Orlando Manatee and wildlife tour in Florida

OVERVIEW

Prepare to be amazed at the sheer amount of wildlife you will encounter on this beginner friendly 2 hour paddle. Have your cameras ready for the curious manatee, sun bathing gators, basking turtles, and playful otter. On some occasions we spot black bear, wild boar, and white tailed deer.

We have been offering the Orlando Manatee Encounter since 1995 and every year it gets better. Come out and enjoy some time on the water.

This is the perfect tour for the beginner or novice paddler. Show up a bit early and ask for some personal instruction from one of your guides.

Journey with us to Blue Spring State Park, winter home of one of Florida’s largest manatee populations. Witness hundreds of manatees relaxing in the spring on winter days. During the peak migration months (Nov-March) our group will paddle up to the edge of the protected refuge and wait for the hundreds of manatee to wake up and float under our kayaks to the river in search of a morning meal.

In the warmer months (April-Oct), when most of the manatee have returned to the main river and ocean, our group will paddle up to the headspring. At the head spring everyone is welcome to swim, snorkel, and explore.

After a while, we will return to the main river in search of manatee, otter, and sun worshipping gators. Overhead, bald eagle, osprey, and red shoulder hawks scan the water and marshes for their next meal. On the river bank people will spot large wading birds, coots, more hens, and the occasional wild hog.

If we have a bit of extra time we will make our way far off the mainstream to the amazing snake creek and dead river.

This tour is perfect all year for bird watchers, animal lovers, and people who enjoy being lost in thought instead of being lost in the crowd.

TIME STARTS

9am and noon tour until the end of this spring season

Please Note

There is no public transportation however, Uber works great

Not wheelchair accessible

Not stroller accessible

We have no age restrictions but everyone MUST know how to swim.

2 hour tour

There are no restrooms

Please be sure to arrive on time for check-in, which is 15 mins prior to tour time. We launch promptly. We simply can not expect our guests who arrive on time to excessively wait on others who are not.

What to wear

Swimsuit or nylon shorts that can get wet

Sandals, flip flops, or water shoes.

Sun protection, hat, sun glasses, sun screen

What to bring

Sun protection

Towel and a change of clothing

Your favorite beverages

Waterproof camera or cell phone

Tips for your guide

French Landing

2398 W French Ave,

Orange City, FL 32763