How to See Manatees in Florida
Manatee. Sea cow. Teddy bear of the sea. Marshmallow seal. Floaty potato. No matter what you call them, we can all agree that manatees are adorable. If you’re dying to see one in person, I have great news. There are lots of ways to see manatees in Florida.
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In this article, I share how to see manatees in the most popular places in Florida. We’ll check off rehab facilities. We’ll visit their favorite spots in the wild. And between the two, you’ll find an opportunity to see manatees at any time of the year. Seeing manatees is a great kid-friendly activity for the entire family to enjoy and a memorable way to spend part of your Florida vacation.
Facts About Manatees
First, let’s review a few fun manatee facts. Knowing these things about manatees helps you understand where they live and why they end up in rehab so often. A sea cow’s adorableness is enough reason to learn more about them, but seeing them in person is also a great opportunity to educate everyone in the family about these gentle marine giants.
What are manatees?
According to National Geographic, manatees are aquatic mammals with huge appetites. They spend up to eight hours a day grazing. There are three species of manatee in the Sirenia order as well as their close cousin, the dugong. The three species are the West Indian manatee found in the Americas, the African manatee found in west central Africa, and the Amazonian manatee which lives in the Amazon River.
What do manatees eat?
Manatees eat grasses, weeds, and algae. Manatees in Florida consume more than 60 varieties of vegetation. And though manatees are the largest vegetarians in the ocean, they are also known to eat fish and shellfish occasionally.
Where do manatees live?
West Indian and African manatees live in the zone between freshwater and saltwater. In Florida, we see manatees in open saltwater bodies of water such as the Gulf of Mexico as well as in rivers. The Amazonian manatee is the only species which lives entirely in freshwater.
Do manatees bite?
Manatees are naturally docile and gentle creatures. Though they do have teeth, the shape of their snout makes it nearly impossible for a manatee to attack with a bite. However, as I always tell people around dogs and horses, if it has teeth it can bite.
Other facts about manatees
- Manatees’ closest living relative, besides the dugong, is the elephant.
- All three species of manatee are considered vulnerable to extinction.
- Manatees are the biggest vegetarians in the oceans.
- Tales of mermaids likely began with manatees. Sailors probably saw the slow-moving, air-breathing manatees and voila! Mermaids were born.
- Manatees are snowbirds, too! Though many manatees stay in Florida year-round, these marine mammals can be found all along the Gulf coast and as far north as North Carolina. Those that live in colder climates in the summer return to the warmer Florida waters in the winter.
- It’s illegal to hug a manatee, but there are many manatee tours in Florida which allow visitors to swim near them.
How to See Manatees in Florida in the Wild
Head to the beach or out on a boat in shallow water, and you might see a manatee. In the spring, beachgoers along less developed beaches sometimes see them breeding in the shallow waters along the beach. We see them a lot while kayaking the flats and mangroves around Caladesi Island.
1. Kayak with Manatees at Weeki Wachee River
One of the most popular places where you can see manatees in the wild is the Weeki Wachee River. Weeki Wachee State Park protects the first magnitude freshwater spring which feeds the river. The mermaids of Weeki Wachee first popularized the area in the 1950s as one of Florida’s first roadside attractions. Kayakers often see manatees in the river, especially in the winter. The river’s constant temperature draws the sea cows when air temperatures dip. Bring your own kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. Or rent one from the onsite outfitter.
2. Swim with Manatees at Crystal River
Manatees are also drawn to the warm waters of Crystal River and, to a lesser degree, the Homosassa River to the south. Crystal River is located about 90 minutes northwest of Tampa and is the only place in North America where it is legal to swim with manatees. Several companies in the area offer manatee tours. If you prefer to observe them from outside of the water, you can do so from the boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs.
3. Observe Manatees at TECO’s Manatee Viewing Center
Many years ago, Tampa Electric noticed that manatees loved their hot water discharge canal. The cold-sensitive mammals congregate to the power plant’s warmer waters in the winter. TECO took advantage of this and created the Manatee Viewing Center.
Visitors to the Manatee Viewing Center enjoy a nature trail, observation platform, and an education center. It’s only open in the winter, however, when manatees are most likely frequent the waters around the Center.
