Where and when to see Manatees north of Tampa, Florida

I've always dreamed of seeing a manatee in the wild with my kids. Last winter I finally made it happen over a long weekend spent north of Tampa.

When to see Manatees in the wild near the gulf coast

First off, there are only certain times when you can see Manatees in this part of Florida and that's when the ocean water gets cooler. Manatees like it on the warmer side so when the ocean gets cold, they make their way up inland streams and rivers where the temperature is just a tad warmer. So, the winter months are a better time and our trip was just a week or so before Christmas.

Chassahowitzka River and Coastal Swamp

Based on research about where manatees could be found in December, we found an Airbnb in Homosassa Springs, near the Chassahowitzka River and Costal Swamps in Florida. The place was right on the river (although as you can see from the picture below, it was more like a creek where we were) and had a little dock where we could put in a kayak and couple of stand up paddleboards. After we checked in, hubby and I stood on the little dock, noting, but not focusing on, the sign warning that the river was home to dangerous alligators and snakes, and we planned our next days adventure.

This is the river behind our Airbnb

Now let me revel a bit in the swamp and its inhabitants. As my husband and I stood on this little dock in this crystal clear stream we could hear the thumping bass of a local resident as he cruised in to his dock on a boat no bigger than a bathtub with a huge cooler loaded with the days catch, fresh from the estuary. I felt like I was witnessing a freedom here that was completely foreign to me, and while I may have not enjoyed the choice of music, I enjoyed the idea of this dude, being fully free to head down the river and into the estuary for some afternoon fishing.

The next day we took the paddleboards out for a spin on the seven springs river out back. Remember the signs I mentioned? The ones warning about the snakes and gators? That had me pretty terrified. But, as we paddled down our little river channel the scariest things we saw were the offensive political signs. Suddenly we came around a bend and the river widened. What had been a three-foot deep crystal clear creek, dropped off to a depth of twenty feet or more. We slowed down and gazed into the waters. My daughter was the first to scream, "Manatee!" I paddled over to her and sure enough, a huge dark mass swirled around in the water below. Our first manatee in the wild!

We spent the next hour peering into the water and watching manatees of all sizes surface to breathe and play. There were adults, young-ins and babies. Some were covered in barnacles. Some had scars from encounters with boats and probably gators. We counted at least fourteen individuals! They were peaceful, beautiful and gentle.

As with all of the animals we followed our core rules: 1. no touching or harassing wildlife 2. remembering we are guests in their homes which means respecting their environment 3. no unnecessarily loud noises, 4. no flash.

The paddle back to our AirBNB was a little difficult because we were paddling against the current, which for some reason seems much stronger on the way back! ;-)

Other places to see manatees

Seeing manatees in the river behind our AirBNB was an amazing DIY manatee adventure but there are much easier ways to catch a glimpse of these amazing creatures. Here are a few other awesome spots where we saw tons of manatees.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Early the next day we headed to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This park has a zoo component where you can get up close to all types of wildlife, including the oldest hippopotamus in the world. We took the ferry tour where we learned about how the park was created and we got to spot some cute wood ducks swimming about. There we saw our first gator. It's a quasi-domesticated fella who has hung out there for many years although someone there told us he's actually free and could leave anytime he wants. I'm not sure if that's true or not. We also got to watch manatees at the park's manatee rehabilitation area.

Three Sisters Springs

The next day we headed to Three Sisters Springs which is renowned for its exceptional manatee viewing opportunities, making it a prime destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, like us. Each winter, hundreds of manatees flock to the warm waters of the Crystal River, drawn by the natural springs that maintain a comfortable temperature even during the colder months. Here’s what you need to know about manatee viewing at this spectacular park:

The peak season for manatee sightings is typically from November to March (as I mentioned, we visited in December). Three Sisters Springs is one of the most popular spots for manatee viewing. It is crucial to maintain a respectful distance from manatees to avoid disturbing them. The park has guidelines in place to ensure both visitor safety and the well-being of the manatees. Visitors are encouraged not to touch or feed manatees, as this can be harmful to their health and disrupt their natural behaviors.

Rainbow Springs State Park

On or last day in Florida, we went to Rainbow Springs State Park! This enchanting place serves as a gateway to a fascinating history and stunning natural beauty. Here, the crystal-clear waters of the Rainbow River flow right from the earth, creating an inviting atmosphere for visitors. The river is renowned for its vibrant blue hues, which are a result of the pure spring water that emerges from the ground. You can swim here, but beware—the water is FREEZING! I could tell my son wanted to jump in to the crystal blue water but then didn't wan to because it was so cold so we had to navigate some big FOMO emotions. Despite the chilly temperatures, there were a bunch of people, including some hearty kids jumping in.

Rainbow Springs has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The area was once inhabited by Native Americans who used the springs for sustenance and spiritual practices. In the 1930s, the site was developed into a tourist attraction, featuring gardens, the previously mentioned swimming area, and attractions that highlighted the natural beauty of the region. Today, remnants of this history can still be seen throughout the park, providing a glimpse into its past.