Are you questioning the place to see manatees in Florida? Viewing these stunning, huge, light animals within the wild is a bucket listing expertise you’ll always remember when visiting Florida.
Our household has spent 7 winters touring Florida and loves exploring new locations to view these superb animals. From Northern Florida to the Florida Keys and all over the place in between, we now have found some superb gems to share with you.
This text won’t solely share among the finest locations to view the manatees but in addition the place you’ll be able to swim with them. Let’s dive into suggestions and tips to search out and luxuriate in these superb animals in your subsequent journey.
Why You Don’t Need To Miss Seeing Manatees In Florida
Florida manatees are a novel and majestic species of aquatic mammals that inhabit the waters of Florida. They’re the state’s official marine mammal and are adored by everybody all through the state.
Manatees can develop as much as 13 ft lengthy and weigh over 3,000 kilos, making them an awe-inspiring sight to behold. Manatees are light giants who eat vegetation and algae discovered close to the floor of heat, shallow waters.
They’ve a formidable capacity to remain submerged for lengthy durations of time, so they’re troublesome to identify within the wild. Nonetheless, the reward of seeing these majestic creatures firsthand is nicely definitely worth the effort.
Sadly, the Florida manatee species is threatened. Due to this fact, you will need to be respectful of their habitat and observe them from a distance when viewing them within the wild.
What Time Of Yr Do You See The Manatee?
Winter months are the perfect time to identify manatees in Florida, as they collect in bigger numbers whereas trying to find heat springs and different dependable sources of warmth.
Despite the fact that some might be discovered throughout summer season months, massive gatherings happen in rivers and freshwater springs within the winter. Throughout colder instances of the 12 months, the variety of manatee sightings will increase as a consequence of fleeing from colder ocean water temperatures.
Many manatees search refuge round energy vegetation or pure Florida springs that keep hotter longer all through the winter season. Manatees are warm-blooded creatures that depend on exterior sources of warmth to outlive in chilly waters.
The optimum water temperature for the Florida manatee is 72°F (22°C). When temperatures drop under 68°F (20°C), they begin to get sluggish and might change into sick and even die if uncovered to extended durations of chilly water.
Due to this fact, it’s best to seek for manatees on colder Florida days between November and March, when bigger teams usually congregate within the springs, rivers, and close to energy vegetation. This offers you the perfect likelihood of seeing them of their pure setting and getting an up-close encounter with these majestic creatures!
Greatest Time To Go to The Manatee
The perfect time of day to view manatees in Florida is very first thing within the morning. Throughout this time, the air and water temperatures are nonetheless comparatively cool, making it a really perfect setting for manatees to assemble within the hotter springs and rivers.
Because the solar rises and temperatures begin to climb, manatees usually tend to exit from the nice and cozy springs or energy vegetation to flee the warmth. They often return out into the ocean.
In a single day, manatees typically stay within the heat rivers and comes, making very first thing within the morning a chief time for recognizing them within the wild. Moreover, mornings are when crowds are at a minimal which may help make your expertise extra pleasant.
Many parks and viewing areas attain peak capability shortly after the morning park opening time throughout peak season. There might be lengthy traces ready to enter the park.
It helps to test the park hours upfront and head out early. The manatees are value getting up early for, and you’ll be so glad you bought the possibility to view these majestic creatures!
Ideas For Visiting The Manatee
Florida’s freshwater springs are nice locations to see manatees as a consequence of their crystal-clear waters. The readability of the water is vital for viewing these light giants, because it permits daylight to penetrate deep into the depths and makes it simpler for guests to identify them.
As well as, this readability additionally helps give the underwater space a higher sense of tranquility and wonder. Florida waters exterior of the springs areas have extraordinarily dark-colored water as a consequence of naturally occurring tannins. The clear springs are by far the perfect place to simply see the manatees.
The nice and cozy waters of the springs entice manatees in massive numbers to search out refuge from the colder winter months. This makes it simpler for guests to get a close-up encounter with these stunning creatures than in the event that they have been looking out in cooler ocean waters or different waterways.
Can You Swim With The Manatee?
Florida Fish And Wildlife Service strictly regulates what actions are allowed in areas of excessive manatee exercise through the winter months. The species is proscribed in quantity and extremely protected all through Florida.
As a consequence of this particular safety, swimming with manatees is just allowed in sure areas. Maintain studying to search out the perfect place to swim with manatees in Florida.
The place To See The Manatee
Let’s dive into among the finest parks and locations in Florida to view manatees within the wild. We may even clarify suggestions for learn how to see them and for those who can swim with them.
