Weeki Wachee

We went a few years ago during the summer. It was very busy. We swam, floated and went down the water slides. The mermaid show was cut short because of a thunder storm, but we all had a blast.
Back in the area today, we live in Maine, we were excited to stop in a take a dip in the spring. After arriving at the park and paying for five adults and two children was learned that the beach is closed during this season. Not happy about that. The price is still $ 13.00 for an adult, the same as a summer price, and they have the beach closed! After going back to the counter, we did notice a small sign on the window. The staff did not want to return our money, but we insisted we had paid for the entire park. Not just a mermaid show. The sign should have been larger, as we were not checking out all the signs in the window. So our mistake for not noticing, but they need to discount the price of admission during the winter season if they intend to close have the park. Disappointed.

Amazing place. Went on a 5.5 paddle board excursion here with friends– took about 3.5 hours but was a great workout. Water is crystal clear, beautiful and warm. Fun rope swing in the beginning of the trails. Lots of huge manatees along the way. Overall amazing place, definitely recommend it.

I was shocked to find weeki run down.
The mermaid show was very short after a long wait in line, then they asked us to squeeze in as they let too many people in the theater. The microphone was not working for the guy so it was hard to hear hear him.
Bathrooms really in bad shape.
Everything needed to be refurbished. The ponds by the entrance were really over grown and scummy.
So very sad to find weeki deteriorated– what has happened?
This is not the same place as the ¹⁰⁄₇ reviewer posted

I was married in the mermaid theater. They created a show for us. Unfortunately the head table and half my family didn’t get to eat bc Draco Malfoy was guarding the food from the BRIDE. I wanted to turn him into a ferret! Besides that, The water is year round gorgeous and clear as glass. I’ve yet to meet an employee that is rude or didn’t want to work there. I love this place from the mermaids to the peacocks!

Lots of changes going on at WW. Some good, some disappointing.
For $ 13 it was a great value just to walk around. Closed the animal show. Which was probably a good thing…
MUST KNOW: There are several mermaid shows! One is short and very disappointing. The Little Mermaid show was longer and better. Ask which shows are playing and plan your day around it.
The ‘State o Florida’ owns it now and is gradually taking the kitch out of the place.
If you find the machines working, make a «molded mermaid». Devine 50’s Florida.
But, all in all, the Spring is wonderful and the boat cruise puts it all in perspective.
If you are tired of being fleeced by the Mouse: You can make a nice family day out of Weekie. Swim, picnic, and get a glimpse of old Florida. Stop at the Zig Zag Scallop and ask for Gayle for a great hidden dockside seafood dinner. 10 minutes away.

I have wanted to come here since I was little! I used to see the pamphlets and always think about what it would be like to see the mermaids. Well today I had the chance to go with my daughter. We arrived just after opening and it was a ghost town! We were literally the first people there. Cost was $ 13 for me and $ 8 for my daughter, who is 8. We first hit the wildlife show and it was short but cute, next the mermaids. We saw the little mermaid show and it was fantastic! Certainly exceeded my expectations and made the entire visit worthwhile. Even if you only come to see that I highly recommended a visit. Before we left we went on the boat tour. Cute, informative and the guide was hilariously entertaining. Overall I’m so glad I finally got to visit and share it with my daughter. It’s a classic roadside attraction that I highly recommend!

This place is awesome. Decided to take a kayak trip on a Saturday and was not disappointed. It goes about 5 ½ miles with tons of turns. It starts off in the springs which last about a mile. Probably the clearest water I have ever seen.
There are plenty of trees and rope swings along the way if you want to stop and get adventurous for a bit. It is known to have manatee along the route but we didnt run in to any the day we went. Probably a little chilly that day.
Price was ok. It was about 40 bucks for a double. No alcohol allowed. They check your bags before taking the kayak. Based on some of the trees people are jumping off I can understand though.
Havent had the chance to check out the mermaid show although I have heard some good things about it. Just did the kayak ride on the first visit. Well worth the drive and look forwaed to coning back!

