Manatee Discovery: Small Group Kayak Tour in Orlando
5.0
99 Ratings
Orange City
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: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Blue Spring State Park: French Landing Boat Ramp - We paddle to Blue Spring State Park, the winter home for hundreds of manatees during the colder months, and some stay around all year. In the winter month we make close contact with these lovable and gentle creatures as they leave the refuge in search of food. In the summer month we paddle up to the spring head and enjoy the beauty of the crystal clear water and scenery around us. You also have a chance to jump into the crystal clear water - so make sure to bring your swim suit!

Afterward we will go in search of grazing manatees and other wildlife in this nature rich area. We often witness alligators and turtles sun-bathing on the shore. A variety of birds, big and small, call this area their home, which makes spotting bold eagles, ospreys, red-shouldered hawks, and other wading birds a common occurrence. With a little luck, we will encounter the occasional river otter swimming in the river.

This tour is perfect for families and wildlife enthusiasts.

What's Included
  • Lunch provided
  • Premium kayak equipment (kayak, paddle, PFD)
  • Professional and medically trained kayak guide
  • Customizable tour experience to match excitement, challenge, and information levels
Additional Information

Experience a personal interaction with these affectionate, docile beings at one of Florida’s premier winter congregation sites for manatees. Watch as they gracefully glide around, with some even showing sufficient intrigue to approach your kayak. In the summer, we venture to the spring source, where you will have an opportunity to dive into the spring’s transparent waters to cool down and witness the marine creatures residing within.

We limit our tour groups to a total of 8 participants to guarantee an intimate, high-quality excursion, with a primary focus on safety. Our expert guides, trained professionally, are enthusiastic about imparting their wisdom, transforming your journey into a memorable and inspirational experience. Refresh yourself with invigorating trail snacks and a pleasant picnic lunch during your kayak tour.

  • It is recommended you wear quick dry clothes and water/river shoes
  • We recommend you bring a swim suit, warm wool or fleece top (winter), waterproof rain jacket or poncho, 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.
Location
2398 W French Ave
West French Avenue
Please follow the signs directing you to Blue Spring State Park. Instead of entering the park, continue on 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
(99 Ratings)
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B2493wbjohnb
May 27, 2024
Great experience - Great experience. Our guide, Astrid, was very knowledgeable and kept the vibe fun. My wife and I got to see some manatees up close. Lots of pictures taken.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Randy_t
May 21, 2024
Wonderful experience! - Great experience on the water. We had a great guide named Jimi. He was very knowledgeable on the area and wildlife. Would recommend this trip.
Review provided by Viator
D_q-zyn
May 8, 2024
What a fantastic trip with Astrid - Astrid is a wonderful guide that is so knowledgeable about the area and manatees. She led us through some of the most beautiful wetland areas we have ever seen. She provided us with snacks and drinks and terrific encounters with the mysterious manatee throughout the way. This was our first kayaking adventure and will not be the last. She made the whole experience easy and pleasant. If you are new to kayaking like we were, we recommend giving it a try as it was well worth it.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kristeny760
May 5, 2024
Kayak Tour - My husband, daughter and I enjoyed what ended up being a private 3-hour kayaking tour with Astrid. She was great and answered all our questions and pointed out many animals along the way that we wouldn’t have noticed otherwise The pictures she took were awesome as well, and allowed us to just enjoy the trip.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
765johannae
May 4, 2024
Manatee Tour by Kayak - We booked a tour with Astrid. She was very nice and knowledgeable about the animals around us. I liked how the tour was a very respectful observation of nature and animals, rather than chasing the animals from a big tour boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cruiser05195843333
Apr 27, 2024
Well worth the money - This was a nice tour. Jimi, our guide was knowledgeable, fun, and engaging. Thanks vey much Jimi, for a great morning and a good lunch recommendation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Roselynn_b
Apr 15, 2024
Paddlers from WA State - It was a lovely day spent on the water. We did see some manatees in the protected water of Blue Springs State Park. We also saw heaps of alligators and many types of water fowl. Astrid was a lovely host and knowledgeable river guide. We had 8-10 kayaks in our group which was manageable for maneuvering. We would do this excursion again, wearing more sunscreen!🥺
Review provided by Viator
Jennaba8396ke
Apr 15, 2024
Adventure seeker - Astrid was wonderful! She has such a passion for wildlife :) We saw SO MANY manatees and they were beautiful. Great snacks & lunch & even better company! Thank you Astrid!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
G6470ugjenny
Apr 13, 2024
Try it!!!! - This was an amazing experience and we had such a great time!!! Jimi was very knowledgeable and experienced and help me learn I wasn’t going to fall out
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Timothy_j
Apr 11, 2024
Awesome - Astrid is a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. Highly recommend! We saw manateee, alligators, turtles, an eagle and more.
Review provided by Viator
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