Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs is a natural tourist attraction located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, where underwater performances by "mermaids", women dressed with fins about their legs as well as other fancy outfits, can be viewed in an aquarium-like setting in the spring of the Weeki Wachee River. A water park, Buccaneer Bay, and boat rides are also part of the attraction.

The attraction was created in 1947 by an ex-Navy frogman named Newton Perry, who based the show on underwater air hose breathing techniques. Guests to the park have included Elvis Presley, Don Knotts, Esther Williams, Arthur Godfrey and Kevin Smith. Hollywood has occasionally used the attraction and its mermaids in the filming of movies such as Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid (1948), Neptune's Daughter (1949), and many television shows. At one point, the attraction was owned by broadcast network ABC, and this led to an increase in publicity for the attraction. Currently the park is owned by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and is a member of the Florida State Park System.

In 2005, English Rock Band Supergrass filmed their video for their song "Low C" at the Springs. They filmed a short documentary about the spring, as well as playing at a local bar and swimming with the mermaids.

In summer of 2006, stand up comedian Thomas J. Kelly became the park's first male mermaid. His adventures were chronicled in the web-reality / comedy series http://littlemerman.com

In 2007 the park celebrated its 60th Anniversary.

On November 1st 2008, the state of Florida took over Weeki Wachee Springs as a state park.

From May 22 until August 30 of 2007, the discharge level at Weeki Wachee spring dropped to a level that allowed for cave divers to gain effective entry into the cave system at the spring. The Karst Underwater Research team successfully executed exploration dives and the necessary in-water decompression to explore approximately 6,700 feet in multiple passages at an average depth of 265 Feet Fresh Water (ffw) with a maximum depth of 407 ffw. The 407 ffw depth makes the cave system under Weeki Wachee springs the deepest fresh water cave system in the United States.

See also

  • Glass-bottom boat
  • Cave diving

External links

Listed in the following categories:
Post a comment
Tips & Hints
Arrange By:
Terika Wakefield
14 August 2019
A once in a lifetime moment happens here, Mermaid shows! Any one of any age will enjoy these magical underwater shows. Spend a day taking boat rides and garden tours in the Springs too.
Akash Jayaprakash
26 May 2013
Food is not gourmet, but it is reasonable. $4.75 cheeseburger, beer for $2.75. You can always bring a cooler or get a hand stamp and step out of the park for lunch.
Kristi Sheafe
25 April 2015
There has been recent news that people who live on the river are dumping their sewage in this beautiful place. I go here frequently and did notice the waters not being as clear as recent years.
Mark Angeli
7 April 2014
Its fun to see the Mermaids and take the riverboat ride, but there's not much else to do at the park. The water is chilly (74 degrees) and can get crowded in the afternoon on the buccaneer bay side.
Ryan Frazier
13 July 2010
Kayaking down the river is a great way to spend a summer day! Renting is $35 and it's only $5 if you have your own kayak. Just head to the Southwest corner of the parking lot to find the boat ramp.
Roman Melzer
29 January 2017
Die Mermaid Show ist das einzig Gute hier. Speziell für Eltern mit kleinen Ladies genau das Richtige. ????????????
Load more comments
foursquare.com
7.6/10
4,429 people have been here
Map
6193-6199 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, FL 34606, USA Get directions
Fri 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Sat 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sun 8:00 AM–6:00 PM
Mon-Tue 9:00 AM–3:00 PM
Wed 10:00 AM–2:00 PM

Weeki Wachee Springs on Foursquare

Weeki Wachee Springs on Facebook

Hotels nearby

See all hotels See all
Quality Inn

starting $80

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Spring Hill

starting $100

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Brooksville West

starting $152

Hampton Inn Spring Hill

starting $102

Motel 6 Spring Hill Weeki Wachee

starting $45

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Spring Hill/Weeki Wachee

starting $68

Recommended sights nearby

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Historic Site

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park is a Florida State Park

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Adventure Island (water park)

Adventure Island is an American water park located northeast of Tampa,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens at Tampa Bay is a 335-acre 19th century African-themed

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Tampa International Airport

Tampa International Airport (IATA: TPA, ICAO: KTPA, FAA LID: TPA) is

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Clearwater Marine Aquarium

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization,

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Dinosaur World (Florida)

Dinosaur World is a theme park in Plant City, Florida that features

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport

St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (IATA: PIE, ICAO: KP

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Florida Air Museum

The Florida Air Museum is designated as Florida’s “Official Avi

Similar tourist attractions

See all See all
Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Meramec Caverns

Meramec Caverns is an 4.6-mile (7.4 km) cavern system in the

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Big Blue Bear (I See What You Mean)

Big Blue Bear (I See What You Mean) is a tourist attraction, one of

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign

The Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign is a Las Vegas landmark funded

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Clark's Trading Post

Clark's Trading Post is a visitor attraction in Lincoln, New

Add to wishlist
I've been here
Visited
Blue Whale of Catoosa

The Blue Whale of Catoosa is a waterfront structure, located just east

See all similar places