Manatee Park and a few thoughts on Hidden Gems – Florida

My first sighting of a manatee

One heavily overused phrase in the world of travel is ‘hidden gem’. People querying on-line forums are always asking about the hidden gems of Europe, as though there’s some undiscovered part of the continent that no-one has noticed yet.

I think there are still hidden gems around, but for me they’re not really places – more serendipitous experiences, and you don’t find them on-line, but by going out and exploring.

On the drive down the Florida panhandle we’d driven straight through an area called Crystal River, which advertised manatee expeditions. I wasn’t sure – the adverts looked too good to be true, with pure waters and friendly animals swimming right up to the snorkellers – it felt like a recipe for disappointment.

Despite looking a bit slow, they’re very graceful swimmers

We’d already made a remarkably good deal on a 4* hotel reservation in Tampa, so were keen to get there and enjoy a few days of luxury after a week of driving and motels. We skipped on the manatee swimming and had a few sunny days in Tampa and Orlando.

The day we left Tampa we were heading down to the Everglades and with it being spring break the only accommodation I could find on-line was a 1*, very poorly reviewed Motel just south of Fort Lauderdale that was going to cost more per night than our current 4* suite…. With heavy hearts we left our suite and headed out early for the drive south.

Something I’d noticed on the route was an area called Manatee Park. It’s a small green area, just off the highway, alongside a narrow canal. It seemed like a good place to stop and have a late breakfast.

We arrived just as the park opened and got the first public parking space. I was ready to sit in the car, but a smiling Park Ranger came over and said we should go down the pool straight away. With a backwards glance at my breakfast and hot drink I followed H down to the water.

It was teeming with manatees.

The canal used to be the cooling water run-off for a nearby power plant, which raised the temperature of the entire river to the point that it was ideal for the warmth-loving manatees.

Manatee Park in Florida, looking towards to the old power plant

Manatees prefer water above 20C, so when the power plant closed the power company were obliged by Florida law to maintain the manatee’s environment as they’re a protected species. To do this they have to artificially heat the water to the point that it was steaming in the cold morning air.

We were approached by a well-dressed gentleman with a clipboard and a sizeable collection of cameras. He was a park volunteer who stopped by every day to chat about manatees with the park visitors. He told us a few facts then gave us a quiz. It was clearly aimed at kids, but I was still a bit pleased to get 10/10.

Our guide tells us this was a rare sight – a manatee with two calfs

Note the scars on this manatee – they’re usually caused by boat propellers

I think had we just have looked at the slightly clumsy looking animals lazily rolling around in the water that would have been enough manatees for one trip, but his description and enthusiasm  really brought them to a new level of respect.

It was his passion that inspired us to rearrange the later return route back up Florida to detour back across to Crystal River and see a few more manatees.

I’m still undecided whether Manatee Park, or our guide Wallace was the real hidden gem that day, but I’m glad we chanced across both.

A manatee blowing out air – they don’t have blowholes, so blow the air out of their notes.

Manatee Park Tips

The best time to visit Manatee Park is November to March, when the natural waterways are cooler so the artificially warm water is even more appealing to the manatees.

Entrance to the park was free, but there’s a small car-parking charge that’s worth every cent.

Check the Manatee Park website in advance to see whether the manatees are there and for all sorts of educational handouts.

Mother and calf

Hopefully related posts:

Swimming with Manatees – Homosassa, Florida In Photos: Big Cat Rescue sanctuary in Tampa, Florida Airboat Tours around the Everglades NP – Florida Kayaking round the Florida Everglades