Where to see wild manatees in Florida State parks, refuges offer viewing opportunities
Winter is here and with it comes herds of sea cows seeking refuge from frigid waters in the Sunshine State's crystal clear springs.
Much like most Floridians, manatees don't do well in the cold, so when temperatures start to drop, they flock to warmer waters. This means the winter months are the perfect time to see wild manatees at local state parks and wildlife refuges, where spring water hovers right around 70 degrees all year round.
[Download the free PinPoint Wx app for iPhone and Android ]
Below is a list of manatee spots across the state where you can see wild manatees migrating away from the cold. The chilly weather rarely lasts long in Florida, so if you miss out during the winter months, click here to see a list locations with captive manatees available for viewing.
Copyright 2016 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.
‘Breaking Bad on steroids:’ Florida sheriff details seizure of 92,000 pounds of drugs, arsenal of weapons ▶ 0:57
‘Breaking Bad on steroids:’ Florida sheriff details seizure of 92,000 pounds of drugs, arsenal of weapons
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’ ▶ 1:03
Orlando pastry chef brings Brazilian flavors to Food Network’s ‘Holiday Baking Championship’
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney ▶ 1:16
🌳Discover the Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park: Family-friendly aerial adventure minutes from Disney
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations ▶ 0:48
Tavares eyes fines, permits for garage sale violations
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨ ▶ 0:48
Central Florida’s newest Trader Joe’s is officially open!🛒✨
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers ▶ 0:35
Secret Service launches crackdown on EBT fraud, targets credit card skimmers
Port Canaveral now the most-visited cruise terminal in the world, leaders announce ▶ 0:47
Port Canaveral now the most-visited cruise terminal in the world, leaders announce
1 injured in Sanford house fire ▶ 0:47
1 injured in Sanford house fire
Most powerful rocket ever made coming to KSC ▶ 0:59
Most powerful rocket ever made coming to KSC
Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost Park ▶ 0:50
Cyber Monday shifts to Giving Tuesday as Salvation Army to host world’s largest red kettle at Cranes Roost Park
Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne display ▶ 0:40
Who would do a thing like this? Enormous Christmas bulbs missing from downtown Melbourne display
SunRail expands late-night service with 2 new trains. Here’s what to know ▶ 1:04
SunRail expands late-night service with 2 new trains. Here’s what to know
Amazon in Orlando expects almost double the packages for Cyber Monday ▶ 0:41
Amazon in Orlando expects almost double the packages for Cyber Monday
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage ▶ 0:49
‘Stand Your Ground’ cited after fatal Seminole County shooting stems from apparent road rage
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera. ▶ 1:26
A Door Dash driver uses the 5-second rule on some unknowing customers. It’s caught on a doorbell camera.
Healthcare relief for thousands of Seniors in The Villages ▶ 0:30
Healthcare relief for thousands of Seniors in The Villages
‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-up ▶ 0:26
‘Just feels magical:’ How Park Avenue in Winter Park gets its holiday glow-up
Warm start to week before Thanksgiving cooldown in Central Florida. Here’s the timing ▶ 0:59
Warm start to week before Thanksgiving cooldown in Central Florida. Here’s the timing
‘The Midnight Stalker:’ Mystery surrounds masked person leaving wood, money on Florida front porches ▶ 0:58
‘The Midnight Stalker:’ Mystery surrounds masked person leaving wood, money on Florida front porches
Shots fired at Deltona home after attempted break-in, deputies say ▶ 0:45
Shots fired at Deltona home after attempted break-in, deputies say
Sisters find mother’s Ocala apartment emptied days after her death ▶ 0:29
Sisters find mother’s Ocala apartment emptied days after her death
16-year-old stepbrother ‘is a suspect’ in Titusville teen’s death on cruise ship, court documents show ▶ 0:26
16-year-old stepbrother ‘is a suspect’ in Titusville teen’s death on cruise ship, court documents show
Pregnancy and parking: Florida’s new law could make finding spots harder ▶ 0:43
Pregnancy and parking: Florida’s new law could make finding spots harder
Roblox steps up age checks and groups younger users into age-based chats ▶ 0:31
Roblox steps up age checks and groups younger users into age-based chats
Previous photo Next photo 