Best Places in Florida to See Manatees This Winter!

When people think of Florida wildlife, they usually think of alligators, but manatees are high up on that list, too. These sweet potatoes are wonderful to see, and people flock to the waterways to catch a glimpse of them during the coldest winter days. 

From state parks and other protected spaces to unexpected environments that supply the manatees with warm water during the cold winter months, I’ll be sharing some of the best places where you can see them no matter what part of Florida you are in. 

I’m compiling this list for you and for myself. I love manatees but haven’t been to some of these locations. They come highly recommended by other manatee enthusiasts and environmental groups. 

Ok, let’s dig in!

Table of Contents

• Manatee Fun Facts
• Why Do Manatees Come to Florida in the Winter?
• How Do Manatees Find Warm Water in Florida? 
• When is Manatee Season in Florida?
• How to Maximize Chances of Seeing Manatees
• Seeing Manatees in Springs vs. Rivers
• Guidelines for Viewing Manatees
• Blue Spring State Park – Central Florida
• Silver Springs State Park – Central Florida
• Three Sisters Springs – Florida West Coast
• Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center – Florida West Coast
• Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park – Southwest Florida
• Manatee Observation and Education Center – Southeast Florida
• Manatee Lagoon – FPL Eco-Discovery Center – South Florida
• Lee County Manatee Park – Southwest Florida  
• Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park – Florida Panhandle
• Wakulla Springs State Park Essentials:
• Plan Your Visit

Manatee Fun Facts

• Manatees make fun sounds like chirps, whistles, and squeaks, especially moms talking to their calves.
• They’re related to elephants and hyraxes (look up hyraxes—they’re fascinating little creatures!).
• Manatees are mammals like us, so they need to breathe air.
• They usually pop up for air every 3 to 5 minutes but can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when they’re chilling out.
• No eyelashes for these sea cows!
• A manatee’s heart beats 50 to 60 times per minute—pretty cool, right?
• They’ve got “marching molars!” New teeth grow at the back, move forward as they wear down, and eventually fall out.
• Manatees might “kiss” as a way to communicate with each other—how sweet is that?
• Female manatees usually have just one baby at a time. Twins are super rare—only about 1% of births.
• They can swim fast—up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts—but they usually cruise at a relaxing 3 to 5 miles per hour.

Want to learn more about manatees? Check out the Save the Manatee website. 

Why Do Manatees Come to Florida in the Winter?

Like snowbirds, manatees come to Florida seeking warmth during the cold winter months. Florida springs, in particular, provide them with a constant 72°F environment in which to ride out the winter. 

If manatees do not reach these warm waters, they will suffer cold stress (hypothermia). Suffering manatees will have bleached skin, lots of algae and barnacles on their skin, visible abscesses, and be underweight. It’s dangerous for them, and in severe cases, they can die. 

How Do Manatees Find Warm Water in Florida?

Manatees can live in salt, fresh, and brackish water. Florida springs are freshwater; they flow into rivers, and many of these rivers flow into the ocean. So when temperatures drop, manatees exploring the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico go back through these rivers to seek out the warmer springs.

In some cases, manatees flee the salt waters and cold rivers and seek shelter in freshwater that is warmed artificially, like the warm water discharged from power plants. 

One of the most notable rivers that connects multiple springs is the St. Johns River, which runs 310 miles from the Vero Beach area to Jacksonville and into the Atlantic. 

When is Manatee Season in Florida?

Manatee season in Florida runs from November 15th to April 1st. 

Depending on the weather, these dates can flex a little in either direction. If the temperature drops before November 15th, manatees will seek warmer waters. 

If it’s warm, however, they will leave these warmer areas, even in the middle of December or January, but they will be back when the temperature drops again.

How to Maximize Chances of Seeing Manatees

I already mentioned Manatee Season, but there are specific times and days when you will be more likely to see manatees. 

And it’s not just because of manatee counts—sometimes parks fill up to the point where they either reach capacity or the experience is so packed that it’s not pleasant.

Cold Temperatures

The colder the better, and the more likely you are to see manatees. They will leave the cold waters (below 68°F) and look for warm waters. 

Visit During the Week

If you can, I recommend visiting these locations during the week. That will minimize crowds and increase your odds of getting into the parks or at least minimize your wait time to enter. 

Get There Early or Late

The temperatures will be lower early and late in the day, and crowds will be smaller. And as I mentioned, the colder temperatures will mean more manatees.  

There Are No Guarantees

Keep in mind that manatees are wild creatures, and the places I am mentioning are open natural spaces. Manatees come and go when they want. So there is no guarantee that you will see them when you visit.

Seeing Manatees in Springs vs. Rivers

I think it’s important to note that most Florida bodies of water are dark due to the tannins in the water. Tannins naturally occur in trees, plants, fruits, etc. They drain into bodies of water and make the water dark and tea-like. 

