All Inclusive Cypress Springs Eco Adventure

Absolutely amazing! Worth every penny. Our tour guide Gabriel was awesome. He was friendly and informative. The Springs were beautiful. Love love loved it!

Great for active adults! We traveled with a teen and they loved it too. If you want to experience the springs when they are less crowded and easier to enjoy nature then plan on going earlier. It got busy quick later in the day. Our guide was awesome! Very kind, taught us about the area and made sure our party stuck together. I’m so glad we had this experience!

We met Dave in the Publix parking lot in Destin. First time I’ve willingly gotten into a random van with a man I just met, but figured why not, we’re on vacation. The drive to the launching area took about an hour but it was a pleasant drive. The van was comfortable, Dave pointed out interesting things along the way (highest point in Florida was a sight to see for sure). We kayaked to cypress spring (maybe a 20-30 min trip) and to say it’s beautiful is an understatement. This is something you need to see. The water was … refreshing … some might even say it was cold, but you quickly get used to it. My daughters and husband all jumped off the platform and used the rope swing, my youngest even climbed to the very tip top of the tree and flung herself into the 70° water. We played and swam at this spot for two hours before continuing down the creek in our kayaks. The trip out of the area took about two hours of paddling, but we stopped periodically to get out and jump off other trees and cool off in the water. Overall we were gone about 7 hours, including the drive home. Lunch was Publix subs, they also had chips and drinks. They provided everything else that you’d want or need out there (bug spray, spf, goggles, snorkels, water scooter thing, towels, chairs). I know this was a long review, but I wanted to cover all the things I wasn’t sure about when I booked it. All that to say, this was probably the highlight of our trip. Would absolutely book again with Cold Water Excursions.

We had a great time, the springs were beautiful! Taylor took great care of us!

Our guide met us on time at the meeting location. If it would be possible, to avoid confusion, I would suggest a posted sign stating “Coldwater Excursions Group meets here.” Dave, our guide, was phenomenal. Everyone agreed that it was a good idea that the sandwiches came from an actual grocery store as this assure their freshness and cleanliness. The drive out was easy in a well-maintained tour van with ample room and safety features. Arriving at our launch site, we were provided life jackets and directed to a stand of paddles to select from for our journey. As I was traveling with a child, we were provided a tandem kayak. My son is experienced in kayaking but if you are traveling with kids, I would suggest pairing up on a tandem as there is some upstream, against current paddling and navigating around fallen trees. There is a short journey to the spring, by kayak that immerses you into the gorgeous stream-side beauty of Florida woodlands. When we arrived at the spring, Dave directed us to the center of the spring where we refreshed ourselves; drinking directly from the spring. Ample time was provided to explore, swim and play on rope swings and trees. Dave provided goggles, snorkels and underwater scooters to enhance the experience. The water is shockingly cold but, as many other reviews explain, you do grow accustom to it and the temperature provides a welcome contrast to the heat. Lunch was enjoyed sitting around the spring. The guides might consider printing a hard copy of the lunch requests as a dead phone resulted in confusion as to who ordered what. After the main spring, we paddled almost two more hours downstream, enjoying more springs, wildlife and several more opportunities to jump into the water. We saw zero alligators which was fine for us northern parents who did not want to see any while traveling with our children. I saw no tracks or slides either. We were told that it might be possible but extremely unlikely given the water temperature is unpleasant for reptiles. We concluded at a pullout and were transported back to our vehicles with a quick stop to grab drinks and snacks if we desired. Nearly everyone found it worthwhile to provided Dave and his staff a tip for their excellent service. I served as a park ranger and naturalist guide for several years and found Dave’s service to be excellent. My final critique would be to consider bringing added cushion for your butt and back as the kayak seats are a bit worn. The company, alternately, might consider revamping the seat cushions. I would recommend this trip to anyone traveling that area. It was the highlight of our Florida vacation. Thanks Dave et al!

This was just the smoothest adventure. The staff were ready and working behind the scenes to make the day perfect for the groups. They were flexible and willing to help whenever we had questions. Ecotours paid attention to the weather and altered our times to make sure we would have a great experience. It helps that they have a beautiful natural spot to go.

The water was clear and it was fun for the kids to jump off the rope swings and logs. The water was very cold, but got better when the sun came out. However, lots of issues with communication. We were originally scheduled for 1:30, but due to weather we were moved up to 8:00. We were told to meet at the entry point instead of the meeting point, but no one informed our guide. Sandwhich orders weren't right. At the end we really didn't have a ride back to our car as we met at the entry point. Luckily eli took us to our car, so props to eli. Overall be prepared for cold water, but lots of turtles. Hopefully the communication is better

This was our first time kayaking and we couldn’t have experienced this with a better tour guide. Dave was very knowledgeable and in tune with nature. Fantastic experience!!

