One of the most unique things to do when visiting the theme park capital of the world is to see manatees in Florida. The Sunshine State is the perfect place to experience these gentle giants because the climate and surrounding waters provide an ideal habitat for manatees to thrive. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you the best place to see manatees in Florida and where view manatees near Orlando.

Manatees are an endangered species, so it’s important to learn how to view them safely and responsibly. We’ll help you have a safe and unforgettable Florida manatee viewing experience.

Manatees are the state’s official mammal and you can spot them year-round in many of Florida’s waterways. But when temperatures drop from mid November to late March, manatees flock to the warmer springs, rivers and power plants.

They learn these locations as juveniles and return throughout their lives. This loyalty allows us to predict where and when we can find them in large numbers.

Florida manatees are aquatic herbivores who spend up to 8 hours a day grazing on seagrass and aquatic plants. Although very graceful, they can sprint at 15 miles per hour over a short distance. Passive mammals, they are often shy and reclusive, but can be playful and inquisitive too.

Manatees grow to about 9 – 10 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,000 – 3,500 pounds. They are also pretty agile in the water, can swim upside down, roll, do somersaults and move vertically. They may look chunky, but as they only have around 7% body fat to keep them warm, waters 68 degrees or below can be fatal. The Florida spring waters are generally a constant 72 degrees, so they flock there to keep warm.

A record number of deaths in 2021 diminished manatees to dangerously low levels. Many faced starvation due to the depletion of their primary food source, sea grass. Others suffered cold stress, boating accidents and entanglements.

What is the Best Time to See Manatees in Florida?

You’ll be able to see manatees in Florida waterways all year long, but from November to April they head to the warmer springs and rivers. They gather in large groups during cold snaps, especially between December and February.

Are there Manatees near Orlando Florida?

There are no manatees in Orlando, apart from at Epcot and SeaWorld, but there are lots of places to see manatees near Orlando and around Central Florida.

Where Can I Swim with Manatees in Florida?

The only place in North America where you can legally go swimming with manatees in Florida is Crystal River.

Can I Swim with Manatees Orlando?

No, there is nowhere you can swim with manatees near Orlando. Crystal River Florida manatees are the only ones you are allowed to swim with.

Where Can I See Manatees Near Orlando?

The closest place to see manatees near Orlando in their natural environment is Blue Spring State Park. You can see manatees in rehabilitation centers at Epcot and SeaWorld.

How Much does it Cost to Swim with Manatees in Florida?

There are lots of manatee swimming tours available, ranging from small groups to private tours. Prices start at around $60 per person.

Are there Manatees at Epcot?

Yes, the Manatee Rehabilitation Center is located in the World Nature neighborhood in Epcot. You’ll find it at the Seas with Nemo & Friends.

Can a Manatee Bite you?

Manatees are very docile creatures and, although they do have teeth, they don’t have any front teeth. They only graze on sea grass and are no threat or danger to anyone in the water.

Are there any Orlando Manatee Tours?

Yes, there are several operators who will collect you from local Orlando pick up points and take you where to see manatees in Florida for the best experience.

Manatees have no natural enemies (apart from humans and boats), but they are a threatened species and are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. It is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest a manatee. Conviction for violating federal protection laws is punishable by fines of up to $100,000 and/or one year in prison.

Manatees in Florida need warm water and security to survive and there are rules that must be observed to ensure their safety:

• Don’t harass them in any way
• Don’t ever touch them
• Don’t chase them
• Don’t disturb them when they are resting
• Don’t behave in any way that might scare them away from their warm-water sanctuary
• Don’t feed them

If you are kayaking with manatees in Florida, always keep a careful lookout:

• Wear polarized sunglasses to see manatees under water
• Scan the water for manatee snouts, tails and backs – they come up for air about every 20 minutes
• Listen for them breathing as they break the water with their snouts and inhale
• Always keep a look out for manatee footprints – round circular motions on the surface of the water
• Keep quiet in the waters so you don’t disturb resting manatees
• Keep excessive movements to a minimum – don’t splash or kick rapidly
• Don’t use paddles too deeply – use the surface of the water to maneuver and steer

If you are planning on seeing manatees in Florida, with or without a tour, you need to watch the Manatee Manners video to familiarize yourself with the strict regulations and guidelines that must be adhered to at all times.

