Manatee Kayak Tour: Close Encounters in Florida

Experience a close encounter with gentle manatees on a small group kayak tour in Orlando. Swim with them in crystal clear springs and enjoy a personalized and safe adventure.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Spring State Park: French Landing Boat Ramp - Upon arrival, participants will check in with their guide, who will ensure everyone is equipped with comfortable, high-quality life jackets. A brief introduction to the day’s adventure will follow, including safety tips and paddling basics for those needing a refresher.
  • Blue Spring State Park…
What's Included
  • Snacks
  • Professional guide
  • High-quality and stable sit-on-top kayak, paddle & lifejacket
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities for your guide
Additional Information

Small Group Experience

Our tours are designed for a maximum of 10 participants, ensuring a personalized and high-quality experience that enhances wildlife encounters.

Up-Close Manatee Encounters

Engage closely with these gentle and endearing creatures at one of Florida’s largest winter manatee gathering sites. Watch as manatees swim around you,…

Location
2398 W French Ave
West French Avenue
Please follow the signs directing you to Blue Spring State Park. DO NOT enter the park, instead continue onto the dirt road for approximately 1 mile until you reach the boat ramp. This is where the guide will meet you.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(156 Ratings)
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Connector58259956107
Mar 11, 2025
More than just manatees! - Jimi was an incredible guide! It is clear that he has a passion for the wildlife and nature. We learned a lot more than just about the manatees, though it was very cool to see them swim right under our kayak! He didn’t rush — it was a nice relaxing two hours. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kami_a
Mar 11, 2025
Great manatee tour - TJ was great. Very informative and casual. would recommend this tour to see manatees and wildlife 2 hours is plenty long for this tour
Review provided by Viator
Margaretss7937ki
Mar 1, 2025
GREAT EXPERIENCE! - Jimi was amazing! His knowledge of nature and the animals is very impressive. We gained a lot knowledge and respect for the outdoors. We saw several manatees, birds and alligators. Jimi was able to tell us about every species and their habits. We had just came back from a cruise to the Bahamas but this by far was the highlight of our vacation. Would Absolutely love to do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dcb18k
Feb 23, 2025
Very up close manatee experience - The weather was perfect for a 9 am kayak trip with TJ. He knew exactly where the manatees would be near Blue Springs state park and took the time to explain how to react safely as a manatee used my kayak as a back scratcher. TJ pointed out the wildlife as we paddled around the river looking for alligators and more manatees. Our group only had 5 people so easy to ask questions and travel at a nice pace. This was the highlight of our vacation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
228shand
Feb 22, 2025
Amazing--we loved it - We loved the trip. It was amazing to kayak with the manatees and see so many different species of birds up close. The baby manatees were so curious about the kayaks
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mommakat2
Feb 22, 2025
Manatee Adventure - We had an amazing experience. I would book again for our next trip. Traveling with my 9 and 13 year old children. Easy paddling.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ben_d
Feb 21, 2025
Great few hours on the water - We had a great few hours on the water with TJ as our guide. We were lucky enough to see a rescued manatee being released back into the creek. There weren’t many other manatee around due to the water temperature but TJ made sure we kept moving and pointed out lots of wildlife including gators and turtles. We did eventually get up close to a manatee which was the icing on the cake. Everything was exactly as described and we had an awesome time.
Review provided by Viator
Mirac610
Feb 19, 2025
First manatee kayak and not the last - Such an awesome time. You do get to see manatees up close. They’ll come out of the lagoon area and swim right underneath your kayak. The guide was super informative. I’d definitely recommend! Keep in mind when booking through this site that it doesn’t give you an option to select a tandem or single kayak. In fact, if you go to the hosts site, you may be able to book single tickets. I’m not 100% sure on this but it would be nice if you could as we had a couple of family members that wanted to go but this travel website would only let them purchase couples tix.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
H3143hylynnd
Feb 18, 2025
Great tour - We had a great time kayaking. TJ was a great guide and was very knowledgeable The manatees were plentiful and it was a pleasant tour at a very doable pace for the average person.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caroltu8171co
Feb 17, 2025
Gorgeous! - Guide provided a great nature tour. Beautiful place to kayak. Whether you see a manatee depends on the temperature of the water. We didn't see one, but didn't mind.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
2 Adult
March 2025
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