Tube Trip Time!

Unlike many other tube trips we have fewer restrictions, but there still are a few things to remember. Below we will go over these things and the few restrictions that we have do have.

1. Although the Santa Fe river is shallow and clear, remember that it is still a brown river and nature is everywhere. You will see a variety of animals on this trip but let’s talk about the one that everyone fears… Gators. There is a reason that University of Florida chose the Gator as their mascot. Gators can be scary! On our beautiful Santa Fe they do exist, as with almost all waterways in Florida. the beautiful thing about the Santa Fe is that it connects to a much larger, deeper, and darker river… the Suwannee. When an alligator gets to a certain size they have a difficult time hunting prey in the Santa Fe due to its clarity and shallowness. So, the make their way to where they can eat swimming downriver to discover the big Suwannee River. This makes it so that it is rare to find alligators on the Santa Fe that measure over 6’. A six foot alligator is half tail so only 3 feet is left for the head and body of this scaly river dweller. In essence, Gators can be found on the Santa Fe, both ones from the college and the ones that were born on this river. One of them can be unpredictable and a bit crazy, the other one pretty much stays away from crowds and due to its small size can be considered relatively docile by comparison to its future much larger self. We will let you figure out which Gator is more dangerous.

2. The Santa Fe River does not have the same restrictions as a river found inside a State Park. What you take down the river is your business and not ours. We do ask that you do not litter and keep our beautiful river clean by bringing back your trash with you. Also keep in mind that the Tube Trip ends inside Alachua County’s Park “Poe Springs”. This park is labeled as alcohol free and is a family friendly environment. If the park rules are broken you will be asked to vacate. It is also under contract with us, so we have to also consider whom we allow to use our services if they break park rules. But we know that all of you will prove that people can have a great time and still maintain a modicum of decency as well.

3. Once the tube is in your possession it is your responsibility. Since this is a group event, we would have to charge the group as a whole for loss or damages. Maintain your tube until you arrive to Poe and hand it back in. This enables us to get an accurate head count making sure that everyone arrived safe and allows us the ability to make sure all of our rental equipment is not damaged or lost.

For 2.5 miles you will have a serene float on this beautiful slow moving river, through untouched landscape allowing you the view of wildlife and forestry that only a state conservation area can provide. You will begin that float at the 27 Ramp which has a way of making you feel as if you are staying in one place for a bit. After you get a few dozen yards away from the ramp you will begin to realize that you are actually moving, and you will float under the 27 Bridge. The rest of the journey is slow, and then not as slow for a brief moment, and then back to slow, and then “wow look at me go” for a split second, and then back to slow… you get the idea. It is a lazy kind of ride is what we are trying to say. Once you arrive at Poe, you will make your way into the spring, walk up the stairs and place your tube in our waiting tube cages. After that the day is yours, unless you require shuttle services from AOA. If you do require those shuttle services you will be notified by our crew when the shuttle is ready for transport and you will take a hike up the boardwalk to our waiting shuttles.