Crystal River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge And Three Sisters Spring
Crystal River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge encompasses Kings Bay, a big complicated of over 70 springs. This refuge is 80 acres of protected waters with 20 islands solely accessed by boat.
The Kings Bay space consists of main springs akin to Tarpon Spring, King Spring, and Three Sisters Springs. All 70 springs pump out round 600 million gallons of water per day.
Manatees flock to those freshwater springs within the winter season seeking hotter waters in comparison with the ocean. There are a lot of methods in which you’ll expertise the manatees on this space of Florida.
Probably the most common methods to see the manatees in Crystal River is to paddle the springs. You’ll be able to carry your personal tools and launch from Hunter Springs Park.
Alternatively, you’ll be able to lease kayaks or paddle boards within the space and paddle by yourself. You can even take a guided paddling tour to go along with a gaggle.
An enormous spotlight of viewing the manatees on this space is that you’re allowed to swim with them right here. This is among the solely locations within the state the place that is allowed.
You’ll be able to take one of many guided boat excursions that embrace snorkeling with the manatees. You can additionally head out by yourself to swim close to Hunter Springs Park.
The water could be very chilly at a near-constant 72 levels. One good thing about happening a guided boat tour is that it typically consists of all the tools in addition to a wetsuit. The wetsuit is essential to consolation in these chilly waters.
Whether or not you swim with manatees by yourself or on a tour, it’s vital to notice that you may’t contact or chase after/pursue the manatees. Florida Fish And Wildlife volunteers are in kayaks patrolling the world to maintain the manatees protected from interference.
It’s important to be affected person and let the manatees come to you as you swim. Pursuing the manatees can lead to fines as they’re a protected species as a consequence of their declining inhabitants.
When you aren’t seeking to get out on the water with the manatees, an incredible place to view them from the land is Three Sisters Spring. There’s a common viewing space on this park the place enormous teams of manatees usually collect on chilly days.
Crystal River is the perfect place to go swimming with the manatees. It’s, nevertheless, so filled with those that it’s our household’s least favourite location to view the manatees from land. It’s the most well-liked location however not an incredible decide if you wish to keep away from crowds.
It’s also very costly to view them from Three Sisters Springs. So hold these drawbacks in thoughts in case you are solely seeking to view them from the shore. Maintain studying to search out out our household’s favourite spot to view manatees from the land.
The place To Keep When Visiting
There isn’t a RV tenting out there at Crystal River Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. A fantastic close by campground is Sun Retreats Crystal River.
On the lookout for a resort possibility close to Crystal River? Try the handy location of Holiday Inn Express Crystal River.
Reasonably have a rental in your time exploring Crystal River, Florida? Try this 2-bedroom rental house, New Cozy House Three Sisters Springs.
Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge
Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge is a bit of little bit of a wild paradise between the Indian River and the Atlantic Ocean close to Titusville, Florida.
The refuge is a good place to view totally different species of birds in addition to to go mountain climbing on six totally different trails. Don’t miss the 7-mile self-guided Black Level Wildlife Drive. Observe that autos over 29 ft are usually not allowed on the scenic drive, so it’s not RV pleasant.
The perfect location to view manatees within the refuge is the Manatee Commentary Deck situated at Kennedy Parkway and the Haulover Canal. Manatees have a tendency to assemble on this explicit spot within the river which makes it an incredible spot to see them.
If the parking space is full, give it a couple of minutes, as folks don’t have a tendency to remain lengthy on the viewing space. Additionally, take a look at the Bairs Cove Boat Ramp as in addition they typically collect in that location. There isn’t a swimming allowed with manatees at this location.
Additionally, take a look at close by Manatee Cove Park, which is a small river lagoon park the place manatees like to assemble. This park can be an incredible place to launch a kayak or paddle board to paddle with these light giants. A brief strolling path goes across the lagoon.
Once we are on this space, our household additionally loves to go to the uncrowded preserved seashores of Canaveral Nationwide Seashore. It’s a ravishing space to discover.
The place To Keep When Visiting
On the lookout for RV tenting close to Merritt Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge? Head a bit of bit north to go to Indian Mound Fish Camp to remain proper on the Indian River throughout your keep.
A close-by resort possibility is Hyatt Place Titusville Kennedy Space Center. Breakfast is included, and it is a nice location to additionally take a look at the Kenedy House Heart and the gorgeous seashores of Canaveral Nationwide Seashore.
