Orlando

Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour for Small Groups near Orlando

Badge of ExcellenceOrlando, USA
Manatee Discovery Tour
  • 3 hours
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Overview

The calm waters of Blue Springs State Park are home to hundreds of manatees and this small-group kayaking tour feels like your own invitation into their world. Paddle your way through the waters fed by a crystal clear natural spring and learn all about the area from your tour guide. In the winter, you’ll find manatees while summer tours head to the spring for a refreshing swim. Kayaks are included.
  • See hundreds of manatees when you visit in the winter months
  • A certified kayak guide will provide you with a kayak and intimate tour
  • Discover an abundant wildlife habitat, home to alligators and turtles
  • This tour has an alternative swimming activity during summer months

What's Included

  • Top-of-the-line kayak gear (kayak, paddle, PFD)
  • A professional medically trained certified kayak guide
  • A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, and informative as you like
  • Snacks

    Meeting and Pickup

    Meeting point

    • 2398 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763, USA

      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.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    • Transportation is wheelchair accessible
    • Most travelers can participate
    • 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.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

    Cancellation Policy

    You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

    • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
    • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
    • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
    • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

    Traveler Photos

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    Featured review
    Sun_S
    The manatee discovery experience was fantastic. The instructor's kindness made the day enjoyable, their knowledge about manatees was impressive, and their explanations were clear and engaging. Highly recommend for a memorable and educational adventure!

