Port Canaveral is a stop, can we see Manatees?

[shepherdqueen]

Does the Coco Beach shuttle being you near the manatees or should we rent a car to do this? The ship excursion pontoon boost is ridiculously pricy. Thanks for your help.

[BlueHerons]

Does the Coco Beach shuttle being you near the manatees or should we rent a car to do this? The ship excursion pontoon boost is ridiculously pricy. Thanks for your help.

 

I think a nice outing would be to rent a car and head south.

 

FP&L has a free manatee viewing exhibit at Riviera Beach.

 

http://www.visitmanateelagoon.com/

 

While it is a two hour drive, you can drive over Lake Worth and have a great lunch at Sailfish Marina.

 

http://www.sailfishmarina.com/

[Swampbabe]

You can see manatees in any canal in Brevard County. No need to drive for two hours. Manatee Sanctuary Park is right in Cape Canaveral.

 

Edit to add:

http://fun4spacecoastkids.com/Fun-Around-Town/Eco-Tours/

Edited March 8, 2016 by Swampbabe
addition

[SteerageJoe]

Does the Coco Beach shuttle being you near the manatees or should we rent a car to do this? The ship excursion pontoon boost is ridiculously pricy. Thanks for your help.

 

The shuttle buses take you to the beach/Ron Jon area and (optional) to Cocoa Village across the bridge. You will not be within walking distance of manatee walking areas.

 

They prefer warmer water and sightings near the Port are better from April to November. During the warm months they pop up everywhere! You can see them near the lock at the Port or anywhere along the inland waters.

 

The cruise ships use Island Boat Lines that depart next to Sunset Grill restaurant. Regular rates are $28 per person and we've seen manatees real close on the rides in the 1000 Island area. You will not find cheaper tours I believe, but there are several wildlife tour companies such as Wildside Tours to book with.

 

With a rental car you can visit the many neighborhood parks starting at Manatee Cove on the way to Kennedy Space Center. You can drive further north to the Manatee Observation Deck north of the Space Center.

 

In the south near Cocoa Beach you can visit Manatee Sanctuary Park and Ramp Road.

 

If you rent kayaks or SUPs you will surely see them at any of these places! Just call any of the rental shops in the Cocoa Beach area.

[shepherdqueen]

Thank you! Being from the north, this is something i have always wanted to see!

[Corvette06]

There is a bad brown algae bloom in both the Indian River and the Banana River. You can not see 6 inches down into the water.:mad:

[shepherdqueen]

Oh wow :-( thank you for this heads up.