Photo Fiona Sunquist ©

Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park

Tel: (904) 628-2311

This is not exactly a wild site, but if you want a chance to see and photograph some of Florida’s native animals and birds close up, this is the place. One of Florida’s old tourist attractions has now been turned over to the state and currently serves as a rehabilitation center and a refuge for manatees that have been orphaned or injured in the wild. A large underwater observatory centered on a natural spring allows visitors to get a close up look at manatees and many different species of fish.

You can walk the boardwalk through modern, attractively built, photo- friendly enclosures that house black bears, bobcats, Florida panthers, otter and alligators. White pelicans, brown pelicans, whooping cranes, sandhill cranes, and flamingos are also on display and easy to photograph. Highly recommended, but be there when the park opens as it gets very crowded, and bring insect repellant.

More information on their web site

Homosassa Springs web site

top of page | back to Central Florida Region