Orlando Manatee Encounters

Overview

Journey to Blue Spring State Park, winter home to one of Florida’s largest populations of Manatee. Witness hundreds of these "sea cows" relaxing in the spring alone. Observe these creatures from a safe distance in your kayak as your Florida Master Naturalist introduces you to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area. This is a great trip for the entire family!

City: Daytona Beach

Thu 24 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $80.00

Make a reservation

Thu 24 Apr

Starting at $80.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Bottled water

Professional guide

Landing and facility fees

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
There is no minimum age however all participants must know how to swim
It is recommended that you bring a swimsuit, towel, waterproof camera and wear clothes that can get wet and possibly dirty
To ensure a proper size kayak is available, please provide your individual heights and weights at the time of booking
There is no restroom at the meeting location. There is a public restroom at Valentine Park (1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763) about a mile before you arrive the meeting location that we recommend you use before your tour.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (329)

Jenny_F

Mar 2024

I recently went on a tour that was advertised as a "Kayaking with Manatees" experience, but unfortunately, it fell short of expectations. The main disappointment was the water quality; it was so dark and murky that we couldn't see anything, let alone any manatees. This was particularly disappointing because the photos used to advertise the tour showed clear water and happy interactions with manatees, which did not align with our actual experience. Despite the lackluster conditions, our guide was excellent. She was knowledgeable, friendly, and did her best to make the most of the situation. However, it's clear that the tour's name is misleading. Given that we only spotted one manatee and the overall experience was not as advertised, I feel that the tour should be titled more accurately, perhaps as a "Birds, Alligators, and Maybe a Manatee Tour." Considering the cost of the tour, I would not recommend it. If you're specifically looking to kayak with manatees, you're likely to be disappointed. However, if you're interested in birdwatching and seeing alligators, this tour might be more suitable.

Ruth_M

Mar 2024

Bill and his wife Gina were very informative and fun. We saw lots of manatees , fish , birds, and gators ! You are in direct sun and on the water the whole time so sunscreen and protective clothing and a sun hat are a must ! But a great way to see some of these amazing animals up close. Take this tour !!!

Claudine_B

Feb 2024

Great trip with Jimi, very knowledgable guide. Saw lots of wildlife, alligators, turtles snakes, many bird species and manatees!!