In the cold season, manatees shelter here in the warmer waters that . Manatee Viewing Center - TECO Tampa Electric, Apollo Beach, Fla., Nov. 28, 2014. See manatees in Florida at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. Whenever the water in Tampa Bay gets 68 degrees or cooler, manatees flock to the warm waters of the station's discharge canal. Power plants and manatees can be a perfect match at the Manatee Viewing Center at Tampa Electric (TECO) in Apollo Beach is no exception. While most visitors come to check out the infamous live mermaid shows, others come to explore the beautiful spring and tour the . Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am-4pm, closed Mondays. It is not uncommon to see them swimming in the intracoastal waterway or St. Johns River in warmer months. . Winter is the time of year to spot them and during the summer you can go scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. Yankeetown is not much of a town, but the fascination here is with the location - at the end of a road that dead-ends into the Gulf of Mexico north of Crystal River. Crystal River. . The island is flanked by miles of palm trees, postcard-worthy turquoise bays, and pristine white sand. At Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers, you can walk 2 miles of beach and try to see manatees and dolphins. The area is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary because it provides the warmth the manatees need to survive the coldest . Look no further than Marco Island, an oasis located at the southern tip of Southwest Florida, only 15 miles south of Naples. Manatees can be viewed in captivity year-round at the following locations: EPCOT, Orlando 407-824-4321 Homosassa Springs State Park 386-628-2311 Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa 813-932-0245 Miami Seaquarium 305-361-5705 Sea World, Orlando 407-363-2613 South Florida Museum, Bradenton 941-746-4131 It's one of four in the state of Florida. . Start at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park or paddle down the transparent waterway with a shallow sandy bottom in a kayak. This state park has an 800-foot boardwalk that overlooks the springs so it's also easy to see the manatees without even getting in the water. The months when one will find the most manatees are December, January, and February - the coldest months in Florida are also the most active for the species. Gestation: 12 to 14 months. 5. Manatee seeks shelter from boats and rest around Indian Key. See manatees in Florida at Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. This is one of our personal favorite places to kayak with manatees in Florida. Blue Springs State Park 352-563-0450. Manatees are sometimes described as being so ugly that they are cute These marine mammals are well-loved in Florida. 3321 Bridge Plaza Dr. , Vero Beach , FL32963 (772) 234-9585 Website . The peak season for observing manatees is November through April, and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February. There are a few places in Florida where you can see manatees by kayak or by actually swimming with them. Last on my list of the best places to see manatees in Florida, it's Three Sisters Springs. 7. When it comes to having some of the best options for warm places to visit in December in USA, Florida is hard to beat, but listen carefully not every place in the Sunshine State is a prime destination during the winter. Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park There are several ways to see manatees in Homosassa Springs State Park. Here are 5 of the top places to see manatees in Florida!#5 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. When can you see manatees in the Springs in Florida? We will embark on a nature cruise, to Kings Bay in Crystal River, where you'll swim with manatees in the wild. You can take a tour of the springs and surrounding locations in a 100% clear . Kayaking At Manatee Springs State Park . Lee County Manatee Park. The park's daily educational programs are open to the public. Tel: 352-586-1170. The decision is a fraught one, because scientists have found that feeding wild animals can do more harm than good. Manatees were once common throughout Florida, but their numbers plummeted in the 1960's as construction boomed in the Sunshine State.Manatees need undisturbed habitat and are extremely vulnerable to injuries from motorboats. You may see manatees pop up to the surface to breathe every 3-5 minutes. Fish and Wildlife's manatee rescue and rehabilitation program. Using a manatee Florida map, you will see that these mammals prefer swimming in warm shallow waters like estuaries and coastal areas and rarely go deeper than 20 feet. They're located in waters throughout the state. Space Coast Manatee Field Guide. Biologists . Silver Springs State Park is one of the prettiest places in Florida, and perhaps the best state park. A year-round favourite for manatee spotting, Three Sisters Springs is an amazing place to go. By Kevin Mims. They can also become entrapped in areas during large storms and hurricanes. The cold months are when the population is more active and rather than seeing two or three, one might see them by the dozens, depending on where they are. Manatee Springs State Park is a haven for migrating sea-cows. FL, the winter home to more than 250 manatees. See the park website for information on fees, boat tours and hiking opportunities. On Tampa Bay's chilliest days, you can expect to see hundreds of manatees from multiple different viewing vantage points at the center. While manatees can be found year round in Kings Bay, the area receives extra protections as a designated sanctuary in winter months and can only be seen from the boardwalk vantage point. Here are some top insider tips on the best spots to seeand swim with!manatees. Lovers Key State Park. In 30-plus years, the park staff has helped rehabilitate more than 40 injured Homosassa Springs manatees. Manatees depend on the warm water for survival, as they cannot tolerate water temperatures colder . Manatees seek refuge from cold water in the warm springs during winter months. 