Blue Spring State Park
The best place to see wild West Indian manatees in winter, with hundreds gathering in the warm spring water. Watch them from the wooden boardwalk.
Blue Spring State Park is in the town of Orange City, about 55 km north of Orlando. The spring stays around 22°C year-round. When the St. Johns River cools in winter, large numbers of West Indian manatees swim into the spring run to escape the cold, making it Florida's largest manatee wintering site. A wooden boardwalk along the spring run allows close-up viewing, and swimming is prohibited during manatee season in winter. In summer, visitors can swim, snorkel and go boating. Entry is charged per vehicle, and winter weekends often reach capacity, so arrive early. The park also has a 19th-century Thomas House that can be visited.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00 until sunset
Nearby sights
- Wekiwa Springs State Park
- Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art
- Winter Park & Park Avenue
- Orlando Science Center
- Harry P. Leu Gardens
- Lake Eola Park
- Universal Studios Florida
- Universal CityWalk Orlando