MANATEE ENCOUNTER

An Up-Close Experience with Florida’s Manatees!

Journey with us to Blue Spring State Park, winter home of one of Florida’s largest manatee populations. On most cooler winter days, we witness hundreds of manatees relaxing in the spring. We observe from a distance as our Florida Master Naturalist introduces us all to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area.

During the peak migration months (Nov. – Feb.) our group paddles up to the edge of the protected refuge and wait for the hundreds of manatees to wake up and float under our kayaks to the river in search of a morning meal.
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In the warmer months (March – Oct.), when most of the manatees have left the spring and returned to the main river and ocean, our group paddles up to the headspring. Here everyone is welcome to swim, snorkel, and explore.

After a while, we return to the main river in search of manatees, otters, and sun-worshiping gators. Overhead, bald eagles, osprey, and red shoulder hawks scan the water and marshes for their next meal. On the river bank, you can spot large wading birds, coots, moorhens, and the occasional wild hog.

If we have a bit of extra time, we make our way far off the mainstream to the amazing Snake Creek and Dead River.

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