Always remember, viewing manatees in their natural habitat is a privilege.

If you want to know where to see manatees in Orlando, we have you covered! Although there are no viewing locations to see Orlando manatees in their natural surroundings, you can still see these gentle creatures in Epcot and SeaWorld.

Both theme parks provide the best habitats for injured or recovering manatees Orlando has to offer.

With massive viewing windows where you can get up close and personal, it’s the closest thing you can get to swim with manatees Orlando, theme park style!

Manatees at Epcot

SeaBase is located at the Seas with Nemo & Friends and has a 5.7 million gallons saltwater aquarium. It’s home to over four thousand sea creatures from over 60 species. It’s also home to the Manatee Rehabilitation Center, a secondary care center.

The manatees at Epcot are either injured and not ready to return to the wild, or unable to survive in the wild.

There’s a viewing platform on the second level of SeaBase, where you can watch the manatees floating in the waters below. You might catch the feeding of manatees or be able to listen to talks. Ask Cast Members for feeding times when you arrive.

Down on the lower level, you can stand at the huge floor to ceiling viewing windows and watch these gentle creatures glide by.

These manatees eat up to 100 heads of lettuce a day, plus sweet potatoes, carrots and apples to help gain weight before release. You’ll see plenty of lettuce floating around the water when you see manatees at Epcot.

These manatees receive round-the-clock monitoring, veterinary care and a calorie rich diet to help get them ready for rehabilitation to the wild. Once released, a monitor helps the team track the health of some of the manatees. Disney have so far been able to rehabilitate and release 25 manatees back to the wild.

SeaWorld Manatees Orlando

SeaWorld Rescue Orlando is one of the largest critical care manatee facilities in the world and is the largest of 5 in the USA. It can can care for up to 60 Florida manatees, providing rehabilitation for injured, orphaned or sick manatees and has rehabilitated over 1300 manatees since 1976.

SeaWorld Rescue Orlando is home to a 5 acre center that offers a wide range of critical care amenities. It has undergone a huge expansion project, which started in 2022. Three new pool complexes and a lift floor are among the additions.

SeaWorld have pioneered manatee treatment techniques and also developed a life-saving baby manatee formula for nursing calfs. The hand-held bottle feeding imitates a mother manatee.

The Manatee Rehabilitation Center at SeaWorld Orlando has an overlook for park visitors to see manatees gracefully gliding through the waters.

Or you can take a stroll down to the huge underwater viewing area where you’ll be able to see the manatees underwater, along with a range of fish and turtles.

The best place to see manatees near Orlando is Blue Spring State Park. It’s one of the largest gathering sites for Florida manatees in the colder winter months.

The constant 72-degree water in the spring is perfect for the manatees and hundreds of them gather to enjoy the life saving warmer water.

You don’t need to get in the water or a boat to see manatees in Blue Spring State Park either! The viewing is exceptional here. Blue Spring Trail is a half mile elevated boardwalk that also features floating docks extending and viewing platforms over the water. It gives you a wonderful view of these gentle giants in the crystal clear waters below.

Make sure you walk all the way to the end of the trail to the head spring, the crystal clear emerald green water is just beautiful!

Blue Spring is the largest on St John’s River and the park covers over 2600 acres. As a designated manatee refuge, it’s the best place to see manatees near Orlando in their natural surroundings.

Know Before You Go:

• Get There Early: As a popular place to see manatees in Florida, Blue Spring State Park often reaches capacity, especially at weekends. Make sure you get there early. If not, you may encounter an hour or more wait in a long line of traffic to enter. The park opens at 8am every day of the year and closes at sundown.
• Kayak Rentals: If you have a reservation for kayak rentals within the park, you will be still given access if the park has reached capacity.
• Get a Manatee Count: If you want to know how many manatees are in the park before you visit, the Blue Spring State Park Facebook page posts the number of manatees there every day. The colder the weather, the more manatees there will be.
• No Swimming: Swimming and all boating activity on the Spring Run is closed to visitors during manatee season.

