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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
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Spoonbills feeding in Florida waters
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WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK
6131 Commercial Way
Spring Hill, Florida   34606

Phone: 352-592-5656
The mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs have delighted visitors since 1947. Today, visitors can still witness the magic of the mermaids, take a river boat cruise and canoe or kayak on the Weeki Wachee River. The 538-acre park features a first magnitude spring and a 400-seat submerged theatre for watching the live mermaid show.

Buccaneer Bay offers a fun-filled flume ride for thrill seekers of all ages. Our white sandy beach area and covered picnic pavilions provide a relaxing day for your entire family. Weeki Wachee?s animal shows provide audiences with an entertaining and educational look at domesticated birds and reptiles. Located on U.S. 19 at the intersection of State Road 50, just north of Spring Hill and south of Homosassa Springs.
History of the Area
The Seminole Indians named the spring "Weeki Wachee," which means "little spring" or "winding river." The spring is so deep that the bottom has never been found. (Are you sure?) Each day, more than 117 million gallons of clear, fresh 72-degree water bubbles up out of subterranean caverns. Deep in the spring, the surge of the current is so strong that it can knock a scuba diver?s mask off. The basin of the spring is 100 feet wide with limestone sides and there, where the mermaids swim, 16 to 20 feet below the surface, the current runs a strong five miles per hour. It's quite a feat for a mermaid to stay in one place in such a current.In 1946, Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy man who trained SEALS to swim underwater in World War II, scouted out Weeki Wachee as a good site for a new business. At the time, U.S. Highway 19 was a small two-lane road. All the other roads were dirt; there were no gas stations, no groceries and no movie theaters. More alligators and black bears lived in the area than humans.The spring was full of old rusted refrigerators and abandoned cars. The junk was cleared out and Perry experimented with underwater breathing hoses and invented a method of breathing underwater from a free-flowing air hose supplying oxygen from an air compressor, rather than from a tank strapped onto the back. With the air hose, humans could give the appearance of thriving twenty feet underwater with no breathing apparatus.Perry scouted out pretty girls and trained them to swim with air hoses and smile at the same time. He taught them to drink Grapette, a non-carbonated beverage no longer made, eat bananas underwater and do aquatic ballets. He put a sign out on U.S. 19: WEEKI WACHEE.The first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened on October 13, 1947 -- the same day that Kukla, Fran and Ollie first aired on that newfangled invention called television, and one day before Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier. The mermaids performed synchronized ballet moves underwater while breathing through the air hoses hidden in the scenery.In those days, cars were few. When the girls heard a car coming, they ran to the road in their bathing suits to beckon drivers into the parking lot, just like sirens of ancient lore lured sailors to their sides. Then they jumped into the spring to perform.In the 1950s, Weeki Wachee was one of the nation?s most popular tourist stops. The attraction received worldwide acclaim. Movies were filmed at the spring, like "Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid." Sights at the park included the mermaid shows, orchid gardens, jungle cruises, and Indian encampment and a new beach. The mermaids took etiquette and ballet lessons.Weeki Wachee's heyday began in 1959, when the spring was purchased by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) and was heavily promoted. ABC built the current theater, which seats 500 and is embedded in the side of the spring, 16 feet below the surface. ABC also developed themes for the underwater shows, with elaborate props, lifts, music and story lines such as Underwater Circus, the Mermaids and the Pirates and Underwater Follies. The mermaids performed Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, Snow White and Peter Pan.In the 1960s, girls came from as far away as Tokyo to try out for the privilege of becoming a mermaid. The glamorous mermaids performed eight shows a day to sold out crowds -- as many as half a million people a year came to see the Weeki Wachee mermaids. Weeki Wachee Springs employed 35 mermaids, who took turns swimming in the shows and captivating the crowds by playing football and having picnics underwater. Some of the mermaids lived in the mermaid cottages behind the attraction. The mermaids wore one-piece suits and were treated like royalty wherever they went in Florida. All sorts of people stopped to see the mermaids, even Elvis. Don Knotts, Esther Williams and Arthur Godfry also visited to Weeki Wachee.