This was an amazing experience for me and my three kids (12, 11, and 9). Dave, our guide, knew a TON about the ecosystem of Florida and answered all 500 questions my kids had about the trip on the drive to the river patiently and enthusiastically. The kayaking was easy and safe enough that the kids could handle the kayaking alone. Everything was provided except suits and sunglasses, which made it very easy. The spring is a very unique experience, and I'm glad my CA kids got to see it.

This was a great activity for me and my teen girls. Serene paddle to this amazingly clear basin with tons of flora to take in. Gear provided was great and the guide was knowledgeable and attentive. It is about an hour drive from Destin but we knew that before hand and it was not an issue for us. 10/10 recommend especially for outdoor loving families.

The spring itself was beautiful, but the overall trip was frustrating. The transport van was in poor shape—no door seal, extremely loud, dirty floor, broken seatbelts. The kayaking to the spring took only 15 minutes, and we spent about 2 hours there, which was nice. The real issue was the return. Instead of the short 15 min route back, we were taken on a 2-hour detour with pointless stops at a dangerous rope swing and a fallen tree. My daughter and I got sunburned due to this unexpected delay. Meanwhile, the guides used the stops to play around while all but two small children stood in the heat waiting for them to finish. The trip was advertised as 6 hours but ended up taking 8 because of the extended return. Disappointing experience overall.

David was an excellent tour guide. The kayaking was fun and very enjoyable. The pictures of the springs are exactly how it looks. It was beautiful.

David was the best guide ! My day was simple perfect and would love to recommend for everyone who loves to enjoy spring water which was awesome experience and also the tour was great way to spend time with! The tour was provided everything that we need even towel and beach chairs for all of us and kayak camping and lunch! Best deal!

This was a great excursion and everyone was super friendly! It was just as described, but better. The cold spring was amazing!! Highly recommend!

This was a nice excursion away from the beach. The ride to and from was a little long and boring but that can’t be helped. Our guide (Dave?) was wonderful and informative. He took time to point out things on the river during the kayak to and from the springs. The springs themselves were beautiful and my teens enjoyed the rope swing and snorkel gear.

While the destination itself was beautiful and the springs were a memorable experience, several aspects of the excursion did not meet expectations—especially at the price point of $140 per person. First, the listing did not mention that the drive to and from the springs takes one hour each way—meaning two full hours of our six-hour excursion were spent in transit. More concerning, however, was the condition of the transportation itself. The van was very unstable and shook noticeably the entire ride, making for an uncomfortable and at times unsettling experience. Even our guide, Christian, expressed concern about the vehicle’s condition. To add to the situation, the van was nearly out of fuel—starting our trip with only 15 miles to empty. We had to detour to the nearest gas station (in the opposite direction of the springs) with just 3 miles of range remaining. This is not acceptable when transporting a group of 11 guests, and it raises safety concerns that need to be addressed. We were also told we’d be contacted the day before to make lunch selections and choose between a kayak or paddleboard—but no one ever reached out. Upon arrival, we were told we’d receive an extra 30 minutes to compensate for the delay, but we only spent about 1 hour and 15 minutes at the springs (from around 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.). The paddle to the spring was roughly 10–15 minutes and self-guided, with no commentary or support along the way. The springs themselves are absolutely stunning and the time spent swimming and snorkeling in the clear blue water was by far the highlight of the day. Christian, our guide, was helpful, upbeat, and professional throughout, and we appreciated his efforts to make the best of the situation. However, the lack of communication, poor transportation conditions, and minimal time at the actual destination made this excursion feel disorganized and overpriced. When van travel makes up a significant portion of the experience, that vehicle should be properly maintained to ensure guest comfort and safety. In hindsight, coordinating our own lunch and renting kayaks independently may have offered better value and flexibility. rings was maybe 10-15 minutes on the kayaks-no actual touring and we had what was told 2 1/2 hrs (got there at 445pm and left at 6) at the springs where you swim, snorkeling and such-such a fun experience in the blue crystal waters. Then we take another 1HR drive back to the departure place. It’s very unorganized and definitely not worth the $140 a person ($700 for us). I could have brought my own turkey sandwich with plan chips and rented a kayak and spent the whole day there. Lesson learned for next time. Again-Christian was amazing!!!

Don’t get me wrong. The pool of water we stopped at was beautiful- crystal clear and cold. But kayaking the river was boring. No more than a class 1 Lunch was subs, chips, Gatorade from Publix. The pool was congested and busy. Maybe explain the river and the trees or something when floating. In my opinion, not worth $140.

Great trip to the spring. My family loves to be active and this is excursion hit the spot! Our guides were great and a lot of fun!

This was an awesome experience outside the crowded beaches. Our tour guide did an awesome job! He was very good with our kids and made a call at the end to take the shorter route back bc the kids were tired and a storm was coming in. The other staff members however were upset with him bc he didn’t make us go downstream where they were waiting and you could tell they were annoyed, but good thing they weren’t our guides! Wish I could remember his name but he was great!

