Jungle Cruise at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - Old Florida Attraction & Wild Animal Zoo

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is home to Florida's original Jungle Cruise and has an original underwater observatory. It's Jubgle Cruise 2019 but This old Florida roadside attraction is also a filming location for some Walt Disney Films. This beautiful state park and wildlife sanctuary is home to many animals. Manatees, Alligators, Bald Eagles, Fish, and a 59 year old hippo named Lu are among some of the many animals you will see here at this Old Florida wildlife Zoo. Let's take another outdoor adventure in what I like to call Old and vintage Florida. There is so much to see and so much ahead.
Thank you for watching

[@jancollins69]

29 years I'm in FL and didn't know about this place and I have been to a lot of springs. You are just delightful and I love your vlogs. Thank you Jan Collins 🤗💖

[@michellebutler3467]

My grandma and grand dad moved to Homosassa back in the 70s and we use to spend the summers there!!! We always went to the Attractions, Wikki watchie, sea world and other great places. There also use to be a place called the Blue Hole. I loved the Blue Hole swimming hole!Great memories

[@TampaJay]

I forgot to mention that admission is only $13. It includes the jungle cruise and entry to the wildlife park. Thank you for watchhng! I hope you have a most excellent day :)

[@paceflchick]

Great tunes Tampa!!

[@rf-bh3fh]

oldest cruze in Florida is in Silver Springs but Homosassa goes back to the 50's

[@themadviking5746]

The boat ride doesn't go to the Monkey Island any more ?

[@sherryosborn5583]

Wow! Great place! Enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks Tampa Jay scary sherry

[@Dani702]

The squirrel eating the Cheeto made my morning. What a cool place. So much to see, do, and learn. I love places like this. Florida is beautiful! Great job at showing us around. I'd love to visit someday.

[@TampaJay]

Ha ha Squirrels are smart little critters, adorable little creatures. Thank you Dani :)

[@marypettyfer4640]

One of those good for the soul days beautiful thankyou for sharing 😊😚😚😚😚😚

[@TampaJay]

Thank you too Mary. I am so happy you enjoyed it

[@minutemark]

What an interesting place. So peaceful! I couldn't believe that you captured a video of that fish repetitively jumping out of the water like that. That was pretty sweet. Much ahead...Can't wait!

[@123brovko]

Well done! Great to see beautiful Florida places other than the big threme parks...even a jungle cruise without the backside of water! Thanks much!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you Kevin! These are my favorite types of places to explore. I’m happy enjoyed the video my friend. No backside of water just The backside of a Hippo maybe ha ha :)

[@RhettyforHistory]

That was an awesome looking park. They sure had tons of fish there. And some of those could really jump! I haven't ever heard of those Disney movies filmed there. I didn't realize there was a place you could touch a manatee. I'd like to check that out some time. Thanks for show us around!

[@TampaJay]

Yes, you may have known this already the Crystal River area is a big delta of saltwater and fresh water springs that have crystal clear water. The manatees come into Kings Bay to keep warm for the winter and their are several boat tours where they take you out to snorkel and swim with them. Its a fun area if you love the outdoors. Thank you dude. Thank you for coming with me

[@BEACHLIFE78]

Awesome video , this looks a great trip out.Those snakes are huge.Nice share 🙂👍

[@beneaththeblackveil7608]

Very cool upload, per usual! Have a blessed day! Keep doing what you love the most!! Blessings and good vibes sent in your direction!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much Jessica I hope you have a blessed day too :-)

[@beneaththeblackveil7608]

@@TampaJay tyvm. 👍😎

[@TuesdayAfternoon]

What an incredible park! So many things to see and do. Love seeing all the wildlife and beautiful surroundings. Really liked the Roseate Spoonbill part of the video. Such a gorgeous place to visit. Thanks Jay for taking us along! :)

[@TampaJay]

The spoonbills were so funny! it is such a beautiful park. Thank you Tuesday

[@GregsGameRoom]

Reminds me of the cruise through Cypress Gardens. Love Lou the hippo. :D I learned about "muck-spreading" from James Rolfe (the AVGN.) Very cool underwater observatory! No! Don't leave the camera!!!

