Timing Your Tarpon Springs Adventure: Finding the Perfect Manatee Moment
Kayaking isn’t just a means of transportation – it is a restorative, relaxing, and fun way to experience the environment! At Get Up And Go Kayaking- Tarpon Springs, we’ve prepared a short guide to help you determine what time (and what weather!) will be best for your clear kayak adventure style. We’ve also included tips and tricks for boosting your chances of seeing manatees, so read on if you’re looking to encounter these gentle giants in the wild!
Choosing the Best Tour Time
Everyone has their own personal preferences when it comes to paddling conditions: some prefer first thing in the morning to kickstart their day with adventure, and others prefer to wind down in the afternoon with a relaxing paddle. At Tarpon Springs, you have three potential times to explore ensuring that, no matter your preference, you’ll be able to get up and go! Let’s break down the highlights of each time:
1. Morning Magic
Mornings in Tarpon Springs are peaceful, with the early morning sun peeking up over the spires of the historic Victorian mansions and the Sponge Docks just beginning to bustle for the day. Soak in the tranquility of the mornings by taking the 9 am tour, which is perfect for beating Florida heat on warmer days! During our colder days in January and February, the 9 am tour gives you the opportunity to experience the relaxation of waking up with the environment, and gets you back in time for a fantastic lunch at one of the fantastic Greek restaurants at the Sponge Docks, or some more midday fun downtown!
2. Midday Memories
While the 9 am tour gives you a fresh start on your day of adventure, maybe you’re more interested in sleeping in. Don’t worry- we get it! When you’re on vacation, the goal is to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body, and a good night’s rest is the best way to do it. Start your day a little slower with breakfast and a pastry from one of the numerous amazing bakeries around town, then join us on the 12pm tour! The noon tour boasts our warmest temperatures, and strongest sunlight. This means that you’ll have the best possible visibility for photos and videos during this time! If you’re looking to capture your family encountering manatees for the first time, or perhaps have your guide snap a couple photos of you paddling your clear kayak for Instagram, this is the perfect tour time for you. Afterwards, when you head back to dock at the Belle Harbor Marina, you can spend the rest of the day exploring Tarpon Springs’s history and museums, like the Safford House Museum. Download the free Florida Stories app to take a walking tour of Tarpon Springs to find out more about the amazing history of the sponging industry that put Tarpon Springs on the map!
3. Afternoon Adventures
If you’ve already planned a full itinerary for your day in Tarpon Springs, but are looking for something to do before dinner, then our 3 pm tour is perfect for you! Enjoy the scenic area as the sun turns the sky golden, and learn about Tarpon history and ecology alike as we paddle through the Anclote Islands Management Area and into Spring Bayou. While temperatures cool off from the midday heat, enjoy winding down with the environment as you relax surrounded by nature. Your guide will fill you in on some of the highlights of the area and amazing facts about the birds, fish, and mammals you see while paddling, which makes for a great dinner discussion! When you’re back at the docks, consider grabbing a bite at Hella’s Restaurant and Bakery, or Dimitri’s on the Water.
Whenever you choose to paddle Tarpon, our five-star rated guides will make sure to give you the best possible experience!
What about the weather?
If you stuck around this long, that means you’re serious about spying some manatees! These gentle giants make their special seasonal debut at Tarpon Springs yearly from November through March, when Florida is experiencing fall & winter. Manatees often use Tarpon Springs as a pitstop along their journey towards warm water refuges found throughout central and coastal Florida, which is why so many of them can be seen on our tours! Tarpon Springs Boasts a warmer water temperature than the surrounding waters thanks to an underwater spring that connects to Lake Tarpon, allowing warmer freshwater to enter the ecosystem.
So, if you’re looking to see plenty of manatees on your clear kayak adventure, schedule your tour for a cold day! Manatees congregate in Spring Bayou to stay warm, and your chances of seeing them increases the colder it is outside. Always remember, manatees are wild animals, and are listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Practice good manatee manners by staying calm, raising your paddles out of the water when manatees are near, and speaking softly. Never touch, pet, feed or water manatees, as getting them familiarized with human contact puts them at risk. When we keep them wild, we keep them safe!
Curious about booking a tour? Check out our live-updated calendar for available tour dates and times! If you have any questions, drop us an email at TampaBay@GetUpAndGoKayaking.com , or give us a call/ text at 727-353-2148. We can’t wait to paddle with you!