Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour near Orlando
Overview
Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Blue Springs is the closest spot for manatee kayaking near Orlando, just about an hour from the airport! Each year, record numbers of manatees (over 600) migrate to the warmer 72-degree waters during the colder months. Join me for a paddle on Florida’s longest river, the St. Johns, as we search for these incredible creatures alongside other wildlife like alligators, turtles, and a variety of birds. From November to March, during manatee season, the Blue Springs run transforms into a manatee sanctuary and is closed to swimmers and paddlers. My sit-on-top kayaks offer the best view of these gentle giants as they glide by. (there is a max weight limit of 250lbs for the single kayaks and 450lbs for the tandem)****Please note if you need a two person tandem****My kayak tours are capped at 6 kayaks per tour, perfect for families and smaller groups!
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
not wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local Knowledgeable Guide
Two Person Tandem available upon reguest with 2 single purchase.
Kayak and paddle, life vest/whistle, dry bags for wallet, keys, and phone
Bottled water
Sunblock
Tip for you guide(if you had an amazing time!)
Sunglasses(polarized preferred) to see underwater better
Hat (there is no shade on the water)
What To Expect
One of the main reasons visitors flock to Blue Springs is the chance to see manatees up close. During the colder months, typically November through March, hundreds of manatees migrate to the spring’s warm waters, creating a truly magical experience. While the spring itself is closed to paddlers during manatee season to protect these gentle giants, the St. Johns River offers excellent opportunities to spot them as they swim near your kayak during this guided tour.
Options
Single Person Kayak
Two Person Tandems available : Tandems are priced for 2 people upon request
Reviews
13 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The Best Way to See Manatees Near Orlando—Thanks to Guide Aaron
Sonia B,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We recently took the Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour near Orlando booked through Viator, and it was truly a fantastic experience, thanks entirely to our guide, Aaron. From the moment we booked, Aaron was proactive and professional. He contacted us right away, providing incredibly precise instructions on everything—from what essential items to bring to exactly how to find him upon arrival. This excellent pre-tour organization eliminated any stress and allowed us to focus purely on the excitement of the trip. Aaron deliberately keeps his tours small, typically capping them at six people. This intimate group size is a huge advantage. It allows him to fully assess the skill and experience level of each individual kayaker, ensuring that the entire trip is both safe and exceptionally fun. We felt completely cared for and appreciated the personalized attention. If you are looking for a highly organized, safe, and personal experience getting up close with manatees near Orlando, we highly recommend booking with Aaron. It’s the perfect blend of wildlife adventure and expert guidance.
We had a great trip with...
Amy G,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great trip with Aaron! His communication beforehand was excellent too. He was super friendly and knowledgeable, we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend booking a tour with him!
Awesome, private and free flowing.
L39YMamyf,
Oct 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience. My 11 yr old,myself and my father was the whole group. We all had a blast. Not a sheep herding experience. Guide super knowledgeable and flexible. Hung out with a pod for more than an hour. Loved loved it! Would totally go back!
Yay manatees
Ashton A,
Aug 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing tour. Sooo hard to resist the urge to hug the manatees. Guide is knowledge and fun. Will do this again
good
kaioatey,
Aug 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour is short and contingent upon manatee cooperation. We managed to get close to one, which seemed to enjoy hanging around the kayaks (I'd recommend paddle board instead of kayak, better views). Lots of herons, an anhinga, enormous fish in the nearby river, and several gators. I'll try to rent a kayak next time and spend the day, it's definitely worth it. The guide was friendly and informative.
Awesome kayak adventure with Aaron!
G54TDdavidg,
Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an awesome time with Aaron! Might’ve even been the highlight of our week spent in Orlando. He is very knowledgeable about the area, manatees and other wildlife. We had a great time seeing the manatees up close and then we saw a few alligators on the way back before he took us up stream to the crystal clear water where we saw hundreds of fish. It was all quite amazing and he even took photos along the way that he sent to us afterwards (for free)! I would definitely do another tour with Aaron!
Amazing experience not to be missed!
louiseaU4178RA,
Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience getting close to the manatees in such a beautiful location. Aaron was fantastic couldn’t ask for a better guide. Would highly recommend!
Excellent tour!
Nora C,
Jul 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful kayaking tour! The tour guides are amazing ! Very informative, and so patient with inexperienced kayakers. Received photos and videos of our trip. Definitely will book again! 10 stars ⭐️
Definitely Do This One
L39YMamyf,
Jun 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you so much Aaron! Took this tour with my eleven year old kid and my father and all of us had so much fun. We were able to find a pod of manatee and spent almost an hour in close up observation with them. My daughter was thrilled which is not always easy on a family trip with a tween. I highly recommend this for those who don't want to feel like herded cattle. Aaron took just the three of us and he individualized the trip to exactly meet our needs and expectations. He was above and beyond!! Thanks again AWA, hope to visit again soon.
Great family kayaking adventure
twinmuzz,
Apr 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing tour with Aaron! He really took our skill level aka no skills into consideration. He was amazing at encouraging my two 12 year olds who were using a kayak for the 1st time. He got some amazing pictures of the manatees and my family. He shared some wonderful information about the manatees and their behaviors. We will definitely book another tour with him the next time we are in FL.
From $60.00
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Operated by AWA Kayak Tours