Manatee Season is in full swing at select Florida State Parks
- Alastair Mac
- Jan 1
- 2 min read
The peak season for observing manatees is November through April, and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February.
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.
It may not seem warm when you jump into a freshwater spring, but the water temperatures remain around 70 degrees, which is perfect for manatees in Florida who need that kind of warmth to survive.
Beautiful state parks such as Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, De Leon Springs in Volusia County, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Crystal River Preserve State Park just north of Tampa Bay are popular this time of year in Florida to see sea cows now in bigger numbers than ever before.
Families can enjoy various manatee-related activities, options include guided kayak tours in Crystal River Preserve State Park, and boardwalk viewing at Blue Spring State Park. These experiences offer both fun and educational opportunities for visitors of all ages.
World-famous manatee celebrations in the Sunshine State include the Homosassa Springs Manatee Festival Jan. 18, 2026 and the 41st Annual Blue Springs Manatee Festival Jan. 24 - 25, 2026 in Orange City.
For more information on Florida State Parks with prime manatee viewing sites and events, go to:
Daily park activities at these Florida State Parks are managed by Adventure Unbound by Guest Services, passionate about the transformative power of travel and immersive experiences that promise extraordinary adventures and profound moments of discovery.
For more information on Adventures Unbound by Guest Services and their Sunshine Collection of Florida State Parks in Florida, call 888-688-7538 or go to:
Never miss anything happening in Orlando again, we've got you covered with the latest and best things to see and do throughout Central Florida. Get the Latest Orlando News now!
Contact Us:
You can contact us here. To advertise with us, click here. To list your upcoming event, submit it here.
Newsletter:
Sign up for our newsletter and stay in the loop with all the latest news from Central Florida delivered daily to your mailbox.
Social Media:
Join the local conversation on X, Facebook, and Instagram, plus, for extended coverage, catch the latest on our YouTube channel.
Comments