Manatees or sea turtles in the wild?

[jsrj21]

To echo what "Judycat" posted, I spoke to a Disney cast member over the telephone last week and she told me about Blue Springs in Deland and the manatees there. I was hoping to check it out during my trip in August but she did tell me that we may not see any....

Good luck!

 

[mich1073]

Yes winters its easy to see manatees, Gulf Coast inlets, power plants and rivers etc. But summer they scatter and can swimming north.

 

[keishashadow]

Will be driving to Orlando from Texas in July. Does anyone know if you can see manatees nearby or en route (besides in captivity)? Based on my searching I will not be there at the correct time of year. Open to other wildlife experiences too... We did a dolphin cruise at one of the Texas beaches and it was really neat!
Apologies if this should be posted somewhere else... Didn't seem to fit anywhere

We swam with manatees in crystal river but winter is the time to do that. Ps use a guide/excursion company

While in captivity sea world has injured ones in newly expanded area. Can't wait to see it. I like dolphins but love manatees!

 

[NotUrsula]

Just a head's up at the moment; many manatees are avoiding their usual haunts on the Atlantic side of central Florida due to the toxic algae bloom; in fact, it's starting to kill them. http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news...eaths-resume-indian-river-20160712-story.html

Even though they are more scarce on the Gulf side in summertime, this year it is probably your best bet.

 

[samsteele]

There is usually a group of manatees around the Power Plant station exhaust in Vero Beach right off the A1A. But a bit off the beaten track for you from Orlando. ps noticed the manatees were not in their aquarium in Epcot this past Feb. Maybe they were just doing a quick rehab on the tank and they are back now? I love watching the manatees at the Epcot aquarium so fingers crossed they have returned.