Have a big household or on the lookout for a bit of more room? Contemplate this close by 6-bedroom rental house with a pool, Spacious Waterfront Home.
Tampa Electrical Manatee Viewing Heart
The Tampa Electrical Manatee Viewing Heart would be the most enjoyable and interactive place to view the manatees on our listing.
Not solely are you able to view many manatees that flock to the hotter waters surrounding the facility plant, however there are additionally many different fascinating instructional displays out there at this facility.
The facility plant discharge space is a delegated manatee sanctuary to guard these stunning animals. The most well-liked spot to view them from is the tidal stroll. This accessible walkway provides you an incredible vantage level to observe the manatees within the water under.
One other must-see a part of the Manatee Viewing Heart is Ray’s Contact Tank. This tank of cownose rays enables you to contact and luxuriate in these sea creatures up shut. They’re the mascots of the Tampa Bay Rays baseball staff.
There may be additionally a brief boardwalk habitat path to benefit from the coastal marsh areas from above. Alongside the path, you may as well climb the remark tower for a fowl’s eye view of the world.
Head contained in the Training Constructing to be taught extra in regards to the manatees and the habitats they take pleasure in. Our household’s favourite a part of this location was the sting ray contact tank. It’s enjoyable to have the ability to contact and work together with the rays as they swim.
Observe that there isn’t any water entry or swimming at this location.
The place To Keep When Visiting
The perfect tenting near the Tampa Electrical Manatee Viewing Heart is a beautiful waterfront county park campground known as EG Simmons Park. You’ll be able to’t beat the view!
Reasonably keep in a close-by resort when visiting the manatees? Try the Holiday Inn Express and Suites – Ruskin.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs is a state park not like another in Florida. This park is an element state park and half zoo. There may be a lot to see and luxuriate in right here!
Homosassa Spring is a crystal clear, attractive water space surrounded by lush greenery. It’s also an incredible place to view park animals akin to Key Deer, black bears, alligators, flamingos, a well-known hippo named Lou, and manatees.
A park spotlight is the Underwater Observatory, a sunken viewing space that means that you can watch fish and manatees swim by from under the water’s floor. A paved and boardwalk path winds by means of the park to view the wildlife.
The park options two manatee teaching programs day by day, permitting guests to view the light giants whereas studying extra about them. This program has bleacher-style seating out there.
One other spotlight of this park is the optionally available pontoon boat experience that takes guests alongside the river from the customer heart to the opposite finish of the park. The experience is gorgeous, and it’s one other nice strategy to view the spring and be taught extra about wildlife within the space.
Our household’s favourite a part of this park is the pontoon boat experience and the underwater remark space. There may be a lot to see and luxuriate in right here!
It is a nice total park to view manatees and plenty of different animals present in Florida. There isn’t a water entry for paddling or swimming allowed on this park.
The place To Keep When Visiting
Homosassa State Park doesn’t have any RV tenting out there inside the park, however there are native campgrounds out there. Try Sun Retreats Homosassa River.
When you want a resort possibility close to Homosassa, take a look at Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Inverness.
For a bit of more room, contemplate a rental house within the space like this 4 bed room house that sleeps 12 folks, Estuary Oasis.
Florida Energy & Gentle Firm – Riviera Seaside
Earlier, we talked about how manatees typically flock to the nice and cozy water discharge from energy vegetation just like the one in Tampa. For the same expertise on the east coast of Florida, take a look at Riviera Seaside.
West Palm Beach, Florida, affords Manatee Lagoon as a viewing space for manatees interested in the nice and cozy waters. This scenic location has views of Peanut Island and is a good place to view fish in addition to manatees.
Additionally, take a look at the academic displays, together with a manatee skeleton, and test for applications provided throughout your go to. Widespread applications provided embrace Manatee Tales child’s story time, guided strolling excursions, and outside yoga courses.
Manatee Lagoon is open day by day within the winter, and admission is free. The power does shut early, so be sure you test the hours. There isn’t a swimming with manatees at this location.
On the lookout for one other enjoyable space to take pleasure in wildlife throughout your journey? Head north a bit to take a look at the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary. Our household likes to stroll round and have a look at the animals right here. Don’t miss testing Stu, the whistling duck. He’s just like the resident superstar, and you will note why!
The place To Keep When Visiting
In case you are on the lookout for RV or tent tenting close to Riviera Seaside, take a look at John Prince Park Campground. This stunning Palm Seaside County Park affords lakeside tenting.
Why not keep on the seashore throughout your time visiting the manatees? Try Marriott’s Ocean Point for a seashore resort expertise throughout your journey.
