Swimming with manatees is often a dream of many people. Manatees are large, adorable creatures. They are fully aquatic mammals that are often called sea cows. Swimming with these beautiful creatures is not as easy as people may think. Manatees in Florida are protected by both federal and state laws since they are considered vulnerable. Illegally swimming with manatees could result in a large fine or being arrested.

Manatees have flippers, two forelimbs, with 3-4 nails on the flipper. They have wrinkles on their face and head. There are whiskers on their wrinkled snouts. It is believed that manatees evolved from herbivorous animals.

Behaviors Of A Manatee

Manatees are slow-moving, gentle animals. The majority of their time is resting, eating, and traveling. Even though manatees are herbivorous, they still may digest little fish. They must surface to breathe since they are mammals. They must emerge to breathe every three to five minutes on average. If manatees are resting, they will not have to emerge as often. The average swim time for a manatee is about three to five hours with quick bursts of twenty miles per hour.

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Swimming With The Manatees’ Tours

Since it’s illegal to swim with the manatees unless on a tour, there are many tour companies to choose from.

Manatee Swim Center

Manatee Swim Center is located at 1508 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429 which is Kings Bay. They are right off of the Crystal River which provides the ideal spot to view the manatees. The tour guides who are the boat captains give amazing tours enabling visitors to not only see these beautiful creatures but also give the visitors the ability to interact with them. Visitors can snorkel with the manatees with all the equipment provided by the Manatee Swim Center.

Manatee tours are available in several packages depending on the season. There are also private events that are available.

Fun 2 Dive – Swim With Manatees

Fun 2 Dive – Swim with Manatees is located at 135 NE 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34429. They offer many types of tours from their daily classic to luxury VIP tours. These tours allow visitors to swim with the manatees. The tours are all-inclusive, so visitors do not pay any additional fee for the use of the equipment. The manatee tour guide takes a slew of pictures throughout the tour and the photos are available at the end of the tour to purchase.

Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center

Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center is located at 10460 W New York St, Homosassa, FL 34448. Snorkeling with the manatees’ tour offers visitors the chance to be educated while experiencing the wildlife tour. Everything you need is provided by the tour company. The tour educates the participants on the rules of how to interact with the manatees and how to behave in the water around the manatees. Visitors on the tour can enjoy a nice cold flavored margarita from the Margarita Grill after finishing the tour.

Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees

Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees is located at 614 NW US-19 Crystal River, FL 34428. They offer customized tours for swimming and snorkeling. These tours allow you to get up close and personal with the manatees. Options when customizing a tour are the ability to add breakfast and drinks to some of the tours. They are a tour company that gives back to local non-profit organizations that help to protect the manatees.

Crystal River Manatee Tour

Crystal River Manatee Tour is located at 1 SW 1st Pl, Crystal River, FL 34429. They are willing to accommodate groups of more than six people by taking out a second boat, so the group is together. They provide hot chocolate and bottled water for those on the tour. They offer private tours. They also offer dry tours which means visitors do not get into the water. Visitors enjoy looking at the manatees from the boat.

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Where To Stay

There are so many beautiful places to stay in the Crystal River area where the manatees are in abundance to see. Whether guests want to stay at a hotel or a resort, both are available in the area.

Retreat At Crystal Manatee

The Retreat at Crystal Manatee is located in the center of Crystal River and is a family-owned hotel. While staying at the hotel which is in downtown Crystal River, guests are close to many of the attractions in the area.

Plantation On Crystal River

The Plantation on Crystal River is an eco-friendly resort. The hotel is surrounded by Kings Bay which is home to manatees that migrate to the springs. The Plantation offers boating, golf, fishing, and a spa.

The Port Hotel And Marina

The Port Hotel and Marina is a waterslide resort. It is located in King’s Bay. The freshwater springs are home to manatees. Staying at the Port Hotel will provide guests with some unbelievable sunsets and access to many water activities. The Port Hotel is on seven acres. The marina offers sunset dinner cruises.

Planning a trip to get to swim with the manatees is easy, and there are hotels and resorts close to the tour locations. Why pass up the chance to book a trip right away to swim with these beautiful creatures?

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