25 February 2026
Tomoka State Park
Ormond Beach, Florida
Manatees thrive in the Florida Springs.
Marc- I went bike riding along the shores of Tomoka State Park today. This is in a Manatee zone where boat speed limits are meant to be reduced to protect them. Speed limits in the nearby ICW are reduced to 25 mph, but manatees will not survive if hit by most boats at speeds in excess of 13 mph. More aggressive limits, 5-9 mph, are in place for the waters outside the ICW Channel. Unfortunately that does not apply to the Tomoka River Channel that joins the ICW near the Park.
Speed limit sign on the Tomoka River channel. Since the channel markers have been removed from the area, boaters travel at this speed all over the watershed.
Manatees are harmless gentle creatures. Their protection is worthwhile. Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act.
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