As they congregate in herds for the winter to escape cooler temperatures, they are easier to spot and swim with in the clear, bubbly freshwater springs near power plants or in state and marine water parks. Within the United States, manatees are concentrated in Florida in the winter, but they can be found in summer months as far west as Texas and as far north as Virginia. The average adult manatee, or "sea cow," is about 10 feet long and weighs approximately 1,200 pounds. Blue Spring State Park (FPS) Orange City 386-775-3663 Entrance fee. One of the most popular spots to see Florida’s famous manatee residents, Blue Springs State Park covers more than 2,600 acres. 9. is still highly protected. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS) Crystal River 352-563-2088. So even with manatee numbers on the rise thanks to strict state and federal protections, the Manatee (Florida’s official state sea mammal!) (Spring headwater and spring run on St. Johns River) Seasonal manatee programs held during winter months when manatees are in warm waters of spring run. World's Famous Manatee Swim / Snorkel in Crystal River & Homosassa, FL. Manatees roam the warm waters of southeast Florida between April and October, but head to Florida springs when the weather turns chilly. Some wild manatees become accustomed to humans and will swim among snorkelers and anchored boats, seeking to be rubbed and scratched. " The Florida Manatee is the most enduring Animal in the state of Florida" This is our most popular Manatee Tour at $65 per person (including 3mm wetsuit, mask and snorkel) whether you're just sightseeing or snorkeling and never no more than 6 passengers per boat. However, the remains of prehistoric bones of Manatees in Florida proves otherwise. They also have powerful, flat tails that help propel them through the water. It is entirely illegal to approach – or touch – a wild manatee anywhere in the state, that is except for a small area in King’s Bay, Citrus County Florida know as Crystal River. Located along Central Florida’s "Nature Coast," Crystal River is one of the few places where you can swim with manatees. To provide the species with safety and peace, swimming in most gathering areas is prohibited. However, these sightings are rare. The center, called Manatee Lagoon has two levels of exhibit and observation areas, picnic areas and a gift store and cafe. Manatees are found in many of Florida’s waterways and can be difficult to see, especially when you travel in a boat on the water. Manatees prefer waters that are about one to two meters (3-7 feet) deep. The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. The Florida manatee is a symbol for conservation and an extremely popular animal with the public. By Kevin Mims. A fossil skeleton of a manatee that lived in Florida 15 million years ago was found and donated to … Blue Spring State Park A boardwalk bordering the clear spring run makes manatee viewing easy; and it's wheelchair accessible. Summer sightings in Alabama, Georgia and … Florida manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal water ecosystems of the southeastern United States.

On this quintessential Florida adventure, you'll observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Florida’s Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Citrus Country is the only state where manatee tours allowed and you can legally snorkel with these peaceful giants. When the water temperature drops in the Gulf of Mexico, manatees move to the warmer waters of the Crystal River, followed closely by nature-loving tourists and other visitors. For most of the year, the Florida manatee lives widely spread throughout the waterways of Florida and south Georgia. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge You'll find more manatees at Crystal River than anywhere else in Florida. They can live in fresh, brackish, or salt water. Find out how to meet a manatee and …

These are the best places to see manatees in Florida. Manatees roam the waters of Florida from April through October -- but when things get a bit chilly, they head to places like freshwater Florida springs, where the temperatures remain constant throughout the year.. Cruise the Crystal River in a luxury pontoon boat that is fully enclosed and heated during winter (the best time to see the manatees). Manatees are a migratory species. At first glance, the behavior of the manatee appears simple and unstructured, but the behavior is specifically adapted to Florida's sub-tropical climate. Appearance. The Florida manatees are protected species and the law is very strict. The Florida manatee is a large, plant-eating, warm-blooded marine animal found in Florida's shallow coastal waters, rivers and springs.