Guided kayaking with manatee tours are available as well as Segway tours and canoe/kayak rentals. The manatee refuge is cordoned off from water crafts, but many manatees do come out into the river to explore and see who’s visiting.

The St John’s River Nature Cruise is a 2 hour tour that runs a couple of times a day and costs $30 per person.

Entry Fee: $6 for vehicles with 2 to 8 passengers, $4 for single occupant vehicles, $2 for pedestrians, cyclists and visitors arriving with an annual passholder.
Where: 2100 W French Avenue, Orange City FL 32763
Web: Blue Spring State Park

Crystal River is the only place it’s legal to swim with manatees in North America. It’s famous for being the manatee capital of the world. Crystal River Wildlife Refuge is also the only designated manatee refuge in the United States, with over 40 acres of winter manatee sanctuaries around Kings Bay.

From November to April, it’s the largest natural gathering of manatees anywhere in the world. Crystal River is the holy grail of swimming with manatees and viewing manatees in Florida.

There are several locations to see Crystal River Florida manatees, get into the water and interact with these gentle giants. Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs and Homasassa Springs are all popular locations.

There are sanctuary markers in place near spring vents to provide critical resting areas for manatees. Access to all these areas are strictly prohibited at all times. You are only allowed to interact with manatees that are outside of these protected areas. And as very inquisitive and friendly creatures, there are plenty that venture out from the enclosed areas.

There are extremely strict guidelines and laws you need to know when swimming with manatees in Florida. The best and safest way to ensure you are not breaking any manatee law is to book a manatee swimming tour with a local operator. Manatees are heavily protected by law with strict guidelines on interaction.

An organized tour will instruct you thoroughly on how to interact with the manatees, including what you should and should not do when you enter the water. The guides will keep both you and the manatees safe.

Experienced local guides are also experts when it comes to manatees, local wildlife and waterways, meaning you’ll learn a ton of cool facts.

It’s advisable to take the first tour of the day, usually very early morning, for less crowds. Avoid weekends and holidays if you can, weekdays will be quieter.

There are lots of manatee swimming tours available throughout the Crystal River area. Permit holders for Florida manatee tours, eco tours, manatee kayak tours and airboat tours can be found here.

You are allowed to swim with Crystal River Florida manatees without a tour, but you must be fully aware of the various legalities before you enter the water.

How Cold is the Water When you Swim with Manatees?

Cold weather might not seem like the best time to be swimming in Florida waters, but it’s certainly the best time to swim with manatees. The water temperature hovers around 72 degrees. Each manatee swim tour will provide you with thick wetsuits to help keep you warm. Floatation devices will keep you buoyant in the water and you’ll also get snorkel gear and towels to dry off.

Several manatee boat tours offer heated boats and you can warm up after your swim with hot chocolate or coffee.

If you don’t want to brave the cold waters swimming with Crystal River Florida manatees, there are plenty of places you can see manatees from dry land. Manatees gather and huddle together in large numbers. This might be the furthest location for manatees near Orlando, but the pay off is well worth the drive. Orlando manatee tours will bring you to this location too.

Best Places to See Crystal River Florida Manatees:

Three Sisters Springs

Three Sisters Springs is a 57 acres wildlife refuge with three springs leading into Kings Bay. A half mile boardwalk with a canopy of lush woodland draped with moss makes it perfect to see manatees. Hundreds  of these gentle creatures visit this refuge during the winter months.

The boardwalk for viewing is open all year. Three Sisters Springs Park also has hiking trails, cycling and nature trails that offer views of Magnolia Springs, Lake Crystal and the wetlands.

Know Before You Go:

• No Water Access: To preserve the shoreline and vegetation, there is no water access from within the Three Sisters refuge.
• No Land Access: If you arrive at Three Sisters by water, there is no land access and you cannot secure any watercraft to any part of the land.
• Swimming Limits: Swimming and snorkeling is permitted, but only in designated areas between November 15th and March 31st. Be aware that water access to the refuge may also be closed off completely during manatee season.

