Can you swim in Blue Springs?
Blue Spring offers snorkeling in a crystal-clear spring run. Swimming with the manatees is not permitted. Children and non-swimmers should be accompanied by an adult swimmer at all times. No lifeguards are on duty.
Are there still manatees at Blue Springs?
Blue Spring is a designated Manatee Refuge and the winter home to a growing population of West Indian Manatees. During our famous manatee season, which approximately runs from mid-November through March, several hundred manatee can be viewed atop the spring’s overlooks.
How many manatees are in Blue Springs today?
The river temp today was 58.1° F (14.5° C). We counted 471 manatees. The park staff counted 437.
When can you see manatees at Blue Springs?
Manatees at Blue Spring State Park From mid-November to March, hundreds of manatees congregate in the spring run to seek shelter from the cold. It’s a truly unforgettable sight to see so many of these iconic animals in one place.
Are there alligators in Blue Springs?
Are There Alligators At Gilchrist Blue Springs? There are signs to beware of alligators at Gilchrist Blue Springs, but they are mainly in the spring run beyond the swimming barrier or in other parts of the park.
Are there alligators in the springs?
Alligators certainly come into springs. I grew up in DeLand Florida and in 2015 a 61 year old man was killed in Blue Springs by a very large gator. There are even videos on YouTube showing the alligator resting under a log in Blue Springs.
How deep is Blue Springs Florida?
Description: The spring is 120 feet deep, but only certified cave divers are allow to dive to that depth. Open water certified divers can dive to 60 feet where they would see a big warning sign bolted down at the mouth of the cave telling them to heed the warning and turn back.
Are Florida springs too cold for alligators?
The water is too cold for them! The Ichetucknee River -due to it’s spring fed source- stays a consistent 72 to 73 degrees year round. Alligators are ectothermic- they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature.
How deep is Blue Springs FL?
Why should you not touch manatees?
You are not supposed to touch manatees because that can trigger a change in behavior in the animals. Manatees are already an imperiled species because of their easygoing and curious nature, which predisposes them to several risks including being mowed down by speed boats.
Are there alligators in Blue Springs State Park?
How cold is Blue Springs water?
Blue Springs State Park gets its name from the natural spring that pumps 3,600 gallons of water per minute into two swimming areas. The water temperature is 68 degrees year-round.
Is there alligators in Blue Springs Florida?
Families were back in the clear waters of Blue Spring State Park on Wednesday, tubing and swimming down the narrow run that becomes packed with manatees every winter.