VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The start of the New Year typically means people get up and get moving to achieve their New Year’s resolutions. But for hundreds, the day was full of sitting and waiting.
What You Need To Know
There were 697 manatees counted at Blue Spring State Park on New Year’s Day
The water in the spring is 72 degrees all year round
Manatees need the warm water to survive
The line to get into Blue Spring State Park was more than an hour long for some people to see the manatees.
It’s hard to say which line was longer, the cars on the road leading into Blue Spring State Park or line of the manatees floating in the crystal-clear water.
“I’ve never seen this many manatees in my life,” said Rynae Bjerke. The official manatee count on New Year’s Day was 697. “It is something, really something to see,” Bjerke said.
Just like many Floridians, the manatees don’t like the cold. In fact, they rely on the warm water for survival, and the constant 72-degree water in the spring is a perfect fit.
“There is a lot more here this winter than last winter, I think last year there was 5 manatees in the whole river,” said Christina Rarick.
For her, it is a family tradition to see the manatees when they are in town visiting from Virginia.
She has a love of the creatures that she has passed on to her kids.
It’s a peaceful way to start the new year.
The manatees are typically there to seek shelter from the cold through March. Blue Spring State Park is open every day from 8:00 a.m. until sundown. It costs $6 per vehicle to get in. Be prepared to wait.