Where To See Manatees In Florida (2026 Guide To The Best Spots)
Manatees are adorable creatures that spend their winters in Florida. The rare mammals live in subtropical climates, you will often find them lounging in crystal clear springs in central and west Florida. Read on to discover where to see manatees in Florida.
Manatees love Florida, but they are also found in South America, parts of the Caribbean, and in a few countries in Africa. So they are quite rare! If you are ever in Florida during the winter months visiting the Manatees are non negotiable.
One of my favorite things to do in Florida is to visit the Manatees in the springs. Manatees look intimidating, but they are truly gentle creatures - you can even swim with them!
⭐If you don't feel like reading - Our all time favorite places to see Manatees in Florida are Blue Springs State Park & Silver Springs.
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Map Of Where To See Manatees In Florida
Where To See The Manatees In Florida
1. Blue Springs State Park
Blue Springs State Park is my all time favorite place to see Manatees in Florida. Located just forty minutes north of Orlando, Blue Springs State Park is home to hundreds of Manatees over the winter months. At Blue Springs you will have to opportunity to swim with the manatees, see them via boat tour, or just admire them from the viewing decks.
Blue Springs State Park is free to visit, but parking does cost $5.
⭐Blue Springs State Park Boat Tour
2. Crystal River State Park
Located on the west coast of Florida, just an hour north of Tampa, is Crystal River State Park. Crystal River is a bit closer to the coast then Blue Springs State Park so you may just see the Manatees passing through.
Crystal River State Park is a great place to swim or paddle board alongside Manatees. Be sure to book a tour so you get the full experience swimming with them.
🤿3 Hour Swim With Manatees Tour
3. The Apollo Beach Viewing Center
If you are looking to spot Manatees in Tampa, then the Apollo Beach Viewing Center is perfect for you. The viewing center is only thirty minutes south of the city and makes for a lovely free activity on a trip to Tampa.
4. Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs is a small town located on the western coast of Florida right near Tampa. This charming little town sees tons of Manatees each year.
The best place to spot the Manatees in Tarpon Springs is the Spring Bayou. You can do this really cool clear kayaking tour in Tarpon Springs!
5. Silver Springs
Located just west of Ocala is Silver Springs. Silver Springs is, in my opinion, one of the best spots to see the Manatees.
At Silver Springs is very similar to Blue Springs State Park, it is just larger and offers many more tours and experiences. So a bit more gimmicky. With that said it is easily one of the best spots to see Manatees in the USA.
At Silver Springs you will have to opportunity to do a glass bottom boat tour, use clear kayaks, visit the Silver Springs museum, explore hiking trail, and even see monkeys!
🙈Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee & Monkey Adventures
6. Homosassa Springs
Located just south of Crystal River, Homosassa Springs is a stunning little spring perfect for spotting manatees, foxes, birds, bears, panthers, and more. You will also find a stunning 1.1 mile trail at Homosassa Springs.
When To See Manatees In Florida
In short the best time to see manatees in Florida is during the winter months. During the summer the ocean is warm enough for them so the manatees leave the springs and return to the sea in the spring/summer.
I saw the Manatees in December and there were tons of them!
Where To See Manatees In Florida FAQs:
Where are you most likely to see manatees in Florida?
You will most likely see Manatees in Florida in Blue Springs State Park, Silver Springs, Homosassa Springs, Tarpon Springs, and Crystal River State Park during the winter months.
What part of Florida has the most manatees?
Central and west Florida is home to the most Manatees.
What is the best month to see manatees in Florida?
Early winter to late spring you will be able to see the manatees. (November - April)
What time of day are manatees most active in Florida?
In the early morning, before the tourists show up. (5am - 9am)
Can you swim with manatees in Crystal River without a tour?
Yes, but it depends on which park you are at. Crystal River allows this.
Are manatees friendly to humans?
Yes, they are extremely peaceful.
Where To See Manatees In Florida Wrap Up
Manatees are adorable and the springs that they usually hangout in are stunning. So if you are looking for a unique and unforgettable thing to do in Florida, checkout one of these parks, you may even be able to go swimming with manatees! We hope that this quick guide on where to see Manatees in Florida help you to plan the perfect trip to the sunshine state. Read all our Florida articles here.
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