Probably the best place to see Manatees in the fantastic surroundings of the beautiful, natural countryside
These gentle giants of the mammal family make their way into the warm waters of Blue Spring –which is a lovely 72 degrees –when the winter comes and the St Johns River gets chilly.
They have no natural predators -only man- but as a result of them being curious and unafraid they will quite often swim up to a diver to have a “look see”. This brings them into contact with boat rudders and accidents happen so they are now an endangered species and as such protected by law .In fact quite often any marks on their bodies have been made this way.
In Blue Spring you can see these magnificent creature in close quarters as they lie on the bottom of the clear waters of the spring. They are slow moving so there is plenty of time to see them slowly making their way along the bed eating the marine life and freshwater plants they will find there.
As they only visit in the cooler temperatures they usually start to migrate to the warm waters in mid November and stay until about March. They can be observed from a boardwalk that runs along the length of the spring. Once they are there the park offers an education programme, which is on daily in the building nearby.
If you are a qualified scuba diver then on registration between the hours of 8 AM. and 3PM, with an up-to-date certification card and a partner you too can enjoy the waters.
Not only is Blue Spring great for Manatee spotting but there are also other activities to enjoy.
Why not hire a canoe and go for a paddle on the St. Johns River or get your self a fishing licence from Walmart and indulge in a spot of Bass catching- all from the pier.
For those who enjoy a walk then there are Nature Trails through out the park so you can see the beauty of the land as enjoyed by Florida's earliest residents. A self-guided boardwalk takes visitors through a lush hammock to Blue Spring a trail of approximately 4 miles.
Why not pack your self a picnic and enjoy lunch one day in the original parks of Florida -there are tables for you to sit and enjoy the scenery and BBQ’s are provided but you need to take charcoal
Where is it and how to get there.
Blue Spring State Park
2100 West French Avenue
Orange City, Florida 32763
Phone: 386-775-3663
Hours of Operation
Blue Spring State Park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown 365 days a year and cost a mere $5 per vehicle to get in- now that has to be one of the best bargains to be had in the area !
Driving Directions Take exit 114 off Interstate 4 and follow the signs. Go south on 17-92 to Orange City, about 2.5 miles. Make a right onto West French Avenue.