I booked a shuttle online because I brought my own kayak. The folks at the shop were very nice and extremely knowledgeable about the river. The shuttle driver was also very professional and knowledgeable about the river, the accesses, and the ecosystem. Would 100% recommend this shuttle service to anyone wanting to float the Santa Fe, especially if you want to get away from the crowds. read more

They were able to accommodate us on their day off. Luckily another group had also booked. So they fit us in as well. Definitely got the VIP treatment. read more

Rum 138 - Spring - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable about the springs. Will definitely be back!

Very accommodating. Friendly staff. Good information and communication. The equipment is sturdy. Many options for read more

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Doug was great! Even though they were close, he arranged a shuttle for us so we could have our car at the end of our trip. You were right Doug, we didn't see another person on the water with us. Beautiful day on the Santa Fe! read more

We had a great kayak adventure! It was freezing the day we went but completely worth it.

Owners and staff were Super friendly and helpful. The boats were great and prompt door-to-door service! Being able to peruse the John Moran collection of Florida Springs photography was a huge added and unexpected bonus! read more

Rum 138 - My daughter and I with John Moran - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

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I had a great experience. I called in advance to schedule a shuttle with my own canoe. They were extremely helpful with recommendations on the landmarks along the Santa Fe to look for (springs and other geological features) during my 10 mile trip. Communcation was great and they called back at the end of the day to make sure we were on track for a well scheduled trip. read more

We absolutely love Rum 138. Every time we go they are so good with communication and being accommodating. Thank you for being here! read more

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great trip! kayaks were comfortable and balanced. Doug was very helpful and we enjoyed many of the springs although it will be much less crowded in sept. sawdust spring was our favorit. read more

Wonderful Kayak Place! Opened up of their day off for us. The most comfortable kayaks that we have ever used. We did the short trip this time. Will do the longer next time. read more

It's been decades since I've done a float trip, so when a friend invited me to kayak the Lower Santa Fe River I wasn't sure what to expect. When I found out the place providing the kayaks and transportation was Rum 138, I recognized it as I attended a music festival there a few years back. So, first, the music events: They're a fun time, well-operated, and if they are multi-day the venue gets permits to allow attendees to camp on-site. Highly recommended, assuming you like the bands involved (the event I attended was an assortment roots/Americana, rock, and Grateful Dead style fare, right up my alley). As for the kayaking: FANTASTIC. The price is right, about $50 for drop-off, pick-up, boat, paddle, and life jacket for a full day on the river. You get a very detailed briefing on what to expect and what high points to look for (there are various springs, etc. off the main riverbed that you can visit). Our briefer was -- my spelling, which could be wrong -- Marihelen, and she was a font of great information. The guy who helped us select our boats, drove us down to the river, put us in, and picked us up several miles downstream, was also very friendly, helpful, and informative. Sorry, I can't remember his name. It was just an insanely great time. Of course, Rum 138 didn't invent the river, but they make the experience of floating it fun, easy, smooth, and not too hard on the wallet. read more

Rum 138 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

Doug went out of his way to accommodate us, opening up on a Tuesday ( they may now open all Tuesdays), loaning us some seat rests for a canoe, and picking us up promptly. He gave good info on springs access and the Sant Fe river. Beautiful day on the river with quiet on the first and last three miles. read more

Excellent experience kayaking for the first time! Rum138 made everything easy and enjoyable. They were knowledgeable and patient and it's obvious that they love what they do! I'm looking forward to returning again very soon! read more

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I had a birthday kayak group over the weekend with Rum 138, the entire staff is super friendly and inviting. The experience ran smoothly, had a great drop off and pick up experience, plus once we got back we had a chance to experience a bit of their farmers market and live music. Living in North Florida there aren't many cool venues like this, so I'm excited I live about 25 mins away. I would totally recommend to another friend and I plan on going out again with them later in the year. Thanks for a great experience! read more

Rum 138 - Friends connecting kayaks on the Santa Fe River, celebrating a birthday. - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

This place and it's staff were absolutely amazing and so very knowledgeable about the river ways and what springs to stop at. I would highly recommend booking with them to explore the springs. They really went above and beyond to be so helpful. My mother and I absolutely loved it and will be back ! read more

Cool camping spot with two stages for music. They have transportation vans to take people down to the springs for water activities. I deducted two stars due to the fact they don't allow coolers which are vital to people camping and they don't have allow campfires. They are a bit disorganised in keeping the bands running on time. I attended an all weekend event. Music from 9am to midnight with multiple bands scheduled back to back. Saturday the music didn't begin until around noon and Sunday it didn't begin until 2pm. When you've paid to come listen to music and it doesn't happen it's pretty disappointing. They did have plenty of porta potties but most of the time they didn't have toilet paper. So I do suggest bringing your own or wet wipes. read more

