Florida manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal water ecosystems of the southeastern United States. They can live in fresh, brackish, or salt water. Manatees prefer waters that are about one to two meters (3-7 feet) deep. Along the coast, manatees tend to travel in water that is about three to five meters (10-16 feet) deep, and they are rarely seen in areas over six meters (20 feet) deep. This habitat provides them with sheltered living and breeding areas, a steady, easily obtainable food supply and warm water — all of which they need to survive. When viewing manatees in their natural habitat, it’s important to respect their space and follow best practices to keep manatees safe.

Remember: You Can Look, But Please Don’t Touch, Chase, Feed, or Give Manatees Water.
For their own protection, wild animals need to stay wild to survive.
Watch Video
Encountering a manatee in the wild can be an awesome experience! But there are some things to consider and rules to follow to make this an enjoyable experience for both you AND the manatee! Enjoy our short video to learn more!
Learn how to practice responsible swimming when near manatees.
Watch our video with tips on how to have a positive experience when paddling near manatees and how to best protect them.
We know it’s tempting to give manatees food or water. But find out why this practice can be harmful for them.
Learn More
Before viewing manatees in the wild, please read:
- Manatee Protection Tips for Swimmers and Divers
- Why is it Wrong to Give Food or Water to Manatees?
- Manatee Protection Tips for Boaters
To See Manatees Living In The Wild:
There are lots of places in Florida to observe manatees. In the winter when the weather is cooler, generally November through March, you might be able to see manatees in the wild, clustered around warm water sources. Manatees need warm water to survive. In spite of their size, they have relatively little body fat, and their metabolic rate is low compared to other marine mammals. Water temperatures that fall below 70° F (21° C) cause manatees to move into warm water refuge areas. Click the links below for more information for each viewing area.
Look for the Guardian Guides Logo
When choosing an ecotour to see manatees, look for participants in the Guardian Guides program. This is a voluntary recognition and education program offered to ecotourism providers in Florida that promotes stewardship of manatees and their aquatic ecosystems. Viewing manatees from a boardwalk or observation deck is also an excellent way to protect manatees.
Blue Spring State Park
2100 W. French Ave
Orange City, FL 32763
386-775-3663
See manatees in the winter from observation decks at the park. Several of the Blue Spring manatees are in Save the Manatee Club’s Adopt-A-Manatee® program. You can also view Manatee Webcams at Blue Spring State Park
Kayak and canoe tours and rentals, boat tours, Segway Tours, tubing at Blue Spring State Park.
Orange City, Florida
833-953-BLUE or 386-775-0046
Paddle boarding at Blue Spring, Silver Springs, and Central Florida lakes
Orlando, FL 34429
407-300-8781
Manatee Observation & Education Center
480 North Indian River Dr
Fort Pierce, FL 34950
772-429-6266
Manatee Lagoon – FPL Eco-Discovery Center
6000 N. Flagler Dr
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Guided Kayaking Tours
8092 Marys Fish Camp Rd,
Weeki Wachee, FL 34607
352-234-4568
weekiwachee@getupandgokayaking.com
Pontoon Boat Scenic Tours
1223 N. Circle Drive
Crystal River, FL 34429
419-305-7044
ManateesInParadise@gmail.com
Three Sisters Springs Boardwalk Tours
915 N. Suncoast Blvd
Crystal River, FL 34429
352-586-1170
Please Note: Viewing from the boardwalk is the best way to protect manatees in Three Sisters, which is a vital warm water refuge in the winter.
Tampa Electric Company
Manatee Viewing Center
6990 Dickman Rd
Apollo Beach, FL 33572
813-228-4289 for an information recording
See the Tampa Bay manatees in SMC’s Adopt-A-Manatee® program.
Lee County Manatee Park
10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd)
Fort Myers, FL 33905
239-690-5030
Guided kayaking tour, kayak rentals at Manatee Park.
Fort Myers, Florida
239-913-9993
To See Manatees Living In Human Care:
If the weather is warmer, manatees are more widely dispersed. A few manatees may range as far north as Massachusetts and as far west as Texas during the summer months, but these sightings are rare. Summer sightings in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina are relatively common. From April through October, you will probably only be able to see manatees at rehabilitation facilities. Click the links below for more information for each viewing area. Note: Due to Covid-19, please check with the facilities before you visit to make sure they are open.
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S. Suncoast Blvd
Homosassa, Florida 34446
352-423-5564
See the Homosassa Springs manatees in SMC’s Adopt-A-Manatee program
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center
1101 West Sligh Ave
Tampa, FL 33604
813-935-8552
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-388-4441
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat
201 10th Street W
Bradenton, FL 34205
941-746-4131
SeaWorld Orlando
7007 Sea World Dr
Orlando, FL 32821
1-888-800-5447
The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot/Walt Disney World
200 Epcot Center Dr
Lake Buena Vista, FL
407-824-4321
Manatee Critical Care Center
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
370 Zoo Pkwy
Jacksonville, FL 32218
904-757-4463
Note: The Manatee Critical Care Center is not an exhibit, but the recovery pool can seen by visitors because of its proximity to the zoo’s Wild Florida exhibit. The center will provide limited and periodic views of manatees for zoo guests and offer behind-the-scenes tours. However, there may be times manatees are not present in the pools.
Miami Seaquarium
4400 Rickenbacker Cswy
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
305-361-5705
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
4850 W. Powell Rd
Powell, OH 43065
614-645-3400
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
3400 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45220
513-961-1870
Watch Manatee Webcams
If you aren’t able to see manatees in person, you can also view them on our Webcams at Blue Spring State Park and Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
Please Note: Sharing this information does not constitute an endorsement of the facilities.