Springs, however, are lighter in color since the water that feeds them comes from underground aquifers. They remain this way unless there are heavy rains, hurricanes, etc., that produce a lot of runoff into the spring runs (the rivers/channels that the waters from springs flow to).  

Manatees might be a little harder to see in non-spring water. You can see a manatee’s entire body when it is near springs, even when it is completely submerged. This is not to discourage you from going to rivers to see them, it is just trying to help with expectations. And yes, there are always exceptions to the rule!

If you have any questions about visibility, please call the location before showing up. 

Guidelines for Viewing Manatees

Please note that manatees are wild animals protected by law (Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973). They are not here to put on a show for you or for you to get the perfect photo or say you saw them. They live in these waters and seek warmth during the cold winter months. 

When viewing manatees, practice passive observation:

• No touching 
• No feeding
• No chasing
• No harassing
• No disturbing

Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for all guidelines. 

Blue Spring State Park – Central Florida

Blue Spring State Park is one of the most famous state parks for viewing manatees and where I have seen them most often. It has crystal clear 72°F waters and is the winter refuge for hundreds of Florida manatees yearly. 

One of the park’s highlights is the 1.3-mile boardwalk that offers unobstructed views of the spring run and accommodates all mobility needs. This is the boardwalk to take to get a fantastic view of the manatees visiting for the winter. 

We visited on Thursday, January 4th, just before 11 am, and still had to wait in line for 30 minutes to get in. The air temperature was 52°F, and we saw 687 manatees.

During Manatee Season, the spring run is closed to all water activities, including swimming, snorkeling, diving, tubing, and paddling. The only way to see them is via the boardwalk. From the boardwalk, you will see these gentle giants gathered together, enjoying the warm water. 

Orange City puts on the Manatee Festival during the last weekend of January every year. It’s two days of fun centered around raising funds for the community and promoting environmental awareness. Ticketholders can enjoy the festival and get bused over to Blue Spring State Park to view manatees. 

Blue Spring State Park Essentials:

• Location: 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL
• 40-minute drive north of Orlando
• 40-minute drive southwest of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $6 per vehicle (2 to 8 people)
• Will close when it reaches capacity
• Max # of Manatees: 932 January 2024

Silver Springs State Park – Central Florida

Silver Springs State Park is a standout beauty in Florida, famous for its iconic glass-bottom boats. It’s a manatee paradise situated just outside the Ocala National Forest, with more than 30 springs to explore. Because there are so many springs, manatees are spread throughout the Silver River. They don’t congregate in just one place. 

The glass-bottom boat tour is a great way to see manatees and other wildlife. A knowledgeable captain will take you to specific places along the Silver River and various springs and point out manatee sightings. 

Another great way to see manatees is by paddling. This is how we saw them. Numerous routes are available for paddlers, including a short 1.1-mile loop we enjoyed, which allowed us to see countless manatees. Find out more about paddling Silver Springs here.

Silver Springs can get crowded and often reaches capacity during peak times, so plan accordingly. 

Silver Springs State Park Essentials:

• Location: 5656 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Silver Springs, FL
• 90-minute drive from Orlando
• 90-minute drive from Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $8 per vehicle (2 to 8 people)
• Will close when it reaches capacity
• Max # of Manatees: no specific numbers given, but there are a lot of them

Three Sisters Springs – Florida West Coast

Three Sisters Springs is part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and is a renowned spot for viewing manatees through its clear waters. They gather at the springhead to warm up, clearly visible from the boardwalk or the water. However, you can’t get to the water from the boardwalk at this park, and you can’t get from the water to the boardwalk.

I have seen manatees at Three Sisters from the water. I paddled to the area and then went snorkeling. I wrote a detailed post about snorkeling and swimming with manatees, which you can read here.  

US Fish & Wildlife Service volunteers offer guided walking tours during manatee season to help you spot manatees and answer your questions. 

Three Sisters Springs Essentials:

• Location: 917 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, FL
• 90-minute drive northwest of Orlando
• 2.5-hour drive from Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $7.50 to $20 per person
• Max # of Manatees: Hundreds, but I couldn’t find a record number

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center – Florida West Coast

An unexpected place to see manatees is Tampa Electric (TECO). It’s a power plant, and the manatees love it. I haven’t been to TECO yet, but I really want to go now that I’ve researched and found out about it.

According to the TECO website, “Our Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach circulates water from Tampa Bay for cooling, then sends the water flowing clean and warm back into the bay.” This warm water attracts the migrating manatees. 

The power company built the Manatee Viewing Center so visitors could come and see the manatees. The viewing center is only open to the public during Manatee Season (November 1 to April 15). TECO also has a live above-water webcam on their website.