[@TampaJay]

I would have loved to have ridden the one at Cypress Gardens! Thank you buddy. Cant wait to catch your new vid

[@KrisK]

Watched with my grandson he loved it. Thanxs for sharing. Enjoyed it.

[@TampaJay]

Hey Kris I’m happy you guys watched and enjoyed :) thank you so much

[@harryp1665]

What a beautiful place, can’t wait to visit.

[@MoviemaniaNick]

That was a nice Jungle Cruise rid and the underwater observatory was awesome! I liked the bird spreading the wings and the squirrel eating a Cheeto! LOL

[@TampaJay]

Thank you buddy! Cheetos has a new mascot lol

[@scarystardust5175]

Ha! Glad you remembered your camera! Attractions like this, out in nature, near the critters, are my kind of happy place. Love that underwater observatory.

[@TampaJay]

Almost forgot it lol thank you so much Bridget I’m happy I could share this place with you

[@mercyverdugo1754]

Hello Tampa Jay 🤗 another fun time with you Tampa, it was a pleasure visiting Homosassa, LU the hippo was fun to see, Lol!! just don't get splattered... Much ahead my friend 👍

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much Mercy Lu is so much fun to watch. much ahead my friend ;)

[@birdnest5814]

Another attraction I’ve never been to. Very enjoyable vlog. Bama Mike would skip the snakes 😂 thanks for showing us this wonderful place 😊

[@TampaJay]

ha ha he does hate those snakes. I am glad I could share this place with you. my camera did it no justice of how beautiful it is. Thank you so much

[@voyager0156]

Thank you for sharing a beautiful place!

[@TheThemeParkKid]

That was a beautiful boat ride but the guide didn’t make enough puns. Just Kidding! I loved all the animals. Lou’s was a hungry hippo. Do they sell his splatter zone sign in the gift shop because it’s hilarious and I’d hang that in our bathroom ! 🤣 The manatee in the clear water was amazing!!! The jumping fish was cool! Omg!! The Cheeto eating squirrel!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TampaJay]

ha ha he actually did crack a few jokes on the boat but he was so quiet you couldn't hear him, I had to cut it out lol Lu is awesome. I sat there for quite awhile watching him eat ;) Thank you so much my friend im happy you enjoyed it. The squirrel really loves Cheetos lol

[@downtownon7thavenue]

OMG!! All those fish 🐟. Beautiful. You find the best places I swear. I would love to see this in person. Thank you for sharing.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much my friend its so worth the visit. my camera did its true beauty no justice

[@bernardofitzpatrick5403]

Oh man, this was a totally, totally awesome vid! I just love that place - what a paradise! That river cruise was amazing - so, so beautiful! And the animals and birds! Thanks so much Jay! :-D What an excellent time you must have had there! Thanks for sharing brother.

[@TampaJay]

My camera did this place no justice brother. It is so much bigger and beautiful than i could show. Thank you man so happy you enjoyed it.

[@pattistang9341]

Great video Tampa Jay!! You gave us so many interesting facts!

[@ernestspalding3929]

Great video thanks for taking us with you 😊

[@TampaJay]

Thanks for coming with me buddy

[@Ashley-kd2su]

So so gorgeous. I would spend all day just taking in the scenery🌾🐊 I bet there are fences up because tourists and their kids sometimes don't know how to stay out of animal's spaces. The ending was funny lol you were kidding right 😂

[@TampaJay]

ha ha those darn fences lol My camera did it no justice of how big and beautiful this park truly is. I wish the wolves and the Florida panther would have been out too. Thank you so much Ashley

[@domtron8873]

The hippo seriously looks like an animal from Star Wars. Great video. I really need to visit FL again.

[@TampaJay]

It really does lol Thak you so much my friend. I hope you get to come back soon

[@Living_EDventures]

Very cool place and cheap brother

[@TampaJay]

Thank you buddy

[@HandsFullHeartFull]

Florida has the most amazing zoos. Would love to check this place out sometime. Nice work Tampa Jay!

[@1zelcat]

Really appreciate your tours of Old Florida. I get to Tampa several times a year but no sightseeing opportunities, just housing developments, strip malls, and crazy insane drivers.

[@TheMadNomadder]

This is something I would like to see next time we're back in Florida. Very nice place you introduced us to!

