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Orlando Manatee Encounters

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Orange City, United States
Orlando Manatee Encounters
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Orlando Manatee Encounters
The beautiful St. Johns River basin
More Manatee
Blue Springs, our Orlando Manatee Encounter location.
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From $80.00

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Number of travelers
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon3 hours  (approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Watch manatees in their natural habitat on a kayak tour in Blue Springs State Park, the winter home to one of Florida’s largest manatee populations. From a safe distance, observe the gentle creatures from your kayak as your guide shares informative commentary about the region's animal and plant life. This tour proceeds at a leisurely pace and is suitable for all levels of experience.
  • Kayak through Blue Springs State Park and observe manatees
  • Observe the local wildlife from a safe distance
  • Novice kayakers are welcome to join—tour is suitable for all skill levels
  • A small group ensures personal service
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From $80.00

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Landing and facility fees
Professional guide
Bottled water
Local guide
Gratuities
French Landing , 2398 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, USA
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Go to the very end of French Ave, 1 mile past the State Park.

This activity will end right where it started.
Make your own way to the boat ramp in Orange City to meet your guide.

Your guide provides a safety briefing, basic paddling instruction, and guidelines for observing Florida's wildlife. Then hop in your kayak and follow your guide to the spring. At the spring, your guide points out the best places to view the manatees, and answers any questions about the 'sea cow.'

After watching the manatees, continue to the Snake River and kayak through a creek that shelters an abundance of wildlife. There you might see manatees, otters, alligators, bald eagles, osprey, red-shouldered hawks, large wading birds, coots, moorhens, and wild hogs.

On the return to your car, make a final stop on a wooden boardwalk to look at manatees. After your tour, feel free to remain on your own at the park for a picnic or snorkeling.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • 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.
  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Service animals allowed
  • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
  • OPERATED BY Adventures in Florida
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Orlando Manatee Encounters?
A:The policy on face masks and attendee health is:

  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Orlando Manatee Encounters.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Orlando Manatee Encounters?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Orlando Manatee Encounters.
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Orlando Manatee Encounters?
A:The policy on social distancing is:

  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
See all safety measures taken by Orlando Manatee Encounters.
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Orlando Manatee Encounters?
A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
See all safety measures taken by Orlando Manatee Encounters.

Traveler Photos

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Traveler Tips

  • "We had a two person canoe so bring seat cushions or ask if they provide because you are out there a long time." See review

Reviews

5.0
star-5
251 Reviews
5 stars
236
4 stars
13
3 stars
1
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1
1 star
0

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 251 reviews
star-5
Great tour
JOSEPH_G
, May 2022
Great experience…highly recommended!…our tour was private as another group failed to show. Very knowledgeable guide!
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star-5
Guy was an excellent...
Amy_K
, Mar 2022
Guy was an excellent guide! We learned so much. He gave us a perfect balance of information and quiet time to enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. No manatee sightings but we didn't even care. It was a fantastic paddle.
... MoreLess
star-5
Great experience!
Gerald_S
, Mar 2022
What an amazing experience! Our guide, Gina, was incredible. Not only was she very knowledgeable, she was also very friendly and went the extra mile to ensure that we had a great time. We saw all kinds of local wildlife including manatees, alligators, turtles, fish and many different kinds of birds, can't wait to do it again!
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star-4
Manatees, Alligators, Birds oh my….
Megan_M
, Mar 2022
We were able to see manatees in the rooed off area, even though they were being lazy and didn’t come up to the surface very much. We saw several alligators, turtles, and native birds. Bill our guide was pleasant and knowledgeable.
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star-5
Wonderful Experience
KRISTY_S
, Jan 2022
Gina was an amazing tour guide, I feel like the manatees knew her voice. You could tell she loved her job, and LOVED being able to share her knowledge and love for the manatees, and the area with thr group.
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star-5
Best activity of trip
Julie_H
, Dec 2021
First time kayaking and I was nervous. The experience was the best and definitely doing again next time
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Great adventure
Laura_D
, Dec 2021
Amazing adventure - tour guide was amazing - the trip itself was perfect with great kayaks, alligator , manatees, birds, turtles - and snake creek was so cool
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-4
Kayaking with nature!
Guy_G
, Sep 2021
Jimi was an amazing tour guide. He was very knowledgeable. I was however disappointed that we did not personally see any manatees, but I guess you can't expect nature to do what you want. The spring was closed off to kayaking so that should have probably been mentioned prior to booking. We stilled loved the kayaking, and I would have still done it without seeing the manatees. We appreciated Jimi taking the time to stop us for a detour to walk through Blue Park. This was one of the highlights of my vacation. I would do it all over again.
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star-5
Amazing Adventure.
Rhonda_U
, Aug 2021
Highly Recommend !!!!! From the beginning to the end it was an Amazing adventure. Seeing Manatee’s and alligators up close in August. Thank you Bill for the adventure and knowledge you shared.
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star-5
Paradise in a kayak.
Ted_M
, May 2021
It was fun, relaxing and an awesome experience. Manatees, turtles, gators, hunting birds of prey, beautiful scenery and the best guides money can buy. 3 of us went with no kayaking experience, my wife was a little intimidated at first when she saw her first gator in the water with her in a kayak but she soon gave in to the splendor of everything around us. A very relaxing pace was kept and it was really easy to unwind in a slice of paradise. We all highly recommend this adventure.
... MoreLess

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