass of sweet tea, Wakulla Springs offers a glimpse of Old Florida’s untouched beauty—serene, timeless, and unforgettable. We will definitely be back!