FLORIDA STATE - Florida's beloved sea cows enchant everyone who encounters them with their gentle faces and playful antics. While manatees can be spotted year-round, the cooler months bring them to Florida's springs, where the water stays a cozy 72 degrees. Ready to experience manatee magic? Here's where to find these gentle giants, ways to view them responsibly, and even opportunities to swim alongside them!
Manatees! Your Guide to Seeing Florida's Gentle Giants
Manatee Hotspots Across the Sunshine State
- West Volusia County: Blue Spring State Park is a manatee haven! Its boardwalk offers breathtaking views of the crystal-clear spring, where hundreds of manatees gather during the Winter. Watch them socialize, nurse their calves, and be their adorable selves. Learn about their fascinating lives and the importance of conservation.
- Fort Myers: Lee County's Manatee Park is a warm-water refuge for manatees seeking respite from chilly Gulf waters. Visit during the colder months (December-March) for the best chance of spotting these gentle creatures basking in the power plant's outflow.
- Tampa Bay: Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park isn't just a zoo – it's a critical care center dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured manatees. Learn about their work, and perhaps even watch a release of recovered manatees back into the wild! Nearby, the TECO Manatee Viewing Center offers educational exhibits and opportunities to observe manatees in a protected sanctuary.
- Central Florida: Cooler months mean manatee sightings galore in the region's springs!
- Epic Paddle Adventures and Get Up and Go Kayaking offer clear kayak tours at Silver Springs, giving you a unique underwater view of these graceful creatures.
- BK Adventure's tour on the Indian River is a double delight for wildlife lovers – spot both manatees and dolphins!
- Real Florida Adventures takes you to Crystal River, the Manatee Capital of the World, for the unforgettable experience of legally swimming with them.
- Viking Ecotours offers pedal kayak tours at the Canaveral National Seashore, a pristine habitat for manatees and countless other wonders.
- St. Pete/Clearwater:
- Get Up and Go Kayaking's clear-bottom kayaks in Tarpon Springs provide crystal-clear views of the manatees seeking warmth in Spring Bayou during the Winter.
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium, famous for Winter the dolphin, offers a comprehensive educational experience centered on manatees. Its new rehabilitation center will further its incredible rescue work.
- Crystal River/Homosassa: This is THE place for manatee encounters! Swim alongside them with experienced guides, kayak, or paddleboard nearby, or explore the boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs Refuge and Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for a land-based view.
- Bradenton: Manatee County lives up to its name!
- The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is home to a manatee rehabilitation habitat, allowing you to learn about their care and recovery.
- In the nearby waterways, keep an eye out while exploring Robinson Preserve or kayaking in the Manatee River.
- St. Lucie County:
- Take a boat tour on the Indian River Lagoon, a haven for year-round manatee sightings. Transparent kayak or stand-up paddleboard adventures provide an even closer look!
Manatee Manners: Viewing Responsibly
Remember, manatees are protected creatures. Admire them from a respectful distance. Never touch, chase, or feed them. Choose eco-friendly tour operators committed to protecting these gentle giants and their habitat.
Florida: Your Manatee Adventure Awaits!
Florida is a manatee lover's paradise with abundant warm waterways and dedicated conservation efforts. Whether you prefer a leisurely boardwalk stroll, an educational center visit, or an up-close swim, a magical manatee encounter will surely create lasting memories!