[@TampaJay]

This place is worth the trip buddy. There is a lot of fun stuff to do in this area if you love the outdoors. Thank you my friend

[@ChadGallivanter]

We went to Homosassa a couple of years ago and spent more time watching Lu the Hippo than anything else. It's a beautiful Old Florida attraction everyone should visit.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much man! Its one of my favorite places I have visited so far. It was awesome to learn that Lu is actually a Florida citizen too lol

[@carlameyer4203]

What an awesome day! Looks like so much fun, and relaxatioin. On my list for our next trip down. Thanks for taking us along. Little funny story, I once saw a squirrel peel apart a sandwich to get to the inside parts, ate it piece by piece. Funny little creatures.

[@TampaJay]

Ha ha I love those little squirrels they are so adorable, thank you Carla. I’m happy you enjoyed it. The park is a beautiful place

[@TheTouristTrap]

I have heard of this place, never been there. Looks very cool there. Awesome man.

[@TampaJay]

Its awesome man. You would really enjoy it. Theres some TV history there you would enjoy. Thank you buddy

[@HomeInTheSticks]

Sweet vlog Jay, one could spend all day walking around the park!! Well done my friend and thank ya for taking us along!! Dan

[@TampaJay]

Its a beautiful park buddy and my camera did it no justice. I wish the wolves and panthers would have been out lol Thank you dan

[@DGraham-i3y]

Dude, awesome video. You captured the magic.

[@darroot3294]

What a beautiful wildlife park, not fond of snakes. 💘 the vid & great job as always!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much my friend. I’m happy you enjoyed it :)

[@marypettyfer4640]

That water 😲it's so clear, never seen water that clear 👍👍

[@TampaJay]

ITs crystal clear and cool year round. ;) Thank you Mary

[@UrbanKiwiana]

+😂😂 dont forget your camera.. wow what an amazing journey you took us apon loved it alot leaving likes my friend..much love my friend

[@TampaJay]

Thank you buddy lol almost forgot it

[@Simarchy]

I want to go there!! I hadn't heard of it before, although I've heard of Crystal River. I think I'm going to make the trip up and check them both out! Thanks for the tip about King's Bay too, I actually didn't know that! I love manatees so much 🥰

[@Conversationswiththecurious]

That would be so cool!!! Love that! I want to go ha ha! Awww Lou is cute!! Oh no splatter zone ha ha! It is beautiful that’s awesome!!! Had to close my eyes on the snake part lol!! Had fun keep them coming ❤️❤️❤️

[@TampaJay]

Thank you Amy. Im thankful those snakes were behind the glass. they weren't to happy I was filming them ha ha

[@strangebrew5545]

I am late commenting but I loved this, I have been somewhere like this , and love the boat ride, but one thing they did say to us was "Watch out for snakes hanging from trees over your head" that was scary but so much fun! Thank you Tampa Jay!

[@TampaJay]

ha ha yes they warned us of the snakes too. Ive seen a couple like that before. Thank you so much Grace ;)

[@strangebrew5545]

@@TampaJay Hope you have a great day 👍

[@MYSTIANAAAAAAAAH]

he-pop-enonemous …!!!!….so funny!!!!!!…keep it coming jay

[@VikingJack-il4hw]

BEAUTIFUL ❤

[@marypettyfer4640]

This is lovely Tampa, Rob was singing your praises on a livestream the other day so nice 😊. What a beautiful place that hippo 59 incredible shows how well it's cared for 😚

[@TampaJay]

Thank you Mary! Rob is an awesome man. Lu is actually a Florida citizen. Our governor made him a citizen lol

[@dwipenmedhi5323]

Hi

[@trinitysweet1]

Tampa Jay, you make some great vids! Thanks a million.

[@TampaJay]

Ann Morrison Thanks to you a million and one Ann! I appreciate you watching my friend :)

[@vincentappleby9521]

The park looks so beautiful and interesting. I enjoyed the tour. Great video Jay. 🙂👍

[@TampaJay]

Thank you buddy

[@BigDaddysBearCave]

So cool man!!! This why Fl Rocks 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽😎

[@RobFuz]

I love these Jay! Great Job as always

[@TampaJay]

Thank you buddy

[@bygollystudio8567]

I'd love to see this place one day Thank you for the video

[@TampaJay]

It’s absolutely a beautiful place and a fun time. I hope you get to check it out soon :) Thank you so much for watching Deb

[@stephenphillips9392]

What a peaceful place. Totally beautiful. I would have skipped the snake portion. This was well done, music and editing. Thanks Jay, I had a great time.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much buddy! Those snakes were huge man. lol

[@BCaldwell]

Cottonmouth Rattle Gator!

