The popular run at Blue Spring State Park reopens for the season to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City, Friday, April 3, 2026. The spring will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — A snorkeler passes over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City, Fla. The spring opened for the season Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Kayakers navigate down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — Armored catfish congregate over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — A young guest is ready to float down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Tubers float down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Snorkelers dive into the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Kayakers navigate up the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — A snorkeler passes over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — A young guest is ready to float down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Kayakers navigate over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — Armored catfish congregate at the edge of the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
A gar chills out at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — Tubers and swimmers float down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — Armored catfish congregate over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — A young guest is ready to float down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — Armored catfish congregate over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — A young guest enjoys floating down the run at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — An armored catfish swims at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
ENJOYING THE BLUE — A mabel orchard orbweaver at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday for the season and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Orchard orbweavers are common in Florida and the eastern U.S. and are harmless. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
SNORKELING THE BLUE — A snorkeler is flanked by armored catfish in the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City. The spring opened Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. Armored catfish, also called plecos, are an invasive species that harass manatees. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
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SNORKELING THE BLUE — A snorkeler passes over the boil at Blue Spring State Park, Friday, April 3, 2026, as the popular run reopens to swimmers, snorkelers, tubers and paddlers after the 2026 manatee season at the park in Orange City, Fla. The spring opened for the season Wednesday and will remain open to visitors enjoying the 72-degree water through mid-November. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)