Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near Orlando
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Small Group Experience
Our tour groups are limited to a maximum of 10 people, ensuring a personalized and high-quality experience that allows for better wildlife encoutners.
Up-Close Manatee Entounters
Make close contact with these gentle and lovable creatures in one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida. Observe manatees as they swim all around you with some of them curious enough to come close to your kayak.
Guided by Local Experts
Our professionally trained guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge, making your trip an unforgettable and inspiring adventure.
Safety First, Always
Your well-being is our top priority, with high-quality gear, stable kayaks, and expert guides ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience. Whether you're a beginner or seasoned paddler, you can relax and focus on the adventure, knowing you're in good hands.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to tour departure.
It is recommended you wear quick dry clothes and water/river shoes/flip-flops
Bring sun protection (sunhat, sunglasses, sun screen), a camera, and a towel to dry off afterwards.
There is no restroom at the meeting location. The last public restroom is at Valentine Park (1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763) about a mile before you arrive the meeting location. We recommend you stop there before your tour.
What To Expect
Upon arrival you'll check in with your guide and they will get everyone fitted with comfortable, high-quality life jackets. We'll then proceed with a quick introduction to the day's adventure, safety tips, and paddling basics for those who need a refresher.
Blue Spring State Park
Your guide is an experienced nature enthusiast who knows these waters inside and out. As you paddle through the peaceful waterways of Blue Spring State Park, they’ll share fascinating insights about the manatees, alligators, and diverse bird species you encounter. Expect a relaxed, immersive experience, whether you're a beginner or seasoned paddler. Besides manatees, you may spot alligators, bald eagles, herons, otters, and more.
Options
Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour
Bottled water and a snack
What‘s Included
Bottled water and a snack
Professional guide
High-quality and stable sit-on-top kayak, paddle & lifejacket
Gratuities for your guide
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
301 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Better than Disney!
Jennifer D,Jun 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Absolutely amazing trip! Had the best time, and have equally beautiful pictures. Wish we had more time there!
Awesome time!
Benjamin K,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00TJ was an awesome guide! Very knowledgeable and we saw many manatees! We loved our experience which was very family friendly for a 13 and 11 year old.
Great guide and great time
Wanderer42813898200,May 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00TJ was a great guide. He spent almost two and a half hours with us looking for manatees while giving us a lot of information about other fauna and curiosities about the area. We couldn't see any during the tour but gave us recommendations about where to go in the park and finally saw three of them while going for a swim. Very well recommended.
Kayaking tour with guide Sue
Voyager56660907935,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time kayaking with Sue! She was really friendly, informative, and made the whole experience enjoyable. We got to see several alligators and even some manatees, which was amazing. Sue shared lots of interesting information throughout the tour and made sure we were comfortable. Overall, it was a fantastic experience and we would definitely recommend this tour!
Highly recommended!!
YuJou C,May 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00TJ is the awesome guide!!! We had a great time with TJ and the wild animals!! We see a lot of fishes too! Fun time
Great Tour, Great Guide!
erins148,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sam is an informative, friendly, and knowledgeable tour guide, and we had a lot of laughs throughout the trip. We truly appreciated her energy and the effort she put into making sure we both had a great time. Even though we went outside of manatee season, we still got to see one along with lots of other wildlife! She made the trip memorable, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable experience. I would definitely go again and would absolutely request Sam as our guide!
Mother's Day kayak group tour. TJ
kellymO3517MP,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00TJ was amazing! I highly suggest booking a tour with him. My son and I had a great Mother's Day. He's very knowledgeable and kept everyone safe during the tour definitely recommend! 10/10!
Kayaking with manatees
jinc635,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Astrid is a wonderful tour guide, and I had such a happy and memorable trip with her. She is very calm, patient, and kind. She guided me kayaking and helped me look for manatees in the spring area. This was my first time doing this kind of trip on my own, and I felt very safe and comfortable with her. On the first day, we used a two-person kayak. Since I was not very good at paddling, Astrid paddled almost the entire way by herself, which must have been very tiring. I truly appreciated her patience and effort. On the second day, she guided me again, and we each had our own kayak. She led me around the St. Johns River, and we saw beautiful nature and manatees. She also helped me take many precious photos of the manatees and the experience, which made the trip even more special. If you are looking for a private or small-group kayaking and manatee sightseeing experience, Astrid’s tour is truly one of the best choices. She is very respectful of the local environment and deeply cares about protecting the nature and wildlife around her. She made sure that our kayaks always stayed at a proper distance from the manatees, alligators, turtles, and fish, so that we could observe them without disturbing them. I feel that Astrid is a very principled and responsible tour guide. She not only provides a beautiful and enjoyable experience, but also protects the environment of the St. Johns River with great care and respect. I highly recommend exploring the natural beauty of the St. Johns River with Astrid. This was a very precious and unforgettable travel experience for me.
Can't wait to book again
867shaunyd,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.0010/10 Absolutely loved it. TJ was such a great guide, super knowledgeable, patient and laid-back. My boyfriend and I had to reschedule our reservation twice due to the weather not being great/timing issues and TJ was super supportive and understanding. Our tour was a complete success even though we were not kayak savvy (in the least) and the wind/current kept pushing us around LOL We managed to hang out with a grazing manatee for a while, saw gators, turtles, herons (and a heron turf war), haws, mudhens, snakes and heard a plethora of pig frogs in the bush. Really looking forward to going back and getting to see more of the park and the river, maybe I'll try to learn how to keep my kayak under control beforehand though haha
Amazing and beautiful
jodieo670,May 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Sue was awesome! So fun and knowledgeable!
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Operated by Venture Outdoors