Blue Springs Manatee Tour

2398 West French Avenue,Orange City FL 32763

19 December, 2020

Description

Paddle with Manatees! With temperatures at a constant 72 degrees, manatees migrate to Blue Springs, a designated refuge for them. From November to March, hundreds of manatees make their way to the warmer waters of the spring, which is converted into a sanctuary, making this a popular spot to view them in their natural habitat. Located just north of Orlando, we’ll launch on the beautiful St. Johns River, with a natural, old-Florida setting abundant with birds, fish, turtles, and bordered by lush cypress trees. A short paddle will bring us to the sanctuary entrance where we'll hang out for an up-close and personal encounter with these curious creatures! The gentle giants are infatuated with paddleboards and often come over to say hello - surfacing to look at us, nosing the boards, or scratching their backs on the bottom! What a special and memorable experience to connect with this protected marine mammal - trip photos included! But the adventure doesn't stop there. We'll beach our boards at the park and hike the boardwalk that borders the spring run about 10 minutes back to the gorgeous turquoise spring head. There are viewing decks all along the way to gaze at these sea cows in the crystal clear spring water. The park has a country store for anyone who wishes to purchase refreshments. After the hike we'll launch the boards once more and paddle the river to return, taking in the beautiful setting and spotting manatees and other wildlife along the way. Paddle Skill Level: All Levels. Instruction provided for beginners. Must know how to swim. Kids 12 and under may ride along for free with a parent. This outdoor activity is a great way to socialize while maintaining physical distance on individual paddle crafts. Bring: Water, towel, dry bag, snacks, mask & cash (if you want to use the public restroom and/or purchase any items at the park's country store), dry change of clothes. Alcohol is not permitted in the state park. If you're bringing your own paddle craft, a life vest and whistle are required by law. Wear: sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (with croakies), wear something that is easy to move in and can get wet (like dry wicking workout clothes or swimwear). Guide: Jessica Cichra is a SUP enthusiast that has been actively paddle touring, racing, surfing, and instructing since 2009. She is the founder of Wave of Wellness, a company with a mission to empower clients through adventurous activities that enhance all areas of well-being with a focus on travel, SUP, yoga, and community. Jessica guides paddle tours in the greater Orlando area and internationally on adventure travel retreats. She is also an industry representative as a sponsored ambassador/athlete for prAna, Glide SUP, Local Honey Designs, and Maui Jim. Tips are highly appreciated if you believe your instruction, service, and experience to be exceptional! IMPORTANT: In the event of inclement weather, you will be notified via Eventbrite email at least 3 hours prior to start time of a reschedule. We only reschedule so your experience will be safe and enjoyable. *Because we can’t control nature, manatee encounters are not guaranteed. This is definitely a place they frequent and if we’re lucky we will paddle with them!