Swim with Manatees - Orlando / Florida Guide

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Everyone these days seems to be swimming with Dolphins, well why not dosomething that's different and not many people will get to do, Swim withManatees. This type of interaction is frowned on by the Florida Marine Patroleverywhere else other than the two sites mentioned here.

Every winter the manatees gather in the warm water of springs and powerplantsin Florida, and the topic of in-the-water interaction with these gentle seacreatures comes up. Most people think because of there protected status it isnot possible to get close the manatees in the wild. However there are severaleasy ways for you to do this. There are two main areas to go to if you want totry this, the first is the Crystal River area on Florida's Gulf Coast and thisis the best place to readily find manatees. It's the home of the largestnatural manatee sanctuary, and the biggest herd of manatees in Florida. Thelocal businesses have raised manatee encounters to a major industry, so youcan still swim with manatees in this area of the state. Besides easy access tothe manatees, you'll also get a lot of useful advice, on how to get the bestout of your encounter. The second area is the Homosassa River and ispotentially a better manatee viewing opportunity. Starting just below theHomosassa Springs Wildlife Park sanctuary markers, the river is shallow, sandybottomed, and clear, so better photos are possible. Unless you have your ownboat, however, it's not self guided, and tours are noticeably more expensive.Still, the chances for a great photo are better here. You need to rememberthat the spring itself is off limits.

The question is do you Scuba or snorkel? The water will be 72F, and the airusually colder still, so you will need the right equipment. This can be hiredlocally as this is a major industry here. The in-water interaction withmanatees is usually carried out with mask, wet suit, and snorkel, and a smallweight-belt or ankle weights. Usually, no fins are worn in the shallows, toavoid stirring up the silt, which can be a major problem. 

As manatees are an Endangered Species there are very strict 'Rules ofEngagement'. The last count conducted January 2001 showed slightly over 3000remain in the entire US. The law is very succinct, and the rangers are toughon anyone who breaks it. The law state that "It is unlawful for any person, atany time, by any means, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee." However it is still possible to have a closeinteraction by following the guidelines below. The manatees are not shy andwill soon be swimming around you.

This is what you must not do

• Do not approach the manatee before it approaches you.
• Do not actively swim after, chase or corner a manatee.
• Do not poke, probe, or stab a manatee with any object, including hands andfeet.
• Do not separate the cow from it's calf, or the calf from the cow.
• Do not separate one animal from the herd.
• Do not hook, hold, reach, grab or ride a manatee.
• Do not feed or water the manatees. 

What do you do if the weather too cold to get wet, the children are too youngfor the in-water experience or you want to stay dry and you still want to seemanatees underwater in their natural surroundings. Then you should take a tripinside the  Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. They have an underwaterobservatory at the main springs with 8 resident manatees. They were rescued orborn there, so now can't leave the park. Feeding time is at 4:00 p.m. and is agreat time for photos. there are lectures throughout the day at theeducational centre, and there is also a gift shop and restaurant. The parkalso shows much of Florida's wildlife including alligators, bobcats, bears,panthers bald eagles, spoonbills and ospreys. You will also find a movie starwaiting to greet you, Lucifer the Hippo, star of a few Tarzan movies will addto your park visit.

Construction of the second phase of the Wildlife Walk at Homosassa SpringsWildlife State Park has been underway since March of 2002 and is now nearingcompletion. Park visitors already have access to the new boardwalks, rainshelters and overlooks and can see the park’s cougars and bobcats in their newhabitats. The reptile exhibit, gopher tortoise habitat and bridge by theotters have been open since Spring 2003.

If your interested in history then the  Crystal River area was one of thelongest continually inhabited sites by Native Americans in Florida, who livedthere at least from 200BC through 1400 AD. This site was the most imposingprehistoric ceremonial centre on Florida's west coast. It's worthwhile tospend half a day seeing the burial mounds, temple mounds, middens, and stellaeat this archaeological site and museum. you get there by going north onHighway 19 to the Day's Inn, turning left on State Park Road, and follow thesigns.

Page added on: 21 July 2004

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