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 located within the spring park.
  • Saint Johns - As the journey through this untamed wilderness unfolds, it’s essential to remember that wildlife sightings can differ daily, adding an exciting element to each trip. Expect to see a fascinating variety of wildlife, including majestic 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
(291 Ratings)
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Richard_p
Feb 26, 2026
Blue Springs National Park - Amazing trip on boat and worth walking up Blue Springs National Park to see all the manatees & fish A knowledgeable guide and well worth the visit Leave plenty of time to get there as a queue for carpark
Review provided by Viator
Gwen_m
Feb 25, 2026
Great informative trip - An excellent, knowledgeable Captain, made the 2 hr trip informative and enjoyable on a 55 degree day. Saw manatees, birds, alligators and learned about Goat Island!
Review provided by Viator
Stephnie_t
Feb 24, 2026
Wonderful experience. - Captain Serene gave us a wonderful tour, was knowledgeable, friendly, and deserves a pay raise. We saw all kinds of wildlife, including manatees.
Review provided by Viator
Cindymcn
Feb 22, 2026
Very enjoyable tour - engaging boat Captain - This tour was as advertised. We enjoyed learning about the ecosystem and seeing all of the wildlife. It met our expectations. We learned about a healthy ecosystem, why it is that way and how to tell. Was just the right amount of time. The ride was very peaceful with the right amount of people. The captain was very knowledgeable and engaging the whole time - made the tour very enjoyable. The ticketing process was very easy. With the entry process, it can get backed up at the entrance. Any age group would enjoy this tour. Would definitely recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracy_j
Feb 22, 2026
Boat tour - Boat tour - very nice! Guide was very knowledgeable and interactive. Lots of birds and gators - no manatees
Review provided by Viator
Caver1
Feb 18, 2026
Great river/swamp tour, lots of wildlife - Boat, Captain, Mate were all quite nice. Trip left on time and we saw a lot of wildlife. One side of the boat (left side) caught a lot of sun and most of the wildlife was on the right side, as that was the river bank side.. I would sit on the right side. Alligators, manatees, and lots of birds. The crew was very good at finding wildlife to look at and in explaining their habits. The only problem was getting into the park as the lines were quite long. We got there very early and used the extra time to do the spring boardwalk. We saw a lot of manatees and fish along the boardwalk, many more than on the tour, because the water was crystal clear and the surface very still in the early morning. On the river and in the afternoon the water surface is rocked by waves and it is harder to see into the water. Polaroid sunglasses help and bringing binoculars for the boat trip is best.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elaine_d
Feb 18, 2026
The best!! - One of the best excisions we have been on. Tour guide very knowledgeable about the habitat and wildlife. She was personable and had a sense of humor. Saw so much
Review provided by Viator
A5619mwterrym
Feb 17, 2026
A wonderful experience - This experience was above and beyond our expectations. We traveled the river and saw so many different birds , and even lots of alligators. Our captain was very knowledgeable and made sure everyone on board was able to see the animals. There was eleven of us from ages 7-70 and all loved the cruise. Well worth the money!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_o
Feb 17, 2026
We’ll be back to share with others - Very enjoyable experience. Saw a lot and learned a lot. Took plenty of pictures and video. Totally worth it!
Review provided by Viator
Getaway46077412538
Feb 21, 2026
Recommend this cruise for nature lovers - Cruise was good but probably should have tried the 1 hour cruise instead… seats were pretty uncomfortable for 2 hours … overall, 4 out of 5 stars.. 2 cruise personnel were great though !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $38
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).