There are waterways for kayaks and swimmers to reach Three Sisters Springs from other locations. To access the water, you’ll need to enter via any public launch area, then navigate into Three Sisters Springs.

Kayaks can be launched from these locations:

• Hunter Springs Park, 104 NE 1st Ave, Crystal River
• King’s Bay Park, 268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River

Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards are only allowed between April 1st and November 14th, but there is no land access to the boardwalk area from the water and you are not able to secure your craft to any part of the land.

No crafts of any kind are permitted between November 15th and March 31st, and motorized crafts are not allowed at any time.

There is no direct access for vehicles at Three Sisters Springs (apart from a small number of handicap parking spaces). You’ll need to either park up at the Visitors Center and take the trolley, or walk/cycle in. The Three Sisters Trolley also stops at USFWS Visitor Center & gift store, Hunter Springs Park, South Citrus Ave., and Heritage Village.

Three Sisters Springs is open from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm. Ticket sales close at 3.30pm. In-water access to Three Sisters Springs is open from sunrise to sunset daily, but this does not give you access to the boardwalk area.

Entry: April 1st-November 14th = $12.50 for adults & seniors, $11 for military, $7.50 children 6-15, children under 6 are free.
November 15th-March 31st = $20 for adults, $17.50 for seniors, $15 for military, $7.50 children 6-15, children under 6 are free. See full ticket info for residents, passholders and other discounts.
Where: Three Sisters Springs Center, 123 NW HWY 19, Crystal River, FL 34428
Web: Three Sisters Springs

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

If Crystal River or Three Sisters Springs are too busy, an 8 mile drive south will bring you to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This is where to see manatees in Florida if you want a quieter location.

Start your visit to this 210 acre wildlife facility on a pontoon boat that takes you gently down Pepper Creek. It’s an extra $5 to reach the park by boat, but this scenic guided river tour is worth it.

Alternatively, you can take the free tram into the park area from the Visitor Center.

Manatees frequently visit the park’s waters. During colder winter days you should spot around 70 to 80 manatees here. There’s a river crossing and a large observation deck overlooking the Homasassa River, where you’ll be able to see manatees in the waters below.

The walking path around the crystal clear waters will lead you to Nature’s Giant Fish Bowl. This underwater observatory gives you a 360 degree view of any manatees floating by and other aquatic life.

The main spring is located just below the fishbowl and is the headwaters of the Homasassa River which flows 9 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. The head spring produces almost 65 million gallons of water a day.

If you visit during the summer months, you’ll still be able to see manatees in the Manatee Care Center. The rehabilitation facility is a holding and treatment area that cares for sick or injured manatees until they are ready to be released back in to the wild.

There’s an elevated boardwalk that loops right around the park and guides you passed multiple animal viewing areas. All the animals and birds here are native Florida wildlife. (With one exception, Lu the hippo!) You’ll see alligators, black bears, cougars, bobcats, deer, Florida panthers, a variety of birds and more. Many are either injured or unable to survive in the wild.

Homasassa Springs used to be part of an old retro roadside attraction that housed exotic animals. Lu the Hippo (short for Lucifer) is the only remaining resident from those days gone by and has lived here since 1964. He is Homasassa Springs most famous resident and also the oldest hippo in North America. And he was a TV and movie star back in the day.

Entry: Adults (age 13+), $13, children ages 6-12, $5, children 5 and under are free.
Where: Homasassa Springs State Park, 4150 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa, FL 34446
Web: Homasassa Springs

Chassahowitzka River

A further 10 miles south of Homosassa Springs is Chassahowitzka River (The Chaz or Chassa as it’s known locally). If you’re looking for the best place to see manatees in Florida in a natural paradise, you’ll enjoy it here. It’s a great place to see manatees and not as well known as other locations, therefore generally much less crowded, especially in the winter months. However, it can still get busy during some weekends and holidays so do try and avoid busy times for the most peaceful experience.

There’s no boardwalk or viewing platforms here, you’ll need to view manatees close up in a kayak or paddle-board. There is a boat dock, but it can be difficult to see the manatees due to glare from the water’s surface. Floating on the water is by far the best way to see manatees. Chassahowitzka River offers an array of wildlife, including manatees, who enjoy the 72 degree spring fed waters.

