In the summer, manatees roam throughout the United States as far as Texas, Virginia and Massachusetts. But in the winter, they congregate in Florida in massive numbers to take advantage of the warmer waters gushing out of the springs and in power station discharges. Manatees move to warm water springs because they get stressed by the cold as soon as water temperature drops to 55-65 degrees in the Gulf of Mexico. Although the animals look like they are well-equipped for the cold temperatures, their bodies do not have enough fat to insulate them. They need to move to the springs where the temperature remains at a constant 72 degrees throughout the year.
What is the best time to swim with manatees?
Kings Bay hosts the largest manatee aggregation during the winter. Additionally, Crystal River, a small town north of Tampa and west of Orlando, boasts the world’s largest concentration of Florida manatees. Manatees migrate to Crystal River and surrounding springs in mid-November. They remain there until around mid-March. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed as sometimes the animals may disperse a little earlier — in 2018 they had left the springs by mid-February due to the unusually high day temperatures. Manatees are most active from December to March, with the prime months being December, January, and February. During this time, manatees gather in large numbers in Kings Bay, making it the best period to visit.
Manatee encounter depends on the weather
As you plan your trip, keep your eye on the weather. For instance, when there is a cold snap in the Gulf of Mexico, you can be certain that manatees will be taking refuge in the springs. So you can tour the Florida springs being sure that you’ll find manatees there. However, when the ocean waters start warming up, the manatees will disperse back throughout the East Coast and the Gulf.
Guided manatee tours are offered by several companies from November to the end of March because this is the period when a lot of manatees come to the springs. When you visit during the peak manatee season, remember that the animals are in the springs for warmth and survival. You have to give them their space by controlled, reserved floating on the water, using a kayak, viewing from a boardwalk or observing from a bridge.
What is the best time of the day to swim with manatees?
Manatees typically crowd the springs in the morning. This is prompting tour boats to arrive as early as 7 a.m. for optimal water clarity and abundant manatee presence. However, increasing arrivals stir up bottom sediments, diminishing water clarity. Remember, arrive early or reschedule during the lunchtime lull if you miss the initial opportunity.
The springs are usually packed all morning but suddenly everyone leaves and all is quiet and peaceful at noon. Strive to be among the first to arrive by noon to avoid getting caught up in the second rush during the early afternoon. The springs, however, will be empty again by 3 p.m. For optimal experiences, consider visiting the springs during mid-week (from Tuesday through Thursday) in the early morning. Manatees are active and playful during this time, and the springs are less crowded on most weekdays.
Avoiding the crowds of people in the springs
If possible, avoid scheduling a manatee tour on holiday weekends. For instance, manatee tour operators face their busiest times on weekends just before, during, and after holidays. The most common holidays include Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, and Presidents Day. Consequently, this situation creates challenges for trip logistics and booking accommodations, and it increases the likelihood of encountering difficulties in securing the best tour guides. Tour companies put in considerable effort to ensure customer satisfaction and minimize disruptive behavior. However, the springs attract large gatherings of people who generate noise and commotion. This scenario makes it more challenging to enjoy a positive experience when interacting with manatees.
What is the best time for manatee photography?
If you want to take good pictures, go when the tide is high. Manatees go to Three Sisters Springs through a small channel only open during high tide in Crystal River. The springs are easier to see into when the tide is high. Around 400-500 manatees can be there at this time, great for photos. You can find the tide schedule at a local dive shop or online. This helps plan your manatee photo trip. You can still see manatees during low tide, but they’ll be near the springs.
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