Manatee season 2026–27
Blue Spring manatee count today
Season opens in 6 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to greet me at the canoe beach as I launched the research canoe and were gone by the time I finished the count but had been replaced by one new manatee that was resting close to the canoe beach.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.
Checked for new counts twice daily · page refreshed hourly
Source: Save the Manatee Club, Blue Spring manatee sighting blog
Next cold front
Cold front: lows near 44°F Fri night. Expect a strong count the following morning.
- Mon59°
- Tue65°
- Wed62°
- Thu56°
- Fri44°
- Sat44°
- Sun49°
Overnight lows near Blue Spring from the National Weather Service. Nights at or below 45°F are the ones that fill the spring the next morning.
Book it
See the manatees from the water
The spring run is closed to swimmers all season, but St. Johns River cruises leave from inside the park and pass the mouth of the run where the manatees come and go. Book ahead on cold weekends, when the park itself reaches vehicle capacity by mid-morning.
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The count is posted each morning. We send one email on the days it passes your number, and nothing on the days it does not.
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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.
Stay nearby
Where to stay in Orange City and DeLand
Blue Spring reaches vehicle capacity by mid-morning on cold weekends. Staying five minutes away gets you in when the gate opens at 8.
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.
Pack list
What to bring for a boardwalk morning
Blue Spring and Homosassa are view-only. The animals rest under the surface, so the right optics and a warm layer make the difference between "we saw some shapes" and a great morning. Search links open Amazon. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Shop
Polarized sunglasses
Cuts the glare so you can see the manatees resting on the bottom.
- Shop
Compact binoculars, 8x or 10x
The run is wide and the boardwalk sits above it.
- Shop
Insulated thermos
The best counts come on 35°F mornings. Coffee helps.
- Shop
Camera zoom lens or a clip-on phone telephoto
Manatees keep to the far bank when the boardwalk is crowded.
- Shop
Packable insulated jacket
You will stand still for an hour over cold water.
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