The best way to navigate Chessahowitzka River is by taking a guided kayak manatee tour with one of several operators in the area. They will guide you to the best spots and you’ll learn all about the local wildlife. Get Up and Go Kayaking also offer guided tours in clear kayaks, for the perfect all round view!

There are kayak, canoe and jon boat rentals available at the Chessahowitzka River Campground, along with toilets and parking for $5.

Swimming is allowed in some parts of the Chessahowitzka River, but it is not advisable for visitors. Snakes, alligators and even Bull sharks use the river and there have been gator attacks on swimmers. Local knowledge is essential, a diver-down flag must be used at all times and manatees must be avoided completely. It’s much safer to be on top of the water!

Where: Chassahowitzka River Campground8600 W Miss Maggie DriveChassahowitzka, Fl 34448

Weeki Wachee Springs

Possibly the prettiest place to see manatees in Florida, Weeki Wachee Springs is blessed with white sand at the bottom, giving the water a fabulous aqua marine color. It’s a beautiful background to the fish and manatees.

The powerful spring and incredible flow of crystalline water replaces the river water at Weeki Wachee Springs every hour, making it crystal clear. It averages pumping out 17 million gallons of fresh spring water every day.

During cooler weather, you will see plenty of manatees floating through the clear waters and bobbing above the surface to take a look at us humans.

To see manatees at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, you can either take the Weeki Wachee River Boat tour or rent canoes, kayaks or paddle boards to explore on your own.

Being fairly narrow, about 5 yards wide, the Weeki Wachee stream has a more cosy feeling resulting in a more intimate experience for the kayakers and paddle boarders. You will likely bump into others kayaking with manatees in florida!

Weeki Fresh Water Adventures is the only location you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddle boards at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. You’ll float down the 2.8mile route, then your watercraft will be collected and you’ll be shuttled back to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. You have a 2 hour window from start to finish, which is ample time.

You can also use your own kayak, canoe or paddleboard, but the shuttle back to the park is only available for the rental option.

When starting from Weeki Wachee State Park, the downstream flow of the water is fairly strong, meaning you really don’t need to put much effort in to paddling. The water-flow does most of the work for you and you won’t need to use your paddle for much more than steering. It makes it ideal for beginners or those who have never kayaked before.

Know Before You Go:

• Kayak Limits: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has a limit on the number of kayakers allowed to enter the water. Advance reservations are essential for those who are renting kayaks from Weeki Wachee AND those taking their own watercraft.
• No Swimming: Swimming is not allowed anywhere in the boundaries of the state park and you are now allowed to leave your kayak/canoe/paddleboard and get in the water at any time. Once you pass the State Park boundary, you can swim.
• No Boats: The only watercrafts allowed in the Weeki Wachee State Park waters are kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. No boats, jet-skis or motors of any kind are allowed.
• Park Rules: There are some very strict park rules that are enforced at all times, such as no alcohol, no glass, no disposable items (such as water bottles), no radios etc. Read the park rules before you go.

Weeki Wachee Springs is one of Florida’s oldest roadside attractions and is home to family shows, a water park and a whole range of family fun. There are picnic tables, several dining options, a kids playground and a shower station. Tranquility trail is a pretty walkway trail that runs alongside the water’s edge.

• Bucaneer Bay
  Bucaneer Bay is Florida’s only spring fed waterpark and features thrill waterslides, a kiddie zone, white sandy beach, swimming in the springs and a float on a tube on the natural lazy river.
• Mermaid Shows
  Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is famous for its dazzling show of mermaids swimming in the spring waters, the only one in the world. The iconic show has been running since 1947 and is housed in a submerged 400-seat stadium embedded in the spring. Sit back and enjoy their version of  Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
  There are a few shows every day and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Get there at least 30 minutes before the show starts as the theater does fill up quickly. You can also get pictures and speak with a mermaid after the show at Mermaid Lagoon.
• Wilderness River Cruise
  The Wilderness River Cruise is a 20 minute guided tour along Weeki Wachee River. Your guide will point out wild animals both in the water and on land. You might spot a gator and hopefully manatees! The cruise is included in the entry fee and is on a first come first served basis.
• Ranger Experience
  This 20 minute nature show will introduce you to some of Florida’s native wildlife, including snakes, gators and turtles.

