Homosassa Springs & the Manatees: Florida’s Gentle Giants

Dave

Daves Faves, Orlando Theme Parks & Beyond

5th February 2026

4 minutes

The park is a fantastic retreat from the hustle and bustle of Orlando, Mickey Mouse and the general madness of theme park life. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can see manatees in their natural environment.

Manatees: Florida’s Gentle Giants

Manatees, often known as sea cows, are large aquatic mammals native to Florida and parts of the Caribbean and South America.

They can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,200 pounds, yet they are incredibly gentle, slow-moving animals. Manatees are herbivores, spending most of their time grazing on aquatic plants, seagrass and vegetation.

They are found in places like Homosassa Springs because of the constant water temperature. The springs stay at around 72°F (22°C) year-round, making them a vital warm-water refuge, especially during cooler months when manatees migrate inland to avoid cold ocean temperatures.

Sadly, manatees are classed as a threatened species. Boat strikes, habitat loss and water pollution have all contributed to population declines, making protected areas like Homosassa Springs incredibly important.

Arriving by Boat

Arrival at the park is part of the experience. After parking at the visitor centre, you board a flat-bottomed boat that gently carries you through Florida waterways and forest into the heart of the park.

It’s a calm, scenic introduction and immediately sets the tone for a much slower, more relaxed kind of day.

Florida Wildlife Up Close

According to the park’s website:

“This Florida State Park is a showcase for Florida’s native wildlife in a natural setting of woods and wetlands. Stroll along the Wildlife Walk to view black bears, foxes, river otters, bobcats, key deer and hundreds of birds. Endangered species include a Florida panther, red wolves, and two whooping cranes.”

We didn’t see quite all of that list, but we did spot a few alligators and some impressively colourful birds along the way — more than enough to keep us entertained.

Meeting the Manatees

The real reason we’d come, though, was to see the manatees — and they didn’t disappoint.

It’s hard to describe something that’s ten feet long, weighs over half a tonne, and resembles a trunkless elephant with flippers as beautiful… but they really are magnificent creatures.

To be honest, before researching our Florida holiday, I probably couldn’t have told you what a manatee actually was. I don’t think I’d ever read about them or seen one before.

Homosassa Springs has underwater viewing areas where you can watch these huge mammals glide slowly through the murky water as they’re fed lettuce and cabbage by eager visitors.

From the side they look prehistoric and slightly odd. From the front, though, they somehow resemble huge bald dogs — and against all odds, they’re actually quite cute.

A Relaxed Afternoon in Nature

After spending time watching the manatees, we wandered the trails for the rest of the afternoon, spotting birds, the occasional gator, and generally enjoying the Florida sunshine.

It was calm, quiet and unhurried — the complete opposite of a day spent in a theme park queue.

Final Thoughts

If you ever find yourself in Florida and anywhere near Homosassa Springs, you’d be foolish to miss a visit.

You’ll almost certainly never see a manatee in the UK, and seeing them here — in clear, spring-fed water, in a protected environment — was one of the most memorable wildlife experiences of the entire trip.