Wildlife

[bridget]

Wow, thanks. They sound great - they'll definitely be on my list of things to do!
Thanks again
Bridge

[firsttimer]

If you go to Cape Kennedy, there is a nature reserve nearby. It closes at about 4 pm, but there is a drive route, and there is a manatee viewing point.
When you are at Cape Kennedy, go to the information desk and ask for a leaflet on Merriot Island nature reserve and the manatees. When you drive onto the island there is a shelter and information post. Stop at this for leaflets too.
We went to the viewing point and saw several manatees. Watch out for bubbles and water currents if none are immediatel visible. The water was pretty churned up so no really clear views (go to sea world for them), but it was a thrill.

There is a wildlife page on this site- Florida Wildlife http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide/wildlife.asp

by the way theyre are lots of useful planning pages at http://www.orlandovillas.com/florida_guide.asp

[Robert5988]

I would also recommend Merritt Island Reserve. Less than an hour from Orlando. Exit 220 off the I 95. Birds by the thousand, alligators, manatees, fish and dolphins in the canals – and its free.

Its pretty big and there are no refreshments in the Reserve so take some with you.

[firsttimer]

We saw dolphins in the sea as we drove over the causeway to Cape Kennedy- but you can't park there. You can also see pelicans there.

This is the website for Meritt Island
http://merrittisland.fws.gov/

[chrisj]

We saw lots of dolphins in the Gulf coast when we were there (Clearwater). think its nicer to
see them in their natural environment

[sandra777]

Hi

We spent a wonderful paddling and drifting down the Weeki Wachee river in cannoes after seeing earlier reviews on these forums. You go down river for about 3 or 4 hours after which the cannoe company pick you up and take you back to the car park. We saw a huge variety of wildlife but no Manatee's (I'm told they go out to sea in summer). The cannoe company have a web site at www.floridacanoe.com

[dazzyb]

Blue Springs. (Just over an hours drive)Near Deland is great for wildlife. It is a state park so very cheap to get in. You can also take a guided boat trip. (2hrs but well worth it) You will see loads of gators, turtles, cranes, eagles and you can fish, hire a canoe/kayak. Plus you can swim in the springs (72 degrees). A fantastic day out and very uncommercialised.

[bridget]

I'd love to hire a canoe but the thought of bumping my oar onto an aligator's snout terrifies me. What are the chances? [msnscared]

[Kickstart]

Slim

[dazzyb]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by bridget
I'd love to hire a canoe but the thought of bumping my oar onto an aligator's snout terrifies me. What are the chances? [msnscared]
[/quote]Slim and none and Slim just took the last train outta town[msncool]