Fresh, clean water, a water park and mermaid shows. What else do you need?
I love the Old Florida feel that this place exudes. I can totally see this place being the number one attraction in the 60s and 70s, before Disney came (hallelujah!) and pulled all of the tourists out of here.
Admission fee is okay, $ 13 for adults. It includes the water park, boat tour and shows.
On our most recent visit the mermaid show was closed. We have seen it before, and it’s pretty entertaining, though kitschy.
The main attraction here is the water park. Although there are only three slides, what really makes this place awesome is the fresh, clean water. Sick of swimming in the bathtub warm Gulf that leaves you sticky with salt? Tired of swimming in gross, murky lakes? Well come here! But really, its a breath of fresh air jumping into the 72 degree water on a hot day. The slides are okay – there is a twisty slide (fun), a slide with a hump in the middle (fun until I got water up my nose) and an almost straight down one (no thanks). I noticed you go slower in the slide with the hump is you sit up, so you don’t get water up your nose like you do when you lay down.
If you decide to rent tubes for the lazy river, just get a single tube. Four people can hang on, and you get more maneuverability (the lazy river isn’t like a normal waterpark one, it’s this little current). Also be warned it’s not a loop and you’ll have to get out and walk back to the ‘beach’.
The other attraction here is the free boat ride. While the water was very pretty, the guide was informative and seemed more interested in talking to other passengers.
The food is reasonably priced, but quality low. Buy some fried chicken, chips, and sweet tea from Publix, throw it in a cooler and BAM! you have an cheap meal for less than $ 15. You can take coolers in, and there are lots of grassy areas and picnic tables for a picnic.
Overall, this is a interesting place to spend a sweltering Florida day. While it’s not Typhoon Lagoon, it’s a helluva lot of fun.

$ 13 well spent!
We went to the springs specifically for the mermaid show, after having spent the previous day kayaking the river. We paid to get into the park and headed straight to the auditorium. We arrived about 20mins early and the place was already packed! Most of our group found seats while some ended up standing.
The mermaid show was really cool. Honestly I felt like this could have been a Vegas or cirque show and I was very entertained. The kids really loved it.
After the show we decided we might as well enjoy the springs. With on site bar, water slides, lazy river, beach, etc. this is a very cool park. We spent a few hours inside then headed on our way. I will definitely be back!

Review of the Kayaking/​River not the park.
The first thing you need to know is that I’m not an active person, at all. However, I do consider myself adventurous, so I decided to give this kayaking thing a try.
We pulled up to the location and got everything paid for, I want to say it was a little bit under $ 40 for a single person kayak rental, they loaded us on the van and took us to the river. Once there, they checked our bags, went over the rules (major focus on no glass or alcohol, so leave those things at home) and we were off. The trail is about 5 miles longs, but I have to say it is worth it.
The scenery is beautiful! I was lucky enough to go on a day when the weather was on my side and it was sunny and beautiful. The water is clear, cold and refreshing, which I loved. Along the way, you get to see fish swimming, snakes in their nests and if you’re lucky even manatees (I didn’t get to see any though *sad face*).
What I liked most about the experience is the fact that is really easy for beginners and there’s resting stops all throughout the river. So whenever you get tired, you can pull to the side, go for a nice swim, enjoy the day, eat a snack and continue! This is why I highly suggest that you come in the morning because the only thing they tell you about returning the kayak is that you get back before they close.
It was an amazing experience and something I can check off my bucket list. Totally worth the drive. Go check it out!

