St. Johns River Cruise: Best Manatee Spot in Florida

Embark on a St. Johns River Nature Cruise at Blue Spring State Park, the ultimate destination for manatee sightings in Florida. Discover the rich history and diverse wildlife of the St. Johns River with our expert crew.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Blue Spring State Park - The St. John Boat Tour is situated within the spring park.
  • Saint Johns - As the journey unfolds through this pristine wilderness, it’s essential to remember that wildlife sightings can differ daily, adding a thrilling aspect to each trip. Expect to see a fascinating variety of wildlife, such as graceful wading birds,…
What's Included
  • Tour Guide
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Blue Spring State Park Entrance fee : $6 per vehicle (limit 2-8 people per vehicle)
Additional Information

Blue Spring has been acclaimed as the top location in Florida for manatee sightings. Experience the revered St. Johns River Nature Cruise, departing daily from the Blue Spring State Park harbors, a favorite among Central Florida tourists. Dive into the vast historical richness and the plentiful wildlife that the St. Johns River boasts, under the guidance of our well-informed and approachable team.

Location
2100 W French Ave
West French Avenue
Passengers arrive 1.5 hours before departure (Highly recommend) Once inside the park, report to the BOAT DOCK for check-in, 10 Mins before departure LOCATED at the lower parking lot.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(317 Ratings)
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Steve_f
May 19, 2026
Relaxing day on the St. John's River - This is a nice relaxing boat ride on the St. Johns River, leaving from Blue Springs State Park. I love how it takes you through old Florida as it was a hundred plus years ago. We watched a Bald Eagle swoop down and get a fish from the river. Saw five manatees, a lot of aligators, some small, some large. The tour guide / boat driver was great. She was very knowlegable of the local wildlife. The price is great for a nice two hour adenture on the river. We took the tour on a Wednesday morning at 10 AM when it wasn't quite as crowded and before it got too hot. Just know that you will have to pay to get into the park ($6 / car load), but you can ride then stay in the park as long as you want. There are picnic facilities, a boardwalk, a swiming area, and a snack bar. A great day.
Review provided by Viator
Reynne_h
May 16, 2026
Wonderful cruise - We saw several manatees, lots of birds and alligators . The scenery was lovely. Our guide gave us many oppo6to take pictures. She was very knowledgeable
Review provided by Viator
Julie_p
May 14, 2026
A good stop! Affordable and fun. - We missed manatee season, but saw lots of gators, birds and turtles. Our guide was fantastic, She was still in training, but we would never have guessed that. We learned lots and had a lovely cruise and beautiful park.
Review provided by Viator
Neil_h
May 2, 2026
Very nice, relaxing and beautiful - 2 hr trip, drinks sold on board and it can get hot. We sat at the very front left side. Sun the whole time.
Review provided by Viator
Nancydx1129ld
Apr 26, 2026
A Jewel of the Blue Springs Experience - It was a perfectly beautiful day and experience. The guide had a delightful repertoire of stories, humor and science to make the tour educational and entertaining for all ages in our diverse group. The owners need to invest in the tour boat motor to ensure it operates smoothly without distracting from the program.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eric_s
Apr 26, 2026
River cruise - It takes longer to get here from Kissimmee than your gps tells you, mostly because of the unbearable long backed up traffic lights at the start, so add an extra 30 minutes. But it was a beautiful cruise and well worth it. Nice grounds for a picnic if you pack food.
Review provided by Viator
Greg_k
Apr 25, 2026
Tour - Great tour. Fun and informative. Captain was interesting and entertaining. Boat was comfortable. Left and returned on time
Review provided by Viator
Allan_a
Apr 23, 2026
Enjoyable river tour - This is a 2 hour tour that goes around sections of the St.. John's River at Blue Springs State Park. You will see a variety of wildlife and the captain will narrate and tell stories and answer questions. State Park entry is required to get to the boat. There are some firm bench seats and other cushioned seats. All are upright.
Review provided by Viator
Beckypi4831pm
May 8, 2026
Stories - Great cruise. Saw lots of wildlife. However, there is no such thing as a Florida Panther. The stories guides will tell...
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Quan_y
May 1, 2026
I would not recommend... - I would not recommend taking this trip as the address from email confirmation is confusing. The agency (Viator) and owner are not easy to work with.
Review provided by Viator
From $38
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).