Entry Fee: If you want the full Weeki Wachee State Park experience, the entry fee is $13 for adults, $8 for children ages 6 to 12 and ages 5 and under admitted free.
If you ONLY want to kayak/canoe/paddleboard the Weeki Wachee River, you do not need to enter the actual park so there is no entry fee. Pre-booking is essential whether you are renting from Weeki Wachee or taking your own watercraft.
Where: 6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee FL 34606
Web: Weeki Wachee State Park

Weeki Wachee River

If you don’t want to visit Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, or availability for kayaks is full, you can still see Weeki Wachee River manatees from Rogers Park.

You can take your own watercraft, or you can rent from The Kayak Shack, who also offer guided tours. Another alternative is taking a Clear Kayak tour with Get Up And Go Kayaking.

Be aware though that the waters closer to Rogers Park do get much busier, and this section of the river is a little more commercial and lined with houses. But it’s still pretty and you’ll reach the aqua marine Weeki Wachee is famous for within around 1.5 miles.

Starting from Rogers Park means you’ll be paddling upstream against the flow, making it a little harder depending on your experience level. But the good news is, you’ll have an easy float downstream on the way back!

Fees: No entry fee to Rogers Park, but there is a $10 parking fee. Parking spots fill up fast at weekends and holidays.
Where: Rogers Park, 7244 Shoal Line Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34607
Web: Hernando County

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

Manatees need warm 72 degree water to survive and that’s exactly what Tampa Electric provides for them at Apollo Beach. The Big Bend Power Station circulates seawater from Tampa Bay before sending the clean, warm water back to the bay. This action provides a warm refuge for the manatees who swarm there in the winter months.

The Manatee Viewing Center on Apollo Beach allows the general public to observe Florida manatees in all their glory. Visitors can wander along the boardwalks above the warm water area and learn about the gentle giants at the education center.

Seen enough manatees? How about Rays Touch Tank where you can watch cownose rays swimming inches away and feel their super soft skin brushing past your fingers. This is the off-season home for the rays that belong to the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team.

The Environmental Education Building is where you can learn all about energy and technology. There’s a snack bar, gift shop, games and entertainment, including a hurricane simulator. There’s a Butterfly Habitat too.

The Coastal Habitat Trail is a series of scenic walks, with parts having shell covered trails and others raised boardwalks. There’s a 50 foot observation tower with a viewing platform that gives you a spectacular birds eye view right over to Tampa Bay. And if you need to charge your phone, there are solar tables with charging stations along the trail and at the tower.

The Tidal Walkway leads you through mangroves and wetlands on a raised boardwalk towards the bay, where you’ll see more manatees.

The Tidal Walkway is also part of the Great Florida Birding Trail.

You can also visit the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center. The center has windows that enable you to watch the care that is provided for sick or injured turtles before they are released back into the wild.

And it’s all completely FREE! No entry fee and no parking fee.

If you see plumes of white coming out of the chimney stacks, don’t worry about pollution. It’s nothing more than steam!

Tampa Electric Manatee is only open during manatee season, from November 1st through April 15th. Hours are 10 am to 5 pm. The trails close at 4pm.
Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day (Closes at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve) and Easter.

Entry: Zero, zilch, nada!
Where: 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL 33572
Web: Tampa Electric

The west Nature Coast lining the Gulf has an abundance of offerings of where to see manatees in Florida, but there are a few places to see manatees areas in Florida’s Space Coast too.

Indian River Lagoon is only 4 feet deep in most places, which enables the water to heat and maintain warmer temperatures. Which manatees love! It’s home to a third of the manatees in Florida and they live in the shallow waters year round. However, they are migratory mammals and might not be present at all times.

Where to See Manatees in Florida’s Space Coast Map

Brevard County Department of Natural Resources have created a great Manatee Field Guide that has a wealth of information. There’s also a map showing the locations of 29 manatee viewing areas on Indian River Lagoon where manatees are commonly found.

