Step off the beaten path and swim with manatees!
Orlando is known for its mega theme parks like Disney, Universal and SeaWorld, yet the central Florida area has more than its share of other attractions to fetch your interest. Outdoor lovers can find plenty of activity during these winter months - from championship golf and tennis to canoeing, hiking or even swimming with rare manatees.
Every winter, manatees gather in the warmer (72 degrees) waters produced by Florida’s underground springs or power plants. Although these gentle sea creatures are endangered, there are several places just a short drive from Orlando where you can see or enjoy interactive swimming encounters. One such area is the Crystal River on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The Crystal River is home to the largest natural manatee sanctuary and the biggest herd in Florida. Various tours offer you easy access to the manatees while providing useful advice on how to best enjoy your encounter without putting any undue stress on the animals. Another area close to Orlando is the Homosassa River where the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park offers a shallow, sandy-bottomed river with clear waters that make for great photos.
Traveling northeast from Orlando, another excellent spot for viewing manatees is Blue Springs State Park, located just off Interstate-4. Park rangers keep track of the manatee count on a daily basis and a boardwalk area offers excellent views of the springs where you may find dozens of these magnificent creatures just below your feet. Signs and photographs show markings on the backs of various manatees - many of which are scars from passing boat propellers. These scars help researches keep track of specific manatees from year to year.
