established in 1983 to protect the then-endangered Florida manatee by creating a refuge to preserve the last unspoiled and undeveloped spring habitat in Kings . Aquarium Encounters is Great! It is a manatee refuge and excellent for viewing thanks to its half-mile boardwalk which you can walk down and see where the manatees congregate. Kayaking routes and guided tours in the Florida Keys to make a road trip on the Overseas Highway even better. Manatees in the Keys 9 years ago During our visits to the southwest coast of Florida, we have seen many manatees from the beach and around marinas. Resident manatees year-round. Trip rating: Easy (Beginners welcome!) A visit to almost any Florida spring or river during the winter months will give you a great opportunity to see manatees. Power plants and manatees can be a perfect match at the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric (TECO) in Apollo Beach is no exception. Islamorada and Key Largo are popular spots for sitings of the creatures in the wild. Tampa, FL. Boat rental and other services at Lovers Key. Just about 90 minutes north of Tampa, swimming with the manatees is a perfect day trip for fun with the whole family.. Manatee tours are approximately 4 hours long. Manatees are well represented in Florida's fossil record. Lovers Key State Park. The best places to kayak in the Florida Keys range from Key West to the backcountry of the smaller keys. Just give us a call now at 352-364-4799 or book your manatee tour online! Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge . If you wish to view manatees in Wakulla Springs State Park you need to go by boat tour. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park - Manatees can be seen in the bay area and mangrove channels of John Pennekamp State Park. Blue Spring State Park is a romantic state park located west of Orange City and a popular tourist destination that offers an array of outdoor recreational activities from hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and canoeing to swimming, fishing, camping and wildlife watching and is one of the best places in Florida to see manatees in the wild. 14. This is one of our personal favorite places to kayak with manatees in Florida. Our brands are Bic, Yolo, Suplove, Imagine and more. Best Places to Stay. Offered in: English. The 20-mile long chain of tropical islands curves around the base of the Florida peninsula as the Florida Keys comprised of the most famous Key Largo, Islamadora, Marathon, Lower Keys, and the Key West, and categorized into groups of Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys. . The Florida Keys is a popular breeding ground for the dolphins, which is why you can see them there year-round. Unfortunately, one of the best places to see manatees is actually in marinas or man-made channels. In the cold season, manatees shelter here in the warmer waters that . Tampa Electric's Manatee Viewing Center is a designated manatee sanctuary to which large numbers of manatees in Florida return annually to the warm discharge waters of the Big Bend Power Station. This guide contains 16 worthy stops between Miami and Key West . Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock. BOOK NOW. Blue Spring State Park. Open 7 Days a Week. Facebook Twitter Instagram. The coastal beaches around Collier County may be the best place to find manatees year-round around Naples. When to visit Blue Spring State Park for Manatees. Find out how to meet a manatee and get to know these awe-inspiring creatures better. You'll glide over clear, protected shallow water to discover mangrove jungles, manatee grass beds and a unique environment that hosts over 600 species of birds, fish and marine life. Lucy Dodsworth from OnTheLuce.com describes the park as "a green oasis and a haven for wildlife". Their remains date back to prehistoric times and they are one of the more common vertebrae fossils known from ancient marine deposits. Florida is the flattest state in the country, with the lowest high point of any U.S. state, at just 345 feet (105 meters). Use snorkeling gear to see manatees underwater. Crystal River manatees are some of the friendliest and most easy to spot in Florida. If you prefer not to swim with manatees, you can remain on board . The best time of year to visit Blue Spring State Park is going to be in January or February when the most Florida manatees are there. Each VIP Mini private manatee tour lasts about 3 hours, however, as your enjoyment is . The club also offers . Marco Island. Enjoy a scenic cruise to the popular habitat of the Florida Manatee. Home to one of the most famous beaches in Florida, Clearwater's warm waters are a perfect place for dolphin watching, where you can coast through the Intracoastal Waterway or go on a romantic sunset cruise. Great way to avoid the crowds of the Florida Keys. Fish and Wildlife Service / Flickr / CC BY 2.0. Our private Swim With Manatees tour begins at 6:00 am ,8:00 am, 10:00 am, 12 pm and 2:00 PM. People have been knows to . Located north of Orlando in Orange City, Blue Spring State Park is a designated manatee refuge and ideal for viewing. Don't worry too much about hitting a manatee. 