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE SIRENS OF THE DEEP MERMAID CAMP.
I grew up in south Florida in the late 60s/​early 70s. Before the Home of the Rat (aka Disney World) showed up and when Weeki Wachi was THE place to be. My grandparents wintered over in Spring Hill so when we visited them, we always saw the Mermaid Show. I was hooked from day one and practiced being a mermaid until I got to go to camp two years ago. And a few days ago, was my second visit.
The first time I dove into the spring with my tail, I was home. It’s magical, and wonderful and so much fun. It spoke to that little 14 YO girl in me.
The camp is run by former mermaids so the knowledge is there. I was taught all kinds of underwater moves and never once felt unsafe. We were photographed on dry land and in the water so that was great fun to just be silly if we wanted. Their photographer, Andrew, was kind and wonderful and always willing to try something new.
Because the theatre is currently being renovated and there are no shows, I lucked out with more time in the water. I never once got cold but I love cold, deep water so this spring is perfect for me.
All the former mermaids are fun, lovely women. We all had such a blast. The lunches were great but I ate very little due to all the time in the water. It’s tough swimming in a tail much less if you’re bloated from a big lunch.
I highly recommend the camp for anyone who dreams of swimming as a mermaid or if you just want the opportunity to swim at Weeki.
I look forward to another camp and fingers crossed, they’ll come up with an advanced camp too.

While visiting friends in Brooksville, Wickee Wachee was recommended to me. I have never been swimming in a fresh spring, so this was a 1^st! This is a state park decorated with old fashioned statues of mermaids. A theme of «Old Florida». Parking is free and admission is $ 13.00 for anyone 6 years of age and up. My 4 year old was free.
We saw the Mermaid Show 1^st at the underwater theatre. My advice to anyone is arrive 45 minutes before the show to ensure you get a good seat. I got stuck behind someone wearing a large sun hat. The show was decent. The cast is very talented performing an underwater performance of «The Little Mermaid». The script was a bit corny. You get what you pay for. We went to the Animal Show next which was cool. 2 park rangers brought out a few florida native reptiles and allowed the children to pet them. Cute alligator.
We boarded the River Cruise next which takes you out into the springs where people are kayaking. Very tranquil. Very beautiful. The downside here is that it runs every 30 minutes and only 34 people can ride in the boat. Time yourself wisely. Do the cruise 1^st. I would be careful kayaking also.
Buckaneer Bay is a man made beach where you can ride the water slide or cannon ball down one. Floats are $ 5. Bring your own! The spring is freezing but refreshing. Wickee Wachee was a nice place to relax for the day. Lots of animals and beautiful nature.
The dining rooms are nice. Affordable basic grill food options. $ 3 – 8 gets you grub.
A few improvements would be: Renovations! More donations to add more attractions to the park, manicure the place and get a paint job.

I am a Florida Native and i’ve been this park before but yesterday was the first time I went to the mermaid show. I was highly disappointed. There were four mermaids who performed with with mermaid tails on for a few minutes. Then they came out and did a salute to America with tights and leotards on. My grandson was highly disappointed. It was like ripping Santa’s suit off and seeing just an old man underneath. The magic was ruined for him.
The spring is fine. There’s a lot of people using it. You can tell the park is highly used but it’s pretty well-​kept. They have a little kiddie pool that my grandson enjoyed and it was a place for him to warm up after swimming in the cold Springs.
We brought our own picnic lunch and ate. The other visitors at the park were nice and well behaved so we had a pretty nice day.
Just don’t go if the only thing you want to see is the 15 minute long mermaid show.

FYI — This review is on the river, not on the actual park.
We rented our kayaks from The Kayak Shack (read my review) and we had a great time on the river so this is a 5 for me. The water was cold but so nice to be in on a hot day. The water is also really clear. Great river for kayaking and swimming in.
Tips and other notes:
PLEASE DON’T LITTER while you are there. Protect our Earth!
We rented from the Kayak Shack and the total kayak trip was a total of 5.5 miles. It will take anywhere from 3 – 5 hours depending on what you decide to do along the way. You can stop and swim, stop for a break, etc. Just follow the signs that say Rogers Park. The signs will also let you know how many more miles you have to go. There are also some cool ropes and spots where you can jump and swing into the water.
Leave your keys at the shack on their hanging clips. You do not want to lose your keys on the river.
The current can seem strong so if you are not a strong swimmer, stay in your kayak or wear a life vest.
Bring everything with you that you need — snorkel gear, sunblock, snacks, water, water camera, etc.
If you see any wildlife during your time, please just LET THEM BE. Do not disturb them, throw things at them, yell or scream at them, feed them, touch them, etc. Just leave them alone. Please.
Beware of banana spiders in the branches towards the edges of the river.
My 2 cents… I wish they didn’t allow boats on the river. For the safety of the swimmers, kayakers and wildlife they should be banned completely.

