Manatee season 2026–27
Blue Spring manatee count today
Off season · opens in 58 days (Nov 15 – Mar 1)
Latest morning roll call
2manatees
Counted March 26, 2026 · river 71.2°F
“The river was up to 71.2°F (21.8°C) and the manatee count dropped to two. They came to greet me at the canoe beach as I launched the research canoe and were gone by the time I finished the count but had been replaced by one new manatee that was resting close to the canoe beach. None were adoptees. One turkey was walking around in the parking lot – usually we see them in a flock, but only one today.” — Cora
That is the final count of last season. Daily counts resume when the run closes to swimmers on Nov 15.
Source: Save the Manatee Club, Blue Spring manatee sighting blog
Season rules at Blue Spring
The spring and spring run close to all water activity (swimming, snorkeling, diving, paddling) from November 15 through March 1 so the manatees can rest. The boardwalk stays open.
- Official window
- Nov 15 – Mar 1
- In the water
- Closed to swimmers in season
- Park hours
- 8 AM – sundown
Where to see them
- The elevated boardwalk along the spring run, from the St. Johns River confluence to the headspring.
- Blue Spring Adventures river cruises on the St. Johns, which run year-round.
Best time
The first cold mornings after a front, from late December through February. Arrive when the gate opens; the park reaches vehicle capacity by mid-morning on cold weekends.
For scale
The record morning count at Blue Spring is 932 manatees on January 21, 2024. Record morning count, on a 58.8°F river after a cold front. Source.
Recent morning counts
| Date | Manatees | River temp |
|---|---|---|
| March 26, 2026 | 2 | 71.2°F |
| March 25, 2026 | 13 | 70.7°F |
| March 24, 2026 | 10 | 70.3°F |
| March 23, 2026 | 31 | 70.2°F |
| March 21, 2026 | not stated | 69.8°F |
| March 20, 2026 | not stated | 70.5°F |
| March 19, 2026 | not stated | 71.8°F |
| March 18, 2026 | 9 | 72.9°F |
| March 16, 2026 | not stated | 76.1°F |
| March 13, 2026 | 2 | 77.2°F |
| March 12, 2026 | 0 | 78.1°F |
| March 11, 2026 | not stated | 77.4°F |
| March 10, 2026 | not stated | 76.5°F |
| March 9, 2026 | not stated | 75.7°F |
Counts are the park’s morning roll call as published by Save the Manatee Club, Blue Spring manatee sighting blog.
Recent reports· from people on site
No recent reports yet — be the first to report conditions.
Common questions
- How many manatees are at Blue Spring today?
- Park staff count the run every morning in season and Save the Manatee Club posts the roll call. This page shows the latest published count with its date. On warm days most animals leave to feed, so the number swings with the weather; the largest counts follow cold fronts.
- Can you swim with manatees at Blue Spring?
- No. The spring run is a manatee refuge and closes to all water activity from November 15 through March 1. Swimming season runs the rest of the year, when manatees are rarely present.
- What time should I arrive?
- At the 8 a.m. opening on cold mornings. The park closes its gate to new vehicles once the lot fills, which happens by mid-morning on cold weekends and holidays.
- How far is Blue Spring from Orlando?
- About 35 miles and 45 minutes north of downtown Orlando, in Orange City. It is the closest winter manatee refuge to the theme-park corridor.
Other manatee springs
Sources
- Florida State Parks: Manatees at Blue Spring State Park
- Save the Manatee Club: Blue Spring manatee sighting blog
Full profile: Blue Spring State Park