Where can I find manatees?

[susykt4]

We're driving to Disney for the first time and have a couple extra days to do other things. I'd love to see manatees. Any idea where I can see them relatively close to Orlando?

 

[lntsmom]

exhibit at Epcot. They can swim in and out of the large aquarium...so at times they are right there by you, no glass even.

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

We went on a field trip here once in school - I plan on taking my kids in the spring. Really awesome place

http://www.homosassasprings.org/Homosassa.cfm

 

[Mickeypooh99]

Blue springs state park in Deland. It is nice to see them in the wild.

 

[Stan's MaggieMouse]

Sea World also has a large Manatee exhibit.

 

[Tiggerbounce24]

Homosassa Springs. I am actually wearing a t-shirt from there right now. We took a boat trip and were able to swim with them and we have a video to remember the experience. It was brilliant.

 

[Abbeysmom]

Homosassa Springs sounds great!! How far from Disney World is it? Would it work out as a day trip away from the parks?

 

[luv2go2disney]

I was going to say Homosassa Springs as well. It is a really neat place they have other animals and things too. Mapquest says it is 93 miles from Magic Kingdom maingate...1 hour and 45 minutes. I would say it is a pretty easy drive for a day trip out of the world.

Here is a website for it
http://www.homosassasprings.org/Homosassa.cfm

 

[Joann]

I was intrested in swimming with them is there not anywhere closer to Disney then the above mentioned please?

 

[Tiggerbounce24]

When we went in september 2004 we took a bus trip to Homosassa Springs and the wildlife park. I think it was most of the day but well worth it. I think we may have even had a ride on one of them airboats (Didn't spot any crocs)that day too but can't remember as was few years ago now. I think DH wants to go see a shuttle launch as we saw there was two taking off over our stay in may, as we never got last time.

 

[susykt4]

Awesome! I think we'll try Homosassa Springs! Thanks for the info!

 

[disneydaliaha]

Hello..

If your up for a 2 hour drive to the West Coast of Florida... Bradenton in Manatee County has one of the oldest living Manatee's in Captivity in the world, infact he was born in Miami, and will be turning 61 in July 2009.

They, The South Florida Museum, have bulit him a new viewing tank, and currently have 3 other Manatees in with him, while they are being reabilitated for future release. We saw them 2 weeks ago when we were in Bradenton Visiting the in-laws, on our way to the Fort for a week.

They also have a cool new Planetarium for something else to do with the kids in case its too hot all included in the ticket price. fyi... the kids planetarium show was cute... my kids loved it.. ages 10 and 5.

Just as another option....

-Debbi

 

[daisyduck123]

We always drive to WDW as well.

I remember one trip, about 3 or 4 years ago, as we were driving on 95 in Fla., I saw on the side of the road a sign by the water that said "Slow wake, manatees" or something like that. It was for the boats going by.

Ever since that trip, I've looked for the sign again, because I thought it might be neat to stop & look, but I've never been able to see the sign again.

 

[wdw_girl_18]

I was intrested in swimming with them is there not anywhere closer to Disney then the above mentioned please?

I found this:
http://www.orlando-tours.com/tours/tourdetail.cfm?tour_id=5012

We were looking to swim with the manatees too I am not sure if its closer to disney than the other places.

but I'm wondering if this site is legit or not

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

Oh and the "slow" signs for manatees are pretty much everywhere where manatees are capable of being - so not necessarily that they are common in the area. There are just way too many boaters not paying attention and running over manatees (esp. in shallow waters).

 

[Tiffany_MommyOf3]

Crystal River is nice - I haven't been in years. I had forgotten all about it.

http://www.manateetoursusa.com/

 

[Syrreal]

Your likelyhood of being able to swim with the manatees depends also on the time of year you'll be going. Winter is when they are most likely to be around Crystal River and that area since they are looking for the warmer waters. Right now is actually a great time to do it.

 

[jackdis]

We were just here. It was amazing. There were so many manatees there!
http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/

 

[Tiggerbounce24]

I found this:
http://www.orlando-tours.com/tours/tourdetail.cfm?tour_id=5012

We were looking to swim with the manatees too I am not sure if its closer to disney than the other places.

but I'm wondering if this site is legit or not

This place is where I wenton the same bus trip. Crystal River is not far from Homosassa state park.
This trip isn't showing the trip to Homosassa park to see more manatees.