Manatee Discovery: Small Group Kayak Tour in Orlando
5.0
95 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
(95 Ratings)
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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
Katherineb463
Apr 11, 2024
Amazing kayaking experience to see Manatee and many other organisms! - Astrid was amazing. She was kind enough to allow me to join her tour after the tour I booked online no-showed. She was knowledgeable and safe. We found so much wildlife because of her knowledge and she knew a lot of fun facts about the nature as well. She follows the laws to keep the wildlife safe. Overall excellent tour.
And she takes amazing photos! Which are available to purchase afterwards.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennifer_y
Apr 9, 2024
Hi I was very... - Hi I was very knowledgeable about the area, plants, animals and all. I would do this again next time we visit!
Review provided by Viator
Dreaolmstead
Apr 6, 2024
Manatees feeding! - Astrid was an awesome guide. The blue spring area is beautiful! We saw manatees feeding and gators lounging!
Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sheldon_w
Apr 3, 2024
Awesome experience on the Blue Springs river - Our guide, Astrid, was excellent and went above expectations to deliver a wonderful experience. We saw number of manatees, although they were shy and mostly show only their nose out of the water. Astrid provided information on the birds and plants and alligators that we saw too. Highly recommended for both long time kayaker or beginner alike.
Review provided by Viator
Krisdg7164td
Mar 29, 2024
💯 Recommend! Great Guide, Manatees, Gators, and Water Birds!! - Signed up solo while the hubs was in meetings all day. This is a 3 hour guided kayak tour. Astrid, our guide for the 8 of us, was fantastic! She was knowledgeable, patient, and took the time to assist anyone that needed more assistance, as there were a couple kayak newbies in the group. She took lots of pics and videos which was awesome bc I didn’t have to keep pulling my phone in and out of the waterproof bag except for when the manatee came right up to my kayak and I took that shot! The picture package was reasonably priced there were SO many great shots and now I can share the whole experience with my friends and family. If you are on the fence. DO THIS TRIP!!! Such a great afternoon with nature!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Glenba1280rj
Mar 25, 2024
A fun educational adventure! - Jimmy was the guide for our Kayak adventure and he was amazingly knowledgeable and informative about the Manatee’s habitat and their struggle to survive and thrive with the challenges of boat strikes that can seriously injure them or even kill them! He did an outstanding job of educating us and keeping us us entertained with his jokes and stories during our 3 hrs of kayaking the river and is tributaries… we enjoyed seeing several alligators and lots of turtles and birds besides 4 or 5 different Manatees… My wife and I give this awesome adventure a big thumbs up 👍🏻
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Annajanicki
Mar 25, 2024
Fun and informative - The experience was amazing. We were a small group and our guide, Jimi, kept all us us entertained and focused. He was very informative. Highly recommend it.
Review provided by Viator
H504jlannaj
Mar 25, 2024
Kayak and nature - The experience was amazing. Jimi was an excellent guide who trully loves nature. He was full of facts and very patient with his group. Highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
