Manatee encounter by kayak in Blue Springs State Park

Free cancellation

Place: Orlando

Duration: 3 hours

Language: English

Mobile voucher accepted

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Guided Tour

Do this because

Kayak through Blue Springs State Park - home to Florida's largest populations of Manatees
Learn about the flora and fauna of the area from your Florida Master Naturalist
Look overhead to spot bald eagles, osprey, and red shoulder hawks
Paddle to the edge of the protected park and watch the manatees floating below
Experience free time to swim, snorkel and explore the headspring, during the warmer months

What to expect

Take a kayak journey to Blue Springs State Park, winter home to one of Florida's largest populations of Manatees. Your Florida Master Naturalist will introduce you to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area, then observe from a distance hundreds of manatees manatees relaxing in the springs.

During the peak migration months (Nov-March) your group will paddle up to the edge of the protected refuge and wait for the hundreds of manatees to wake up and float under your kayak as they travel to the river in search of a morning meal. In the warmer months (April-Oct), when most of the manatees have returned to the main river and ocean, your group will paddle up to the headspring. At the head spring everyone is welcome to swim, snorkel, and explore.

After a while, you'll return to the main river in search of manatees, otters, and sun worshipping gators. Overhead look out for bald eagle, osprey, and red shoulder hawks scaning the water and marshes. On the river bank people will spot large wading birds, coots, more hens, and the occasional wild hog. If time allows, your group will also make their way far off the mainstream to snake creek and dead river.

This tour is perfect all year for bird watchers, animal lovers, and people who enjoy being lost in thought - rather than in the crowd.

Guests must be at least 6 years old
Maximum of 14 participants per tour group
During checkout, select if you would like a single kayak or tandem kayak
In order for the tour operator to provide the appropriate sized kayak - you will be requested to provide your height at checkout
Note, the kayaks available by the tour operator have a maximum weight limit of 280 lbs
Important, upon arrival all guests must sign a liability waiver
As the weather warms up in March, less and less manatee will be in the spring. Once this occurs, your tour group will seek them out in the main river
Recommended to bring : Sun protection (hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen), wear clothes that can get wet and possibly dirty, waterproof camera
Note, there is not a bathroom facility at the meeting point - The last public restroom is at Valentine Park 1 mile before Blue Springs on the right