Ocala Lakes

Lakes Close to Ocala

It’s summertime so it’s time to start planning your upcoming summer adventure. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Ocala. As it turns out, when you visit Ocala you have lots of options for getting on, or in the water.

It doesn’t matter if you’re seeking to paddleboard, buzz around doing water skiing, swim, or work on your tan, the lakes near Ocala offer you plentiful options for aquatic adventures. The time is now! Pack up the car with your beach goodies and a picnic basket then set out your next day off to find your own number one location on a lake!

Lakes Close to Ocala

A Day at the Lake: An Itinerary

When you visit a lake near Ocala there are many things to do for people of all persuasions. Whether you’re just looking for a day trip or decide to stay overnight at a hotel or AirBnB to make for a bigger, better getaway.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you arrive at a Ocala lake:

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, you shouldn’t have too much trouble finding a good fishing spot to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or tossing a line in from the dock.

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Ocala offer tons of laughs and games for the kids, or plenty of exercise for those looking to be active in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a sandy beach and a designated swimming area before you make the trip! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach!

Grab a board. If paddling is your thing, pack up your board of choice and chart your course to a lake that has a public boat launch you can use and get out and soak up the scenery in all it’s glory.

Preparing for a Day on the Lake

Every day at the lake will have its own requirements depending on which lake you go to, what the weather is going to be, or if there are any activities planned. While every trip is its own animal, we’ve created a list that will give some ideas for your next summer trip so there’s nothing to stress over!

The basics

When you’re out on a lake near Ocala you’ll probably want to bring many of these items to make sure you’re safe, healthy, and relaxed.

  • Something to eat
  • Flip flops or water shoes
  • A cooler and drinks
  • Beach blanket
  • Insect repellant
  • Sunglasses
  • Reserve clothes
  • UV protection
  • Swimsuits
  • USB charger

More lake gear

The following items could be helpful for getaways to the lake depending on what your plans are. You may want to double check some of these prior to hitting the road.

  • Something to clean up with like sanitizers or wet wipes
  • Worms or other bait
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Inflatable pool toys
  • Tackle box and lures
  • Legal flotation devices
  • Swimming goggles
  • Wine key
  • Fishing and boating licenses
  • Fishing gear

Staying Safe on a Lake

Of course a day on the lake can provide lots of fun, everyone’s safety needs to remain top of mind. When you decide to spend a day at the lake these are some extremely important tips for keeping everyone safe.

  • Always wear a life jacket when boating, kayaking or paddle boarding
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong
  • Avoid alcohol consumption before swimming, as it can impair judgment and result in drowning
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Always swim with a buddy
  • Keep your distance from wildlife
  • Have an emergency plan if you run into trouble on your watercraft

Some More Tips

If you’re going to visit the fabulous lakes around Ocala, there are a few things that might make your weekend gameplan substantially more successful. As an example, every individual lake is going to have unique qualities and surroundings which makes it important to take into account what you need to make an enjoyable adventure when planning yours.

  1. Do homework on the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, sometimes the beaches near Ocala can get exceptionally crowded. If you want more space to yourself, research multiple nearby beaches and lakes to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. To get in on the party, search out the busiest, most popular beach!
  2. Rent a boat. It’s common that lakes will have nearby marinas that offer boat rentals of all sizes. Just because you don’t own a boat to enjoy a day fishing on the lake or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search can typically allow you to find options for renting the perfect boat.
  3. Maximize unique assets in the area. If you have time for a longer getaway, find local state parks and recreation areas that offer the option to stay right on the water at an affordable price.