You can click on every location on the map for the address and information on where to spot manatees. All locations are open to the public.

Manatee Viewing Map Highlights:

• Manatee Observation Deck at Haulover Canal
  A great spot to see manatees and dolphins traveling between the Indian River and Mosquito Lagoons. Watch for both swimming in the deep water below.
  Courtenay Pkwy N, Mims, FL 32754
• Parrish Park
  A large open parking area and boat launch. Look for dolphins around the causeway and the occasional manatee patrolling the shoreline. Plenty of access for shore fishing and rocket launch viewing.
  1 A. Max Brewer Memorial Pkwy, Titusville, FL 32796
• Manatee Cove Park
  A pretty reliable spot to see manatees throughout the year. Also features a kayak launch, playground, and restrooms.
  4905 N Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32953
• KARS Park
  The small boat ramp cove at this park is a great nook to spot manatees. The “No Motor Zone” to the north is a great place to launch paddle craft for fishing or wildlife viewing. No combustion engines are allowed, so the wildlife is more at ease. Watch out for gators.
  Audobon Rd, Merritt Island, FL 32953 (From State Rd 3 / N Courtenay Pkwy, take Hall Rd East to Audobon Rd)
• Osteen Park
  Manatees will feed here in the shallows during the warmer months. A great spot to watch a sunset or picnic under the oaks if the manatees don’t show.
  425 S Tropical Trail, Merritt Island, FL 32952

Check the full Field Guide Map for details of all manatee viewing locations.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

After the completion of Kennedy Space Center, the land surrounding it was transformed into a wildlife preserve and is now home to thousands of plant, bird and wildlife species.

Many manatees have made the 149,000 acres Merritt Island National Wildlife refuge their permanent home and you should be able to see manatees at Merritt Island most of the year.

There is a large handicap-accessible observation deck where you can relax and watch manatees glide slowly by.

Plenty of launch sites are available if you are taking your own kayak or paddleboard, plus several operators who offer guided manatee and dolphin tours and kayak rentals.

As it’s such a vast area, local guides will have the best knowledge on where to find manatees, dolphins and other wildlife.

Here’s a few: Get Up And Go Kayaking  |  A Day Away Kayak Tours   |   Cocoa Kayaking   |

Merritt Island is also home to another amazingly unique experience – Bioluminescent tours. Most of the operators mentioned above offer this too.

You won’t see hundreds of manatees huddled together here, like you might in other places to see manatees in Florida on the west coast. Plus the water isn’t the crystal clear aquamarine of the springs. Plan this as more of a day exploring all the natural wonders Merritt Island has to offer, rather than just a manatee viewing experience.

There’s a visitors center, hiking trails, elevated boardwalk trails and a 7 mile scenic wildlife drive.

Keep a look out for bottlenose dolphins, stingrays and horseshoe crabs, plus an abundance of fish and birds. There are over 300 species of birds here, plus many migrating birds. It’s a bird lovers paradise and part of the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail.

When planning a visit to see manatees at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, keep in mind that rockets regularly launch at Kennedy Space Center and can attract lots of traffic to the area. If you don’t want to deal with traffic or crowds, plan your day when there isn’t a launch.

Alternatively, if you head to the Space Coast to see a rocket launch and it’s scrubbed (as happens often), seeing manatees in Florida is a terrific bucket list back up to a rocket launch!

To make your trip to Titusville all the more enjoyable, head over to Dixie Crossroads for a delicious seafood feast. This local hang out has been serving up specialties, including local rock shrimp, for decades.

Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset every day. The visitor center is open from 8 am to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday, closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days.

Entry: $10.00 per vehicle. $1 for foot passengers or cyclists. Daily passes can be purchased from the Visitor Information Center, self-pay stations, or Online at Recreation.gov.
Where: 1963 Refuge Headquarters Road, Titusville, FL 32782
Web: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

We hope this guide to seeing Manatees near Orlando and the surrounding area has been helpful. Enjoy experiencing our gentle giants of the Florida waterways!