8700 Estero Blvd. Three Sisters Spring, Crystal River. Coined by the Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon in 1513, this island is full of sea turtles. See our list of top places to see a manatee in Miami, Florida and surrounding areas. Just south of Lovers Key State Park is a popular dog beach. Three Sisters Spring 4.5 Crystal River, FL The naturally warm spring waters that flow into the river at Three Sister Springs attract tons of manatees all year-round. Trip cost : $75 per person. 1. of 8. Our 3-hour barrier island tour allows you the most time to see manatees playing in the water as well as a boat trip to a secluded barrier island beach where you can swim or look for shells. Violating the guidelines is a serious crime. Mound Key State Archaeology Site. Known as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River has the only National Wildlife Refuge in the entire country that specifically protects the threatened species of manatees. Middle Keys (Islamorada, Marathon, Big Pine Key) Lorelei's Restaurant Waterfront - The inlet at Lorelie's contains seagrass, which makes the chances of seeing manatees high. If you are moving slowly and keeping an eye out, they should see you coming and duck deeper. Crystal River. The specie that live in the waters around Key West is the West Indian Manatee. It is known for its many natural springs. They can be found all throughout the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico . Tour Information. Connected to the mainland by a series of . Serving the Tampa Bay, Orlando, Ocala, and Gainesville ar With Paddle the Florida Keys, you can get out on the water 365 . Blue Spring State Park is one of our favorite places in summer for tubing in Florida however, it is also pretty cool in winter too as it is one of the best places in Florida to view manatees. You may be lucky enough to spot them while you're swimming or boating. The little islands of Sands Key, Elliot Key, Cotton Key, and Old Rhodes Key, lying off Biscayne Bay, for example, are now part of the Biscayne National Underwater Park , established in 1980. There is the West Indian manatee, the African manatee, and the Amazonian Basin manatee. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Key Largo twice. For more information, contact us, or call us at (352) 571-1888. You can get pretty close to manatees with your SUP or kayak. We will embark on a nature cruise, to Kings Bay in Crystal River, where you'll swim with manatees in the wild. (305) 896-2915 E-mail Website. You'll still be able to observe them from the . 1. Crystal River has one of the largest populations of wild manatees in the world. We rent and sell standard and beginner boards. Kayaks, paddles, kayaking equipment, floatation devices (lifejackets) are included. . Viewing platforms, tidal walkways, and an environmental education center are located at this 50-acre facility. We offer this very special and unique opportunity to snorkel with manatees in a private boat setting, including snorkeling gear, wet suits, hot chocolate/coffee/tea. If you want to kayak with manatees in Florida, Crystal River is a perfect day out and a great place to see these amazing creatures. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). 103800 Overseas Hwy, 103800 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037, USA. Blue Springs State Park, Orange City. View Directions. It's very easy to see manatees at Blue Spring State Park starting in mid November and going to March, but the winter months are for sure the best time to visit . Manatees can often be seen swimming through the channels and along the shore. Just 90 minutes from Tampa it's easy to get to and well served with amenities. 5 and 1/2 places to find Manatees in Naples. At Lovers Key State Park, visitors have the opportunity to see West Indian manatees. #20 in Best Places to Visit in Florida. This 19,000-hectare park is a famous turtle nesting site and is home to sixty different species of mammal, including West Indian manatees. Believe it or not, the only other time we saw a manatee was in Key West, on the boardwalk by . It may not seem warm when you jump into a freshwater spring, but the water temperatures remain around 70 degrees, which is perfect for manatees in Florida who need . 