St. Johns River Cruise: Best Manatee Spot in Florida

Embark on a St. Johns River Nature Cruise at Blue Spring State Park, the ultimate destination for manatee sightings in Florida. Discover the rich history and diverse wildlife of the St. Johns River with our expert crew.

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Saint Johns - As we traverse this untamed wilderness, it’s important to note that sightings vary from day to day, adding an element of excitement to each voyage. Prepare to encounter a captivating array of wildlife, including majestic wading birds, gentle manatees, vibrant aquatic plant life, enchanting cypress forests, and the occasional glimpse of awe-inspiring alligators
What's Included
  • On-board restrooms
What's Not Included
  • Blue Spring State Park Entrance fee : $6 per vehicle (limit 2-8 people per vehicle)
Additional Information

Blue Spring has been acclaimed as the top location in Florida for manatee sightings. Experience the revered St. Johns River Nature Cruise, departing daily from the Blue Spring State Park harbors, a favorite among Central Florida tourists. Dive into the vast historical richness and the plentiful wildlife that the St. Johns River boasts, under the guidance of our well-informed and approachable team.

Location
2100 W French Ave
West French Avenue
Passengers arrive 1.5 hours before departure (Highly recommend) Once inside the park, report to the BOAT DOCK for check-in, 10 Mins before departure LOCATED at the lower parking lot.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(80 Ratings)
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1 star
Paultw660ca
Oct 1, 2024
DO IT!!! - LOVED IT!!! You DO NOT need to come 1.5 hours before. Maybe they meant 15 min before. We loaded 10 min before the departure time. The guides, Jenna and Claire, were great. They made the trip memorable, fun, and informative. The river itself is awesome inspiring. We didn't get to see any manatees, it's more likely to see them November to March, but we got to see some gators and other wild life. The boardwalk way is also very pretty to see the fish through the clear water. Plus try the Blue Springs Pizza near the entrance of the park. It's so good. And they have lunch specials.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Faraway30549463891
Sep 18, 2024
Great trip with friendly and knowledgeable guides - Great trip! The guides were super friendly and welcoming. They had a lot of interesting knowledge about the lake, the wildlife and the history of the area. I recommend this tour if you are visiting Mt Dora!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick_l
Aug 22, 2024
Fantastic - Guide was amazing. She was so knowledgeable and took time to show us nature and would back up if everyone didn’t see what she was showing us. You could tell she loves her job.
Review provided by Viator
Andreaeo2753to
Aug 14, 2024
Mandatory programme - A boat tour on the St. Johns River is mandatory if you are in Florida. Just pure nature. The boater explains understandably what there is to know about the flora and fauna and recognizes with trained eyes when an alligator hides in the reeds
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carly
Aug 7, 2024
Beautiful and informative - Fantastic and informative. Beautiful to see. The 2 hour trip was a bit hot and long for our children, but we really loved it and they also offer a shorter trip. We saw alligators and so many beautiful birds too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kevin_m
Jul 2, 2024
Great Tour - Great tour guide and saw lots of animals! The boat was in great shape as well. I would definitely recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Patriciamp3411ns
Jun 23, 2024
Scenic and very informative! - Took the 2 hour tour on a Sunday. There were only 4 of us on the boat. Rebecca, the tour guide and captain, did a great job getting us up close and personal with the wildlife. She pointed out many birds, turtles, alligators and manatees. She also gave us background information on other animals in the park. We even saw an owl and wild turkeys! Well worth the $30.00 cost.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
199levia
Jun 20, 2024
Serene Beauty and Very Informative - The boat ride exceeded our family's expectations. Very beautiful, serene setting. The 2 hour ride gave us plenty of picture opportunities, from the beautiful surroundings, to alligators, many bird species, and turtles! Everyone in our group enjoyed the trip, from my 8 year old to the grandparents. Worth every penny!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michaelap7678bi
May 18, 2024
The tour giver was very informative and funny to - Really enjoyed this cruise. We’re able to see many different birds and some alligators. My wife and I would definitely go again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marino_v
Sep 18, 2024
Beautiful tour - You told us we have to be 1,5 hr before the tour at the dock but this is absolutely not necessary. The guide told us that they already gave this info several times to Viator but did not change til so gat. The tour was great!
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1 Adult
December 2024
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