Key takeaways
- Manatees are amazing to see in their natural habitat and swimming and snorkeling with them can be a delightful experience.
- It is important to maintain a respectful distance from the manatees and avoid any behavior that may disrupt their natural behavior.
- Visitors should remain calm and allow the manatees to take charge of the interaction and not chase after them if they move away. Keep off designated manatee areas and use snorkel gear to float seamlessly on the water surface and observe the manatees.
You love snorkeling and swimming. And you love manatees, too.
So if this describes you, kill two birds with one stone by going snorkeling and swimming with the manatee in Crystal River, Florida.
The gorgeous, majestic creatures are amazing to see in their natural habitat. And you can be sure that diving, swimming and watching them up close will be a delightful experience.
Besides, manatees are unique, playful creatures that treasure human company. You may even be lucky to have some of them approach you for a kiss or belly rub!
At Swimming with the Manatees, we encourage swimmers and snorkelers to go on excursions that respect both the animals and their habitats. That is why we provide information and education so they can explore all things manatee before their tours.
So what are the must-know tips for manatee swimmers and snorkelers?
- Maintain a respectful distance
Being up close and personal with these aquatic giants is an awesome experience. You’ll really love seeing the animals play, somersault, graze, sleep or just go on with their business. But you must remember that you’re in the habitat of a wild animal and the best way to see and interact with them is from a respectful distance.
You must avoid approaching the animals too closely as that may disrupt their natural behavior. In fact, some may feel threatened or panic, fleeing from safe areas and moving to colder areas or into dangerous boat traffic.
As a rule, you must never approach, surround, touch, chase, block, ride, disturb or poke a manatee. Equally, you must never feed or give them water. And neither should you separate a mother from its calf nor a manatee from a herd.
- Keep your cool throughout your stay in the water
Well, it can be quite overwhelming being in the water with a huge, aquatic giant lurching below you or roaming around you. But while snorkeling or are swimming in a manatee habitat, you must never lose your cool, panic, and become disruptive. Doing so may scare the animals and cause them to flee to dangerous areas.
So try as much as possible to remain calm. The idea is to simply float in the water with as little commotion, noise and disruption as possible. And to avoid excessive splashing and boisterous behavior when around the sea cows. Actually, if you appear motionless in the water, it is more likely that a curious manatee will come closer to you for an interaction.
- Allow the manatees to take charge
Manatees are more like people. They are curious and friendly, but they have business to accomplish. And so while some may be interested enough to approach you, others will want to go on sleeping, resting or grazing. You shouldn’t be surprised when a manatee doesn’t seem to notice your presence or even moves away.
As a rule, you must never chase after a manatee that is swimming away from you. But even if a manatee is swimming towards you, it is prudent to give way and resist any urge to pet it. And if a manatee comes straight up to you and rolls over to get a belly rub, you may only do so with one open hand. Plus, you should understand that such a manatee has already been tamed by another diver and its behavior isn’t natural.
- Keep off designated manatee areas
Manatees are found in areas with plenty of vegetation as they are herbivores that consume plenty of plant material every day. But these areas also provide tranquil and safe spots where the creatures can rest, sleep, and interact with each other without human interference.
As a mark of respect to the animals and their habitat, you must never cross into these areas. Fortunately, the areas have been roped off and marked with buoys to keep out snorkelers and swimmers. So when you snorkel or swim to these boundaries, you should stop and observe the animals from that point or move back away from the sanctuaries.
- Use snorkel gear
Lucky to have your manatee tour on a site that allows in-water activities? Then use snorkel gear to help you float seamlessly on the water surface and to observe the manatees passively from that position. Snorkel equipment is also ideal because it produces minimal splashing and disruption.
You must avoid scuba gear because the sound of the equipment will frighten the manatees. Plus, scuba equipment may stir up the area and produce bubbles that may cause manatees to panic and flee.
Would you like more tips and ideas on how to interact with manatees? Get all the information you need by visiting the site “Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees.”
References:
- “Respect for the Manatees.” Dip’n Dive, dipndive.com/blogs/marine-life/respect-for-the-manatees
- “Tips for Swimmers and Divers.” Save the Manatee Club, savethemanatee.org/how-to-help/get-resources/tips-for-swimmers-and-divers/
- “Dos and Don’ts When Meeting a Manatee.” Discover Crystal River, discovercrystalriverfl.com/manatee-authority/dos-and-donts-when-meeting-a-manatee/