[@TampaJay]

B Caldwell ha ha hey buddy

[@sillyme2846]

Lou loves whole watermelons and doesn't give a darn who watches him eat. The underwater Observatory is fascinating. And if you have a friend with a boat or some canoes you can pretty much float right up to the park and observe the multiple manatee. But of course no touchy😁

[@ariesapparel5944]

I really need to get up there We live in The SWFL area. I just spend to much time playing Golf. Lol. Great Video.

[@leorasmoot6422]

One of my favorite parks in the area!!! We try to take our 2 year old grandson every few months, he loves it there! Very old Florida area. If you had taken Fishbowl Road you would have gone by the Yulee Sugar Cane historic area. Not much left but still interesting. Thanks for another great video!!!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much Leaora. Then you know how awesome this place truly is. My Camera did it no justice lol Thank you so much

[@HandsFullHeartFull]

That is one hungry hungry hippo 🦛. Watch out for splatter 🤪

[@TampaJay]

ha ha yep it can get really messy real fast right there. Thank you my friend

[@Jane-Doe.1126]

I love manatees. They seems so sweet.

[@Cre80s]

The guide looks a bit like Bob Gurr. 🤔 2:33 Flip that dude's tag in! 😆

[@TampaJay]

Cre80s omg he did haha

[@chronicawareness9986]

awww i feel bad for the hippo, but i guess its got a good life lol all the food he wants and free medical!

[@TampaJay]

I always feel bad too but it looks like he was having a good time. Lucifer is very famous around there. Thanks for watching my friend

[@CAROLINATONY]

Awesome my wife and I went there new years 2018 and swam with the Manatees. If you haven't done that your missing an experience. There were game wardens everywhere to make sure you didn't break the rules.

[@TampaJay]

I have swam with the manatees a few times buddy. I really enjoy it. Thank you man

[@brain8484]

nice vid

[@saminaimran7221]

Wonderful

[@CristheGirl]

Flamingo song!!

[@CristheGirl]

Oh shoot, and nice shirt!!

[@TampaJay]

Thank you it’s near the Chaz camp ground 😉

[@Corgis175]

Nice jungle ride.

[@TampaJay]

Thanks Arleen

[@JoshJX]

This is cool!

[@trentgramse9992]

Keep it up bud. I really enjoy your videos.

[@TampaJay]

Trent Gramse thank you so much Trent

[@debrareeves3982]

Neat!♡!

[@NatureRecycleFlorida]

cool

[@isaacpointkennels]

Cottonmouth snakes are part of the Crotalinae family of pit vipers which includes rattlesnakes and copperheads but they are not rattlesnake. That was not a golden eagle, it's a juvenile bald eagle, they don't get their white head till they are around 5 years old. They did have a golden eagle next door to the 2 storks. Great video, I love the park, I visit it a lot.

[@mustangcindy1303]

Have you gotten an annual pass for the State Parks? It’s worth it if you go with any frequency to the parks. Within the year I have discovered this and many other state parks with cool stuff. I even have the passport that I get stamp at the different locations. I love Homosassa Springs and that boat ride too. Peaceful place to go and visit the wildlife.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you Cindy. That is a great idea. I looked into before but didn't go through with it. Im seriously considering it ;)

[@brian5o]

Thanks for going to Homosassa Springs Tampa Jay. It is definitely one of my favorite parks to visit. It has been a while and now since I have last visited, thanks to your video, I am going to have to go really soon. Here is an interesting story about Lu the Hippo. Originally the park was a privately-owned Florida attraction. At some point, I believe in the 80s or 90s, the state took over the park. When the state took it over, their plan was to get rid of any non-native animals that were in the park. This would have included Lu. The public got very upset about that so the governor at the time actually made Lu a Florida citizen so that he could stay at the park. Here is an interesting article about Lu: www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/os-et-s4-national-hippo-day-20190215-story.html I am very surprised that there were no manatees around when you went into the fish bowl. I have never not seen manatees there when I have gone. They do have some feeding times where they feed the manatees heads of lettuce at the "Salad Bar" which is very close to there and the manatees flock in then but so do the park visitors and it can get kind-of cramped and very hot in the fish bowl.

