40 Acre Park
Community park in Welaka with quiet birding trails through former fish-hatchery wetlands, plus a playground, sand volleyball, racquetball and picnic pavilion.
Welaka
Welaka sits at the eastern edge of Putnam County where the St. Johns River widens into Little Lake George. A few hundred people live here year-round, and the town has been a fishing destination since the 1890s — long enough that the lodges, marinas, and bait shops along the river are run by the third or fourth generation of the same families.
Welaka sits at the eastern edge of Putnam County where the St. Johns River widens into Little Lake George. A few hundred people live here year-round, and the town has been a fishing destination since the 1890s — long enough that the lodges, marinas, and bait shops along the river are run by the third or fourth generation of the same families.
There's a downtown park with a public boat ramp, a state forest with hiking trails, a national fish hatchery you can tour for free, and one of the best stretches of largemouth bass water in the Southeast. If you've never been, plan a slow weekend — one day on the water, one day eating your way through the family-run kitchens in town.
55 places in Welaka
A Perfect Clean By Lina
Residential and business cleaning in Welaka, FL, plus elder care, babysitting, and care for people who are ill.
Andersen’s Lodge
Riverfront lodging on the St. Johns in Welaka, with Andersen's Bar & Grill serving food, drinks and karaoke to guests and locals alike.
Ashley’s Pet Sitting
Pet sitting in Welaka, FL. Drop-in visits, long walks and plenty of fetch, from someone who treats your fur babies like her own.
Bartram Trail
Follow William Bartram's 1770s route along the St. Johns River through Welaka, Georgetown and Crescent City, by boat, on foot or on horseback.
Betcha Bass Bait Shack
Welaka bait shop with live wild shiners, minnows and worms, plus non-ethanol gas, tackle, snacks and drinks. One stop before you hit the water.
Beyond Basic Needs
Welaka nonprofit providing Chemo Care Kits to cancer warriors undergoing treatment, with 100% of donations going back into the community.
Bomba's Home Cooking
Home cooking in downtown Welaka. Rotating comfort-food favorites at Bomba's on Elm St. Small-town warmth, big flavor. Let's eat, let's play.
Bridge City Real Estate Co
Realtor Jennifer Burres of Bridge City Real Estate, helping buyers and sellers across Welaka and Northeast Florida with local market knowledge.
Bryant’s Wharf Kayak Launch
Public kayak launch in Welaka with a floating dock, restrooms, scenic viewing area, fishing and shrimping, and two-night overnight mooring.
Circle K
Neighborhood convenience store in Welaka with drinks, snacks and fast food, plus gas and an ATM.
Dollar General
Everyday low prices on food, snacks, cleaning supplies and health and beauty items, with stores in Welaka, Crescent City and Pomona Park.
Eddie’s Trailers
Trailer sales in Welaka since 2006: enclosed, utility, motorcycle and car trailers.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Episcopal congregation in Welaka, FL, welcoming the community through worship, Christian study and service to others.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FWC manages Florida's fish and wildlife resources, including the fishing, hunting and recreation around Welaka and Putnam County.
Friends of Welaka
Welaka nonprofit supporting local youth education, preserving natural and historic sites, and building community through outreach.
Gem City Coffee
Welaka coffee roaster offering whole bean, ground, single-serve pods and cold brew. Currently mobile — check Facebook for where to find them.
GFWC Woman’s Club of Welaka
Volunteer service organization in Welaka, where a diverse group of women give their time and resources to improve the community.
Ground Thumpin’ Motors
Welaka-based Polaris ATV, UTV and SxS engine builder, with 24-hour support year round, free delivery and craftsmanship you have to see.
Helping Hands of Welaka
Welaka nonprofit providing food, school supplies, Christmas toys, clothing and bereavement support to neighbors in need.
Jefferson Smith Memorial Ball Park
Welaka park with a lighted ballfield and covered bleachers, two playgrounds, swings, a basketball court, picnic pavilion and restrooms.
Lexi’s Deli and Cafe
Welaka deli and cafe with Cubans, Reubens and Italians, breakfast sandwiches, salads, smoothies and coffee, plus sliced meats and catering.
Little Lake George Croaker Hole
Spring-fed fishing spot 3.5 miles southwest of Welaka in Little Lake George, known for largemouth and striped bass, bluegill and catfish.
Long’s Log Cabin Bar and Package
Historic Welaka bar established in 1929, veteran and biker owned, with live music, package sales and a fierce loyalty to locals.
Low Tide Welaka
Riverfront vacation rental on the St. Johns in Welaka, where sandhill cranes start the morning and a canopy of stars finishes the night.
Lynn’s Welaka Dog Walking Service
Dog walking in Welaka and the surrounding area from Lynne, with over 30 years in the veterinary industry and dog rescue work.
Moonlite Hideaway
Quiet St. Johns River retreat in Welaka for boating, paddleboarding and world-class bass fishing, with springs and hiking nearby.
Patriot Trailer Repair and Mobile Services
Trailer repair, maintenance and custom refitting in Welaka, FL, with mobile service to get you back on the road safely.
Plumb Straight Plumbing
Licensed, insured, locally owned plumbing in Welaka with 30+ years of hands-on residential, commercial and industrial experience.
Putnam Well Drilling
Licensed, insured well drilling in Welaka, FL. Shallow and Floridan aquifer wells, pump service, water treatment, testing, and well inspections.
