By now you've heard about the incredibly cute and obedient Florida manatee. You're excited to experience swimming with manatees for yourself. Your mind is exploding with a million questions about how to see manatees in the wild.
As former Florida locals, we've been on many manatee trips, so we've compiled this list to encourage everyone to have positive and rewarding manatee experiences. We believe there is no better environmental experience in Florida than swimming with manatees.
Take manatee tours during the winter
Florida manatees wander from Texas to Massachusetts during the summer, but congregate in the warm waters of springs and power plant discharges during the winter. Manatees fill these sites when the water temperature drops below 68 degrees. Peak manatee season is usually between December and March.
Don't go during weekends (if you can help it)
The week between Christmas, New Year's and President's Day weekend is one of the busiest times for tour operators. Not only does this present logistical challenges to booking rooms and flights, but it increases the chance of having “one of those people” on the water with you.
Tour operators do a great job of curbing creepy behavior, but it takes very calm guests for the manatees to feel safe enough to start interacting. (More on that later). However, if the only time you have is on vacation, it's still absolutely worth going for.
Take your friends to see manatees
We know firsthand about the previous warning due to our President's Day manatee flight. Two friends came to visit because that was the only weekend they were able to vacation in Florida.
We added a local friend and his girlfriend, so our travel group was set up and ready to go. This was the first manatee trip for most of the group. They fell in love with the manatees and President's Day weekend and everything.
Don't take troublemakers swimming with manatees
You are the leader of your group. The tour company is not there to supervise your friends who are acting like children. Bringing well-behaved children to swim with manatees is great, but it's wise to avoid embarrassing moments by not bringing troublesome individuals into the water. Good behavior benefits the animals and your experience.
It is important for everyone to appreciate manatees and their conservation. Educating those who may not realize the importance; They may be the ones to break the rules later. Evaluate whether your children or friends will follow the rules or feel comfortable in the water before you go. If not, consider observing manatees from places like Three Sister Springs Park or Blue Springs Park instead.
Swim with manatees in Crystal River
Winter manatee gathering is unique to Florida manatees because they are tropical animals. The only reason they live this far north is because Florida's springs pump out warm water year-round. Watching manatees is great, but being with them in the water is a whole new experience.
Crystal River/King's Bay is the largest natural winter gathering place for manatees. It is the only place you can swim with them during this time. The Crystal River, located west of Orlando and north of Tampa, serves as the main destination for manatee tours.
Don't swim with manatees without a wetsuit
In fact, this entry could be about generally appropriate equipment such as a swim noodle to enhance buoyancy, a good mask and a snorkel so you can see the manatees while keeping your eyes in the water. You will need two pieces of fairly specialized equipment – a wetsuit and a dive flag.
We've repeated “warm spring water” several times already, but the temperature is only 72 degrees. Floating in 72 degree water will drain your heat in no time. You need a wetsuit to be comfortable, plus it helps with buoyancy as well.
Our guided manatee tours provide all the required manatee equipment you will need, which is the perfect segue to your next topic…
Book a guided tour to swim with manatees
Manatee tours offer much more than specialized equipment and instruction on manatee manners. They are your local guides who know how to have the perfect manatee encounter. Often during high season, guides will tour at sunset the day before.
Local tours know where the manatees went to sleep after a day of grazing, so they know exactly where to find them in the morning. They give radio updates to each other, so they know where the manatees are happening.
We went with Underwater birds, one of Crystal River's leading ethical companies. Even on President's Day, they found a lot of manatees and had a great trip.
Don't be afraid to wake up early
There are two things about manatees, they hate cold water and they love to eat. Manatees eat about 100-200 pounds of plants per day. This means they will graze for seven hours a day. Since they hate cold water, they will feed during the warmest seven hours of the afternoon.
In the morning, manatees will congregate at the spring heads, which are warm and clear during the cool mornings. Try to make the first flight if possible, which is another thing we love about birds. They offer a 6:00am manatee tour.
Plan other activities around your manatee tour
Crystal River is located on the west coast of Florida, just 90 minutes from Tampa, Orlando, or Gainesville – a great trip for a morning manatee tour but perfect for a quick getaway or extra getaway. Nearby activities include:
– Weeki Wachee Springs State Park: Home to a famous mermaid show in a stunning nature reserve.
– Homosassa River Boat Tour: Discover bars, more manatees, Monkey Island, Gulf sunsets and an old Florida atmosphere.
– Devil's den: You can snorkel or snorkel in a natural cenote, a unique diving site in Florida.
– rainbow river: The fourth largest spring trail in Florida, it offers snorkeling, tubing and kayaking.
– Homosassa Springs State Park: Explore the Manatee Rescue Center to learn about conservation efforts.
– Silver Springs: You can paddle along a vernal trail inhabited by about 200 wild monkeys or take a glass-bottom boat tour.
– Clearwater Coast Trip: Visit Tarpon Springs, famous for its sponges, and Dunedin, where Scottish culture thrives.
– Airboat tours on Lake Banasovki: Encounter alligators in the swamp, an experience unlike swimming with manatees.
– Withlacoochee State Trail: A 46-mile trail through rivers, forests and small-town Florida, perfect for biking or hiking.
Parting thoughts and quick hitters
Ready to take a Florida manatee tour? Got the do's and don'ts but need more information? Check out the quick FAQ below. Drop any additional questions in the comments!
Where to stay in Crystal River:
– Best Western or holiday inn express, For varied accommodations and a hot breakfast, but we recommend the boutique hotel Dip into the Crystal Manatee
Restaurants in Crystal River:
– Norton Riverside Sports Bar & Grill For a sports atmosphere.
– Highlander Cafea local favorite for a relaxing meal.
– Crump landing For a fun night with live music.
– Booze on the fifth It serves upscale dining and (in our opinion) the best crab bisque this side of Panama City. Reservation recommended.
Getting to Crystal River:
– From I-75, take Exit 329, then go 33 miles west on Fl-44 to reach the city.
– From orlandoHead west on the Florida Turnpike 55 miles to I-75, Exit 329.
– From GainesvilleTake I-75 South to exit 329.
– From Tampa/St. housechoose from three major routes — coastal, toll road, or I-75/US-98 — and take 1.5 to 2 hours.
We hope this helps you plan the perfect manatee tour! These creatures are amazing – enjoy one of the best natural experiences in Florida!
Read more from Coleman Concierge:
Where can you find manatees in Florida? Can you swim with manatees? Where do manatees come from? Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the amazing Florida manatee.
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Hello! We are Jane and Ed Coleman also known as Coleman Concierge. In short, we are a 10th generation couple from Huntsville sharing our stories of amazing adventures through transformative and experiential activity-based travel.
