Where can I watch manatees in Orlando?
Best Places to View Manatees Near Orlando
- Blue Spring State Park—Orange City. Located north of Orlando, this state park is one of the largest winter safe havens for manatees in the state and a designated manatee refuge.
- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park—Homosassa.
- Hunter Springs Park—Crystal River.
Are there manatees near Orlando?
Located north of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge and ideal for viewing. A half-mile boardwalk borders the Blue Spring Run, the main manatee viewing area, with the translucent spring on one end and the St. Johns River on the other.
What is the best time of year to see manatees in Florida?
The peak season for observing manatees is November through April, and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February. You can spot manatees in our waterways all year round, but the population is much smaller during the summer months.
Are the manatees in Crystal River now?
The manatee season at Crystal River NWR begins in mid-November and ends in late March. During the winter months, manatees come to the springs of Crystal River NWR to conserve the energy necessary to survive the cold Gulf waters. Manatees are not here to amuse visitors.
Where can you see manatees in Disney World?
Blue Springs State Park
Blue Springs State Park in Orange City, Florida is the winter home of hundreds of manatees. Located a little over an hour away from Disney World. Seeing the Manatees at Blue Spring State Park is a neat addition to your Disney winter months vacation (typically mid-November to very early March).
Are there manatees near Bradenton Florida?
Lake Manatee State Park is located 15 miles east of Bradenton on State Road 64.
When can I see manatees in Florida?
Manatees roam the waters of Florida from April through October — but when things get a bit chilly, they head to places like freshwater Florida springs, where the temperatures remain constant throughout the year.
Are there alligators in manatee Springs State Park?
We enjoyed paddling in the spring run and a bit in the river. We did happen upon an alligator in the river, thankfully the alligator was chill and didn’t seem to want anything to do with us. There are underwater caves in the spring run great for diving however we did not check this out.
How much does it cost to swim with manatees in Crystal River?
Our public manatee tours start at $59.95 and go up to $65 for peak manatee season (November-April). Private manatee tours are $449 for a boat that holds up to six people, larger private manatee tours can be arranged for an additional $75 per person.
How much is it to swim with manatees in Florida?
Are there alligators in the Crystal River?
Re: Are there Alligators?? Well, there is gators there, but, they will stay in the more swampy, much less traveled areas, not usually where you will go to swim wih manatees.
Can you swim with manatees in Orlando?
Crystal River, about 87 miles from Orlando, is one of only two places in the U.S. where people can swim with Florida manatees. Manatee Tour and Dive offers snorkeling tours with the sea cows in Kings Bay. Snorkels, masks and wetsuits are provided.
The Wakulla Springs State Park is not only one of the best state parks in all of Florida with the deepest freshwater spring, it is also a haven for manatees. The park boat tours will point out the wintering manatees and plenty of wildlife in the park. March through September is the best time of year for viewing.
Where is the best place to see manatees?
Another place to see manatees in a natural habitat is the Lee County Manatee Park, near Fort Myers in Southwest Florida.
Where can you find manatees in Florida?
Two of the most popular locations in Florida to see manatees are located in Central Florida: Blue Spring State Park and Crystal River. Located north of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge and ideal for viewing.
Where to see wild manatees in Florida?
There is one place where you can actually swim with wild manatees: Citrus County. There, in the towns of Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, various tour operators offer manatee snorkeling tours. It is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim and interact with this endangered species.