Silver Springs Monkeys

Species
Rhesus macaques
Released
1930s, about six monkeys
Where
Silver River, near Ocala
From Orlando
About 1.5 hours
Best view
From a kayak or boat

Yes, there are wild monkeys in Florida, and the easiest place to see them is Silver Springs State Park near Ocala, about 1.5 hours from Orlando. Here's where they came from and how to see them.

Where did the monkeys come from?

In the 1930s, a river boat tour operator known as Colonel Tooey released about six rhesus macaques on an island in the Silver River to draw tourists. Monkeys swim, so they didn't stay on the island. The popular story that they were left over from a Tarzan movie doesn't hold up.

The colony has grown since. University of Florida researchers counted about 175 monkeys in five groups in the park in 2015, and some have since been reported miles away. Estimates now run to a few hundred.

How to see them

From the water is the best way. The monkeys hang out in the trees along the river banks.

  • Silver Springs clear kayak tour. Two hours on the Silver River in a clear kayak or on a paddleboard, with a lesson for beginners. Look down for manatees and turtles, and up for monkeys.
  • Glass-bottom boats. Silver Springs has run glass-bottom boat tours since the late 1800s. Monkeys are sometimes visible from the boats too.

Sightings aren't guaranteed. They're wild animals and go where they want.

Stay safe around the monkeys

  • Keep your distance. The park posts safety advisories, and macaques can get aggressive when people get close.
  • Never feed them. Feeding is illegal and teaches them to approach people.
  • Stay in your kayak. Don't paddle up to the banks to get a closer photo.

Manatees too

Silver Springs' water is clear and a constant temperature, so manatees show up in the cooler months. If manatees are the main goal, see where to see manatees near Orlando.

Getting there

  • Distance: about 1.5 hours northwest of Orlando, near Ocala.
  • Kayak tour meeting spot: the south end of the state park lot. Follow the kayak and SUP launch signs, and don't enter the park.
  • Make a day of it: other springs near Orlando are on the way.

See every Orlando deal

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there monkeys at Silver Springs?

Yes. A few hundred wild rhesus macaques live along the Silver River, descended from about six released in the 1930s.

Were the Silver Springs monkeys from a Tarzan movie?

Probably not, despite the popular story. The documented history is that a river boat tour operator released them to attract tourists.

Is it safe to see the monkeys?

Yes, from a distance. Don't approach or feed them; feeding is illegal and they can get aggressive.

How far is Silver Springs from Orlando?

About 1.5 hours northwest, near Ocala.

See the Monkeys from a Clear Kayak

A two-hour guided paddle on the Silver River, with manatees below and monkeys on the banks.

See the Kayak TourSprings near Orlando

More editorial coverage from Adventures in Orlando and the full blog archive.