ORLANDO, Fla. – During winter, manatees typically head inland to Florida waterways to wait out the colder months in warmer temperatures.
As a result, they can be found in plenty of the Sunshine State’s springs and state parks.
Manatees usually migrate from Florida in the spring, so Florida residents only have a few months to go out and spot them in the wild before they’re gone.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, these are some of the best spots to see manatees.
Blue Spring State Park — Orange City
Description: “Seasonal manatee programs held during winter months when manatees are in warm waters of spring run.”
Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle
Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge — Crystal River
Description: “During winter, view manatees near warm water sanctuaries via boat or from boardwalk near Three Sisters Spring (with boardwalk viewing on a limited schedule). Vendors offer in-water tours for a fee. Follow (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) viewing guidelines in this area. During warm weather, manatees disperse from the sanctuaries and spread out along the coast — sighting manatees during this time may involve some travel and luck.”
Hours: Trails open from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. year-round, except for select holidays
Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park — Wakulla Springs
Description: “Look for manatees from the park’s diving platform or various areas of the river via park’s tour boats.”
Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle
Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Fanning Springs State Park — Fanning Springs
Description: “Manatees are occasionally present in Fanning Springs.”
Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle
Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Lee County Manatee Park — Fort Myers
Description: “Hundreds of manatees visit Orange River and canal during winter.”
Parking Fee: $2 per hour or $5 per day. $10 for a shuttle van or $20 for a tour bus per visit
Hours: 8 a.m. until sunset, 365 days a year
Manatee Springs State Park — Chiefland
Description: “During winter, look for manatees in spring and spring run.”
Entrance Fee: $6 per vehicle
Hours: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge — Merritt Island
Description: “View manatees from platform overlooking Haulover Canal.”
Entrance Fee: Daily pass is $10 per vehicle. Annual pass is $25 per vehicle.
Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Closed on Sunday, Monday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
Manatee Observation and Education Center — Fort Pierce
Description: “Open year-round with many programs. Occasional manatee sightings in winter.”
Entrance Fee: $3 per person, children ages 5 and under get in free with an adult
Hours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Sunday, Monday and select holidays.
Spring Bayou near Craig and Coburn Parks — Tarpon Springs
Description: “November through May, manatees visit freshwater spring bayou near small community parks. Parking limited in this historic district.”
Tampa Electric Company (TECO) Manatee Viewing Center — Apollo Beach
Description: “Visitor center, gift shop, overlook and boardwalk where visitors learn about and see hundreds of manatees in TECO’s warm water discharge canal.”
Hours: Open daily from Nov. 1 – April 15, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Trails close at 4 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.
Wakulla and the St. Marks Rivers — Florida Panhandle
Description: “Manatees may be seen by boat or canoe on these scenic rivers during the summer months. Canoe rentals are available on both rivers via SR 98 between Newport and Crawfordville and in St. Marks, FL. Manatees overwinter at either Wakulla Springs or in the Crystal River/Kings Bay area.”
Manatee Lagoon: An FPL Eco-Discovery Center — Riviera Beach/West Palm Beach
Description: “Opened in February 2016, this new FREE Palm Beach County educational attraction has an observation deck for viewing manatees up close in the warm waters near the Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. Winter viewing. Education center features hands-on exhibits about manatees and the surrounding Lake Worth Lagoon. Picnic area, gift store, café, webcam, free admission and parking.”
Hours: Open daily from Nov. 15 – March 31, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
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