anyone been to the Merritt Island Wildlife refugee??

[DisOrBust]

We are interested in going here in April for the chance to see some Manatees. Has anyone been or have any manatee "advice"? Thanks!!

 

[lowen]

The manatees can be very hard to find and see, but you may get lucky if you hunt around the Banana river area. The Black Point reserve office will probably have info on the latest sightings if you call in there when you go. You're bound to other interesting things if you keep your eyes peeled.

 

[kellymonaghan]

If you are interested in manatees you should visit SeaWorld Orlando and check out their manatee exhibit. It's called "Manatees: The Last Generation?" Like all SeaWorld habitats, it's done beautifully and it packs quite an emotional wallop.

Kelly Monaghan
Author of "Universal Orlando: The Ultimate Guide to the Ultimate Theme Park Adventure" and
"The Other Orlando: What To Do When You've Done Disney & Universal""

 

[DisOrBust]

Kelly I am so glad you responded. We have your Universal guide and it has been a godsend! With your research have you been to Merritt Island?? We are planing a Day at SW but also 2 days at Cocoa and thought it may be fun for the girls to see manatees in the wild if it is worth the hassle.

 

[lowen]

Another place where I believe it might be possible to see wild manatees is in the river inlet at Melbourne, just down the coast from Cocoa. If they are there, they are probably easier to spot than at Merrit Island, so it might be worth the short trip on the off chance.

 

[DisOrBust]

That sounds like a perfect solution!!

 

[shamrock30]

DH and I are two for two--we saw the manatees in the Merrit Island area in December 2000 and Dec 99. We waited about twenty minutes each time before one showed up. There is a manatee viewing area on the map that you pick up at the visitors' center.

 

[Antonia]

according to my research - haahaha - your best bet to see manatees is in the winter months - we say tons of them in December at Blue Spring State Park - this is north of Orlando in the central part of Florida. We even had a guy take us down the river on his boat.

 

[lowen]

You will only see manatees inland in places such as Blue Springs in winter, not in April. Even in winter, if the weather and water temperatures get warm they may move back down river. This happened to us in February when we were disappointed not to see any at Blue Springs