9. How many manatees are in Three Sisters Springs? Sea World, Orlando 407-363-2613. Scientists say manatees . The manatees are only at this park when the temperature in the gulf is below the temperature of 68. The Homosassa Springs manatees are just one of the many natural wonders at the state park. The manatee seeks warmer waters during winter. A separation fence installed within the spring allows staff to keep the injured marine mammals segregated from their . in Fort Myers. A threatened species, manatees are protected in Florida where riding, chasing, or harassing the manatees is forbidden. Located across from Florida Power and Light and directly on the warm water discharge canal, Manatee Park is another wintertime haven where large concentrations of Florida manatees can be seen. Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa 813-932-0245. Located right on the lagoon, we offer a wide range of activities for individuals and families. . Blue Spring State Park is home to a first-magnitude spring that is one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida. Your best chance of seeing manatees in Florida is on cold winter day when they gather in relatively warm waters of springs and power plant outfalls There are about 6,300 manatees in Florida waters, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. They can be seen: In the on-site manatee rehabilitation center In the Homosassa River In the Homosassa Spring headwaters In the Homosassa Spring run A year-round favourite for manatee spotting, Three Sisters Springs is an amazing place to go. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently reported that since early December, more than 500 manatees have died along Florida's east coast mainly in Brevard and Broward counties due to starvation from loss of sea grass. Miami Seaquarium 305-361-5705. Tickets $125, Private Tour (up to 6 people) $625. Manatee interaction with humans is closely monitored and managed, so Crystal River is the place to go for having an in-water experience with manatees. Weeki Wachee. The first is to take a guided manatee encounter The second is to go out with your own boat or kayak. Manatees are a subtropical species and cannot tolerate water temperatures below 68 degrees F. The park's natural freshwater spring bowl remains a constant 72-degree temperature year-round, serving as vital habitat for manatees and various species of fish who enter from the river. Crystal River, in Citrus County, was instrumental in changing this with the creation of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, providing a safe haven and working to educate the public. It is also the only place in the US where you can swim with these amazing creatures. Telephone: (561) 626-2833 3. October 31, 2021 November 2, 2021 . Where Can I See a Sea Cow? Manatee tours are approximately 4 hours long. Those native to Vero Beach understand the incredible sights on the coast of Florida, so we offer our visitors everything they need for hours of relaxation on the water. We recommend taking a local manatee tours. You can spot manatees in our waterways all year round, but the population . 57 Comares Ave St. Augustine, FL 32080 (904) 687-8297 (904) 687-8297. staugboattours@gmail.com. As always, no guarantee on seeing manatees, but it's a beautiful location to try to spot one. The Homosassa Springs wildlife park participates in U.S. Manatees can be seen in the entire spring above the water, too. You can learn more about Florida's manatees with the UF/IFAS Extension Florida Sea Grant 3 rd grade manatee . 1101 West Sligh Ave. Tampa, Fla. 33604. You can view manatees at the Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park, which serves as a refuge for rehabilitating captive-born manatees and helping them return to the wild. Manatees are more often seen during warm weather months. SeaWorld offers outstanding up close viewing. We're fortunate to have the beloved Florida manatee in St. Augustine waters, especially during summer months. Rock Harbor in Marathon - A mangrove oasis that 350 manatees call home during the winter months! Where to see manatees in Florida map 1) Crystal River, Citrus County (one of the best places to see Manatees in Florida) This is our favorite place to see manatees. In 1968 the underwater "fish bowl" was installed, back when this park was a roadside attraction, rather than a state park. Known as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River has the only National Wildlife Refuge in the entire country that specifically protects the threatened species of manatees. Louisiana. But Florida's manatees, already threatened with extinction, have suffered . At one time the number of wild manatees was dwindling rapidly and they were considered an endangered species. Crystal Springs and Crystal River. Keep in mind that "warm" is about 72 degrees (year round) and December air temperatures have the potential to be cold. Where to See Manatees in Florida Trip Ideas & Guides, Winter Road Trips. Speed: Although manatees usually swim between 2 to 6 mph, for a short time, they can swim as fast as 15 mph. Using a wildlife walk that navigates woods and wetlands, visitors might see black bears, foxes, river otters, cougars, key deer and hundreds of bird species. Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach. Winter is the time of year to spot them and during the summer you can go scuba diving, swimming and snorkeling. Titusville, FL 32782 | (321) 268-2655. The Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens has a Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation critical care center. They move to different areas of the Indian River Lagoon during very cold periods and are not as likely to be seen. It is possible to see manatees at the viewing areas during all daylight hours; however the likelihood of seeing one diminishes as sunset nears. Manatee Lagoon has an education center featuring hands-on exhibits about manatees as well as the Lake Worth Lagoon, where the center is located. When and Where to See a Manatee in Marco Island Dreaming of white sandy beaches, tropical climate, and romantic sunsets? Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (FPS)- (Manatee Rehabilitation Center) (352) 628-5343 Homosassa, FL (Headwater, spring run and Homosassa River) --Park staff or volunteers present daily educational programs. Lee County Manatee Park. The winter manatee aggregation in Kings Bay is the largest and Crystal River a little town north of Tampa and west of Orlando hosts the biggest concentration of Florida manatees in the world. You can spot manatees in our waterways all year round, but the population is much smaller during the summer months. 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. Indian Key Causeway - A great place to rent a kayak and explore Indian Key Historic State Park. Manatees are protected by law so it is illegal to feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill or annoy them. Background . It's $8 per vehicle. 3 Hours Dock-to-dock. Manatees find refuge in the warm waters of Blue Spring located at Blue Spring State Park. The winter months are the best time to see these famous visitors, as Nov. 15 to March 31 sees around 200 manatees at time, with the most recorded manatees at around 400-500 in January 2016. Credit: Discover Crystal River Florida Manatee Springs State Park is one of the best places for winter manatee . (407) 824-4321 Orlando, FL --Manatees are found in "The Seas with Nemo and Friends" exhibit. Crystal River is a famous destination in Florida. Manatees frequent the Weeki Wachee Canal, located on Florida's Adventure Coast in Hernando County. 3266 N. Sailboat Ave., Crystal River, FL 34428. However, from December through February, their population is at its' largest. Manatees can be viewed in captivity year-round at the following locations: EPCOT, Orlando 407-824-4321. Last on my list of the best places to see manatees in Florida, it's Three Sisters Springs. Ways to go Swimming With Manatees in Crystal River. In recent months those fighting to save Florida's beloved manatees have done things they never thought they'd do and this month's decision to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency . Swimming with Manatees is a fun outing to do during COVID times as you can swim and stay in your own small groups. More information on manatee viewing can be found at . Trending; Popular; . It opens at 8 a.m until sundown it costs $6 a vehicle. Wakulla River and the St. Marks River are best for summer manatee viewing. It may not seem warm when you jump into a freshwater spring, but the water temperatures remain around 70 degrees . An unprecedented attempt to prevent manatees from starving by feeding them lettuce in the Indian River Lagoon is set to end Friday, a Florida wildlife official announced. Can you see manatees without getting in the water? There is parking, a picnic area, gift store and a cafe. I went early on a cool December morning when a cold front was passing through, and air temps were in the mid . Warm Places to Visit in December in USA. The address for Lovers Key State Park is 8700 Estero Blvd. Manatees are air-breathing water-dwelling mammals that can grow up to 12 feet long, and weigh up to 3500 pounds. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is located on the. No matter what time of year it is you can kayak and canoe. September 30, 2020 . Manatees migrate to Crystal River and surrounding springs in mid-November and remain there until around mid-March. and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February. Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida is a giant natural tourist attraction that brings in visitors from all over the world. Great White Shark Diving at Isla Guadalupe. Tel: (813) 935-8552. The following is a list of the best places to see manatees in Florida. Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows.There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), and the West African manatee (Trichechus . While you can spot the Sea Cows year round, the months of November through April are the best time to see manatees in Florida. Manatee season in Florida is officially October 15th thru March 31st, but varies slightly by region and in some areas, Manatees stay all year long. This first magnitude spring pumps up to 100 million gallons of 72 degree temperature fresh water daily, perfect for manatees. The objective of the manatee tour is to see manatees so most of the tour is spent in the man-made environment of the canal between the marina and the Gulf of Mexico. The Underwater Observatory in the "Bowl" of the springs is one of the very first attractions added to this park during its early years. Several viewing areas, a butterfly garden, and picnic shelters are available. Homosassa Springs State Park 386-628-2311. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Hawaii. It is also free! When we arrive, you are encouraged to float in the water for an up-close experience with the manatees. The Manatee Viewing Center and viewing tower are open from Nov. 1 . Parking and entrance fees. Tours are especially available from late December through February. The largest winter refuge for manatees on the Gulf Coast, Three Sisters Springs is one of the most famous manatee hot spots. Up To 6 People. Cold winter days bring 100's of manatees seeking warm water refuge into the springs. In 1968 the underwater "fish bowl" was installed, back when this park was a roadside attraction, rather than a state park. Three Sisters Springs. Tortuguero National Park is a wonderful place to see manatees. Lucy Dodsworth from OnTheLuce.com describes the park as "a green oasis and a haven for wildlife". Tour Information. BOOK NOW. Primary Food: Sea grasses and water plants Range: Florida manatees are found in rivers, springs, and shallow coastal waters of Florida and nearby states. The summer months aren't as favorable for manatee sightings due to the water temperatures being too warm for their liking. Published: December 11, 2017, 2:53 PM Tags: News , Weather , Florida , Local , Features Winter is coming and with it comes herds of sea cows seeking refuge from frigid waters in the Sunshine State . The quiet canals and lagoons, in particular, are popular spots to see manatees grazing throughout the winter months. Florida. "They can end up in a lake and be isolated, where they can't get out of the lake and there's no food." If you witness a sick, injured or orphaned manatee, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or send a text message or email to Tip@MyFWC.com.