Not sure if it’s the right place to go? I was skeptical, too, but it came up again and again when I asked for the best places to see manatees. And it was voted #2 in USA Today’s 10 Best Reader’s Choice best free attractions! It is also recommended by Save the Manatee Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and membership-based organization. 

Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center Essentials:

• Location: 6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, FL
• 1.5-hour drive southwest of Orlando
• 2.5-hour drive southwest of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – FREE!
• Max # of Manatees: 1,100 in January 2024

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park – Southwest Florida

Although this post focuses on seeing manatees in winter, Homosassa Springs is one of the few places where you are guaranteed to see manatees all year. This is because there are two permanent residents who cannot be released into the wild. Other manatees that need rehabilitation may also be brought here.

I haven’t been to Homosassa yet, but it has come up every time I ask someone about seeing manatees. They are also a partner of Save the Manatees.  

Manatees can be seen from above the water along the spring and the in-ground pool at the Manatee Care Center. There is also the unique Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory that floats in the main spring. Here, you can see what’s happening below the water and watch the manatees hanging out in the spring. 

Homosassa Springs Essentials:

• Location: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
• 1.5 hours northwest of Orlando
• 2.5 hours west of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $5 to $13 per person

Manatee Observation and Education Center – Southeast Florida

The Manatee Observation and Education Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that offers wildlife viewing and environmental education at their facility. 

It’s located west of the Atlantic Ocean on the Indian River Lagoon and Moore’s Creek, where fresh water and salt water meet. The Henry B. King Power Plant is across the street from the center and used to provide warm water during its operation. It is no longer operational, but passing by it has become part of the manatees’ migration pattern. The creek provides a safe place for them to shelter. 

You can see manatees from the covered observation walkway or from the second-story observation tower that looks out onto Moore’s Creek.

I have not been to the Manatee Observation and Education Center, but it is recommended by the Save the Manatee Club. 

Manatee Observation and Education Center Essentials:

• Location: 480 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950
• Almost 2 hours south of Orlando
• Just over 2 hours south of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $3 per person
• Max # of manatees: unknown, around 400 a year

Manatee Lagoon – FPL Eco-Discovery Center – South Florida

Manatees gather at Manatee Lagoon to take advantage of the warm water from the Florida Power & Light Company (FPL). Visitors can view the manatees from the observation deck. The first floor of the deck is always open. The upper deck may not be available during special events. 

Something cool about the Manatee Lagoon Center is that you can see their local manatees in their online gallery, and they also have a live underwater webcam. 

This is another one I haven’t visited yet, but it is recommended by the Save the Manatee Club. It also has free guided tours and other free activities. 

Manatee Lagoon Essentials:

• Location: 6000 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33407
• 2.5 hours southeast of Orlando
• 3 hours south of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – FREE

Lee County Manatee Park – Southwest Florida

Lee County Manatee Park is a warm-water sanctuary for manatees during the winter months. They leave the cold Gulf of Mexico and swim to this area of the Orange River, where they are warmed up thanks to the Florida Power & Light Company discharge canal that’s just down the street. 

If you want to know if the manatees are here, you can check the temperatures in the gulf at SCCF Recon. Although there are no guarantees, they are more likely to be in the area if the temperature is below 68°F.

The park has a viewing platform to see the manatees, but you can also see them by paddling the Orange River. The Manatee Kayaking Company runs guided manatee tours, so you can see these gentle giants from a different angle. 

Manatee Park definitely caught my attention, especially the option of paddling with manatees!

Best time to see manatees here? Late December to February, right in the middle of the Florida Manatee Season. 

Lee County Manatee Park Essentials:

• Location: 10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd.), Fort Myers, FL 33905
• 2.5 hours southwest of Orlando
• 3.5 hours southwest of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $2 per hour or $5+ per day

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park – Florida Panhandle

Wakulla Springs is known for being the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. The spring flows directly into the Gulf of Mexico via the Wakulla River, so manatees come into the spring when those temperatures drop in the gulf. 

Unlike Blue Spring State Park, where the swimming area and spring run are closed to water activities during this time, Wakulla stays open. This means that visitors can experience manatees while swimming, paddling, or on a boat tour. There are also swim platforms, one of which is multi-story, and observation areas near the boat tour dock. 

This park is in north Florida, which means manatees can potentially be seen just before Manatee Season begins and ends. 

Wakulla Springs State Park Essentials:

• Location: 465 Wakulla Park Drive, Wakulla Springs, FL 32327
• 4 hours northwest of Orlando
• 4 hours northwest of Daytona Beach
• Admission fee – $6 per vehicle

Plan Your Visit

I hope this gives you enough information to head out to these amazing places to see and learn about manatees.