Passes
Annual Entrance Passes can be purchased at all park ranger stations and museums. If you require immediate use of your pass, this is the best option. Passes can be purchased during regular business hours 365 days a year. Please call the park in advance to ensure availability. Those who are eligible for discounted or free passes may use this method to receive their pass. Annual Entrance Passes may be purchased online by visiting the FLORIDA STATE PARKS ANNUALENTRANCE PASSES web page.
Swimming
1. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park offers a natural spring for swimming with clear, 74-degree water year-round.
2. The park's Buccaneer Bay is Florida's only spring-fed waterpark featuring waterslides and a sandy beach area.
3. Kayaking or paddleboarding down the serene Weeki Wachee River provides an alternative to traditional swimming activities.
4. Snorkeling equipment can be rented on-site allowing visitors to explore underwater wildlife in crystal-clear springs.
5. For safety reasons, lifeguards are always present at designated swim areas within the state park.


Beaches
Enjoy the white sandy beach and swim in the cool waters of Weeki Wachee Springs.
Boating
Boat Tours

The River Boat Cruise is offers a tranquil tour on the Weeki Wachee River. Discover Florida?s natural wildlife as our River Boat Captain points out various points of interest along the way. Included in the price of admission.
Fishing
Visitors can enjoy fishing in the crystal-clear waters, home to a variety of species. The park's river and springs are teeming with largemouth bass, catfish, and bream. Fishing from kayaks or boats is allowed but not directly off docks or swimming areas. Anglers must have a valid Florida freshwater fishing license if they're over 16 years old.


Location
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is located near Brooksville, Homosassa and Hudson

Picnicking
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park offers picnic areas with tables and grills, perfect for family outings or romantic lunches.
Trails
- Weeki Wachee Springs Trail: A 5.4-mile loop trail that offers scenic views and is good for all skill levels, primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips.

- Blackbird Loop: This easy-to-moderate difficulty level trail spans approximately 1 mile through a variety of habitats including hardwood forests and wetlands; it's ideal for bird watching.

- Pine Island Beach Walkway: An accessible paved path leading to the beach area from parking lots with beautiful coastal scenery along the way; length unknown but estimated under one mile round trip.

- Bayport-Linda Pedersen Paddling Trail North Entrance Hike Path: Approximately half-a-mile long hike offering stunning water vistas suitable even for beginners due to its flat terrain.

- The Florida Birding Trail - West Section at Weeki Wachee State Park : It provides excellent opportunities to spot various species of birds in their natural habitat across an unspecified distance within park boundaries.

- Buccaneer Bay Trails - These trails are located near Buccaneer Bay Waterpark inside the state park providing short walks around picnic areas or longer hikes into surrounding woodlands depending on visitor preference; exact lengths vary by route chosen.

- Springs Coast Environmental Education Center Nature Boardwalks & Paths - Short boardwalk paths provide access over marshy areas allowing visitors close-up experiences with local wildlife without disturbing sensitive ecosystems ; distances not specified as they form part of larger network throughout center grounds.

- Jenkins Creek Connector Greenways Bike Route- While technically designed more towards cyclists , this multi-use pathway also accommodates hikers looking explore wider region beyond immediate vicinity of springs themselves . Length approximated between two-three miles each direction.
Birding
The park offers birding opportunities with a variety of species, including herons and egrets. Birdwatchers can explore trails or take guided boat tours for optimal viewing experiences. The area's diverse habitats attract different types of birds throughout the year.


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Directions
From Orlando:
- Head west on I-4.
- Take exit 60 for FL429-Toll N towards Apopka.
- Merge onto FL429 Toll North and continue to follow signs for US98 W/FL50W/Cortez Blvd toward Brooksville
- Turn right onto Cortez Blvd (US98 West).
- The park is located at 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill.

From Tampa:
- Begin by heading northbound on the Veterans Expressway/Suncoast Parkway(589 Toll road).
- Pay attention as this route has tolls.
- Follow until you reach Exit 46 where it merges with County Hwy578/Merge Rd/St Rd -572 E/Wilson Boulevard.
- Make a left turn here going eastward then make another immediate right into Commercial way/U.S19N ramp merging unto U.S Highway19North /Commercial Way directly after paying the toll fee of $0.75 cents.
- Proceed straight ahead till you see Weeki Wachee Springs State Park signboard indicating that you have arrived at your destination which should be situated to your left side .

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