Are there manatees at Homosassa Springs year-round?

Yes. The park keeps rescued manatees that cannot be released, so there are always animals in the spring. Wild manatees add to them from roughly November through March.

What does Homosassa Springs cost?

Admission is $13 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12; under 5 is free. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, with the last ticket sold at 4:45 p.m.

Can you swim at Homosassa Springs?

No. It is an observation park with no public water access. For an in-water encounter, Crystal River is 20 minutes north.

Manatee season 2026–27

Manatees at Homosassa Springs

Season opens in 6 days (Nov 15 – Mar 31)

Is there a daily count?

Homosassa Springs does not publish a daily manatee count. Season status is shown above; the visitor reports below are the freshest signal, and the Blue Spring count is the best statewide proxy for how many animals cold weather has pushed into the springs.

See today’s Blue Spring count →

Next cold front

Cold front: lows near 45°F Fri night. Expect a strong count the following morning.

Mon58°
Tue64°
Wed64°
Thu56°
Fri45°
Sat43°
Sun48°

Overnight lows near Homosassa Springs from the National Weather Service. Nights at or below 45°F are the ones that fill the spring the next morning.

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Manatee tours near Homosassa

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is view-only, but the Homosassa River and Crystal River, fifteen minutes north, both run swim-with and paddle tours. Pair the park in the afternoon with a dawn tour.

Homosassa tours on Viatorkayak and swim-with options Crystal River tours on GetYourGuide15 minutes north

Crystal River operators

Published public-tour prices as of September 2026. Every operator below runs licensed captains and in-water guides under the refuge rules.

Bird's Underwater$59.95
to $65 Nov–Apr
Lowest published price and three daily departures
Visit site
Fun 2 Dive$70.95
semi-private from $89.95
Photos, and the $425 semi-private boat for six
Visit site
Manatee Swim Center$75
$50 observer
Mixed groups, thanks to the observer fare
Visit site

Compare all six operators, prices, and boats →

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Tell me when Homosassa Springs manatee season is on

One email when the season opens, one when the first big cold front pushes the animals in, and nothing else.

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Season rules at Homosassa Springs

A wildlife park with no public water access: manatees are viewed from the Fish Bowl underwater observatory and the spring-side bleachers. Resident, non-releasable manatees live here year-round; wild manatees join them in winter.

Official window: Nov 15 – Mar 31
In the water: No public water access
Park hours: Daily 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (last ticket 4:45 p.m.)

Where to see them

The Fish Bowl underwater observatory in the main spring (reopened October 2025 after storm repairs).
Ranger manatee programs at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. daily, included with admission.

Best time

Any day for the residents. For wild manatees, cold mornings from December through February. The park is a reliable choice on a day when Blue Spring or Three Sisters is at capacity or closed.

Stay nearby

Where to stay in Homosassa

Homosassa is ten minutes from the state park and fifteen from the Crystal River docks, with quieter river cottages.

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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.

Polarized sunglasses
Cuts the glare so you can see the manatees resting on the bottom.
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Compact binoculars, 8x or 10x
The run is wide and the boardwalk sits above it.
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Insulated thermos
The best counts come on 35°F mornings. Coffee helps.
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Camera zoom lens or a clip-on phone telephoto
Manatees keep to the far bank when the boardwalk is crowded.
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Packable insulated jacket
You will stand still for an hour over cold water.
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Common questions

Are there manatees at Homosassa Springs year-round?: Yes. The park keeps rescued manatees that cannot be released, so there are always animals in the spring. Wild manatees add to them from roughly November through March.
What does Homosassa Springs cost?: Admission is $13 for adults and $5 for children 6 to 12; under 5 is free. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, with the last ticket sold at 4:45 p.m.
Can you swim at Homosassa Springs?: No. It is an observation park with no public water access. For an in-water encounter, Crystal River is 20 minutes north.

Other manatee springs

Sources

Full profile: Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park