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I'm planning to take some kids on a nature ride on a new river. (We've worn out the upper St. Marks, eventhough it's a natural wonder.) I have a small boat and can get in and out of most places.

Never ventured over to any of these, but was wondering any advice on top pick just for nice boat ride (no fishing) with wildlife/scenery from the following:
1) Wacissa
2) Ecofina
3) Aucilla

Thanks in advance.

The Wacissa is incredibly beautiful. If you have a small, easy to launch boat, you're good to go. It is also Gin clear, you can see every pebble on the bottom, makes for nice sight seeing. If you do go, I have 2 pieces of advice;
1) About a quarter to a half mile down river there is a massive feeder spring called Blue Hole. The entrance is on the left and not too hard to find. It is VERY beautiful and worth the effort. It does get VERY shallow going in,maybe a foot deep or so in places.
2) Further down river there are some pretty serious shoals, beware.

DriftingSun wrote:The Wacissa is incredibly beautiful. 2) Further down river there are some pretty serious shoals, beware.

Thanks Drifting Sun, The kids should love it on a WARMER day! I appreciate the cautions. The first shallow water I think I can navigate in my small boat. When you say shoals, I take it you mean like little white water rapids. I'm in a 13' boston whaler. Do you think I can cross it and keep going, or would you advise turning back?

Is the upper part of the the river you're talking about affected much by tides? (In other words is the 1' area going to ground me on the return trip?)
I was trying to figure out where the wacissa goes... does it empty into the aucilla?
Can a person take their boat from the launch at the end of Hwy 59 and go all the way to the Gulf?

I've got a wife and three girls that haven't caught my fishing fever, but I want to keep them to develop a love and respect for the outdoors as much as possible. So I think if I can find a warm day, this will be a fun adventure for all. Thanks again.

lordsfisher wrote:I've got a wife and three girls that haven't caught my fishing fever, but I want to keep them to develop a love and respect for the outdoors as much as possible. So I think if I can find a warm day, this will be a fun adventure for all. Thanks again.

Take them scalloping this summer. It'll look like a parking lot out there but they'll have a big time.

It is possible to go from the head of the Wacissa to the gulf. But I wouldn't advise it.

I'm not sure what DriftingSun was referring to by shoals on the Wacissa. There are some shallow areas. Your primary concern in these areas is rocks. But, that would be the concern on the Aucilla, also.

The mid and lower sections of the Oklocnee (sp?) are beautiful. The water is dark, but the river itself is fascinating.

You can't go very far above the landing at Econfina. It gets too small.

My suggestion would be the Wacissa, and go slow.

Thanks TinCan, I'll check out both of those. The scalloping is already on the agenda, but summer is a long way away. I took the oldest of my three several years ago and had a big time... then I didn't have the means to go for a few years. We went scalloping at Deakle beach, East of the st. marks lighthouse, and st. joe bay. Do the scallops usually go to the same spots and do you have a favorite spot?

Last couple of years, St marks has been the place.

I am not sure where you live but if you are around Tallahassee you should take the hour ride up to Bainbridge and ride north on the Flint River. I am not just saying that because it is my home river, but it is very beautiful to just cruise up.

The Wacissa would be a beautiful ride. The river goes underground, then comes back up at Nutall Rise about a 1/2 mile away.

You could also put in on Lake Talquin and go up The "O". Watch out for gators.

Thanks folks.... those are good suggestions. It'll be awhile before we go, but i'll let you know what their impressions are. I rarely have a bad day on the water anywhere.

That area I mentioned as "shoals" was an area I encountered several miles downstream. It was a shallow, rocky area that spanned much of the river. Not sure if that really qualifies as "shoals" or not. It is a slow moving river so you won't find any real "whitewater". As TC mentioned, there are lots of areas with rocks to watch out for. I don't think the upper reaches are affected at all by tides. The spring I mentioned flows pretty regular and I have never noticed any difference in water levels, if you can get in, you should have no problem getting out. It is a pretty spot, water welling up from 50, 60 feet deep, definitely worth getting in there for. The trip in from the river is maybe a few hundred feet and as I mentioned, does get pretty shallow. The crystal clear water is what makes it for me, the ability to see every fish and turtle, just goin about there business is lots of fun.

Thanks DriftingSun.... i'd go today except I don't have an icebreaker.

tin can wrote:It is possible to go from the head of the Wacissa to the gulf. But I wouldn't advise it.

I'm not sure what DriftingSun was referring to by shoals on the Wacissa. There are some shallow areas. Your primary concern in these areas is rocks. But, that would be the concern on the Aucilla, also.

The mid and lower sections of the Oklocnee (sp?) are beautiful. The water is dark, but the river itself is fascinating.

You can't go very far above the landing at Econfina. It gets too small.

My suggestion would be the Wacissa, and go slow.

You gonna go find him when he gets lost looking for the slave canal?

The wakulla river is pretty cool.. i just head up it from the fort for a good swim on those hot days after fishing.. Its worth checking out..

Can the Wacissa be negotiated in a 15ft aluminum boat with a small outboard?