Kayaking in Blue Spring State Park: Manatee Encounters

Paddle among hundreds of manatees in their winter home

Kayak into Blue Spring State Park near Orlando to observe manatees in their natural winter habitat, guided by a Florida Master Naturalist. You paddle your own kayak into the refuge where manatees gather, watching them graze and swim around you while your guide points out the wildlife and plants that make up this ecosystem. The activity runs two hours and includes the kayak, paddle, life vest, bottled water and professional instruction in English.

The experience

You arrive at Blue Spring State Park and meet your guide, a Florida Master Naturalist who knows the waterways and the animals that live in them. After a brief orientation, you paddle into the park and up toward the manatee refuge: the spot where hundreds of these large, slow-moving creatures gather during winter months to stay warm in the spring water. As you move through the water, manatees leave the refuge to search for food and swim all around you and under your kayak. Your guide keeps you at a safe distance and explains what you're seeing: how the animals move, what they eat, why they're here.

The paddle takes you to Snake Creek as well, where manatees graze along the bottom and wading birds fish in the shallows. Your guide points out the plants and smaller wildlife that share the habitat. The whole picture of what makes this place work. You're operating the kayak yourself the whole time, so the pace and the stops are yours to shape within the two-hour window. Bottled water is provided, and your guide brings a camera to take pictures of your group. You leave with digital copies.

Swimmers of all fitness levels can do this, and there's no minimum age as long as participants can swim and are comfortable sitting in a kayak for the duration. The kayak, paddle and life vest are included. Bring a swimsuit and a towel, and wear clothes that can get wet. A waterproof camera is useful if you have one. Let the operator know your height and weight when you book so the right kayak size is ready. There are no restrooms at the meeting location, but Valentine Park (about a mile before you arrive) has public facilities.

What’s included

• Kayak, paddle and life vest.
• bottled water.
• professional guide (Florida Master Naturalist, English-speaking).
• digital pictures of your group.
• free sticker.

Options for this experience

2 options

Manatee EncounterGuide in English · 09:00 and 12:00

Private manatee tour for 1 to 5 peopleGuide in English · 09:00 and 12:00Lasts 3 hours

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day at 09:00 and 12:00, from US$ 95 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00 and 12:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.2 with pickup ›

Book up to1d before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPets welcomeNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Adventures in Florida

Is this one for you?Choose shared if you're joining strangers to keep costs down. Pick private if your group wants undivided guide attention and no other kayakers nearby.

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Top questions

Can I kayak in Blue Spring State Park if I've never paddled before?

Yes. The activity suits all fitness levels and there's no paddling experience required. Your guide will orient you to the kayak and paddle before you head into the water. You do need to be comfortable sitting in a kayak for the two-hour duration and know how to swim.

How close do you actually get to the manatees?

Your guide keeps you at a safe distance from the animals, but manatees often swim around and under the kayaks as they move through the water in search of food. You observe them in their natural behavior rather than from a viewing platform, so the encounters are direct and close without disturbing the animals.

What's included in the kayak activity?

The kayak, paddle and life vest are provided; bottled water is included; your guide takes pictures of your group and you receive digital copies; and a free sticker is yours to keep. The guide is a Florida Master Naturalist who speaks English and leads the entire two-hour paddle.

Is Blue Spring State Park accessible if I use a wheelchair?

The park and transportation options to it are wheelchair accessible. However, the kayaking activity itself requires you to sit in a kayak for two hours, so accessibility depends on your individual mobility and comfort in that setup.

What time of year do the manatees gather at Blue Spring?

Winter is when manatees congregate in the spring's warm water in the largest numbers. The park is home to one of Florida's largest populations of manatees during the colder months.

Do I need to bring anything besides a swimsuit?

Bring a towel and wear clothes that can get wet and possibly dirty. A waterproof camera is recommended if you want to take your own photos during the paddle. The operator provides bottled water, so you don't need to bring your own.