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I've canoed the Santa Fe for just under 50 years- back when places like Poe Springs, Rum Island Spring and Gennie Springs all were undeveloped and hidden at the ends of dirt roads. For all of that time, we would start around High Springs- US 441 or US 27 landings- and run to Rum Island or SR 47. Each of those tips is incredibly peaceful and beautiful, even though there now are more houses along the river. Above SR 47, the river is very shallow, which is fine for canoes and Kayaks, but generally no power boats to spew fumes. One great development along the way is Rum 138. For a change, there was only one canoe for this trip, so we tried the Rum 138 shuttle, which proved quick, easy and moderately priced. I made the reservation and paid online, which simplified everything. The staff were friendly and helpful, including helping me load and unload at every stage. After our slow run- I believe in drifting on the river, paddling is only to stay in the current- we kicked back and listened to live music at Rum 138 with cold beers to keep us happy. A great fall Sunday. I have granddaughters coming to town for T-giving, which is the best time to enjoy the color change along the river. We definitely will use the shuttle again. We rode the shutlle with renters who were very happy, too. read more

One of the best kayak rentals in the area. You may even catch live music after your paddle. They are so accommodating and just want their patrons to enjoy the river and surrounding area. read more

Amazing business with amazing people. We drove from Jacksonville to do the shorter kayaking route with Blue Springs at the end, which was about 2 hours for us. It was so serene and beautiful, and Blue Springs was absolutely breathtaking. On our way to the drop off location, in the shuttle, an owner of the business told us great stories about "Naked Ed." Make sure you ask your shuttle driver about him. :) On the way back to the parking lot, another owner told us about the local community and the work they're doing to protect the springs. Such nice people doing amazing work for their community and the environment. They also gave my husband a free reusable water bottle for his birthday! We'll definitely be returning. read more

Rum 138 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

We came down from Jax and did two kayaks for half a day. The staff was so kind, helpful and friendly! The place is easy to find and the shuttle service ROCKS!! (Bring cash to tip the drivers!) Affordable and the website was easy to navigate read more

We have visited Rum 138 twice this summer. Our first visit we rented kayaks and paddled the shorter run. The staff was great, very helpful on information of the Sante Fe river and shuttle ride was a breeze for drop off and pickup. Our second time visiting we had our own kayaks, and was shuttled to a drop off point by Doug and paddled the entire 10 mile run. It was an AMAZING day! Doug was so helpful and amazing of the information he provided to us to make sure we had a great day. We are looking forward to using Rum 138 again for another future trip in the Sante Fe River!! Thank you Doug for the exceptional Customer service you gave us! read more

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So helpful and nice! I truly enjoyed talking with Sana!! So much great information. The shuttle was very prompt and driver was friendly! Highly recommend! read more

Rum 138 combines awesome experiences, amazing service, and great prices in creating a uniquely wonderful Springs experience. The river and springs itself is the most beautiful place I have ever been to and I have traveled the world. The river is like a perfectly paced natural lazy river that leads to so many different beautiful springs. These springs produce perfect pockets of crystal-clear water that stay the same crisp temperature throughout the year so in the summer the water is refreshing and in the winter the water is relatively warm and manageable as opposed to the frigid ocean water of beaches. Not only is the location and water itself breath-takingly beautiful, the people who will help you along the way are even more fantastic. The employees at Rum 138 are limitless sources of knowledge on the Sante Fe River and positive sources of energy and excitement. They will have you prepared and ecstatic to get out on the river. The personal touch added to the customer service makes it very clear why this family business has been operating successfully for so long. Last but not certainly not least, the price is not only fair, it is an absolute steal. For just $50 you get an entire day out on the river that includes your vessel of choice (canoe, kayak, or paddleboard), paddles, life vest, and shuttle pick up service. This is the cheapest peace and fun that money can buy and it seems they have not raised their prices with inflation which is refreshing to see. If you have a spare day and are in the area or if you're looking for your next adventure, I can not recommend coming to Rum 138 enough. RUN, don't walk. (Bonus: Rum 138 also sells intricate local works of art as well as food and drinks. They also have a stage where they often host bands and music festivals along with other events that bring the community together and is a great way to enjoy a star-filled night out by the water) read more

We've done kayak trips with Rum 138 several times and each one has been a wonderful experience for our family. The staff is always friendly and very knowledgeable of the river. They even clued us in on a few things we'd never seen before on previous trips. And their shop is filled with beautiful local artwork of the springs. I'm planning to stop in around Christmas for a special one-of-a-kind gift for my husband there. They are also doing a really great job of keeping everyone safe in COVID times. The shuttle was sprayed down before we got in, and only our group rode in the shuttle. Masks were worn by all staff too, which is something we haven't seen in High Springs recently, and are very VERY thankful they are still following guidelines, keeping our family safe. read more

