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Manatee Discovery Tour

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Description

**Tour led by Venture Outdoors** Make close contact with these gentle and lovable creatures in one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida. Hundreds of manatees make Blue Spring State Park their winter home during the colder months, and some stay around all year. Join us for a kayak tour through the active waterways of the Blue Spring State Park area! Nature surrounds this area on every turn and we often witness alligators and turtles sun-bathing on the shore. A variety of birds, big and small, call this area their home, which makes spotting bald eagles, ospreys, red-shouldered hawks, and other wading birds a common occurrence. With a little luck, we will encounter the occasional river otter swimming in the river. This tour is perfect for families and wildlife enthusiasts.

Tour Info

Duration
2 hours
Group Size
2 to 10 people
Price starts at
$70
Languages
English, German
Pickup Point
2398 W French Ave
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Why take this tour?

Make close contact with these gentle and lovable creatures in one of the largest winter gathering sites for manatees in Florida.

Included

  • A professional, knowledgeable, medically trained, certified kayak guide
  • A commitment to make the tour as exciting, challenging, informative, and full as you’d like, and as is possible in a day
  • Use of a top of the line kayak gear
  • All required permits and necessary launch fee
  • Bottled water and trail snack

Excluded

  • Quick dry clothes
  • Water / river shoes
  • Warm wool or fleece top (Winter)
  • Waterproof rain jacket or poncho
  • Cold or frozen bottle of water or Gatorade
  • Sun protection (sunhat, sunglasses, sun screen)
  • Towel (to dry off afterwards)
  • Cash to tip your guide

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour is designed to be enjoyable for both beginners and experienced kayakers. Our guides will provide all necessary instructions and safety guidelines to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone.
While we cannot guarantee a sighting, our tours take place in areas known for frequent manatee activity. Our experienced guides know the best spots and times for manatee sightings, significantly increasing the chances of encountering these gentle giants.
Manatees are most commonly seen in the winter months, from November to March, when they seek warmer waters. However, sightings are possible year-round, and our guides are skilled at finding them even outside the peak season.
Safety is our top priority. In case of severe weather conditions, we may need to reschedule or cancel the tour. We will notify you as soon as possible and offer alternative dates or a full refund.
There are no restroom facilities at the launch site. The closest public restroom is located at Valentine Park, which is approximately one mile before the launch site. We recommend using the restroom at Valentine Park before arriving at the launch point to ensure your comfort during the tour.
Our guides do accept tips, and they are greatly appreciated. Tipping is left up to the individual, but as a general practice, 15% – 20% of the trip cost is the common gratuity in Orlando.

Things to know

Safety Considerations

Your safety is our top priority. Our kayaking tours are led by professional kayak guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. We’ve developed comprehensive risk management protocols that our guides adhere to in case of an emergency. If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 407-267-9950 for more information.

Guides

Your tour will be led by a trained, experienced professional with a solid guiding background, years of personal wilderness and kayaking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes.

Group Size and Age Restrictions

The maximum group size on this tour is 8 guests. If you have more questions about group size, please give us a call at 407-267-9950 and we’ll answer all your questions. There are no age restrictions to join this kayak tour.

Weather in Central Florida

Central Florida on average maintains warm temperatures throughout the entire year with slightly lower temperatures during the winter months. Summers, lasting from May to October, are long, warm and particularly humid. Rain showers are common during this time of the year. The winter month are short, cool, and dry, lasting from December to February. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 52°F (11°C)to 91°F (33°C).

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$70

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