If you’ve never seen a manatee in real life, get ready because they’re even cuter than you think.
These slow-moving, gentle giants love warm water, which makes Florida one of the best places in the world to spot them.
Every winter, hundreds of manatees head into springs, rivers, and canals across the state to stay cozy when the ocean gets chilly.
Whether you’re planning a road trip, a weekend getaway, or just want to see something unforgettable, these 8 manatee spots belong on your Florida bucket list.
1. Manatee Springs State Park
Manatee Springs State Park is located in Chiefland and has a crystal-clear spring that produces over 100 million gallons of fresh water every day.
You can spot manatees here mostly in the winter months, when they swim up the spring run to stay warm.
To see them up close, take the easy boardwalk (about 800 feet) that runs beside the spring and toward the Suwannee River.
If you’re up for more, the park is also known for its scuba diving, snorkeling, and paddling, with giant cypress trees towering overhead.
2. Three Sisters Springs
Next up is Three Sisters Springs, which is one of the best places in the state to see the gentle giants up close in super clear, turquoise water.
Aside from being pretty, it’s also famous for the hundreds of manatees that fill the warm spring on chilly winter mornings (especially mid-November to March).
You can walk the 0.27-mile boardwalk with overlooks for great overhead views, or book a guided paddle tour to see them from the water.
Fun fact: Three Sisters is part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, and it’s the only place in the U.S. created just to protect manatees.
3. Silver Springs State Park
Then there’s Silver Springs State Park in Ocala, where you can spot those slow-moving sea cows while riding in a glass-bottom boat.
Manatees usually cruise through the spring run in the cooler months, with the best chance of seeing them between December and February.
As for the spring, it’s actually one of the largest in America, pumping out more than 500 million gallons of water daily.
With so much to explore, you can hop on a glass-bottom boat, kayak, or canoe along the Silver River, where manatees often hang out under the overhanging trees.
4. Blue Spring State Park
Serious about seeing manatees? Blue Spring State Park in Orange City is a must and one of the best places in Florida to do it.
Every winter, over 500 of them pack into the spring run to stay warm, and the park even has a live cam so you can watch the action from anywhere.
If you go between mid-November and March, you’ll get the best views along the long boardwalk that traces the spring and overlooks the water.
Swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding are off-limits in winter to protect the sea cows, but seeing them glide a few feet away is just as unforgettable.
5. ZooTampa at Lowry Park
If you want a guaranteed manatee sighting any time of year, ZooTampa at Lowry Park has you covered with its David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center.
This place isn’t just a zoo, as it’s one of the only three facilities in the state that rescue, rehabilitate, and release manatees recovering from injury or illness.
You can watch them up close through huge viewing pools while learning all about the care they get from real marine animal vets.
You’ll leave knowing your visit helps support manatee rescue work, and its Tampa location makes it easy to fit into any trip.
6. Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach
About 25 minutes from downtown Tampa, the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach is a surprising place beside a power plant that attracts manatees.
Open from November through April, it welcomes hundreds of manatees that gather in the warm-water discharge canal from the Big Bend Power Station.
You’ll also find a boardwalk, an elevated observation tower, and a stingray touch tank here, turning a short visit into something special.
It’s totally free to visit, and the ideal time to go is on a chilly morning when the manatees huddle in the canal like giant, floating marshmallows.
7. Manatee Park, Fort Myers
In Fort Myers, Manatee Park is another warm-water hangout where manatees show up in big numbers during the cooler months.
From late December through February, you’ve got a great shot at spotting them in the canal that runs alongside the Florida Power & Light plant.
You can rent a kayak on-site and explore near their fenced-off section, or stay on the paths and viewing platforms along the shore.
Beyond that, the park is super family-friendly, with picnic spots, butterfly gardens, and even statues shaped like them, because why not go all in?
8. Manatee Lagoon, West Palm Beach
Last but not least, Manatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach is a bright, breezy spot where science and sea cows meet in the coolest way.
This free center is next to a Florida Power & Light plant, and from November to March, its warm water attracts dozens of manatees that you can see from the deck.
Inside, you’ll find interactive exhibits and even a manatee mascot named Mia, who’s a total hit with kids.
It’s more chill than some of the busier spring parks, so it’s perfect if you want a relaxed visit with lots of learning (and no kayak required).
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