9 Best Spots to Kayak with Manatees in Florida

Looking for the best spots to kayak with manatees in Florida?

If you’re seeking a thrilling adventure during your Florida getaway kayaking with manatees in Florida is an incredible way to fill that void. It’s also one of the most unique experiences to add to your trip.

Manatees (also known as sea cows) are beautiful and gentle creatures that you can kayak alongside in their natural habitat. You’ll get to watch them as they swim gracefully through the water and do flips and dives to wow and impress kayakers.

Kayaking with manatees is not only an adventure but also a great way to learn about local wildlife and get a better understanding of the ecosystem they live in. You’ll also potentially get to kayak through mangrove forests, marshes, or estuaries.

So let’s get to it. Here’s our recommendations for the best places to kayak with Manatees in Florida and then some general tips for how to responsibly kayak with these beautiful creatures.

( Some of the links in this post are probably affiliate links meaning I might make a small percentage of any purchases you make. All opinions remain my own. For my disclosure policy click here. )

Table of Contents
Kayaking Crystal River
Kayaking Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Kayaking Silver Springs
Kayaking Tarpon Springs
Kayaking Blue Spring State Park
Kayaking Homosassa Springs
Kayaking Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge
Kayaking Manatee Springs State Park
Kayaking Lovers Key State Park
Manatees in Florida and General Tips
FAQ – Kayaking With Manatees
Final Thoughts: Where to Kayak with Manatees in Florida

The Best Places to Kayak with Manatees in Florida

1. Kayaking Crystal River

Crystal River is a kayaker’s paradise, and the perfect place to kayak with manatees in Florida. Located 90 minutes north of Tampa, it boasts one of the largest populations of wild manatees in the world! It’s often nicknamed the “Manatee Capital” because of this.

This is one of the most popular places to kayak in Florida and rightfully so.

The waters are crystal clear and at a steady temperature of 72F, making it an ideal kayaking spot. The most popular kayak tours start at Hunter Springs Park, paddle through King’s Bay and then stop at Three Sisters Springs.

Three Sisters Springs is one of the most traveled springs to see manatees. To access this springs, you must either take a kayak or boat to it, as there isn’t a way to access it from land.

Best times to see manatees in Three Sisters Springs is in the winter, as they come in large numbers to seek the warm waters. Generally this is from November through February.

Best Tips for Crystal River:

• Don’t miss visiting Three Sisters Springs for crystal clear water and tons of manatees!
• There are several springs located within King’s Bay where manatees come to visit
• If there are areas marked off, don’t kayak or swim through these areas in order to protect the manatees.
• $3 per vehicle to enter the park

2. Kayaking Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, located about an hour north of Tampa and about 2 hours from Orlando, is one of the most well-known kayaking destinations in Florida. It is also one of Florida’s most legendary and unique kayaking spots, boasting crystal-clear spring waters that reveal its white sand bottom.

Weeki Wachee is a kayaker’s dream! With a 280-boat limit per day, kayakers can expect a more controlled and peaceful kayaking experience and plenty of opportunities to spot manatees. However, this also means that you need to reserve ahead and get there early to claim your spot.

The famous deep spring, Hospital Hole, is especially popular with kayakers for a great spot for finding manatees. These friendly giants are even often seen swimming up close to your kayak (and even more so if you have a clear kayak)!

Water temperatures average 72F all year round, which is great for kayakers and manatees alike.

Best Tips for Weeki Wachee:

• Get there early. Weeki Wachee kayak tours fill up quickly, so the earlier you get there the better.
• Reserve ahead of time as there is a limit to how many boats are allowed to launch every day.
• Paddling upstream can be somewhat difficult, not necessarily for beginners
• Catch a live mermaid show while you’re in the park – a unique experience
• Admission is $13 for adults and $8 for children to enter the park

3. Kayaking Silver Springs

One of the most underrated places to kayak with Manatees in Florida happens to be in Silver Springs State Park. Interestingly enough, the Springs here happened to be the first tourist attraction in Florida (started way back in the 1870’s).

The State Park where Silver Springs is located is in Central Florida and is about an hour and a half north of Orlando, or about an hour south of Gainesville.

There’s loads of history and claim to fame that this Spring has under its belt including the filming of Tarzan and other Hollywood movies and even jungle cruise rides. Plus, it’s one of the largest limestone artesian formations in the world!

This is an incredibly popular spot to kayak because of its clear waters, abundant manatee population, and, get this, its monkey population!

Silver Springs holds the distinction of being one of the few places in Florida where Rhesus Macaque monkeys inhabit its shoreline, living wild and free.

And it’s not just manatees and monkeys you’ll see, there’s a whole abundance of wildlife you’ll find including alligators and marsh birds to name a couple.

Waters stay consistently at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and November through February is the best time to visit. Manatees are escaping the colder than 68 degree waters elsewhere to swarm these warm waters.