4. Florida State Parks
Many of Florida’s state parks protect freshwater springs. As it happens, manatees love to hang out in spring runs when the water temps dip in the winter. State parks for viewing manatees in the wild include Manatee Springs State Park, Fanning Springs State Park, and Blue Springs State Park.
How to See Manatees in Florida in Captivity
Manatees have no natural predators in the wild. Human interaction causes the majority of manatee injuries. The biggest culprit is boat propellers. Manatees are slow moving and cannot react fast enough to avoid collision with a boat in channels and deeper waters.
Rehabilitation facilities throughout Florida ensure that manatees receive the care they need before being released back to the wild. These manatee rehab facilities are great places where visitors can see manatees and learn more about these gentle giants.
5. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa
The David A. Straz, Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center at ZooTampa at Lowry Park has been a leader in manatee rehabilitation for more than 20 years. The facility is one of only four federally-permitted rehab centers in Florida.
Since opening, more than 400 manatees have received care here with more than 230 able to be released to the wild. The Manatee Critical Care Center is one of the biggest parts of the zoo’s Florida section. Visitors can observe the manatees from an underwater observation area or from the decks above ground.
Don’t visit Tampa’s zoo just for the manatees, though. It’s a fun thing to do while in Tampa. Considered one of the best zoos in Florida and in the country, it’s well worth spending a day there to see all the animals and closeup animal encounters.
6. Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Though Clearwater Marine Aquarium has been involved in the rescue, rehab, and release of marine animals for decades, including manatees, it does not have a dedicated manatee care facility. Until now.
In September 2021, CMA announced plans to renovate the former habitat of Winter the dolphin into a new, state-of-the-art manatee care center. This will make CMA the fifth manatee rehab center in Florida when it’s finished.
Additionally, in July 2021, Clearwater Marine Aquarium unveiled plans to open a rehab facility at their location at Fred Howard Park in Tarpon Springs.
7. Homosassa Spring Wildlife State Park
Homosassa Springs State Park sits right down the road from Crystal River and has a small manatee rehab area. The spring run is fenced off from the rest of the Homosassa River and rescued manatees swim freely in that area as well as into the more controlled rehab tanks. Daily feeding shows educate the public about manatees, their rescue, and their care.
FAQs About Seeing Manatees in Florida
Where do you see the most manatees in Florida?
Crystal River is the most popular place to see manatees in Florida. In the cool winter months when the water temperatures drop into the 60s, manatees love to gather in the warmer waters of Three Sisters Springs.
What is the best month to see manatees in Florida?
Winter is the best time to see manatees in Florida, typically from November to the end of March with the best viewing during January and February.
What state park in Florida is best to see manatees?
Blue Springs State Park in Orange City is the best state park in Florida to see manatees. In winter, hundreds of manatees gather there to keep warm in the 72 degree water from the freshwater springs.
Where is the highest concentration of manatees in Florida?
Citrus County on Florida’s Gulf Coast has the highest concentration of manatees. The natural springs, such as Homosassa Spring and the springs at Crystal River, support hundreds to a thousand or more manatees.
Closing: How to See Manatees in Florida
Manatees steal our hearts with their gentle faces and docile demeanor; however, they remain vulnerable to extinction. To help protect these wonderful creatures, we need to observe basic safety. Not for us, for them. Please only swim with them where it’s legal. Don’t chase, feed, or otherwise harass manatees in the wild. If boating, observe no wake zones and keep an eye for manatees to avoid hurting them with the boat or propeller. And, of course, enjoy your time visiting them and learning about them at Florida zoos and parks.
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Ahhh yes! Weeki Wachee is my absolute favorite activity to do in this area! Such a magical experience.
Manatees are so interesting. Thanks for the amazing details. I would love to see them from a boat.
They are an interesting creature for sure. Thanks for the great tips on where to see them and how to swim with them.
YESSSS this is so exciting. I would absolutely love to swim with these gorgeous animals. Thanks so much for sharing
They’re so amazing! Even to see them from a kayak or boat is awesome.
I didn’t know you can see manatees here! That’s great to know for when I head back Tampa way.
Yes! Tons of places to see them.
We’ve always wanted to do this! We were actually researching a trip to see the Manatees earlier this year and were trying to figure out how to combine a beach trip with a place to see the Manatees. Im thinking Clearwater is probably our best bet.
Clearwater would be a great place to stay. There are so many things to do within an hour of there so you can plan the non-beach activities you want to do also.