Are You Considering Swimming with Manatees in Florida?
Here are a few reasons to jump in the water with some gentle giants:
- Florida is one of the only places in the world you can swim with a 1,000 pound gentle mammal (manatee video)
- Manatee tours are the best family-friendly adventure — observe from the boat or jump in with the vegetarian giants and swim with manatees in Florida.
- Florida has lots of bugs — but if you’re you’re swimming with manatees you’re pretty much guaranteed no flying or crawling ones in the water!
- If you’re going to be swimming with manatees in Florida you may just get close enough to you to smell manatee breath – they can eat more than 100 pounds of weeds, algae, and grasses in a day so you’ve been warned (they may release some bubbles too).
- Florida is known for crazy drivers — experience no honking horns or stuck blinkers out on the river.
- Be entertained by a group of frisky males — rest assured, no human has ever been harmed (or groped) in the presence of a mating herd.
- You might get a hug like no other in your lifetime — whiskers, flippers with toes, and veggie breath all up in your grill.
- Witness a young manatee calf nursing under the mother’s flipper — don’t worry no manatee has ever been asked to leave the water.
- Up your game by posting your experience on Facebook & Instagram — while your friends up north are shoveling snow.
- Florida has the best manatee guides — hire one to give you and your family the experience of a lifetime! (our map of all the manatee guides)
You may just get close enough to smell manatee breath – you’ve been warned!
Need to Know Info
- We’ve mapped all the manatee guides in the state — check out other water adventures on our directory.
- The most popular region for tours is in the Crystal River / Homasassa area during the winter months.
- Manatee watching is family-friendly (ages 3 & up) and average trip length is 3 hours.
- Do not disturb sediment, grasses, or sleeping manatees on the bottom of the river.
- Never chase after a manatee or try to grab/pet them — let them approach you.
- Never get between or interrupt a mother manatee and her calf.
- Many adventure outfitters provide wetsuits and gear — just ask.
- Do not use flash on underwater cameras.
Are you ready to go swimming with manatees in Florida? Perfect!
Click the banner below to check out the best locations to go on a swim with manatees in Florida.
Stop standing in park lines - start making memories!
