Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Journey to Blue Spring State Park, winter home to one of Florida’s largest populations of Manatee. Witness hundreds of these "sea cows" relaxing in the spring alone. Observe these creatures from a safe distance in your kayak as your Florida Master Naturalist introduces you to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area. This is a great trip for the entire family!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
There is no minimum age however all participants must know how to swim
It is recommended that you bring a swimsuit, towel, waterproof camera and wear clothes that can get wet and possibly dirty
To ensure a proper size kayak is available, please provide your individual heights and weights at the time of booking
There is no restroom at the meeting location. There is a public restroom at Valentine Park (1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763) about a mile before you arrive the meeting location that we recommend you use before your tour.
Must be comfortable sitting in a kayak for multiple hours
What To Expect
We will paddle into the park and up to the manatee refuge. The manatee leave the refuge in search of food and swim all around us and under us. We also take time to paddle to snake creek to watch manatee graze, birds fishing, and search out wildlife.
Options
Manatee Encounter
private manatee tour (1-5pax)
Duration: 3 hours
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Professional guide
Landing and facility fees
Gratuities
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
389 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic!
jenniel866,Jun 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My first time kayaking and I LOVED it! Terra was an amazing instructor/guide. We saw so many birds, fish, manatees, and gators.
Outstanding Guide
adambH5552EI,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Giving this a four star review only because we got forced off the water due to an incoming storm. Our guide was awesome, Terra was very knowledgeable and friendly, and I will definitely rebook the trip when I am in the area again to have more time on the water.
Tour
X9020WSsarah,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was an amazing experience. Terra was excellent and made the experience even more enjoyable. Loved seeing all the wildlife. Great experience, would recommend.
Wildlife tour
jeffhM9822EE,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Was an awesome experience. Seeing the wildlife. Terra was an amazing guide. She did awesome and was really knowledgeable. My wife and I got to see manatees, gators, all types of birds and turtles. Would definitely recommend.
One of a king experience!
ashvinnnnn,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terra was an amazing guide. Her passion and knowledge about the Manatees and other wildlife made the trip even more enjoyable.
Great experience!
Lisa W,May 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We saw so much more wildlife on the kayak trip than we were expecting! Our guide, Matthew was awesome and showed us a lot of things!
Fun in the sun
Crystal K,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Terra was an awesome tour guide! Knowledgeable, energetic, and overall made the experience memorable. Thank you!! Very much recommend 😊
Amazing experience !
Alyson Y,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Exceptional guide, Tia. We went in the off season for manatees but still saw some and other wildlife Beautiful tour. My kids enjoyed the adventure too. Age 14 and 11 kiddos. Our guide was in constant communication with us before the trip as well and got some great photos for us too.
Great quick trip, would love to spend more time and see more of the area.
Navigator07132477986,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Reserving the trip was a breeze and the company accommodated a change in the reservation without hassle. Getting to the location was easy. The guide (Matthew) was on-time, friendly, and professional. He had a deep knowledge about the local wildlife. Setting up and getting going was stress free. Paddling was easy with no significant currents and only mild breeze. Wildlife was abundant above the water (herons, egrets, cranes, black vultures, sand pipers, anhinga, and even a bald eagle), below the water (cat fish, gar, and grass carp were some of the visible specie around the clear waters of the spring), and on the shores (many wildflowers, wetland species of plants, butterflies, dragonflies, a brown water snake, and several alligators). We even saw a manatee, although it was late in the year (May) and later in the day (12 noon trip). The only drawbacks were other people, with a couple of larger tour boats and a few private power boats that happened to be playing loud music. Also, the lack of any bathroom at the W French Ave launch is a problem and not healthy for the waterway or visitors.
Amazing day and wildlife
heatherfI8840UJ,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My daughter, cousin and I had an amazing 2 hours with Tia. She was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and made the trip both fun, and informative. We had hoped to see a manatee, and maybe a gator, we were able to see both!! We also saw bald eagles, osprey, many other birds, and learned about the native foliage, invasive species, and even the fish we were padling over. Being avid nature Enthusiasts, this made our day. I would recommend to everyone for a beautiful day in nature.
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Operated by Adventures in Florida