12 Gorgeous places to kayak with manatees in Florida

Beautiful spots in Florida to kayak beside manatees

For everyone who enjoys being outside in the natural beauty of Florida, kayak among manatees is a fantastic experience.

On a day when you just want to unwind, sea cows, as these living things are often called, provide excellent company.

Manatee kayaking is the most amazing way to get a close-up look at these vast marine creatures while enjoying some sun and exercise.

I can vouch for the fact that going kayaking with them at Crystal Springs over the weekend is something you should do when visiting Florida.

While you are kayaking, they love getting close to you and say hello. They are not shy.

You should keep some essential rules to ensure a great time and safe experience without harming the delicate goliaths. This is being a fair person.

Manatee Fun Facts

• Fact 1: Manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds
• Fact 2: Manatees are herbivores and eat over 100 pounds of plants per day
• Fact 3: Manatees can live up to 60 years in the wild

Rule #1

It’s not advisable to approach or touch the manatees too closely.

Rule #2

A manatee should never be thrown anything, not even food.

Rule #3

When you are with manatees, always use caution and kindness.

When Is It Safe To Kayak With Florida Manatees?

The Gulf of Mexico is home to Florida manatees during the summer months since there is a lot of seagrass there.

Manatees move inland to Florida’s warm blue spring and other nearby freshwater springs when the ocean cools.

Florida’s cold weather months, which run from November to Spring, are the best times to go kayaking with manatees.

Florida’s Finest Locations For Manatee Kayaking

1. Silver Springs

Because of its crystal-clear water, Silver Spring is among the most beautiful springs in Florida. You can see to the bottom.

Renting a kayak with a glass bottom might give you even greater context. whether you’re unsure whether that’s your thing, you might try manatee canoeing in Florida.

The most significant time to visit Silver Springs is from November through February.

Recall that certain areas, including campgrounds and hiking trails, are pet-only.

Best Time to Visit

1. November to March (peak manatee season)

2. December to February (peak manatee season)

3. January to April (peak manatee season)

You can bring your kayak, sign up for a kayak trip in Florida among manatees, or pay $12 for an adult glass-bottom tour.

Don’t forget to pack your camera. It’s maybe the most incredible spring in the state when it comes to springs close to Ocala.

2. Homomasassa State Park

Homosassa State Park is an additional great spot for kayaking with manatees.

It’s no coincidence that this park is called Manatee Park.

Every day, you may view them at the park’s underwater observatory. To get to the wildlife park, where visitors may observe Florida panthers, bears, bobcats, deer, alligators, and various birds, visitors first take a pontoon boat down Pepper Creek.

When the first-magnitude spring’s gates open in the winter, wild manatees flock to the warm waters.

One could argue that manatee season is just getting started.

On these chilly days, you could kayak with scores of wild manatees.

Several attractions are in Homosassa Springs, and admission is $13 for adults and $5 for children over five.

3. River of Crystals

The best spot in Florida to kayak with manatees is probably this waterway, the Precious Stone Stream, which is called the “Manatee Capital of the World.”

It is home to the country’s only Public Natural life Asylum, which defends the jeopardized manatee species.

kayaking with manatees in Crystal River, Florida, is fantastic. Manatees visit this area in the winter months to bask in the warm waters that originate from freshwater springs.

You will likely come across several gentle giants at Three Sisters Springs and nearby from November to March.

Kayakers looking for a serene trip along the river will love this spot because it has manatee-safe zones.

Wildlife Viewing Tips

1. Keep a safe distance from manatees (at least 15 feet)

2. Avoid touching or feeding manatees

3. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for manatees in the water

The fact that people may swim alongside manatees in Crystal River is its most remarkable feature.

This is the only location in the United States where you may accomplish this.

Consequently, when you take your kayak out for a paddle, you may hop in and swim alongside the manatees.

Quick cool.

4. State Park near Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has some of Florida’s most excellent springs for kayaking with manatees.

There are many lovely yet slow manatees living in the Weeki Wachee Springs.

Notices warning visitors not to disturb the manatees while they sleep have been erected.