What a delightful time. The water was glorious and the kayaks were easy and fun. The guides were great and professional and made things very easy.

It was fun! Water was beautiful. The rope swing was a blast! The staff was friendly. It was peaceful and relaxing. A nice change of pace from the ocean.

You need to know you may get to parking lot before them and not know where to park; but we found the van eventually, all made it on the van; long drive to site to unload, but from that point, let the fun begin. Great kayak adventure, water cool and clear, got hot on last half but worth it with sunscreen. Need lots of water. Lunch was good, swimming and snorkeling and rope swing fun, nice cool spot to swim and rest, took about 6 hours from parking lot to parking lot. We would do it again!

Christian was such a fun guide, and the water was so magical! Highly recommend this adventure! Swimming, paddling, and exploring nature in a beautiful part of Florida was worth every penny.

Cypress Springs was amazing! So beautiful and relaxing. Cody and Adam are very fun and knowledgeable guides. I definitely recommend this adventure and our phenomenal guides!

We had so much fun doing this. The water was amazing, our guides were fun and they provide everything you need (aside from your swimwear and sunglasses) for a fun filled day.

Tour and overall experience was awesome. The tour guides were amazing, very knowledgeable, and patient. The waters were very clean and beautiful.

Such an amazing trip. Wanted to do something a bit different than just beach days and the pool so found this and gave it a chance. It was beyond amazing ! The spring was beautiful and so refreshing and you get to do any activity you want while you’re there. The crew is so nice and make sure your taken care of and have everything you need to have a great time. 100% would do it again if I was back in town! Highly highly recommend you get away from the beach and check this out!

The trip was canceled by Cypress Springs the morning of (they said wind blew trees down blocking the boat ramp), and although I was promised a refund, now that I'm home and able to check my credit card account, they have not issued a refund. For $250, I'm pretty pissed.

Guides were great. Trip went very smooth. Our whole family had a great time and LOVED the rope swing. My son even climbed the big tree and was able to jump into the water from there. The springs were amazing. The water was the cleanest and clearest water I have ever seen!

We were a group of 14 and had the most fantastic time! December is cold in general but that did not stop us from enjoying the clear blue water. What a treat! Carlos and Sean were amazing! They made us feel very safe and comfortable. The memories created were priceless and the view was just fantastic!

I’ve followed numerous spring tours on Facebook. We recently vacationed in Destin and the Coldwater tour showed up in my app. I was so hoping it would be like the pictures I saw in my feed. It was gorgeous! Wasn’t expecting lunch to be provided. The sandwich was really good and we got plenty of time at “blue” water. Just amazing. Haven’t seen water that clear and blue since vacationing in Jamaica. Was the water cold? Yes, but totally worth it. The guides and owners were so kind and helpful!

The trip was amazing, the spring was beautiful and very well maintained. We will definitely be going back with coldwater excursions!!!

Do not be mislead by the description. This is a kayaking trip and because of the arrows on the river it can be self guided. Each group only received 2 of the snorkeling motors. Our group was lucky because it only had six people however there was a group of 14 who still only had two snorkeling motors. There was no GoPro for either group however they did take a few pictures at the very beginning and share those. However, because the water was so cold, very few people actually snorkeled. Also because of the cold temperature there was very little Wildlife to be seen. Overall, it was a nice trip and Christian was a great supervisor/guide however for what you get. This is way overpriced.

The trip was great. The water was beautiful, the rope swing was awesome, the locals are really nice, our guide Christian was amazing, the trip there in the van wasn’t horrible, but it was a little long. But the overall experience and the kayaking to the springs was all great, the group we went with was small, but everyone was really friendly. We will most definitely come back. And when they said “cold spring” they weren’t lying! The water was freezing at first but once we got use to it, we had a blast!

Christian was an awesome tour guide. All of the kids had a blast. We had never kayaked before and he was super helpful. Would definitely recommend

Super fun!!! The ride there was pretty quick and took about 10 minutes. Once we got there it was very fun. The tour has so much to offer, such as underwater scooters, rope swings, gopros and snorkels. Our tour guide Christian was very funny and helpful. I recommend going here if you’re in the area.

Christian was an excellent tour guide. We really enjoyed our trip. We had never kayaked before and he was very patient and helpful

This was a highlight of our vacation. Cypress Springs is absolutely beautiful and the ppl with us from Cold Water Excursions were great. I definitely recommend.

This was a wonderful day excursion. Christian was an excellent tour guide, very helpful and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this excursion!! Great day!

From the moment we were picked up, the service was amazing. Our guide was so friendly and helpful. And the springs were gorgeous!

Cypress Springs Eco Adventure was an experience I would do again! Christian our tour guide was kind and helpful. The provided lunch of sandwiches was just right. I would suggest giving a little more explanation of the day’s events such as the length of the drive, and the paddling to and from the springs. Overall a good time!