Great great GREAT day trip for locals and visitors alike. There is SO MUCH to do here, from basic swimming and laying out on their freshwater beach to a lazy river and water slides. They have entertainment in the form of mermaid shows, and a glass bottom cruise or kayaking (for extra cost). I personally love it as a summer break from the salt and heat, since the springs that feed the park are cooler than the gulf in the summer months. It’s a great choice for both adults and families, though you might have some trouble entertaining the teenies here. Make it a day, with the places to eat here, and you’ve got the recipe for relaxation in natural Florida – it’s like a day at the beach, only cooler!

This is the perfect place for family fun it allows for the whole family to enjoy a nice sunny day, the natural springs is really fun and the local mermaids put on a show

Before castles and cartoons defined «Florida» in the minds of so many visitors, the state’s natural wonders were its only tourist attractions. Weeki Wachee, whose mermaids began their shows 1947, dates to that time.
Those who expect state of the art animatronics, song and dance with tight choreography set to a soaring score, or a tie-​ins to one of the recent blockbusters that passed through the local mall cineplex should skip this stop. As judged by overheard audience commentary afterward, the mermaid show is particularly hard on cynical teens and tweens who are fresh from six story freefalls and Disney production values.
The mermaid show presents instead the Florida of the 40s-​70s, when US highways were the ways in and entertainment was both simpler and more sincere. There’s nothing fake about a human mermaid swimming in cold 74 degree water for 45 minutes with a giant fin in place of legs. Except, of course, for the breathing, as the show’s promoters decided early on that an air hose was more economical than gill transplants.
The underwater theater, the mermaids, the music and dialog, and the air hoses are all man made, but the spring waters and the rocky backdrop predate Ponce de Leon. Occasionally, a fish, turtle, or even more rarely a manatee swims «onstage» and deftly demonstrates how to swim underwater, and without a breathing hose. And once, an alligator showed up, which is the Wikki Wachee equivalent of screaming «Fire!» in the theater. He stayed for three days before being lured away.
At the back of the park is a dock on the crystal clear Weeki Wachee River, where a pontoon boat makes regular excursions partway downstream to the Gulf. Manatees feed (but mostly lounge) in the clear waters. Expect a delay if the big guys are swimming or lolling mid-​stream, as the boat captain is reluctant to pass over them. On our late afternoon trip, we saw a bald eagle pair sunning themselves, perched right next to the river.
Many visitors, this writer included, stopped here years or decades ago (30 years, for me). The show is largely unchanged, though I seem to remember the breathing hoses in 1984 being hidden behind big clamshells (but still betrayed by the clump of bubbles that emerged with each pause). Many visitors are bringing second and third generations to see this quirky gem. Nearly everyone has a fond memory of their first visit.
The surrounding park and «Buccaneer Bay» water attraction are seemingly frozen in time, with enticing bare-​breasted mermaid sculptures and a big tail photo op stand that lets any visitor be the mermaid of the moment. Post show, visitors can pose next to real life mermaid who amazingly can sit out of water for an hour or more. There’s no staff photographer or fee.
Indeed, the entire experience – mermaid show, boat ride, photos all – come as part of the entry price, a welcome bargain possibly attributable to the parks’ rescue from naked capitalism a few years ago when it was acquired by the State of Florida as a public park.