[@TampaJay]

Thank you so much Brian. I am happy you found the video.. I really appreciate this information and I ha such a great time at the park. It was my second visit. It is one of my favorite things to do in Florida too. I thought it was very cool they made Lu a Florida citizen. Thank you buddy

[@zakkmon123]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@MomOfBoysNOLA]

That sign for the otter made me laugh... crawfish was listed, right after shellfish. Um it is a shellfish. Lol Cool place, that hippo seems small for a 59 year old hippo, was he bigger then he looked on video?

[@TampaJay]

ha ha Thats what I thought too but I assumed I was wrong. lol I am happy you caught that. He was a lot bigger than he appears. Thank you so much for watching

[@john-oh9cr]

Just to let u know the cotton mouth is not a rattlesnake

[@mikekleid400]

If you want to just take the boat trip back and forth and enjoy the wild life IT IS FREE.

[@peggymccoon]

Thanks Jay

[@voyager0156]

the story of Lucifer (Lu) was when the state took over Homosassa State Park, the state wanted to make the park native Florida animal only and relocate Lu. there was enough of an uproar so then-Gov. Chiles made Lu an Honorary Florida Resident, enabling Lu to stay. There was a string attached: no more non-native animals could reside at Homosassa State Park. Homossassa in the Creeks language means place (or river) of many pepper plants.

[@Freptboy]

The park looks like Silver Spring park. But his park looks much better.

[@thrillsandmagic]

"He's eating a cheetoh!"

[@TampaJay]

🤣🤣🤣

[@paulmayer3500]

I have got to take my room mate's 4 yo. She will be enchanted. Is it about 2 hours north of Oldsmar on US 19?

[@TampaJay]

You’ll love it man if day 1 hour 15 minutes

[@mattMcLovinisbae]

cute squerll eating a cheeto

[@TampaJay]

He was an adorable dude ha ha

[@marypettyfer4640]

Hello 👋😚

[@jessicaannsimmons1943]

There is a memorial sign there for my great grandfather. At the boat dock

[@TampaJay]

Jessica Ann Simmons that’s amazing - who was your great grandfather?

[@jessicaannsimmons1943]

Tampa Jay Fred Archibald. He volunteered and ran the boats for the tours. Probably 15 years ago

[@TampaJay]

Jessica Ann Simmons His name sounds really familiar like I may have seen that sign before. That’s very awesome of him.. sounds like you had an awesome great grandfather :)

[@Jonahful]

He was eating a Cheeto 😂

[@TampaJay]

Can’t blame him lol

[@JayyTyler]

Is it open to the public at this moment ?

[@TampaJay]

Yes

[@marypettyfer4640]

Awww there she is 😊Tampa I'm sorry my like not staying on Amy, 😲camera whoops, didn't occur to me idiot 😃where was I oh Amy what the Paranormal said it's happened to her before silly you tube sorry 😳😔

[@marypettyfer4640]

Eh what's going on your comment got my mug next to it 😂😂😂😂

[@TampaJay]

you are so awesome Mary! ;)

[@aryanprivilege9651]

Adam Sandler doesn’t know animals names here.

[@TampaJay]

“No, Colonel Sanders you wrong”

[@marypettyfer4640]

The comment I left has gone i said sorry my like button not working Amy from What the Paranormal said it's happened to her before stupid you tube sorry. Aww there she is 🚘😲camera did not occur to me idiot 😄😃once again sorry about not leaving like it's not that I haven't tried 😳😔

[@TampaJay]

Its ok Mary ;0 sometimes youTube gets really wacky like that. I hope they fix it. Thank you so much

[@rf-bh3fh]

Anyone seen Harry Potter ??

[@danielscrittersandcycles2558]

no such thing as cottonmouth, rattlesnake...learn your critters!!! LOL!!!!