Kayaking begins at the head of the spring and continues along King’s Trail, a beautiful waterway filled with wildlife and majestic oaks draped with Spanish moss.

So if you’re looking for an incredible kayaking with manatees experience in Florida, Silver Springs kayaking is a must!

Best Tips for Silver Springs:

• Be sure to take one of the famous Glass Bottom Boats through the springs

4. Kayaking Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs might not be the first place you think of when you want to kayak with manatees, but it happens to be a great place to visit to observe manatees in their natural habitat.

This area is located about 45 minutes Northwest of Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico, and is known for its incredible Greek food and beautiful beaches. It’s also the “Sponge Capital of the World” due to the volume of sponge fishing that happens here and has through its history.

Tarpon Springs offers several bayous and parks to visit in the area for prime manatee viewing experiences. You can also rent kayaks or take a guided kayak tour to see the twists and turns of the waterways and the majestic manatees floating through the waters.

Waters are a bit darker here than what you will find in the springs, so that is one thing to note before heading this way. You won’t have the same experience of being able to see everything under the water.

You will, however, still be able to spot manatees and other wildlife in the area, view the colorful Victorian-style mansions, and paddle through the man-made lagoon known as Spring Bayou. This Bayou is located near historic Craig Park and is one of the best places to find manatees and even dolphins during the winter season.

December through March is the best time to go, and we highly recommend taking a guided tour of this area to optimize your chances of spotting manatees. Guides will be able to direct you to the best spots in the area where manatees like to congregate.

This area also isn’t as protected for manatees, so taking a guided tour allows you to safely see the manatees without harming them or disrupting their environment.

Best Tips for Tarpon Springs:

• We recommend taking a guided tour for this area
• Best place to see manatees is paddling through Spring Bayou near Craig Park
• Waters are murky and dark here compared to springs crystal clear waters
• Make sure you grab some incredible Greek food at The Limani afterwards

5. Kayaking Blue Springs State Park

Blue Springs State Park is located about an hour north of Orlando in a town called Orange City, Florida. The State Park covers over 2,600 acres, and is a frequently populated spot for visiting and kayaking with manatees in the Sunshine State.

Blue Spring has one of Florida’s largest gatherings of manatees in the winter season. There have been as many as 500 in a single day during the peak season (winter) for seeing these gentle giants. Plus the waters are crystal clear and blue.

Blue Spring is also home to one of the world’s most prominent manatee research programs, so the population has been growing pretty steadily through the years.

The St. John’s River provides an incredible place to start your journey as you paddle through this state park. Kayakers will have the opportunity to see wildlife and explore the various waterways and springs around the river. Paddle near the mouth of the springs where hundreds of manatees could be gathered during the season.

For a longer (and scenic) kayaking trip, we recommend Snake’s Creek as an area where you can see even more wildlife – birds, osprey, bald eagles, gators and more.

The best time to visit is from mid-November through mid-March. Technically though, we recommend coming in January or February though for prime manatee viewing.

Best Tips for Blue Springs:

• Get here early – lines can get pretty long in season
• There’s also a boardwalk where you can safely view manatees
• Shoot for January or February to explore for peak manatee viewing

6. Kayaking Homosassa Springs

Located about an hour north of Tampa and 1.5 hours northwest of Orlando sits Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This is a 210-acre wildlife preserve that is home to 7.7 miles long Homosassa River and undeveloped land filled with mangrove islands and saltwater grass flats.

Temperatures in the spring waters sit at 72 degrees Fahrenheit, making it prime water for manatees to escape the colder waters of the Gulf.

There are a couple of spots here to launch from a kayak including Riversport Kayaks and the boat ramp at MacRae’s. You’ll start off in the Homosassa River and paddle upriver towards the main spring as well as the manatee preserve. The river water is a bit brackish, but as you head closer to the springs, the water becomes much clearer.

Along the river, you’ll find a handful of wildlife including bottlenose dolphins, alligator snapping turtles, snakes, birds, and so much more. Both freshwater and saltwater fish also call this river home.

Another major attraction in the Homosassa Springs area is Monkey Island. This is an island in the middle of the Homosassa River that is inhabited by a small family of monkeys. You can paddle close enough to see them and snap pictures.

Homosassa Springs is an epic spot to kayak with manatees in Florida, but you’ll also get a whole lot more than that while you’re visiting. The best time of the year to visit is November through March, the colder the month, the better.

Best Tips for Homosassa Springs:

• Monkey island is a must-visit while in Homosassa Springs!
• Check out the Underwater Observatory in the “Bowl” of the springs for prime manatee and fish viewing
• The spring head is roped off from kayaking to protect the manatees

7. Kayaking Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Kayakers will absolutely adore Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge located in Titusville in Brevard County Florida. This spot is about an hour east of Orlando, located on the Atlantic Ocean side of Florida.

Merritt Island is located within the Indian River Lagoon, which is considered to be one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in North America! You’ll happen upon manatees, dolphins, birds, and possibly even alligators while paddling your way through the lagoon’s waters. Not to mention the horseshoe crabs, pelicans, osprey and much more.

