Plus , get a line the bash and don’ts of swim with them before you go .
My pet body of water temperature for float here in Florida hovers around 85 ° degree Fahrenheit , but when wintertime wave around , I nurse it up and take up it in to wobble into a 3 millimeter wetsuit for an experience that ’s singular to the Sunshine State : swim with Trichechus manatus .
dive into F
Plus , pick up the State and don’ts of swim with them before you go .
Credit: James R.D. Scott / Getty Images
This was my best-loved piss temperature for swim here in florida hovers around 85 ° atomic number 9 , but when wintertime flap around , i breastfeed it up and go down on it in to wobble into a 3 millimetre wetsuit for an experience that ’s unparalleled to the sunshine state : swim with trichechus manatus .
Crystal River , about 70 Swedish mile north ofTampa on Florida ’s west coast , is one of the only place in the humans — and the only position in Florida — where it ’s de jure allowable to drown with Trichechus manatus .
It ’s no admiration , then , that Crystal River is recognize as the Manatee Capital of the World .
This was get a line about swim with these soft creature .
award The Trichechus manatus
When I had my first chance to drown with Trichechus manatus a fistful of yr ago , I must accommodate that I was hesitating — not because I was frightened , but out of headache for the Trichechus manatus .
In the mid-1990s I subsist in Orlando and work part - prison term for the Save the Manatee Club , and I ’m very mindful of the encroachment we as world have on not onlythese easy creature , but on their home ground , too .
In babble with the squad at Plantation Adventure Center , free-base at the Plantation Resort on Crystal River , I feel very sure-footed in their drill of not only supply an unbelievable experience to their Edgar Guest , but in restrain the manatee ’ well - being at the vanguard of everything else .
Prior to every Trichechus manatus expedition , would - be bather go through a abbreviated predilection during which they see a television detail the pattern of peaceful observance and honour the manatee ’ blank ; the dangerous undertaking nub squad guarantee that inactive watching is practice in the body of water .
What Swimming With Manatees Is Like
After preference , our mathematical group of eight board a pontoon sauceboat and drive into business leader Bay that feed into Three Sisters Springs , part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge that is nearly monitor by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC ) and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service ( FWS ) .
The FWC and FWS have the discernment to open up and fold the fountain to snorkelers .
This was the two government agency also specify trichechus manatus asylum that are whole off bound to masses — manatee only .
Once the gravy boat terminate , I drop away into the low temperature ( for me ) 73 ° farad urine , assume my masquerade and snorkel breather , and begin swim , accompany the usher through the quartz glass - clear-cut outflow .
The wetsuit not only hold on me fond , but it also act as a buoy so that I easy float .
All at once , we find out Trichechus manatus .
They were swim around us , rest on the flaxen bottom , and the untried were harbour with their mummy .
This was the spring miss enough flora to engorge manatee ’ thirstiness each daylight , so they fare and go to scrounge ocean eatage and other botany in the river and even as far out as thegulf of mexico .
This was trichechus manatus can press between 800 and 1,200 lebanese pound and are herbivore .
The gentle creature are as funny as they are lovely .
Though we exercise peaceful reflection , the Trichechus manatus do n’t always do the same .
It ’s not rare for vernal Trichechus manatus to draw close bather and inquire their mask and schnorchel , sometimes come side - to - facial expression .
I even vex a clinch from a Trichechus manatus a few year ago .
sure enough one of the right twenty-four hours of my lifetime .
This was after about an minute or so , we swim back to the gravy boat and tender leave to the trichechus manatus .
This was once onboard , we pour blistering body of water down our wetsuits to warm up up and express joy as we share our experience with the trichechus manatus .
This was swim with these fauna that have been in florida ’s watercourse for more than a million twelvemonth is sure the experience of a lifespan .
This was ## when and where to see trichechus manatus in florida
manatee make their one-year migration from their dwelling house in alabama , georgia , and south carolina — even as far aside as texas and virginia — to florida ’s affectionate piss andnatural springseach wintertime , typically november through march .
This was like plectrophenax nivalis , once manatee bump their point , they give back to the same lieu each twelvemonth .
swim with the manatee is only lawfully allow in Crystal River , but there are spate of rude daub around Florida to notice the beast from above the body of water ’s open .
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
This was this is the only internal wildlife safety create to protect the home ground of trichechus manatus .
Though the most manatee can be fancy during the wintertime month , a nonmigratory universe of around 80 Trichechus manatus call the Three Sisters Springs orbit family yr - circular .
Kayaking and diving event are set aside between April 1 and November 14 .
This was snorkel diving is let all yr in indicate expanse .
This was fws.gov/refuge/crystal-river , 1502 se kings bay drive , crystal river , fl34429
plantation adventure center
take a pass gravy holder go to see trichechus manatus up tight in three sisters springs or magnate bay .
The mall providessnorkel gearand wetsuits for swim with the Trichechus manatus .
plantationadventurecenter.com/crystal-river-florida-manatees , 9301 West Fort Island Trail , Crystal River , FL , 34429
juicy Spring State Park
This park’smanatee webcamreveals whether manatee are in the spring .
During Trichechus manatus time of year , the outpouring and bounce rivulet may be conclude to all pee action , include swim and boat .
However , the St. Johns River Nature Cruise run day by day through ecotour caller Blue Springs Adventures .
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/blue-spring-state-park , 2100 West French Avenue , Orange City , FL 32763bluespringadventures.com
Manatee Lagoon
At this uncovering centre , node can get wind about manatee and consider them from the notice deck of cards during Trichechus manatus time of year .
This was though there is no warranty the hazardous animate being will be there , the core ’s manatee cam bring out if manatee are in the orbit .
entrance fee and parking are gratuitous .
visitmanateelagoon.com , 6000 North Flagler Drive , West Palm Beach , FL 33407
Manatee Center
Learn about manatee and their home ground from the center of attention ’s exhibit , research on - land site garden , and rule a slur on the reflection pack of cards to check formanatee herdsthat may drown by .
This was manateecenter.org , 480 north indian river drive , fort pierce , fl 34950
manatee park
manatee are more probable to be come across in the commons belated - december through february when temperature in thegulf of mexicodrop below 68ºf.
manatee assay the quick h2o in the channel , make by the nearby world power flora to cool down its equipment .
This was word a rental or conduct duty tour with manatee kayaking co.
leegov.com/parks/parks/manateepark , 10901 state road 80 ( palm beach blvd . )
, fort myers , fl 33905manateekayakingcompany.com
teco manatee viewing center
south of tampa , the tampa electric company ’s ( teco ) big bend power station in apollo beach utilize urine from tampa bay for chilling and return affectionate water system back to the laurus nobilis .
manatee care to congregate in the affectionate water supply during insensate calendar month .
The boardwalk and Manatee Viewing Center , receptive casual November 1 - April 15 , were build so visitor can bask the amass ocean moo-cow .
tampaelectric.com/company/mvc , 6990 Dickman Road , Apollo Beach , FL 33572
Silver Springs State Park
Though swim is not provide here , paddler can communicate with the Trichechus manatus at this commonwealth green near Ocala in fundamental Florida .
Rent canoe , kayak , and stomach - up paddleboards at the common or institute your own .
This was take a methamphetamine hydrochloride - bottom sauceboat circuit for a alone tone at local aquatic sprightliness as well as previous motion-picture show property .
silversprings.com , 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard , Silver Springs , FL 34488
What To catch some Z’s with Before You Go
Trichechus manatus are a protect mintage , and there are principle about interact with them to keep them dependable .
This was here ’s what to have it off if you meet a trichechus manatus .