Great solo kayaking trip thanks to Rum 138! Merrillee and Donovan were helpful and friendly. I woke up Friday morning with a desire to get fresh air and enjoy the beautiful Florida waterways. I reserved my trip on the Rum 138 website which was very straightforward and easy. I showed up an hour later ready to was very knowledgeable about the waterways, and it was evident that she cares about preserving the natural beauty of Florida !! read more

Absolutely fantastic service! We had such a fun day on the river and enjoyed the shuttle back so we didn't have to go upstream. Blue springs is such a beautiful stop read more

10 out of 5 starts !!!!!!!! Nicest, most friendly staff. SUPER accommodating and helpful. Answered any questions we had with a smiling face! We will 100% be back!!! Made my birthday trip extra special!!!! thanks again!!! read more

We used this company to shuttle our kayaks to the river. They were wonderful! Very patient and kind and gave lots of good tips for while on the River. Will definitely used them in the future! read more

The boats at room 138 are old and have holes in them. Every boat has patches and some have wine bottle corks stuck in the holes. They add 15% gratuity on each bill so for $65 overall it's not a good deal. Some of their competitors offer the same trip for $20 less. I'll go with one of them next time. read more

Great time paddling the Santa Fe and diping in and out of springs all day. We did Hwy 27 to Hwy 47. Saw tons of turtles and most, but not all of the springs. We ordered lunch from Doug and he wasn't happy with the ham so he told us he would meet us at Rum Island with the sandwiches. He was dropping off another party and drove right by as we were getting out which was fortuitous. Sandwiches were fantastic. Doug is very friendly and helpful, couldn't have asked for a better host. A couple of things to note. If you are only doing half, personally I'd recommend 27 to Rum Island. The springs south of there are more impressive but they were filled with hoosiers which spoils them. There are still lots of nice springs above Rum Island and you don't have to deal with the Ginny Springs tubers. Be careful with your time. We only stopped at Rum Island to eat and we were pushing it to get to the pickup by 5. We worked hard for a stretch until I thought we were good. The flow probably changes based on rain, etc so this may not be a problem for you. Finally, if you have T-Mobile, you will have no service at either pickup. Luckily for us, Doug drove by at Rum Island and someone was kind enough to let us call at Hwy 47 on their phone, but keep this in mind. read more

Super paddle down the Santa Fe. Their service was terrific, from booking to check in and the transport dude.

My boyfriend and I had the BEST time on our kayak trip two weeks ago. As a native Floridian who recently moved back after living in the Midwest for 10 years, I have been craving an adventure on the water like this for quite some time. The staff, especially the guys driving the shuttle and loading up the kayaks, were super friendly and helpful. We will absolutely return and recommend Rum 138 to our friends! *Slight disclaimer (and not the fault of the company): The Yelp "$20 for Kayak Rental" deal does not exist. I tried using it and the woman at the counter didn't know anything about it. read more

We went to rent kayaks. Not giving review on the evening music nor food. Great service from Doug. Good energy and friendly even though I wasn't coffee'd up. They sell sunscreen, hats, resealable waterproof phone bags, snacks, drinks, and Florida themed souvenirs. Ride there and return was fine. Will be back again. read more

I love Rum 138! On Saturday's they have live music! Take a trip down the Santa Fe River then get ready to see a band. There's a terrific line up for February. I'm excited to see the Devil Jays on Saturday the 8th at 7:00 pm. read more

Rum 138 - Devil Jays at Rum 138 - Rafting/Kayaking Near Me - Fort White, Florida

Been to Rum 138 a bunch of times - prices are good and it's an easy 5-minute shuttle ride to the launch sites. Staff is always great and give as much info as possible to make sure you have a nice paddle. I've done the shorter and longer paddles, and both are great. Interesting people watching around Ginnie Springs, and you might see an alligator or two (usually if it's sunny, laying on logs or close to the shore). Wish they had a summer pass for x number of rentals at a discounted price! read more

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These guys are great ! We fully intend on booking with them again. Their paddle trip provides an AWESOME experience on the river. Very happy to have booked with Rum138. read more

Super friendly staff (even when you get lost!), very knowledgeable about the river and surrounding area. Easy online booking in advance, and they help you launch the kayak's as well. Such a beautiful escape to nature, we will definitely be back! read more

Doug and Princess, the beagle, were great! Informative, nice, and prompt. Highly recommend!

I grateful they could accommodate us as we walked in without a reservation but the customer service seemed to end once they had our money. The lady at the front desk nickled and dimed us. And I didn't notice the Yelp check in discount until afterwards- that price was much more reasonable than what I paid. Additionally once we returned, we called them immediately for pickup and we waited in a park (with no restrooms) for 45 mins for them to finally come get us. The equipment was in good condition. The river was beautiful though. I highly recommended the trip. read more