If you’re looking for a family-friendly water activity, tubing on the St. Johns River should be at the top of your list. With Freedom Boat Club, we have access to a variety of boats, giving us plenty of options for a fun day on the water.
Best Spots for Tubing
Boating in Northeast Florida is some of the best boating locations you can get, with access to the ICW and St. Johns River.
Doctor’s Lake:
- If you’re starting from Julington Creek, Doctor’s Lake is just across the St. Johns River. The water here is calmer than the river, making it a popular spot for tubing, especially on weekends.
Black Creek:
- A bit of a journey from Julington Creek—about 20 minutes south—but well worth it. The waters in Black Creek are very calm, perfect for tubing and wakeboarding. There’s also a rope swing further up the creek for added fun.
Julington Creek:
- When we’re feeling lazy, we just stay in Julington Creek. The marina puts you right at the start, with calm waters that are great for tubing. It can get busy, though, so expect to see other boats in the area.
Safety Tips
Life Jacket:
- Always wear a life jacket. People will inevitably fall off the tube, and the tube may drift away. Life jackets are our top priority, regardless of age.
Spotter:
- We always have a second person as a lookout. The driver should focus on steering. I don’t trust other boaters on the water, so I always look for a secluded spot away from the channels. There are too many stories of accidents where people were run over.
Start Slow:
- I used to think that going fast and trying to make my daughter fall off was the way to go, but after my wife drove more calmly, our daughter said she enjoyed it much more. Now, we use hand signals—thumbs up or down—to communicate whether to go faster or slower.
Secluded Areas:
- Find a spot that’s not in a boating lane. Explore the area before you start tubing. Too often, you’ll see tubers being pulled through high-traffic areas. We once saw a boat pulling a tube through the Bridge of Lions, which is incredibly busy. Avoid such areas for safety.
Tubing Gear
Tube:
- We see a lot of Airhead tubes; we have the G-Force 3. It’s held up really well over two full summers. It comfortably holds three people, but it can get tiring. Backrest tubes are also popular—it just depends on what your family prefers.
Tow Rope:
- Invest in a high-quality tow rope, about 50 feet in length. If you notice a lot of spray hitting the tubers’ eyes, consider getting a booster ball to keep the rope out of the water.
Boat:
- Almost any boat can pull a tube. We’ve done it with center consoles, dual consoles, deck boats, and pontoons. Just make sure the boat has at least a 150HP motor.
Planning Your Trip
Weather:
- Always check the weather, particularly the chance of rain. Storms can roll in quickly and catch you off guard, making the trip back to the dock miserable.
Location:
- Explore your location first to get a feel for how busy it is. Watch the traffic and identify high-traffic areas to avoid.
Pack Essentials:
- Make sure to apply good sunscreen—lying on a tube can lead to a serious sunburn. We always pack a waterproof bag with water and snacks.
Start Early:
- The early bird gets the worm. We aim to be out before 10:00 AM. By noon, there’s often a rush to secure spots, so we try to claim ours early. If your spot is taken, have a couple of backup spots in mind.
Final Thoughts
Tubing on the St. Johns River has become a big part of our summers. Our teenage daughter loves bringing her friends, and tubing keeps them entertained while my wife and I relax. Of course, I sometimes get dragged onto the tube myself, much to their amusement as I struggle to stay on!