Numerous varieties of trees, including palms, oaks, and cypresses, flank the river here and offer shade for kayakers.

Launching your kayak costs $6, while renting one for a single individual costs $22.

To see every one of the sea-going animals very close, think about going on a kayaking outing.

The expense incorporates oars and life coats; after your oar, you might utilize the recreation area’s free transport to get back to your vehicle.

You have two hours from the second you get the rental to bring it back. This is plenty of time to unwind and take in this freshwater spring’s natural beauty.

5. Ginnie Springs

Everyone who kayaks, paddleboards, camps, or dives should check this location out.

At Ginnie Springs, they consider your needs and are prepared to meet them.

You might employ kayaks, paddleboards, kayaks, swimming gadgets, and inward cylinders.

You might employ hardware for just $8 or as much as $30. Many people choose to spend their weekends there.

People go from all around to tube down the Santa Fe River.

Even though there aren’t as many manatees as there used to be, Ginnie Springs is still a pleasant region in Florida where you can kayak with manatees.

It’s a fantastic spot to go through the end of the week setting up camp.

6. The National Wildlife Refuge of Merritt Island

This is another fantastic spot to watch wild manatees from a canoe or kayak.

It is equally fascinating that you can kayak in these waters and witness the bioluminescence. How awesome is that!

This park includes the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, an excellent spot for leisurely kayaking or learning about the local ecology.

Manatee Conservation:

As we paddle through these crystal-clear waters, it’s essential to remember our responsibility to protect the habitats of these magnificent creatures. Conservation efforts play a crucial role in ensuring the future of manatees in Florida’s waters

Manatees are provided with a haven to dwell in Florida with a kayak and are occasionally observed here. They are at risk of going extinct.

This area is home to several types of freshwater and saltwater wetland habitats, which provide a natural habitat for marine life.

There are fish, birds, mammals, reptiles, and even some fascinating plants.

7. Beach Vero, Round Island

Round Island in Vero Beach is again another of those unanticipated gems!

The waters around Round Island are a favourite hangout for manatees because of the wealth of food and the low volume of boat activity. Thus, it’s a fantastic place to kayak during the manatee season.

Manatees may be observed from the boardwalk here, or if you’d want to go even closer, you can embark on a kayak trip.

Though these gentle giants are present throughout the year, their numbers are more significant in the summer. Even in the cold, you may still find them having fun.

8. Springs in Three Sisters

The springs at King’s Bay comprise a scenic trio, with seventy springs spread across an area of 600 acres.

Beyond being impressive geological structures, these natural beauties also act as havens for various species, especially in the winter.

About 600 manatees, gentle giants of the sea, find refuge in the springs in Florida. When the temperature drops, you can see them with a kayak.

These massive sea creatures travel to King’s Bay every winter, attracted by the bay’s persistently mild waters, which hover around 72°F (22°C).

This yearly journey heralds the beginning of what the locals amiably refer to as “manatee season,” when the manatees come alive with the elegant movements of these beautiful creatures.

Appreciation of Nature:

Kayaking with manatees offers a profound connection with nature, allowing us to witness the beauty and tranquility of Florida’s coastal ecosystems firsthand

For those lucky enough to see this show, it reminds them of the dangerous equilibrium between the natural world and its humans.

There are still many ways to take in the beauty of the bay, even though not every tourist will get the chance to reach the headwaters where the manatees gather.

Popular pastimes that allow you to explore the beautiful surroundings and calm waterways include swimming and kayaking.

The sound of the fauna and the bay’s atmosphere make for a memorable experience, even if you don’t see the manatees up close.

9. River Chassahowitzka, Kayak with manatees in Florida

Here’s one of the most incredible places in Florida to witness manatees in their natural environment—an exceptional experience.

Because of The Chaz’s pristine waters and the plethora of flora and animals, there are countless opportunities for encounters that might change your life.

Because the Chassahowitzka River receives warmer water from Seven Sisters Springs, the manatee population is growing.

The most incredible time to visit is in the winter when more manatees congregate here.

10. Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs State Park is well known for its manatees and reviving water. Partake in a bit of harmony of manatees as you oar or kayak down the Suwannee Stream in Florida.