On the lookout for a bit of extra room to stretch out however nonetheless inside strolling distance of the seashore? The two-bedroom with heated pool, tiki bar and lush gardens could also be an incredible match in your journey.
Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park, additionally known as Blue Springs State Park by many, is our high decide for viewing the manatees from land. When considering of manatees, this is among the high spots the place you’ll be able to see manatees in Florida. Its crystal clear water and luxurious greenery make this park particularly scenic.
This park additionally has a protracted boardwalk that follows the river. This makes it straightforward to view the manatees from many areas on the river as you benefit from the surroundings. We love mountain climbing on this scenic park.
Manatees love this pure spring location. It’s protected within the winter, so there isn’t any swimming or kayaking right here from November fifteenth by means of March fifteenth.
On the adjoining St. Johns River, boat excursions and kayak leases can be found. Nonetheless, there isn’t any entry to the spring space in boats, tubing, or swimming throughout manatee season.
Blue Spring State Park is situated about 45 minutes north of Orlando in Orange Metropolis, FL. Don’t confuse this park with Blue Springs Park, which is a Levy County park in Bronson, FL.
The place To Keep When Visiting
The perfect place to camp when visiting Blue Spring is definitely onsite on the state park campground. This lets you be near the motion and stroll over to view the manatees.
A close-by resort possibility with breakfast is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Deland South.
For a extra distinctive and scenic keep, contemplate staying at this stunning 4 Bedroom Private Lake Front House.
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs State Park is among the world’s largest freshwater springs. This pure treasure is situated in Florida’s Panhandle and is a high spot to view manatees.
This park has particularly scenic swamp areas and has been featured in films akin to Tarzan and Creature From The Black Lagoon. There may be additionally a historic lodge from the Nineteen Thirties with a distinctly Spanish type and outdated Florida really feel.
A singular park exercise that can be excellent for viewing manatees is aboard the park’s riverboat tour. The boat tour takes guests on a 2-mile loop on the Wakulla River. It’s a good way to view alligators, manatees, and different superb wildlife.
When water high quality is obvious, guests also can select to take a glass-bottom boat tour of the springs. Name forward to see if this boat tour can be out there throughout your go to. It’s uncommon that the water is obvious sufficient now to run this tour.
You can even view manatees from the diving platform. This designated swimming space is ideal for snorkeling, diving, or cooling off within the spring. Though swimming is allowed right here, it’s uncommon for the manatees to be contained in the designated swimming space.
This park is a good place to go to only for the surroundings and boat experience alone. The spring and jungle really feel of the place is gorgeous to discover. Viewing manatees is simply one other bonus to your go to!
The place To Keep When Visiting
On the lookout for a spot to camp in your Florida Panhandle manatee adventures? Try Tallahassee RV Park.
Essentially the most superb place to remain within the space is correct there on the park within the historic Lodge At Wakulla Springs, Crawfordville. Staying onsite is ideal for being near all of the outside motion and enjoyable.
On the lookout for more room throughout your journey? Contemplate renting this non-public 3-bedroom Waterfront Home with attractive views of nature.
Our High Choose To See The Manatees
Wherever that you may go to view the manatees is definitely worth the journey! Seeing them is a once-in-a-lifetime expertise, and swimming with them is much more thrilling. These high locations are the proper place the place to see manatees in Florida.
Our household’s high decide on this listing is Blue Spring State Park. When you go to the park on a cool day within the low 60s or colder, you’ll be handled to massive numbers of manatees which might be near the boardwalk and simple to see.
On our final winter go to to this park, we bought to view over 400 manatees. The state park retains a board on the check-in constructing that tells you the manatee rely per day. The spring itself is so clear with lush inexperienced environment that it makes the proper scenic backdrop the place to see manatees in Florida!
Spending time with Florida’s manatees within the wild is a bucket listing expertise you’ll always remember. Whether or not you view them from land, paddle with them, do a kayak tour or swim with the manatees, these light giants will seize your coronary heart. Add this memorable exercise to your subsequent winter journey and discover out the place to see manatees in Florida!
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Van, Scott, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full-time of their RV for 8 years. They’ve labored and homeschooled on the highway by means of 42 states to date. They weblog about RVing suggestions, journey locations, jobs for RVing, and the full-time RV life-style on their blogs https://theadventuredetour.com/ and https://rvnomadjobs.com/. They’re additionally RV content material creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, Fb, and YouTube. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure you attain out to them and say hello!
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