    Reviews

    5.0
    94 reviews
    Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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    Reviews by Viator travelers.
    Showing 1-10 of 94 reviews
    Paddlers from WA State
    Roselynn_B, Apr 2024
    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!🥺
    Response from Host, Apr 2024
    Thank you, Roselyn, for your wonderful feedback! I'm thrilled to hear that I provided a memorable and informative experience on Blue Springs State Park's waters, and I look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure—sunscreen and all!
    Awesome
    Timothy_J, Apr 2024
    Astrid is a wonderful and knowledgeable tour guide. Highly recommend! We saw manateee, alligators, turtles, an eagle and more.
    Response from Host, Apr 2024
    Thank you, Timothy, for your great review! We're thrilled to hear that our guide's knowledge enhanced your tour and that you enjoyed seeing such a variety of wildlife.
    Hi I was very...
    Jennifer_Y, Apr 2024
    Hi I was very knowledgeable about the area, plants, animals and all. I would do this again next time we visit!
    Response from Host, Apr 2024
    Thank you, Jennifer! We're so glad you enjoyed the educational aspect of the Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour and look forward to having you join us again on your next visit!
    Awesome experience on the Blue Springs river
    Sheldon_W, Apr 2024
    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.
    Response from Host, Apr 2024
    Thank you, Sheldon, for your glowing review! It's thrilling to hear how our guide's exceptional guidance and knowledge enhanced your experience on the Manatee Discovery kayak tour, making it highly recommendable for kayakers of all levels.
    Fun and informative
    AnnaJanicki, Mar 2024
    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.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Anna, it's fantastic to hear that your experience with Jimi was both fun and informative, making for an amazing kayaking adventure—thank you for the high recommendation!
    A very nice paddle
    judith_d, Mar 2024
    Astrid was a delight and very knowledgeable. We saw several manatees despite being the end of the season. We also saw many birds and several alligators of various sizes.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Thank you, Judith, for your kind words! We're thrilled you enjoyed your paddle with us and got to see a variety of wildlife, including the manatees, even at the end of their season.
    110% worth it!
    Haley_A, Mar 2024
    Astrid was AWESOME! She was so knowledgeable about the wildlife and the area we were kayaking. We were able to see multiple manatees, alligators and baby gators, a bald eagle and an assortment of other birds
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Thrilled to hear you had an awesome experience with us, Haley! It's great that our guide's knowledge enhanced your adventure, allowing you to encounter a variety of wildlife up close—thank you for deeming the trip more than worth it!
    Wish we had seen more...
    KRISTAL_D, Mar 2024
    Wish we had seen more manatees, but that was out of our guides control. We still had a great experience with what what saw
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Thank you for your feedback, Kristal! Despite the lack of manatee sightings, we're glad to hear you still enjoyed your experience and appreciated what nature had to offer during your excursion.
    Manatees, gators and more!
    AlanM_R, Mar 2024
    Astrid was a fantastic guide, knowledgeable about the wildlife, environment, and flora of the area. She was very attentive to the client's needs and requests, and went above and beyond! Very cool to see the manatees and gators up close and personal.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Thrilled to hear our guide's expertise and dedication enhanced your adventure, making those up-close encounters with manatees and gators truly memorable!
    Great kayak tour
    Kythrie_S, Mar 2024
    Blue Springs is a beautiful location for a kayak adventure, and our guide, Astrid, was knowlegable and kind.
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    Thank you, Kythrie, for your lovely review; we're so glad you enjoyed your adventure with us at Blue Spring!
    Amazing Anniversary Experience
    f272zkhn4c, Mar 2024
    We absolutely adored spending the morning of our anniversary exploring the beautiful scenery and wildlife that the lovely Astrid showed us. We learned so much about the manatees, gators, birds, and even the plant life in the area which made me enjoy the adventure so much more. It is clear that Astrid loves her job and is passionate about the preservation and care of our planets natural environments and the many animals that we found on our 3 hour venture. As a local Floridian, I appreciate even more the state that we live in and the responsibility we have to protect our natural ecosystems. Thank you!
    Response from Host, Mar 2024
    We're honored to have been a part of your special anniversary day and thrilled you enjoyed learning about Florida's unique ecosystems. Thank you for your kind words and for recognizing the importance of preserving our natural environment!
    A great day with the manatees.
    Wendy_A, Feb 2024
    What great memories were made. The weather was gorgeous, the manatees swam right up to us and under our kayaks, our guide, Sue, could not have done more to make it a fabulous day. Money well spent.
    Response from Host, Feb 2024
    Thank you, Wendy! We're so glad Sue helped make your day unforgettable and that you enjoyed every moment with the manatees!
    Great experience
    Ulrike_D, Feb 2024
    Astrid is an excellent guide making this and unforgettable trip! Excellent value for money, time worth spent! Don't forget to visit the walkabout inside the park!
    Response from Host, Feb 2024
    Thank you, Ulrike, for your glowing review and recommendation! We're delighted that our guide provided an unforgettable experience, and we're thrilled to hear you found it excellent value for money!
    Astrid was amazing. She...
    Melissa_R, Feb 2024
    Astrid was amazing. She answered questions and took her time to explain the wildlife. It was amazing seeing the manatees and gators.
    Response from Host, Feb 2024
    Thank you, Melissa! We're thrilled to hear that you had an amazing experience, and we're glad you enjoyed learning about the wildlife while spotting manatees and gators—hope to see you again soon!
    Great tour!
    Ashlee_F, Jan 2024
    We had some amazing weather and Astrid made sure we had plenty of time at the entrance to the springs to see the manatees! She was very knowledgeable and made sure we were able to view a variety of wildlife. We loved our experience on the water and will definitely be recommending it to our friends at home!
    Response from Host, Jan 2024
    Ashlee, we're thrilled that you had an amazing experience, enjoying the weather and the abundance of wildlife, and we sincerely appreciate your recommendation to your friends—thank you for choosing Venture Outdoors!
    Best kayaking adventure to see manatees!
    Sara_G, Jan 2024
    We saw tons of Florida wildlife! We have been on many kayaking adventures as a family and this was one of our favorites. The manatees literally swim right up to the kayaks. Astrid was amazing! So knowledgeable and friendly! We would definitely do this again to take friends along with us!
    Response from Host, Jan 2024
    We're delighted to hear that you enjoyed the abundance of Florida wildlife and that your guide's knowledge and friendliness made it one of your favorite family kayaking adventures – we look forward to welcoming you and your friends again!
    Great trip
    carol_j, Dec 2023
    Lots of manatee sitings in addition to alligators and many bird species. 2 hours would have been perfect
    Response from Host, Dec 2023
    We're delighted to hear about your abundant manatee sightings, encounters with alligators, and diverse bird species during the tour, and we appreciate your feedback on the duration—thank you for choosing our experience!
    Confusing Directions
    Amy_C, Dec 2023
    Hello, We did not have a great time. The directions were not clear. We arrived at the given address at 9:04am for our 9:00 tour. After asking multiple people, we arrived at our launching doc to find no one there. It was very disappointing to say the least. I have requested a refund due to the confusion and I have not yet received a response. Sincerely, Amy Cogan
    Response from Host, Dec 2023
    Dear Amy, We sincerely apologize for the confusion and the inconvenience you experienced. Our instructions clearly indicate not to enter the park but to follow the dirt road to the end. We made an attempt to contact you five minutes before the tour, but unfortunately, the provided phone number was out of service, and we did not receive any attempt to reach out from your end. Regrettably, we were unable to reach you, and in the interest of accommodating our other guests who had arrived on time, we had to proceed with the tour after a 15-minute wait at the launch site. Despite the circumstances, a refund for your booking has been processed by Viator. Best regards, Venture Outdoors
    Fantastic
    Sun_S, Dec 2023
    The manatee discovery experience was fantastic. The instructor's kindness made the day enjoyable, their knowledge about manatees was impressive, and their explanations were clear and engaging. Highly recommend for a memorable and educational adventure!
    Response from Host, Dec 2023
    We're thrilled to hear that your manatee discovery experience was fantastic, and we greatly appreciate your kind words about our guide's knowledge and engaging explanations—thank you for the high recommendation, and we look forward to hosting you on more memorable and educational adventures!
    Very fun experience
    Tanya_G, Jul 2023
    Very fun loved going to see the spring water was kind of cold but definitely felt nice, would suggest extra sunscreen though

    From $80.00

    up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

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