Ultimate Guide to Weeki Wachee Springs, Florida (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)

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Weeki Wachee Springs Park is an iconic destination in Florida where the ‘mermaids’ swim deep into the waters and the bottom has never been discovered! It is a 1st magnitude Florida spring with 117 million gallons of water gushing out from the underground caverns. As underwater cave exploration is not permitted here, visitors flock to the springs from all over the world to enjoy the surroundings and the unique canoe paddle experience to the Gulf of Mexico. 

If you plan for a day trip to Weeki Wachee Springs, do come here early and even before the park opens. The park reaches the capacity early in the day, and they have a policy of not selling additional tickets after reaching the capacity. If you come here with kids, they will love the sandy beach area, which is perfect for building sandcastles.  

History of Weeki Wachee Springs

The Seminole Indians gave the name Weeki Wachee, which means ‘winding river’ or ‘little spring.’ The spring is very deep, and its bottom has never been found. More than 117 million gallons of freshwater gushes out of the underground caverns every day. It is said that the speed of the current is so strong that it can knock off the mask of a scuba diver. 

The spring basin is 100 ft wide with limestone sides, and at around 20 ft below the surface, the current force is estimated to be 5 miles an hour. The spring-fed Weeki Wachee river travels for 12 miles before making its way to the Gulf of Mexico. 

In 1946 Newton Perry, a former US Navy personnel, singled out Weeki Wachee as a site for a new business. US 19 was a small road at that time, and there were no gas stations or grocery stores, and there were more bears and alligators than humans. 

The spring was full of junk like abandoned refrigerators. He duly cleared the junk and started an experiment of underwater breathing from an air-hose that supplied oxygen from an air compressor instead of an O2 tank. With this air hose system, one could think that he is thriving 20 ft under the water with no ‘apparent’ breathing mechanism in place. A theater was built into the limestone with a capacity for 18 seats almost 6 ft below the water’s surface so that viewers could enjoy the pristine beauty of the spring. 

Newton then started on his next task. He recruited many young and pretty girls and trained them to swim with air hoses, smile underwater, and even do aquatic ballet. He then decided to put up a sign on US 19 that read – Weeki Wachee. 

On 13th October 1947, the first show at Weeki Wachee springs underwater theater was held. The ‘mermaids’ performed synchronized ballet moves underwater while breathing through the air hoses. By the 1950s, Weeki Wachee had become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state. The attraction received worldwide attraction, and even movies were being filmed here! 

The glory days of Weeki Wachee began in 1959 when the American Broadcasting Company purchased the spring, and it was heavily promoted during that time. ABC has built the present-day theater with a seating capacity of 400 and is embedded 16 ft below the surface.

ABC has also developed themes for the mermaids such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland. There were sold-out crowds for the mermaid shows, and as many as ½ million people came to see the Weeki Wachee mermaids. 

In 1982 Buccaneer Bay opened with waterslides and a white sandy beach. In 1997 the former Mermaid shows were started, and the shows played to standing-room-only crowds. 

Geological Cave Formations

Wichee Wachee has a unique and incredible cave system as it has microbial fossils as discovered by the Karst Underwater Research team. The fossils are important as it reveals how many times the saltwater has inundated the aquifer during the small ice ages. 

Wildlife in Weeki Wachee Springs

The riverboat tours at Weeki Wachee Springs allow you to view various wildlife that comprises bald eagles, cooter turtles, wild turkey, blue heron, and fishes in various sizes and colors. You may even spot the endangered West Indian manatees, if you are lucky. 

Is Weeki Wachee Springs Haunted?

Weeki Wachee is a natural tourist attraction in Florida frequented by many visitors every year. It is not at all haunted. 

How Big is Weeki Wachee Springs?

Weeki Wachee Springs Park is spread over 538 acres. 

Weeki Wachee Springs Tours

We all know that Weeki Wachee is famous for its beautiful river and mermaids. However there is an extensive underwater cave system, and the underwater research team is continuously exploring it to give us more details about this fascinating underground cave system. It is a breathtakingly beautiful cave system, and it is a pity that only a few people have witnessed it.

The deepest part of the cave stretches for more than 400 ft underground. It is estimated that the entire cave system is around 30,000 ft long. 

Weeki Wachee is an incredible cave system as it has microbial fossils that reveal the number of times saltwater has inundated the aquifer during the smaller ice ages. In 2007, the underwater research team discovered new passages in the Weeki Wachee spring cave system and connected it with the Twin Dees underwater caverns.

It made Weeki Wachee the deepest freshwater cave system in the US. The caves spread right under US 19, which is adjacent to the park. However, access to the caverns is not available for the public as it is perilous.  

Tour Prices and Discounts

• Adults – USD 13 pp
• Children (6 to 12 years) – USD 8
• Children (ages 5 and under) – Free 

Is Weeki Wachee Springs Cold?

The spring water temperature remains at a constant 74 degrees F throughout the year. 

What to Wear?

Shirts and proper shoes are advisable, including the underwater theater. Costumes and mermaid tails are not permitted to be worn inside the park. 

Weeki Wachee Springs Hours

The springs are open from 9 am to 5:30 pm. 

What to Do at Weeki Wachee Springs (Beside Tours)

There are many activities on offer at Weeki Wachee Springs that will keep you busy for most of the day. 

Boat Tours

The riverboat tour lets you take a ride down the beautiful waterway of the Weeki Wachee River. The boat captains are highly experienced and ensure that the guests have an enjoyable time on the boat tour. It is also an excellent opportunity for visitors to see different types of natural wildlife. 

Paddling

Paddling is another popular activity on the Weeki Wachee River. 

Picnicking

The picnic tables are located at Buccaneer Bay. One can enjoy a picnic with his friends and families over here. 

Swimming and Snorkeling

Snorkelers enjoy the spring waters at Buccaneer Bay, and you can also swim here since swimming is not permitted in the main spring. 

Best Time to Visit Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs experiences a humid subtropical climate. The summers are hot with intermittent rains, and the winters are sunny and dry. Among these two seasons, summer is an off-season. Hence, the best time to visit Weeki Wachee Springs would be from October to March. 

How to Get to Weeki Wachee Springs

The fantastic world of Weeki Wachee Springs is in Spring Hill, Florida, right at the intersection of S.R.50 and Highway 19. The park is 45 min North of Tampa and a couple of hours drive from Orlando. 

Hotels near Weeki Wachee Springs

There are many hotels along US 19 and Florida 50, such as Quality Inn Weeki Wachee and Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Weeki. 

Weeki Wachee Springs Fun Facts

• Weeki Wachee Springs are the starting point of the Weeki Wachee river. 
• It is a 1st magnitude Florida spring with more than 117 million gallons of crystal-clear waters coming out from the underwater cavern. 
• The springs are 100 ft wide and has limestone sides. 

• Cave diving is not allowed here as it is very dangerous and only allowed for permitted and highlyexperienced divers. 
• It is one of the deepest naturally formed underwater caverns in the US. 

Weeki Wachee Springs Details 

• Length: The state park is spread across 538 acres. The deepest part of the underwater cavern stretches for more than 400 ft. 
• Time Recommended: 3 to 4 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Kid-friendly: Yes
• Dog-friendly: Only service dogs are allowed.
• Fees: USD 13 for adults
• Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm 

Visiting Weeki Wachee Springs

Do you need more information before visiting? Call (352) 597-8484 for an information packet. 

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