Wonderful experience! Great view! The guide Sue is really patient and teach nicely which make me learn it well and enjoy it!
事業者からの返答
Thank you, Xiyin — we’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful views and had such a patient, enjoyable learning experience with Sue!
N
Navigate33628632364
November 6, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Top experience!
It was an extraordinary experience to be so close to alligators in kayaks!
Jimi is op! He comments throughout the visit. .
Memorable family experience!!
事業者からの返答
Thank you — we’re so glad your family had such a memorable experience with Jimi and enjoyed the thrill of seeing alligators up close from the kayaks!
K
kathrynf2023
April 14, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Magical paddle
We had a magical paddle this morning - very beautiful and serene. Many thanks to Sue for her skilled, engaging guiding and to Astrid for accommodating our schedule. We will book again, I know!
事業者からの返答
Thank you, Kathryn! I'm so glad you had a magical and serene paddle with Sue, and it was truly my pleasure to help accommodate your schedule—we can't wait to welcome you back!
W
williame78
February 19, 2024 · via Tripadvisor
Blackwater Creek Kayak Adventure
This kayak adventure was a Christmas gift, and I must say we enjoyed it immensely. My wife had never kayaked before, while I had once kayaked several miles of the Marne River in France.
Blackwater Creek gets its name from the color of the water, which looks very much like freshly brewed tea. The creek source is Lake Norris, which is spring fed. However, the abundance of Cypress trees and plant life that comprises the swamp which, where navigable is called Blackwater Creek, gives the creek its name due to the tanin content of the water.
We put the kayaks in the water near the entrance to a county park near Eustis, Florida, and began paddling against a very slight current as we headed upstream toward Lake Norris. It was fairly effortless but, novices that we are we had to learn to work together to steer as we worked our way toward the lake against perhaps a 1 mile per hour current. At 9:00 AM it was still cool so we didn't see any gators on the way to the lake. Once we exited the swamp (Blackwater Creek is really just a channel through a swamp that is perhaps 10 feet wide, with trees and plants all around) and made our way into Lake Norris, we were immediately drenched in sunshine, a balmy breeze and unlimited vistas of Cypress Trees lining the shores of the lake. We explored the shoreline near the creek mouth and after about a half hour headed back to the creek.
It's surprising what a difference paddling downstream is compared to paddling against the current. Because so little paddling is required except to steer, it is incredibly quiet. The temperature had warmed considerably as the sun climbed higher in the sky, and as a result we saw several alligators, a few turtles and far more bird activity than on our way upstream.
Our Tour Guide, Astrid, was a pro. Having abandoned advanced degrees as a software engineer, her motivation is to share the importance of habitat and wildlife preservation as she encourages her kayakers to enjoy the amazing natural beauty of Florida.
This is an excellent and very safe adventure, and Blackwater Creek is quite beautiful. I highly recommend it to people of all ages. We plan to kayak on the Wekiva River to see the manatees next.
事業者からの返答
Thank you Bill, we're delighted to hear that you and your wife enjoyed the kayak adventure on Blackwater Creek immensely, appreciating the beautiful surroundings and our guide's expertise, and we're looking forward to welcoming you for another adventure on the Wekiva River to see the manatees—thank you for your recommendation!
A
A8767OUelisabethg
July 20, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Peaceful Kajak-Trip
The Lake Norris Kajak-Adventure was a great experiment. This is such a peacefull area. Astrid, our guide, was showing us the hole wildlife and environment. She is very knowlegeable. And she takes great pictures. We could only enjoy our trip. She is calm
and helpful. Thank you, Astrid.
Lunch was very healthy and exactly what we needed.
I will do this trip again with Venture Outdoors.
Ellie
事業者からの返答
Thanks for the 5 stars Ellie, your review is a great way to let us know we’re on track for making our customers smile! We appreciate you taking the time to give your feedback and look forward to paddle with you again in the future.
J
John H
June 13, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Kayaking adventure in Orlando, Florida
We were visiting a friend who recently moved to Florida, and we wanted to enjoy a local kayaking trip. We were originally scheduled to kayak at Lake Noris, but Astrid Jackson (our guide) recommended adjusting our plans due to low water levels at the lake.
Instead, we ended up kayaking the Wekiva River. We put in at Katies landing outside of Orlando, Florida. What an amazing adventure we had, including multiple encounters with the local wildlife. This included a multitude of incredible birds, and, of course, multiple encounters with Florida’s famous alligators.
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife. We never felt uncomfortable or unsafe at any time. She met and exceeded all of our expectations and not once ever made us feel rushed, or as if she was in a hurry to get to the end of the trip.
The entire trip she took endless amounts of photographs and films, so that we could enjoy being in the moment and not have to spend all our time trying to find our cell phones to take pictures.
My wife thought this was one of the best kayaking trips she has ever experienced.
We would highly recommend Venture Outdoors with Astrid Jackson.
事業者からの返答
Wow John, thank you for such a fantastic review and recommending us. We are thrilled that you've enjoyed your tour. We pride ourselves on offering exceptional, one-of-a-kind experiences led by experienced guides. Thank you again, for choosing Venture Outdoors and we hope to paddle with you again in the future!
7
797fenixd
June 11, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
THE BEST ACTIVITY FOR A FAMILY!
This was an amazing activity, my family and I loved it. Kids friendly. Astrid was an amazing guide girl, very communicative, patient, knowledgeable, quiet and responsible. I will recommend this activity to families if your kids can stay quiet and sit down for a few. I love the smile in Astrid’s face and how she loves to do everything memorable. I will go again if I ever go to Orlando again. Thank you Astrid!
事業者からの返答
Taking the time to leave such a great review about our Lake Norris Explorer Kayak tour, has really made our day Fenix! We always aim to delight our customers with our customer service and our attention to detail. It’s great to hear we delivered on our promise to WOW you with our ability to create memorable experiences. We’re looking forward to making your day once more when you next visit Orlando.
L
lindadZ9810MO
April 26, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Peaceful flora and fauna!
What a fun and interesting day! We paddled with Astrid and learned so much about the flora and fauna in Black Creek and Lake Norris. It was great to get out and see nature, so quiet and peaceful.
事業者からの返答
Hi Linda, Your kind words about our Lake Norris Kayak Adventure tour are really appreciated. We love making our customer’s days and we can’t wait to have the opportunity to make you smile again! Thanks for choosing us!
M
markdS7476JB
April 26, 2023 · via Tripadvisor
Forget the amusement parks, do this instead!
If you want to do something fun while in the Orlando area do this tour, it beats standing in line at the amusement parks by a long shot. Astrid is a wonderful guide. She instilled a sense of confidence from the start, was knowledgeable about he plant and animal species, was full of fun facts, and guided us on an amazing adventure!
事業者からの返答
Hearing how much you love our Lake Norris Kayak Adventure tour has brightened up our day at Venture Outdoors! Thanks for the great review you left us, Mark, and for choosing to paddle with us! We can't wait to paddle with you again!
S
Sarah_K
March 26, 2023 · via Viator
Nature lovers dream
We drove 3 hours to make the 9AM start time and it was more than worth it. Stunning natural beauty and Astrid was an exceptional guide. We will definitely be returning to do a different location with Astrid.
事業者からの返答
Thank you, Sarah, for taking the time to share your feedback. We are so grateful to hear that you had such a wonderful time on your tour. We look forward to exploring different locations with you!