Rivertown Motorworks
Neighborhood auto repair and used car sales in Welaka, FL. Rivertown Motorworks handles most makes and models with honest service and quality parts.
Rockstarr and Moon
Marketing agency based in Welaka, FL, with 20+ years helping businesses unleash their potential and grow.
RPS Metal Roofing and Siding
Metal roofing manufacturer and distributor in Welaka since 2001, producing commercial, residential and agricultural roofs in-house.
S&A Leisure and More LLC
Welaka boat service and sales, an authorized dealer for MinnKota, Power Pole, Rhodan, MotorGuide, Garmin and Lowrance. Bow to stern.
Shell Harbour Public Boat Ramp
Free public boat ramp in Welaka with poured concrete, a dock for launching and staging, and parking. Government owned and open to everyone.
Shrimps ‘R Us and More
Family-style seafood restaurant in Welaka with banquet rooms, a covered pavilion and tiki bars. Lunch and dinner daily, live music most weekends.
Stillwater Welaka
Spacious vacation rental in Welaka, minutes from the St. Johns River and a comfortable base for fishing, boating and exploring Putnam County.
The Church of Welaka
First Baptist of Welaka, a down-to-earth, spirit-filled Christian church with community service, missions and young adult programs.
Trailboss RV and Marina
RV sites and boat slips by the day, week or month on the St. Johns River in Welaka, with gas and great bass fishing right out front.
Welaka Baptist Church
Friendly Christian community in Welaka, FL, welcoming believers and anyone seeking to understand Christianity.
Welaka Boat Ramp
Public boat ramp in Welaka with two lanes of poured concrete and a staging dock, open to all boaters.
Welaka Cash Garage
Automotive repair, maintenance and diagnostics for all makes and models in Welaka, plus OEM parts at competitive prices.
Welaka Dog Park
Fenced dog park on Orange St. in Welaka, FL. Open sunrise to sunset. Two play areas for shy and confident dogs, water, poop bags, benches, restrooms.
Welaka Downtown Park
Welaka park with lighted tennis and basketball courts, playgrounds, swings, shuffleboard, and restrooms with showers.
Welaka Fish, Crab And Bait
Welaka fixture for fresh fish, seafood and famous blue crabs, plus bait, with quality overseen by 25-year crabber Bruce 'Bull' Horning.
Welaka Golf Carts
Street-ready golf cart rentals in Welaka, FL. 4-seat and 6-seat carts, town-registered and delivered charged. 2-day minimum, weekly rates.
Welaka Lodge and Resort
Old Florida lodging on a high bluff over the St. Johns River in Welaka, under live oaks, magnolias and palms. Built for anglers and quiet.
Welaka Marine
Boat maintenance and repair in Welaka from experienced technicians, plus boat buying, selling and trading.
Welaka National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Fish hatchery and aquarium on the St. Johns River in Welaka, built in 1926 and run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service since 1938.
Welaka Pickleball
Open pickleball play in Welaka from 8 to 10:30am every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Learn the skills and meet South Putnam neighbors.
Welaka Realty
Welaka real estate agents who have lived in town over 30 years: let our family show your family the way home.
Welaka State Forest
State forest along the east bank of the St. Johns River, managed by the Florida Forest Service for recreation and environmental education.
Welaka State Forest Mud Spring Trail
A 1.7-mile loop through the Welaka State Forest to Mud Spring, where a clear basin cradles an underwater garden rather than mud.
Welaka Town Hall Recreation Area
Welaka recreation area with the LifeTrail circuit, basketball court, picnic pavilion and playground, an easy outdoor stop in town.
Welaka United Methodist Church
United Methodist congregation in Welaka, FL, warmly welcoming visitors to worship in person or online.
Frequently asked questions
- What is there to do in Welaka?
- Welaka State Forest has hiking, including the Mud Spring Trail loop and the Bartram Trail along the river bluffs. The Welaka National Fish Hatchery has an aquarium. There are three parks in town — 40 Acre Park, Welaka Downtown Park and Jefferson Smith Memorial Ball Park — and Welaka Pickleball holds open play on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings. Most visitors come for the fishing.
- Where can I eat in Welaka?
- Shrimps 'R Us and More does family-style seafood with live music most weekends. Lexi's Deli and Cafe covers breakfast, sandwiches and coffee, and Bomba's Home Cooking is a local kitchen. Andersen's Bar & Grill at Andersen's Lodge and Long's Log Cabin Bar both serve food. Gem City Coffee roasts in Welaka but is currently mobile with no storefront.
- Where can I stay in Welaka?
- Riverfront cabins and rentals: Welaka Lodge and Resort, Low Tide Welaka, Stillwater Welaka, Moonlite Hideaway, and Andersen's Lodge. Trailboss RV and Marina has RV sites and boat slips by the day, week or month.
- Where can I launch a boat in Welaka?
- Welaka Boat Ramp and Shell Harbour Public Boat Ramp are both free public ramps with concrete lanes and staging docks — there is no launch fee. Bryant's Wharf has a kayak launch, floating dock and some trailer parking, though trailer space is limited on a good weekend.
- Is there a grocery store or pharmacy in Welaka?
- Not a full supermarket or a pharmacy. Circle K and Dollar General cover basics in town, and Circle K has gas and an ATM. The nearest full grocery stores are Publix and Walmart in Palatka, and the nearest pharmacy is the CVS in East Palatka.