Many of the kayak tours in the area launch at the Haulover Canal that connects Mosquito Lagoon and the Upper Indian River Lagoon. Paddling along the canal is an incredible experience as it’s tree-lined and teeming with wildlife.

Because of the shallowness of the Lagoon (only about 4 feet on average), the waters tend to be pretty warm- perfect for manatees in search of heat!

You’ll most likely happen on several manatees while kayaking Merritt Island. They might even come close to your kayak as they’re extremely curious creatures.

Best Tips for Merritt Island:

• There are several bioluminescent kayak tours offered here – check one out if you’re in the area (pretty amazing experience)
• High winds often create pretty difficult waters since the waters aren’t very deep
• Check out the manatee observation deck for another great viewing spot of these beautiful sea cows
• It’s actually more common to see manatees here in the warm summer months rather than the cooler months like other places on this list.

8. Kayaking Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs State Park is another popular location to get out there and kayak with manatees down here in Florida. This state park is located west of Chiefland, which is about an hour northwest of Gainesville.

Manatees flock to Manatee Springs every year from November through March. They travel up the Suwannee River to the springs here in the park. Temperatures are around 72 degrees Fahrenheight consistently, making it a warm escape for the manatees.

Kayaking is available year round down the Suwannee River, where you can often see manatees in the River and the surrounding springs at a closer view. There is a spring run that winds through cyrpress trees, tupelo and other wetland trees that joins the springs to the Suwannee River. This makes a beautiful spot to kayak while looking for manatees.

You can also enjoy this spring run and the springs with the 800 ft. boardwalk that runs from the river to the springs for prime viewing (no paddling needed). The water is crystal clear and perfect for viewing all kinds of wildlife.

For even more adventure, check out the 8.5 miles of nature trails or try your hand at scuba diving or canoeing.

The Park offers the chance to see water birds, turtles, vultures, sturgeon, and so much more.

Best time to visit Manatee Springs State Park is during manatee season from November through March. This park is simple but memorable.

Best Tips for Manatee Springs:

• $6 per vehicle entrance fee to the park
• There’s an 800 ft. boardwalk for viewing wildlife & manatees as well
• There’s even an underwater cave system to enjoy
• If it’s windy, waters can get a bit choppy and be a more challenging paddle

9. Kayaking Lovers Key State Park

Just south of Fort Myers is a magical wildlife paradise known as Lovers Key State Park. This 712 acre Florida State Park is made up of several barrier islands, and is a well-known destination for white sand beaches and also a great place for finding manatees in Florida!

While you can work on a tan on the beautiful beaches, you’ll find the best places to spot the infamous West Indiana Manatees of Florida is while kayaking the mangrove-lined waterways.

Not only will you spot these gentle giants, but you also have the opportunity to paddle by gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and even bottlenose dolphins. It’s an animal lover’s dream!

While lovers key has a reputation for being a top destination for weddings or romantic getaways (for good reason), it’s also a great place to go hiking, biking, boating, and of course kayaking.

Start paddling from a boat ramp in Estero Bay and explore all of the islands that make up this state park. Visit the Discovery Center to learn more about the park and surrounding areas and wildlife. There’s even an observation deck available to spot manatees and dolphins from dry land.

Best Tips for Lovers Key:

• $8 per vehicle entrance admission fee to the park
• There’s a free pull-off near the park entrance for 30 minutes where you can view manatees and dolphins from
• Best time to visit is November through March

Note: Due to Hurricane Ian, this park has been temporarily closed, but will hopefully be re-opened in the future!

Manatees in Florida and General Tips

Florida manatees are large, gentle creatures that can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds! They have thick, grey skin with short hairs on their body, small eyes and a spatula-shaped tail.

The type of manatees that are found in Florida are a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee and they spend most of their lives in the warm, shallow waters near the coast.

Here are several tips before kayaking with manatees in Florida:

• Keep your distance and don’t approach or harass the manatees in any way as they protected from such behavior.
• While kayaking, be aware of your surroundings to make sure you don’t accidentally injure the manatees.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to help you see manatees better as they surface in the water.
• Look for the flat water sign before a manatee surfaces.
• Manatees are easier to spot earlier in the day.
• Bring bug spray, a towel, and clothes you don’t mind getting wet.

FAQ – Kayaking With Manatees

Final Thoughts: Where to Kayak with Manatees in Florida

If you’re looking for a truly unique way to experience wildlife, kayaking with manatees in Florida is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed.

Not only are these beautiful creatures awe-inspiring to watch in their natural habitat, but kayaking allows visitors the opportunity to get close enough to observe and appreciate them without harming or disturbing them.

With crystal clear waters around places mentioned on our list, kayakers have a prime chance at seeing manatees during winter months when they congregate there for warmth. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity – grab your kayak and go explore!