If you want to see a high number of manatees in a condensed area, Blue Spring State Park in Florida is the place to visit during the cooler months.
I was very optimistic about the opportunity to potentially see hundreds of manatees while I was already in the area, visiting Daytona Beach.
This article contains affiliate links.
When is the Best Time to See Manatees at Blue Spring State Park?
Blue Spring State Park is a popular spot for manatee viewing from November 15 to March 31.
The colder the temperature drop in the weather, the more manatees you’re likely to see.
Why Do the Manatees Typically Winter at Blue Spring State Park?
Manatees can’t tolerate temperatures colder than 68 degrees for very long and go to the spring when the river temperature drops to unsafe conditions.
In fact, prolonged exposure to “cold stress syndrome” can weaken a manatee’s immune system and potentially be fatal.
The springs at Blue Spring State Park are consistently 72 degrees year-round, which provides manatees a safe refuge and makes it one of Florida’s largest winter gathering sites for manatees.
What Time Should You Arrive at Blue Spring State Park to See the Manatees?
The park is open from 8 AM until sundown daily, 365 days a year. I’d recommend arriving within the first hour the park is open during peak manatee viewing season in the winter.
The catch-22 is that more manatees are in the spring run earlier in the morning, but the manatees are much more visible later when the sun shines directly into the spring, which comes down to your viewing preference.
It can be chilly in the morning. I’d recommend wearing layers you can peel off as it warms up later in the day.
Blue Spring State Park Can Temporarily Close
Due to the popularity of manatee viewings, the park frequently reaches capacity. The park may temporarily close if it reaches capacity, which can last up to a few hours.
Cyclists and pedestrians will also have to wait until the park reopens.
Guests who are camping or have a boat tour reservation will still be admitted into the park even when it’s closed.
During my visit in December, there were 309 manatees in the morning at Blue Spring State Park, and we arrived around 8:30 AM.
Monitor the Forecasted Temperatures in Advance
You’ll want to keep an eye on the weather temperatures before your visit.
Manatees can be found at the spring run all day if the temperatures drop into the low 50s at night, and during the day, the temperatures don’t reach the low 60s for several consecutive days.
How Long Can a Manatee Hold Its Breath?
Manatees come up for air an average of 2-4 minutes, but they can hold their breath while submerged up to 15-20 minutes.
Fortunately, your odds are good to see many come up for air when there are hundreds of manatees in the spring.
Can You Go In the River With the Manatees?
Visitors aren’t allowed in the spring run for water activities, which include diving, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, snorkeling, paddleboarding, and swimming, to help protect the wintering manatees.
Visitors can swim in the spring run from April 1 to November 14, but be aware that swimming and diving with the manatees isn’t permitted.
You may notice a canoe in the river, but that’s a researcher collecting data and counting manatees.
Conservation Success at Blue Spring State Park
There were 14 manatees tracked by researchers at the spring run two years before Blue Spring State Park was established in 1972.
Thanks to their continuing conservation efforts, the number of wintering manatees at the spring has continued to grow.
On January 21, 2024, 932 manatees were recorded at the park, breaking the previous record of 736 manatees on January 1, 2024.
Manatee Tagging
You may notice a floating tag on some of the manatees in the spring run, which consists of a tag, tether, and a belt.
The belt goes above the tail and is designed to eventually fall off the manatee. The manatee’s natural behavior and movement aren’t harmed or hindered by the equipment. The system can also break away if it were to get entangled.
The floating tag for the manatee has a satellite transmitter, a VHF transmitter, and a GPS unit, which help monitor the manatee’s location, diving behavior, and temperature.
Where is the Best Place to View the Manatees at Blue Spring State Park?
Visitors can safely view the manatees from the boardwalk.
The 1/3 boardwalk travels from the St. Johns River to the headspring, and I’d recommend stopping at all of the viewing areas along the way.
Additional Things to Do at Blue Spring State Park
Interpretive programs on manatees are offered daily during the manatee season.
Birding at Blue Spring State Park
There are 142 species of birds within the park, including the Florida scrub jay (the only bird species unique to Florida).
Check out this birding checklist with more information.
Fishing
Guests wanting to fish at the park must have a fishing license, adhere to all regulations, and seasons. Fishing is only permitted from the fishing dock on the St. Johns River.
Boat Tours at Blue Spring State Park
The 2-hour boat cruise travels down the St. Johns River, where a naturalist guide will share about the park’s history, ecosystem, and local wildlife.
Book a boat tour on the St. John River
Hiking Trails at Blue Springs State Park
There are several hiking trails within the state park, ranging in distance.
- Blue Spring Boardwalk Trail – Easy 1 mile
- Pine Island Trail – 3.6 miles one way
- Sand Pine Scrub Trail – .25 loop
Picnicking
There are two separate picnic areas within the park, and all the pavilions are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Paddling at Blue Spring State Park
You can rent a kayak and paddle on your own or book a guided kayak tour. (Must book in advance)
*Visitors are allowed to bring their own kayak, paddleboard, or tube to the park.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Guided Underwater Tours and Guided Snorkeling Tours are available through Florida Dive Company.
Tube Rentals
Tube Rentals are available through Blue Spring Adventures during the summer months only.
Concession and Gift Shop at Blue Spring State Park
The Blue Spring Canteen is open daily from 9 AM until sunset. The Canteen menu offers burgers, hot dogs, pretzels, ice cream, and more.
There is also a gift shop where you can purchase souvenirs from your visit, including manatee-themed gifts, AKA “sea cows.”
Visit the Thursby House
The Thursby House is an interpretive center and museum. Visitors can learn more about Louis Thursby, the area’s first permanent settler, who built his home along the river in 1872.
Louis strategically built an orange grove and a pier for passing steamships, hosting steamboat passengers traveling up and down the river.
You’ll learn more about what pioneer life was like for Thursby and his family.
Archaeological artifacts and mittens on the grounds have also been traced back to Native Americans who inhabited the area thousands of years before Thursby resided there.
The artifacts discovered help provide clues and insight into what life was like for the previous civilization.
Where is Blue Spring State Park Located?
Blue Spring State Park is located at 2100 W. French Ave., Orange City, FL. (Only 40 minutes from Daytona Beach and 41 minutes from Orlando)
What’s the Admission Fee for Blue Spring State Park?
The admission fee is $6 per vehicle (2-8 people), $4 for a single occupant, $2 per pedestrian, for additional passengers, and for passengers visiting with an Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
You Can Stay Overnight at Blue Spring State Park
Blue Spring State Park offers 51 campsites for recreational vehicles (up to 40 feet), and rental cabins have a two-night minimum.
What Are the Closest Hotels to Blue Spring State Park?
There are several options nearby to choose from if you prefer to stay at a hotel or resort near Blue Spring State Park.
- Hontoon Landing Resort & Marina – 2.2 miles
- Quality Inn near Blue Spring – 2.7 miles
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites – DeLand South by IHG – 4.1 miles
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Orange City – Deltona by IHG – 4.9 miles
- Hampton Inn Debary-Deltona – 6.2 miles
- Hampton Inn & Suites DeLand – 7.9 miles
- Comfort Inn & Suites DeLand – 8 miles
- Comfort Inn & Suites Orlando North – 9.1 miles
More Information on Blue Spring State Park
You can find more information on the Blue Spring State Park website.
