Silver Springs

The stunning clear waters of Silvers Springs have been attracting visitors for hundreds of years.  The centre-piece of this 350 acre theme park is the beautiful Silver River, upon which the world-famous Glass Bottom Boats offer passengers an unparalleled view of underwater life in the 99.8 percent pure waters of the springs.  

 
This superb attraction makes for a great alternative day away from the hustle & bustle of Orlando, especially for those with younger members in the party, who will love meeting the native inhabitants of Florida including Gators, Bears and Panthers.  The park provides a fun and educational experience offering guests an unmatched opportunity to appreciate the natural Florida eco-systems.  It might also interest you to know that the park has also proved a great lure for the world’s greatest spy, James Bond, where scenes from three of his films were shot.
 
Included in the ticket price are numerous rides and attractions.  Be sure to check out:

• Glass Bottom Boats which will take you on an enchanting tour of the seven major spring formations at the headwaters.  One spring, Fish Reception Hall, is home to dozens of species of fish as well as alligators, clams, crawfish, shrimp, snails and six different kinds of turtles, all amidst the backdrop of tiny fossilized shells from 70 million years ago.  Peer through the glass and crystal clear water for views that only a scuba diver could have. You’ll be comfortably seated, and covered from the sun and weather.
• Fort King River Cruise which carries you through Silver Springs’ 10,000 year history.  Interactive exhibits and displays include a working archaeological dig site, Seminole Indian village, the 1830s Fort King Army stockade, a late 1880s riverboat dock and train depot, and an authentic Florida pioneer “Cracker” homestead.    
• Lost River Voyage transports guests back in time to wild Florida as it was thousands of years ago—untouched and untamed. Riverbanks are lined with towering bald cypress trees, some more than 500 years old. See alligators, turtles, heron, osprey, and other wildlife basking and feeding in their natural habitat. The ride includes a stop at a wildlife outpost, where naturalists talk about Silver Springs’ wildlife rehabilitation and breeding programs.
• Big Gator Lagoon is a one-acre cypress swamp habitat featuring more than three dozen of Florida’s largest alligators, most 11 to 13 feet in length!  Guests observe these large reptiles from the safety of an elevated boardwalk.  Be on the lookout for Sobek, believed to be the world’s largest American crocodile in the care of man.  He’s 16 feet long and weighs 2,000 pounds!  His name refers to an ancient Egyptian god that had the head of a crocodile and the body of a man.
• Ross Allen Island features a collection of native snakes, turtles, arachnids (spiders), otters and other animals found in Florida.   
• Panther Prowl is an extraordinary opportunity to photograph the Western cougar, a close cousin of the rare and endangered Florida panther—North America’s largest and most majestic wild cat.   
• Kritter Korral features a variety of farm animals like sheep, rabbits, donkeys, turkeys, and goats that park guests can pet and hand feed.  They’re popular with the younger crowd and love the attention they get!
• World of Bears is the largest bear exhibit of its kind in the world. Two acres of outdoor habitats showcase a variety of rare and endangered bear species including North American black bears and Kodiaks (the only brown bears on exhibit in Florida).

After a day cruising on inviting waters under the hot Florida sun, you’ll want nothing more than to dive in to WILD WATERS Water Park. 
 
Yours Silver Springs Ticket also includes FREE entry to Wild Waters Water Park. Soak up the sun on the man-made “beach” or keep cool in the shade of the giant oaks and palm trees.  Ride the surf in a 450,000 gallon wave pool, hit the twists and turns of Osceola's Revenge, Bunyan's Bend and Mini Monster water slides. Or, if you dare, tackle the three-story-high Hurricane or 220-foot-long Silver Bullet speed flumes.  For the younger set there's Cool Kids Cove, a multi-level fun zone, and the shallow pools of the Tad Pool.

Why we love it!
An unparalleled chance to experience Florida’s wildside.  Particularly good for younger kids

Where is it?
Silver Springs is Located on S.R. 40, east of I-75 in Ocala, 90 miles from Orlando and 63 miles from Daytona Beach.

Wild Waters is open daily from 24 May until 1 September.

Click here to see a calendar for Silver Springs