3 Places to See Manatees in Florida

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Manatees are fascinating creatures!

The best time of year to see manatees in Florida is in the winter and early spring (mid-November through March are the best months to see the most manatees). These animals can be seen year round, but you’ll find them in larger numbers in the cooler months. They move toward the warmer water once the water temperature drops below 68 degrees.

 

Where Manatees Congregate:

  • Freshwater Springs
  • State Parks
  • Water near Power Plants (the Power Plants keep the water warm)

 

For this list, I’ll be featuring Freshwater Springs and State Parks.

 

Here are 3 Great Places to See (or swim, canoe, snorkel or kayak with) Manatees in Florida:

 

 

 

Three Sister’s Springs

 

Three Sister’s Springs, Crystal River, and King’s Bay are near each other. Here is a map from Wildlife for Travel showing where they are in relation to one another as well as the kayaking route.

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida

Above photo via

 

 

At Three Sister’s Springs you can see manatees from the water’s edge (1/4 mile boardwalk with viewing platforms) or by kayaking, canoeing, or snorkeling in the water. These springs are located in a natural inlet on the east side of King’s Bay.

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida

Above photo via

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Photo above via

 

 

Three Sister’s Springs has a boardwalk and viewing platforms that gives visitors a perfect spot to watch manatees. Visitors can access the boardwalk by the trolley    that departs from the Three Sisters Springs Center every half hour. The Trolley also provides access to Hunter Springs Park.

 

 

 

 Manatees are known as Sea Cows, even though they are actually related to the elephant!

 

Three Sisters Springs //  915 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34429 ·//

WEBSITE for Three Sister’s Springs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crystal River & King’s Bay Springs

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Above photo via

 

 

Crystal River & King’s Bay are located along Florida’s Gulf coast, just north of Tampa and west of Orlando. 

These two areas are perfect spots to actually SWIM with manatees!

Crystal River and King’s Bay have more than 70 springs and is the world’s largest natural winter refuge for manatees. Crystal River is located northeast of King’s Bay.

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

Things to do in Crystal River/King’s Bay:

  • Swim with the Manatees
  • Manatee Snorkeling Tour
  • Pontoon Manatee Tour
  • Fishing
  • Boating
  • Kayaking & Canoeing
  • Paddleboarding

 

See all things to do HERE

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Above photo via

 

Get Directions to Crystal River HERE

Crystal River WEBSITE – this is a cool website with LIVE river cams!

 

 

 

 

 

Blue Springs State Park

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

Blue Springs State Park is a designated Manatee Refuge for West Indian Manatees in the winter months. It is a great place to see manatees, but swimming is prohibited in the winter.

Swimming, tubing, and snorkeling are allowed in warmer months.

Entrance into the park is $6.00 per car group.

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

We were able to visit Blue Springs State Park in February 2018. Our family loved seeing all of the manatees. We actually called ahead on the day of our visit and were told that 144 Manatees had been seen in the springs that day! On some days the manatee count gets up to 300!

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Above: The park has a beautiful boardwalk with platform areas where you could stop and watch the manatees and other animals. We also saw many types of birds, fish, and even an armadillo.

 

 

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Photo above:  The Thursby family home that was built in 1872. Louis P. Thursby built one of the first steamboat landings and planted one of the first orange groves near St. Johns River.

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Above: You can take a self guided tour of the Thursby House at the park.

 

 

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

 

 

 

Families Will Love that Blue Springs State Park offers:

  • Picnic Tables & Pavilions
  • Shady areas for picnics
  • A playground
  • Restrooms
  • Snack Bar
  • Biking & Hiking Trails
  • Boat Tours
  • Kayaking Rentals
  • Camping Spots and Cabin Rentals (links below)

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Above: This playful manatee kept sticking his head out of the water while we were there.

 

 

 

 

3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

Photo Above:  A momma manatee swimming with her two babies.

 

 

We really enjoyed our visit to Blue Springs State Park. It was a wonderful experience for our whole family. When the kiddos are a little older, I would love to take them to Three Sister’s Springs and/or Crystal Springs to actually swim with the manatees.

 

 

Blue Springs State Park // 2100 W. French Avenue – Orange City, Florida 32763 //  386.775.3663W. French Avenue
Orange City, FL 32763

 

WEBSITE for Blue Springs State Park

Blue Springs State Park – Camping & Cabin Rentals

 

 

 

 

 

Have you seen or swam with manatees in Florida? How did it go? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

 

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3 Places to See Manatees in Florida, USA

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