Kitschy cute tourist attraction — perfect for a 2 hour visit. You won’t spend 5 – 10 minutes walking to each attraction as the park is compact.
Loved the 20 minute pontoon boat ride on the windy wilderness Weeki Wachee River! The water is crystal clear allowing you to see all the fish and the tour guide was very informative. Leaves every half hour — don’t miss this!
It is super cool to watch the mermaid show in the water — real fish swim by constantly and they use bubbles to set the scenes — very cool. I had no idea the Hans Christian Anderson Little Mermaid story depicts women so negatively — feminist moms with female children should probably catch the other mermaid show — lol.
Wouldn’t really call the animal show an animal show — it’s an upbeat teenage boy showing turtles, a snake, a tortoise, and a small alligator. Between corny jokes he does provide some useful information.
We were there in Oct so the slides and lazy river were closed but the ‘beach’ was open. I could see that area being extremely busy and not my thang as they were playing crappy country music loudly.

Weeki Wachee is an oasis of kitschy fun, especially if you take your tourist attractions with a side of history. This «City of Mermaids» was opened in 1947 by a former Navy frogman who trained young women to breathe underwater with the aid of air hoses; using this rather odd technology, the mermaids of Weeki Wachee still perform their choreographed swimming shows in the natural spring, which visitors view from an amphitheater 16 feet below water.
I went once before, in the late 1980s, and between then and now the park went through some difficult times: it nearly closed but finally was saved by becoming a state park. Given what I’d heard about the problems the mermaids had had, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the park actually looks better than I expected. Things were in reasonably good repair; the ampitheater was nice, its curtain in good shape; bathrooms were clean; the Mermaid Galley restaurant was decent (though they missed a chance to call it the Mermaid Tavern, but that’s just the literary nerd in me talking).
It is a small attraction, and an old venue, so you do need to adjust your expectations accordingly. This is not Disney, or Busch Gardens. That said, it’s unique! And it’s entrancing to watch that curtain of bubbles shimmer away to reveal the mermaids twirling and floating in the spring.
On the week-​end you can see the «Fish Tales» show, which features some of the elements the mermaids are famous for, including eating and drinking under water (yes, you read that right) and making the deep dive into the cavern of the spring. Considering the fact that this features the mermaids’ classic talents, it seems kind of weird that they only show this once a week. The rest of the time you can see a performance of «The Little Mermaid.»
In addition to the mermaid show, there are wild animal shows, a riverboat cruise (but it only seats thirty people and comes along every half an hour, so depending on when you get there you might wait a while…), and Bucaneer Bay, the waterpark fed by the spring water (again, don’t expect anything huge: this is pretty modest). But without question the water show is the big draw. It’s an affordable package for a lot of enjoyment.
All the service we encountered (at the restaurant, shop, visitor center) was friendly and polite.
Overall, take the plunge and don’t miss the chance to take in this classic tourist stop and get a taste of old Florida.

eigentlich wollten wir ja spontan kanu fahren. jedoch war am labor-​day kein platz mehr zu kriegen… drum sind wir nach neben an in den park. erst die kleine tierschau, dann eine bootsfahrt auf dem unglaublich kristall-​klaren wasser und dann das unterwassertheater mit der kleinen meerjungfrau. das war echt schön gemacht. auf das baden und rutschen verzichteten wir, es war einfach zu viel los! dennoch: für wenig geld gute unterhaltung!

You get what you pay for, it’s nothing close to adventure island so limit your expectations. The parking can be a headache during the weekend, may wanna stop in on a weekday.
The water is cold as can be, but super refreshing, so if you decide to come, make sure to visit on a very hot summer day, it’s the only way one can truly appreciate it.
There are four slides, well… One was out of service. Lines were ridiculously slow, so not worth it. Slides weren’t all that.
If you wanna try the lazy river, tubes are $ 8 for a single and $ 12 for a double, that’s if you are lucky enough to find one available. you could be in for a very long wait.
Lockers are $ 5 for a small and $ 10 for a large. Again, good luck finding one available. Can’t say much about the mermaid shows or the boat ride, lines started forming about an hour in advance and it’s based on availability, ain’t nobody got time for that :)
Final thoughts: for the price, it’s somewhat worth it, just limit your expectations and come on a weekday when it’s not busy. Still, not my cup of tea.