786-728-9988 . On Big Pine Key, kayaking expert and author, Bill Keogh, owner of Big Pine Kayak Adventures, leads 3-hour tours to give beginners like me a taste of kayaking in the Florida Keys. Florida eco tour. Crystal River, is the only place in Florida where you can swim with manatees. Christ of the Abyss Statue in Key Largo. Voted Best Place To Take The Kids 5 Years In A Row. Homosassa, Florida 34446 352-628-5343 See the Homosassa Springs manatees in SMC's Adopt-A-Manatee program. Local tour operators and nature guides provide a variety of options for experiencing these . It has a very small beach and manatees often came up to us when we were in the water. Get up-close and swim with the playful manatees. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has a Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation critical care center. Of course Bill also leads advanced adventures for expert kayakers, too. The manatees that roam the Florida Keys are West Indian Manatees, which is one of the three main species of manatees. 1. Another popular place for the dolphins of Florida to hang out is the Florida Keys. Good for avoiding crowds. 85920 Overseas Highway MM 85.9 Bayside Located at Isla Marina Islamorada FL 33036. Our group of travel writers meets Bill at Old Wooden Bridge Fishing Camp on Big Pine Key. Here are 15 fun facts about manatees: Although manatees live in the water, they are mammals. Coastal Beaches. Here are eight places in Florida to see manatees in the wild. When Fish and Wildlife Service began counting manatees via aerial surveys began in 1991, they estimated there were only 1,267 manatees in Florida! Wild manatees now have access to the headwaters of Homosassa Spring during winter. Facebook Twitter Instagram. One of our favourite places for manatee viewing near Orlando has to be the Blue Spring State Park. Because manatees spend most of their time underwater, the best place to see manatees in Florida is where there is clear water, and that means Florida's springs. This is a great visit for young and old to . Here are some of the best spots to spot a manatee! 215 NW 79th St, Miami, FL 33150, USA. Manatees have been spotted all year at the State Park but the very best chances are in winter. When we arrive, you are encouraged to float in the water for an up-close experience with the manatees. Lovers Key State Park official site. Three Sisters Springs and Homosassa Springs are two of the best places to find manatees. Guided ecology-focused boat tour from Key Largo. -Google Review. The largest of Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is a haven for water sports like boating, fishing and kayaking. Manatee Lagoon is dedicated to educating the public about manatees and Lake Worth Lagoon, and inspiring communities to preserve and protect Florida's environment and wildlife for future generations. Hours 8:30 am - 4:30 pm EST Ticket sales end at 3:30 pm EST. Nestled near Sanibel Island and Fort Myers, Lovers Key State Park is a popular destination for spotting manatees. Florida Keys. There are endless ways to explore this aquatic attraction, including kayaking through the mangroves, snorkeling or scuba diving and setting out on a glass-bottom boat tour. Here is a quick reference guide to the stops we love and think should be included in your Florida Keys itinerary: Coral Castle. Tour time: 2 - 3 hours. Jacksonville. Jan 11, 2020 - Manatees in Florida - 14 Best Places to see Manatees in Florida including Ginnie Springs, swimming with manatees in Crystal River and more We have been snorkeling in the Keys for decades, but have never encountered a manatee while we were in the water, at least not until this past visit. Manatee season in Florida is officially October 15th thru March 31st, but varies slightly by region and in some areas, Manatees stay all year long. If you want to see manatees in their natural habitat, this may be the place for you! By Kevin Mims. Head to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet dolphins called Winter, the star of the hit movie . Many people immediately think of Key West when they ponder the best places to visit in the Florida Keys, but there is so much more to see along the way. Disclaimer. Take the Ultimate Manatee Tour and Swim with Crystal River Manatees in the Wild. Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach. It's one of four in the state of Florida. Phone: (352) 586-1170 Location Three Sisters Springs Center 123 NW HWY 19 Crystal River, FL 34428. See our list of top places to see a manatee in Miami, Florida and surrounding areas. Watch our video Facebook Instagram TripAdvisor. Manatees eat a volume equivalent to 15-20% of their body weight every day. The best place to see manatees in Florida is in Crystal River. Entrance fee. Captain Mike's Swimming with the Manatees Platinum Tour. Cow Key Marina is located between Stock Island and Key West. There are state and federal guidelines for interacting with manatees. Beginning kayakers - experienced kayakers. Open in Google Maps. Florida has 4,510 islands that are ten acres (4 ha) or larger in area, the second highest number after Alaska. The average adult manatee weighs between 800 - 1200 pounds. . This popular place for manatee interaction and viewing is in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge which includes the 6 mile Crystal River, Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs. Manatees navigate and huddle together in Three Sisters . While the Manatee can seem scary at their huge size, they are very docile and gentle. Manatees inhabit shallow and marshy coastal areas and rivers of the Caribbean and the species found in Florida is West Indian Manatee. Friends of Lovers Key. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. From $79.00. established in 1983 to protect the then-endangered Florida manatee by creating a refuge to preserve the last unspoiled and undeveloped spring habitat in Kings . 1101 West Sligh Ave. Tampa, Fla. 33604. See a scenic natural habitat where manatees thrive. There are a few places across Key West where you can see manatees out in the wild. 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.. Best Place to Swim With Manatees: Crystal River, Florida Located in Florida about 75 miles north of Tampa, Crystal River is a seven-mile long waterway fed by more than 30 underground hot springs. This particular breed likes warm, shallow water and can in fact die in water colder than 60 degrees. Accessible by launching from King's Bay Park, Crystal River is one of Florida's hidden gems.Guests enjoy the luscious scenery and take refreshing swims . Blue Spring State Park, Orange City. We offer lessons and tours. (239) 463-4588. Crystal River and Weeki Wachee are really popular places to see and swim with manatees (on the gulf coast of FL, an hour or so north of Tampa).But there are plenty of springs and rivers . It's a known location where manatees love to hang out so you'll be sure to spot one in the area. All legal swim-with-the-manatees tours are conducted either in the Crystal River or at Homosassa Springs, in the central-west coastal region of Florida. Manatees often travel by the following the coastline. The small town of Crystal River is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, administered by the U.S. Manatee remains are also found in Native American rubbish heaps in Florida, sites that pre-date the arrival of the early Spaniards. Learn about the Keys' unique ecosystems while looking out for dolphins and manatees. Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway Sarasota, FL 34236 941-388-4441. Refuge closes promptly at 4:30 PM daily John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first undersea park in the country and the first place you should go when you arrive in the Florida Keys. Snorkel with manatees in the Crystal River. If you rented one of their clear-bottom kayaks, you can get right above a manatee and watch as it swims under you. Manatee Viewing Center - TECO Tampa Electric, Apollo Beach, Fla., Nov. 28, 2014. Crystal River is the #1 place to see manatees in Florida! Open 7 Days a Week. Cow Key Marina The best place to see manatees in Key West is at Cow Key Marina. Location. If you see a manatee in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC). Three Sisters Springs, located in Crystal River, is one of Florida's most popular springs and is known to have hundreds of manatees resting inside of it at one time! Manatee Bay Eco Tours. Most Beautiful Places in Florida With 1,197 miles of coastline, a bounty of national parks, and those ever-charming Keys, it's easy to see why Florida attracts tens of millions of tourists every year. We provide half-day(4-hr) manatee tours for your ultimate enjoyment. Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters offers unique experiences with some of the ocean's most stunning creatures, including encounters at stingray cove, big shark bay, and our 200,000 gallon coral reef. . Swimming with Manatees is a fun outing to do during COVID times as you can swim and stay in your own small groups. 786-728-9988 . Located 70 miles off Key West, the Dry Tortugas National Park comprises of seven small islands. Visitors can get a closer view by . (Florida manatee and aquatic center/hospital) (813) 935-8552. In addition, this park is an ideal spot to see manatees in groups. ZooTampa at Lowry Park -. Manatees are present elsewhere in . We provide high quality, private Snorkeling, Sightseeing, Sandbar, Sunset Cruises and Eco Tours. U.S. It connects Kings Bay with the Gulf of Mexico, and its cluster of hot springs keep the water temperature at a constant 72F (22C) year-round. 