Cypress Springs – (Cypress Springs Adventures)
Located just about an hour away from the shore of Panama City Beach, sits one of the states best outdoor adventures. Cypress Springs Adventures is a canoe and kayak rental company that hosts thousands of people every year. The Company formally known as Snaggy Bend Outfitters, is the number one shuttle service used for transportation to and from Cypress Springs drop off. Highly rated on Google and Facebook Cypress Springs Adventures makes planning your day to the Springs seamless.
Cypress Springs
Coming in at a chilly 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit year round, and pumping out an impressive 65 million gallons of water daily, Cypress Springs is one of the most popular springs in Florida, and rightfully so. This cave fed spring with water at a depth of around 30 feet deep, is one of the clearest springs that I have been to yet. This place has everything you could want and need for a full day of exploring. Although the spring itself is only accessible by water, there are multiple companies that will take you to and from the drop point to get here. You are dropped at a drop point that is upstream from the springs and takes you through a beautiful stream surrounded by magnificent foliage. As you paddle along the stream, you’re likely to see a variety of wildlife throughout the surrounding trees as well as in the water. Cypress Springs itself is located about a 30 minute paddle from the drop location. We were a little unsure about the directions on getting to the springs by kayak, but the rental company is very attentive and makes sure to give you a map of the whole area. You also will very likely be paddling during a busy season since it’s so popular, and you can easily just follow others you see taking the route to get there, as we did. While the water on the paddle there is also clear, it drastically changes in to crystal water as you enter the cove heading towards Cypress Springs itself.
As you’re paddling up you’ll see that many people have likely already made a common area to pull your kayak up to. We pulled up to the left side that you see on the picture and tied our kayaks to a close tree. Further up to the left there is an area where you can get on land where there are few recline outdoor chairs, a restroom, and a walk way to the larger rope swing. Our kayak rental started at 9AM so we got to the springs roughly at 10am. The picture above shows how busy it was already this early of the morning. I would absolutely recommend getting there as early as you possibly can if you are interested in getting a chair or somewhere to pull your kayak that is near land. Thankfully we didn’t mind to have to dip in as soon as we got there due to the heat.
If you’ve never been to a Florida natural spring then brace yourself for shockingly cold water. It doesn’t sound like it’s that cold but I was freezing the whole time even though I knew in advance how cold the water would be. I did see a few people there in wet suits which in hindsight seemed like a brilliant idea. Since we weren’t able to secure a spot near land we had to abandon our kayaks and jump into the water, which you’ll find yourself submerged in most of the time. The spring isn’t divided by solid ground—if you want to explore, you have to swim. Fortunately, there is a more shallow area where you can stand and hang out if you have kids or aren’t fond of deep water. But, if you’re an adventurer like us, there are plenty of things that enhance your experience at the Springs.
Rope swings are definitely one of the main events here. There are 2 separate rope swings that stand on either side of Cypress Springs. The first rope swing we encountered is the smaller swing that is located on the right side of the springs closer to the furthest side away from everyone. This swing requires you to climb up a smaller broken down tree and jump off a nearly 10 foot drop. This jump is easy doable for kids or anyone scared of heights. It made it easier to be in the water once you fully submerged yourself for the first time though so I’m glad we started here. There were plenty of people taking turns jumping and it seemed everyone shared the same grinning anticipation. Once you decide that you’re ready for the real rush, the larger rope swing sits across the water looming above the springs like a challenge waiting to be accepted.
The second rope swing, towering high above the water, was my favorite. Climbing the rickety, makeshift ladder required careful footing, but was well worth it. The tree offers multiple jump heights, with steps winding all the way up its limbs—I only braved the middle, around 15–20 feet. The rope itself is worn, with a frayed string at the bottom that can easily tangle around your ankle if you’re not careful. The key is to aim for the bluest, deepest water below. We watched someone leap from the highest branches without a hitch. Nearby, an observation deck offers a perfect view of the entire springs—both a peaceful retreat and a front-row seat to all the action.
One of the most beautiful parts of the trip to me was using our goggles and swimming in the middle of the springs. This is the area you can see in the photo above. It encompasses the deepest part of the springs and it’s also the most blue area of the spring. This area is at deepest, 30 feet deep. We wanted to explore this area the most because we seen people coming in with swim suits and diving gear so we knew it had to be worth checking out. I’ll be the first to say I am not the best swimmer so I was relieved to see a broken tree down in the water nearby that I clung to for dear life while I wasn’t diving. Describing how beautiful is was here is difficult. The water’s clarity was surreal—through my goggles, it felt like I was floating in air rather than submerged. You could see completely to the bottom. There were beautiful rock formations and sand everywhere. We tried to swim to the middle, where the spring is originating but the powerful push back of thousands of gallons of water won’t allow you. I felt like I was in a movie diving in the middle of a tropical ocean.
One of the things I appreciated the most is that the entire area is kept incredibly clean. From the sunlit seating spots to the sparkling water, not a single scrap of litter disturbed the natural beauty. It was so refreshing to see people keeping a beautiful and popular spot, so well maintained. I have no doubt the locals play a part in keeping this area in as pristine condition as possible from people who litter.
How to enjoy this place best:
- Pack a lunch so you can spend the whole day here
- Arrive as early as possible to secure a comfortable spot
- Bring loads of sunscreen
- Bring something to by able to tie off your kayak to a tree so it doesn’t float off
- Do not forget goggles. They are a main event
Navigating your trip to Cypress Springs:
We booked our kayak trip through Cypress Springs Adventures website. You can easily navigate their website to find what you’re looking for. We chose a 9am booking and arrived early to ensure that we would have all of our things in order. When you are first pulling up to the location you will look for the giant surf board and you’ll know you’re in the right place. The building itself is a small shack-like location. When you first arrive you’ll park in the designated parking on the right hand side of the building. Get out and go in to the building to sign in and get your waiver completed. Once you’re ready to go you’ll go to the back of the building where there’s a small shed where all of the kayaks and canoe’s are located. This is where you’ll sit and wait until your bus arrives to pick you up. They grouped us into small groups of 5-10 people while we waited. Once it was our turn for the bus to pick us up we gathered up and got inside where we were drove down the road about 10 minutes to the drop location. Here there are some port o potty’s and this is where you’ll get your kayak. They unload everything for you and take it down to the bank. This is where your journey starts. You get loaded in your kayak or canoe and you’re on your way.
My overall experience with Cypress Springs
I would undoubtedly add Cypress Springs to my top 10 list of favorite travel destinations. It’s rare to find a place so uniquely captivating that you’d want to spend an entire day there. What makes it even more special is the combination of natural beauty and diverse activities—this spring not only offers the chance to swim but also has areas perfect for relaxing, snorkeling, and even rope jumping. Getting to the springs was a breeze, and I thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful kayak ride there and back. Whether you’re visiting with family or as a couple, this spot has something for everyone. Without a doubt, it’s one of the clearest and cleanest springs I’ve ever experienced, and I can confidently say I’d return in a heartbeat if I found myself in the area again.
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