Manatees Roam in Central Florida

Florida is known as the Manatee Capital of the World. It hosts a sizable year-round population of the gentle giants and features migrating manatees during the winter months. In fact, wintertime is the best time to see these majestic creatures as they search for the warmer waters of the Central Florida canals.*

West Indian manatees are distinctive, giant marine animals. Weighing as much as 3,500 pounds and measuring as long as thirteen feet from tip to tail, they feature small eyes, giant flippers, wide flukes, and a gentle and fun-loving personality.

Swim Side by Side With Manatees

For a chance to swim with the manatees, head about ninety miles west from Orlando to Florida’s Citrus County along the Gulf of Mexico. You’ll likely spot dozens of manatees during the summer, while their numbers jump into the hundreds in the colder months. Crystal River and its waters are rich with springs that pump warm water (about 72°F/22°C) all the time.

Courtesy of Discover Crystal River

Book a tour with a professional guide to get up close and personal to manatees. You’ll learn the do’s and don’ts of interacting with these amazing animals — ensuring both you and them will be safe and happy. You’ll see many bear scars from injuries caused by motorboats.

Get a Glimpse by Heading North

Manatees are slow, plodding aquatic creatures — and such fun to watch in the wild. You can also visit them about thirty-five miles north of the Orlando area in rivers, inlets, and other waterways. See clusters at a time in winter months at Blue Spring State Park, where a series of wooden platforms just over the water make gawking easy.

From April through October, you can usually swim in the springs or go tubing, canoeing, snorkeling, and fishing — even scuba diving. You can also take a narrated nature cruise. Another way to experience manatees is on kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Whether on your own or with a guide, you can grab an oar or two and work your way through pretty waterways until you reach an “aggregation" — the manatee term for a pod.

If paddling is your priority over manatee-spotting, consider renting your equipment on the Chassahowitzka or Homosassa rivers or near the St. Martins Marsh Aquatic Preserve with its mangrove islands.

Courtesy of Discover Crystal River

More Outdoor Fun

The Crystal River area is also a prime spot to get some of the best fresh catches. In summer, you can go scalloping in shallow Gulf waters or the Homosassa River. You’ll load up on mollusks only 2 or 3 miles from shore, where they reside among eelgrass. A local restaurant can cook your catch for you. Or you can ice your day’s bounty and prepare a feast back at your resort’s fully equipped kitchen.

If you prefer fins to shells, you can try angling with a rod and line. There’s freshwater fishing in the Tsala Apopka Chain of Lakes, where you can rent equipment or book a charter, while the Homosassa and Crystal rivers are known for saltwater sportfishing.

Where to Stay:

By now, you’ve discovered that there’s more to Orlando than just theme parks. Vistana Signature Network^® Owners and Marriott Vacation Club^® Owners with Club Points can visit the city’s championship golf courses, museums, and natural waterways with a stay at Sheraton Vistana Resort and Sheraton Vistana Villages.

Sheraton Vistana Resort	Sheraton Vistana Villages

Or add a little magic to your vacation when you stay at Marriott’s Cypress Harbour, Marriott’s Royal Palms, Marriott’s Grande Vista, Marriott’s Imperial Palms, and Marriott’s Sabal Palms, just a short drive from the gates of the Walt Disney World_® Resort. The fun options don’t stop there – you can also stay at Marriott’s Lakeshore Reserve or Marriott’s Harbour Lake.

Rona Gindin is an Orlando-based writer, editor, and TV personality who specializes in covering Central Florida's restaurants and attractions.