Canoeing downriver, Manatee Springs State Park is about ten miles away. Anderson’s Outdoor Adventures sells kayaks.

One of the park’s outstanding features is the 800-foot boardwalk, which offers fantastic spring views and winds through a lovely cypress wood. Savour the splendour of nature and the hiking routes.

Safety Awareness:

While it’s thrilling to encounter manatees up close, it’s crucial to approach them with respect and caution. Keeping a safe distance and minimizing disturbances ensures both the safety of the animals and our own.

You may stroll through the cypress swamp on the magnificent boardwalk and observe various wildlife.

If you wish to ride on one of the many lovely pathways, you might want to pack your bike.

More than 10,000 years ago, this spring was utilized by Paleo Indians.

It is, therefore, among Florida’s oldest.

11. Kayaking in the Key of Love Beach at Fort Myers

Even though this island boasts one of Florida’s most romantic beaches, it’s the ideal location for kayaking with manatees in Clearwater, Florida.

Although there are many things to do here, such as bird viewing and beachcombing, we advise renting a kayak and taking advantage of the seas.

Because the island is so remote, you often hear manatees interacting with one another before you see any of them.

Park rangers provide three-hour tours every day, which are the most reliable way to ensure you are heading in the right direction. The guides will guide you to all of the locations.

It is hoped that you will witness these amazing animals engaging in play, rolling about, and flipping over.

12. In Tarpon Springs

There’s Spring Bayou at Craig Park. A kayak with manatees attracts freshwater springs in the Florida Keys. From December to March, this is the ideal time of year to watch manatees.

Environmental Impact:

By embracing sustainable kayaking practices and minimizing our environmental footprint, we can help preserve the delicate balance of Florida’s marine ecosystems for future generations.

Although you may launch a kayak here along the Anclote River’s southern bank, we advise taking a tour in one of the fully transparent kayaks if at all possible.

First of all, need we say more about clear kayaks? Second, you don’t want to do anything that would upset the manatees because they are less protected here. Thirdly, a local guide will be far more knowledgeable about the current hangout spots that the manatees like.

If you are pressed for time, this is a fantastic place to visit—it’s only 45 minutes from Tampa. You could make a day out of it because Tarpon Springs has many activities.

Read More Relative Articles:

Best Florida beaches for couples

One Day in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Best places to propose in Orlando

Five Amazing Facts About Manatees

• The manatees found in Florida are known as West Indian manatees. Manatees come in three varieties. The other two are the manatees of West Africa and the Amazon.
• They feed just vegetation. A manatee consumes 10% of its total weight in seagrass, which it consumes for nearly half of the day. More than 100 pounds a day for a mature manatee would be that.
• Manatees are large animals, however they have very little body fat. The majority of their body consists of their stomach and intestines.
• Manatees have low body fat levels, so they require warm water over 68°F to survive. Crystal River, with naturally occurring springs that consistently maintain a temperature of 72°F, is an attractive wintering spot for manatees.
• Both freshwater and saltwater habitats are suitable for West Indian Manatees, and they often alternate between the two depending on the time of year. In springtime, as the water warms, these manatees migrate from the Crystal River to the Gulf Coast.

Conclusion

It’s a rare and enjoyable experience to kayak with manatees at any of the Florida Springs but keep in mind that these are live animals.

Rather than coming too close and maybe upsetting them when eating or sleeping, you should interact with them while kayaking safely and on the water’s surface.

Never go near a sleeping manatee, and never prod, poke, or bother one.

Never try to remove a mother manatee and her young animal from the group. It’s also illegal to interfere with studies or remove a manatee’s tags.

Keep in mind that you are in their home, so show them some courtesy.

These are the guidelines; that is all. Have a great day kayaking in Florida alongside manatees.

Recall that you are not at a petting zoo and that they do not exist in captivity.

To keep them safe, it would be ideal if you never interfered with or changed their typical activity.

Thank you for reading, and we sincerely hope you will seize the chance to schedule a kayaking session with manatees. It’s an exciting and different experience.