3 Hours Dock-to-dock. Hundreds of manatees visit Blue Spring each year in the winter months. Lee County Manatee Park, Fort Myers 2 - 3 hour excursion. 3 hours (approx.) Along the way, there is opportunity to learn about the history and facts . Up To 6 People. Tel: (813) 935-8552. In Florida there is a manatee season, which lasts from around 15th November until 31st March; these are the months when the manatees seek out the warmer waters.However, is is possible to see manatees year-round in some specific manatee parks. Tickets $125, Private Tour (up to 6 people) $625. There are three accepted living species of Manatees; the Amazonian manatee, the West Indian manatee, and the West African manatee. Captain Mike's Swimming with the Manatees boasts the best water adventure in Crystal River, Florida with lots of things to do for you and your family. Often called "sea cows", manatees can grow to over 1000lbs and much like a cow they spend their days grazing and sleeping. It's one of four in the state of Florida. You can hire kayaks here or go on a kayak tour. That's a lot! Tortuguero National Park is a wonderful place to see manatees. Dry Tortugas National Park - a gorgeous place to explore in Florida which is home to great beauty, history and peacefulness. A 1,600-acre slice of natural paradise, Lover's Key is made up of four barrier islands and is well-known for its unspoiled white beach and fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. Small-group tour (maximum six): A more personal experience. Clearwater. However, some of the popular springs are closed for swimming during winter to protect the manatees. 215 NW 79th St, Miami, FL 33150, USA. 1. Crystal River is one place in Florida where you can not only view the Manatees, but you can swim with them! Sunny coastal water, shady mangrove forest. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has a Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation critical care center. They also offer kayak and paddleboard rentals. If you see a manatee in distress, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission hotline at 1-888-404-3922 (FWCC). Mobile ticket. Bishop Museum of Science and Nature If you want to see and/or swim with the manatees, you need to do it while you are in Orlando.The manatees are going to be in the springs during that time in Central and North Central Florida in abundance. Apr 9, 2022, 5:05 AM. Not sure if you could just walk down there and have a look. Much of the state is at or near sea level, and is characterized by sedimentary soil. Our small group tour is perfect for first-timers and anyone interested in learning about the Keys. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978; The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 made all of Florida into a manatee sanctuary. The park and Save the Manatee Club work together to get daily manatee counts, which are available at savethemanatee.org and by calling Blue Spring State Park at 386-775-3663. Re: Would love to see Manatees. Please note that Manatee Lagoon - An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, exercises no control nor takes responsibility for any individual . Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931. Our custom crowd free boating trips are packed with so much fun you may just want to . Watching manatees is a nice change from whale or dolphin watching in Puget Sound. There are lots of places where you can see manatees in Florida. At Blue Springs State Park, you can see injured manatees being nursed back to life. Safety measures. Two of the most popular locations in Florida to see manatees are located in Central Florida: Blue Spring State Park and Crystal River. It also designated the manatee as Florida's official state marine mammal. The Wakulla Springs State Park is another place where it is possible to view manatees in Florida. Its . Paddleboard (SUP) or kayak with manatees on Kings Bay in Crystal River, FL at beautiful Three Sisters Springs. Hotel pick up available. More sea cows live in Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, which has both permanent and seasonal manatee residents. ZooTampa at Lowry Park Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center 1101 West Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL 33604 813-935-8552. Jacksonville. That's a daily intake of 120lbs of grasses and other plants for a 600lb animal. Enclosed underwater viewing area allows visitors to see manatees near spring basin. This is one of the ways they can find their way around.