
Orlando Manatee Encounters
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 393 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Orlando Manatee Encounters worth booking?
Orlando Manatee Encounters is a 2-hour experience in Daytona Beach, United States, from $95 per person. It scores 79 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 393 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 79 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (393)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $95 per person
Journey to Blue Spring State Park, winter home to one of Florida’s largest populations of Manatee. Witness hundreds of these "sea cows" relaxing in the spring alone. Observe these creatures from a safe distance in your k
What you get
About this experience
Journey to Blue Spring State Park, winter home to one of Florida’s largest populations of Manatee. Witness hundreds of these "sea cows" relaxing in the spring alone. Observe these creatures from a safe distance in your kayak as your Florida Master Naturalist introduces you to the flora and fauna that make up this wild area. This is a great trip for the entire family!
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Complimentary Pictures of Your Group
- Professional Guide
- Free Sticker
- Kayak, Paddle, and Life Vest
Not included
- Gratuities
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Daytona Beach
Go to the very end of French Avenue, 1 mile past the State Park entrance. DO NOT ENTER THE STATE PARK! Follow the dirt road until the end by the river.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Go to the very end of French Avenue, 1 mile past the State Park entrance. DO NOT ENTER THE STATE PARK! Follow the dirt road until the end by the river.
Options you can book
Manatee Encounter
private manatee tour (1-5pax)
Duration: 3 hours
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Adventures in Florida
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- There is no minimum age however all participants must know how to swim
- It is recommended that you bring a swimsuit, towel, waterproof camera and wear clothes that can get wet and possibly dirty
- To ensure a proper size kayak is available, please provide your individual heights and weights at the time of booking
- There is no restroom at the meeting location. There is a public restroom at Valentine Park (1511 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763) about a mile before you arrive the meeting location that we recommend you use before your tour.
- Must be comfortable sitting in a kayak for multiple hours
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 392 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
392 verified traveler reviews for Orlando Manatee Encounters. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Old Florida at its best - and you can set the pace.
A native "old Florida" tour far from the traffic and crazy theme park crowds. We saw manatees, alligators and numerous birds. One of my favorite aspects of this tour was being able to kayak at your own pace. You can take this tour as leisurely or vigorously as you want. Our guides Tia and Ryan were knowledgeable about the area, pointed out, and shared interesting information about the wildlife.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much! Tia and Ryan are great guides and love to share their knowledge with their guests. This has been our signature tour for over 30 years! We hope to see you on another tour soon.
via Tripadvisor
AWESOME 100% Recommended
You guys are awesome, I was there with my son last weekend. Tia (I think that was her name or at least that is what showed up in the text) was great. Knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. We saw a lot of great wildlife, including many Manatees and one even had her baby with her 🙂. Thank you! 100% recommended!!
Response from the operator: Thank you! This is our most popular tour due to the wildlife and local ecosystem experienced. Tia is super knowledgeable and shares it freely with her guests. We are happy you had a great adventure, and we hope you will return for another tour soon.
via Tripadvisor
Terra-ific manatee encounter
What a way to start the day! Ospreys galore, alligators drifting by, and whale-watching-style manatee spotting in the lagoon. The fact that this is only 45 mins north of Orlando is astounding, and the guiding even more so! Terra was a fountain of knowledge (including about the actual underwater fountain ;)) and a wonderful person, with a strong internal compass on what matters. Very highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you! Terra does an awesome job on her tours. She really goes all out for her guests to provide a once in a lifetime experience. This is one of our guests' favorite tours. We hope you will come back again in the future.
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic!
My first time kayaking and I LOVED it! Terra was an amazing instructor/guide. We saw so many birds, fish, manatees, and gators.
Response from the operator: Awesome! We are glad that you had a great adventure. Terra is an incredible guide and teacher. She really aims to give all of her guests experiences that they will remember for a lifetime. We hope you will come visit us again soon.
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding Guide
Giving this a four star review only because we got forced off the water due to an incoming storm. Our guide was awesome, Terra was very knowledgeable and friendly, and I will definitely rebook the trip when I am in the area again to have more time on the water.
Response from the operator: We appreciate your understanding. Although the weather is out of our control, we usually go out if it is just raining. When there is lightning in the area, we will err on the side of safety for our guests. We look forward to seeing you again!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $95 to $500
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 138
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 79
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Orlando Manatee Encounters: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Daytona Beach.
How much does Orlando Manatee Encounters cost?
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Prices start at $95 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Daytona Beach usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Orlando Manatee Encounters take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Daytona Beach is not rushed.
Is Orlando Manatee Encounters worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 79 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 393 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Daytona Beach, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Orlando Manatee Encounters?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Orlando Manatee Encounters suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Orlando Manatee Encounters?
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Around 138 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Daytona Beach can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Daytona Beach and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Orlando Manatee Encounters start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Daytona Beach within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Daytona Beach?
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Daytona Beach combines Daytona International Speedway tours and ride-alongs with beach days on hard-packed sand, airboat rides, dolphin cruises and St Augustine day trips. On Outty we rank every Daytona Beach experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Daytona Beach Dolphin & Manatee Tour – Paddleboard or Kayak, New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure Tour, Polynesian Fire and Dinner Show Ticket in Daytona Beach. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Daytona Beach?
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March to May and September to November. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Daytona Beach?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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