The Ultimate Guide to Swimming with Manatees in Florida (and How to Make the Most of Your Experience)

Have you dreamt of swimming with manatees in Florida? You’ve come to the right place to learn everything you need to know about this bucket-list Florida activity and how to make the most of your experience.

As a native Floridian, I love to see manatees in the wild. Seeing a snout break the surface of the water and snort out a breath while I’m kayaking always thrills me. Gentle giants, manatees in Florida swim quietly through shallow waters and flats, into canals and rivers, and even up to beaches. Annually, they delight thousands of visitors to Florida’s coastal waterways.

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Below I share my best tips for swimming with manatees so that you have the most memorable experience (and best of your Florida vacation). If you can’t swim with manatees, but still want to see them, check out this guide for the best places to see manatees in the wild.

What are Manatees and Where to Find Them in Florida?

Manatees are large aquatic animals which are native to Florida’s coastal waters, especially estuaries, rivers, and freshwater springs. Also known as West Indian manatees, they are some of the most beloved marine animals in Florida waters. There are three manatee species in the world and two subspecies of the West Indian manatee.

These creatures can be found in various areas throughout Florida, from rivers and estuaries to coastal areas and springs. If you’re looking for a chance to spot these adorable animals, you’re best bet is during winter when manatees seek warmer waters inland, most often near Florida’s springs. Spring water temps run between 70 and 74 degrees year-round, making them a perfect place to get out of the cold waters found in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

16 Crystal River Manatee Swim

Planning Your Trip and Things to Keep in Mind Before You Go

Planning a trip to swim with manatees in Florida is an exciting adventure that leaves you with a lifetime of memories. Before you book your manatee tour, though, there are some important tips and things to keep in mind that will help ensure you have the best experience possible.

What to Expect When Swimming with Manatees

On a Florida manatee tour, your guide teaches you about the ecology of the area while you observe manatees in their natural habitat. Many tours provide an in-water photographer so that guests can have photos of their special trip. Tour operators also provide necessary equipment, such as snorkels and masks, for anyone who doesn’t have their own.

There are a few laws to keep in mind while interacting with manatees. First, it’s illegal to hug a manatee. Yes, true! Crystal River on Florida’s Gulf Coast is the only place in the country where swimming with manatees is legal. If a tour operator somewhere else offers this service, they are driving you to Crystal River, engaging in illegal behavior, or you won’t actually be in the water with manatees.

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What to Pack for Swimming with Manatees in Florida

Most manatee tours in Florida last around three hours and include a boat ride. Here are items you should make sure to bring with you:

  • Swimsuit
  • Mask, snorkel, and fins (if not provided by the tour)
  • Wetsuit (water can be chilly, even in Florida)
  • Towel and a change of clothes
  • Waterproof camera or GoPro (for those epic underwater shots)
  • Sunscreen (reef-safe to protect the environment)
  • Reusable water bottle (stay hydrated!)
  • Snacks (optional but helpful for after the tour)
  • Waterproof bag or dry bag (to keep valuables dry)
  • ID and any tour-related paperwork
  • Sunglasses and hat (for when you’re out of the water)

Choosing the Best Tour Operator for Swimming With Manatees in Florida

Swimming with manatees is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget. To make sure that your experience is as perfect as possible, it’s important to choose the right tour operator. With so many Florida tour operators offering manatee swim tours, it can be difficult to know which one is the best.

The first thing I do when choosing a tour operator I don’t know is check the reviews, especially the most recent reviews. For wildlife encounters such as swimming with manatees, I always check for any certifications or other indicators of a tour operators professionalism and commitment to the animals’ safety and protection.

If taking a boat tour, the captain should be properly licensed. Other good people to have on board include a naturalist or biologist and a divemaster. There are many manatee tours in Florida though. If you still aren’t sure which one to choose, here are my three favorites.

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Top 3 Swimming with Manatees Tours in Florida

1. Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

I love the Plantation Adventure Center and Manatee Tours tour because it’s one of the longer ones available in Crystal River. Plus, the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and informative. It’s evident from the moment you step into their parking lot that they love what they do and love to share their experience and knowledge.

2. Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Another top-rated tour, you can’t go wrong if you choose River Ventures for your swimming with manatees tour. The folks here are also knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate about what they do as well as protecting the manatees.

3. Real Florida Manatee Swim Adventure

This manatee swim tour is a great choice for anyone who’s staying in Orlando and still wants to experience this uniquely Florida activity. They pick you up from one of three locations in Orlando, drive you to Crystal River where you swim with manatees, provide lunch, and drop you back off in Orlando.

How You Can Help Protect the Endangered Species of Manatees

Manatees are beautiful creatures that have been on Earth for millions of years. Unfortunately, they are now listed as an endangered species and their numbers are rapidly declining. It is up to us to ensure that these amazing animals do not become extinct. There are many ways to help protect the endangered species of manatees, from raising awareness about their plight to taking direct action in their conservation efforts.

One of the best ways to help conservation efforts is supporting conservation groups such as Save the Manatee Club, Florida Springs Council, and any of Florida’s manatee rehab facilities (there are currently five, including Clearwater Marine Aquarium, ZooTampa, and SeaWorld). If you’re a boater, observe posted no-wake zones.

Here are a few more tips to help protect manatees:

  • Follow “manatee manners” – avoid touching, chasing, or disturbing manatees.
  • Observe manatees from a safe distance to avoid stressing them.
  • Avoid using plastic or single-use items near waterways, which can end up in their habitat.
  • Support organizations that work to protect manatees and their environment.
  • Obey all no-wake zones when boating to prevent accidental collisions with manatees.
  • Participate in local cleanups to reduce pollution in manatee habitats.
  • Report sick, injured, or dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Wrapping It Up: Ultimate Guide to Swimming with Manatees

Swimming with manatees in Florida is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that brings you face-to-face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. By packing the right gear and following responsible guidelines, you’ll not only enjoy an unforgettable adventure but also help protect these incredible creatures for future generations. Now all that’s left is to dive in and enjoy the magic of Florida’s manatees!


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    The Ultimate Guide to Swimming with Manatees in Florida (and How to Make the Most of Your Experience)The Ultimate Guide to Swimming with Manatees in Florida (and How to Make the Most of Your Experience)The Ultimate Guide to Swimming with Manatees in Florida (and How to Make the Most of Your Experience)

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    14 Comments

    1. I’m very cautious when it come to animal encounters but I was happy with everything I read in this post. Sounds like a great, responsible way to interact with manatees! Thanks for sharing!

    2. The manatees look adorable 🙂 Swimming with them must indeed be a fabulous experience. Maybe one day I will the courage to do it.

    3. Ah this is such a dream! I recently got to go kayaking and see manatees but swimming near them would be so special too! I am saving this for the next time I get to visit Florida.

    4. I’ve always thought manatees have an old dinosaur feel, while still being cuddly. As someone else said, I can completely understand the urge to try to hug one! haha.
      I always get sad when animals become endangered, especially peaceful ones like manatees!

    5. Omigosh, I can see why there’s a no hugging rule with the manatees! They are just so darn cute I bet people just couldn’t resist lol. Great, fun post. I’m checking this out next time I’m in Florida!

    6. I hadn’t heard of manatees before but they look gorgeous and what a great experience to swim with them. I must say they look very much like dugongs that we have in Australia.

    7. I haven’t had a chance to swim with the Florida manatees in some time. I was lucky enough to see a mantee in the Florida Keys recently and they always make me smile. I’ll keep your tips in mind for the next time I get the chance to swim with a manatee.