Weeki Wachee

The City of Live Mermaids




Photo courtesy of The Florida Memory Project; Photo Date: November 2, 1947.

Weeki Wachee, the city of Live Mermaids was created by a special act of the legislature in 1948 and encompasses approximately one square mile and currently has a population of 4. Weeki Wachee has a mayor and a city council, which by its charter is the attraction manager and the city council is comprised of the other managerial staff. It was created basically as a special taxing district to help finance the infrastructure of the tourist attraction. Weeki Wachee Springs is the oldest of Florida's original tourist attractions that has been in continuous operation since it started in 1947 and its residents are the Mermaids who have been performing several shows a day 7 days a week since 1947.

While Weeki Wachee Springs is still in operation, it has changed ownership several times and has progressed from a privately held operation to its current status as a part of the Florda Parks and Recreation system. In the 1960's and early 1970's it was a part of the American Broadcasting Company's holdings. In it's heyday from the 1950's to the 1970's hundreds of visitors would visit each day.




Free Dive into the Cavern

One of the highlights of the show has always been the Free Dive 110 feet into the cavern which requires amazing breath control. The Show also includes mermaids eating and drinking underwater as well as the underwater ballet. Over the years the show has changed with the times. The shows have always been well choreographed, with several of performers moving from active performing to staging the shows. The ladies who perform in this most unusual theatre are not just graceful performers, but excellent athletes as well!


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