A manatee tour is the best way to experience an extraordinary animal. In fact, these tours allow you the rare chance to swim up close and personal with one of Florida’s most beloved creatures. Furthermore, It is an experience like no other that you will be talking about for years to come.

Manatees can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Additionally, this marine mammal is full of personality, and its friendly nature has made them a favorite of children and adults. No trip to Florida, especially Crystal River, would be complete without spending time with this precious endangered species.

If you are planning on taking part in a manatee tour, here are a few things you should take along with you to make the most of your trip.

1. Swimsuit. These tours offer you the opportunity to enter the water and swim alongside this captivating creature. For the most enjoyable experience, bring a swimsuit that allows comfortable movement and swimming. Ensure the swimsuit fits securely to avoid any worries about it slipping off while you’re active. Additionally, there’s no need for a wetsuit since the water at Crystal River, where the manatees congregate, maintains a temperature of at least 72 degrees year-round. Simply a swimsuit is sufficient.

2. Goggles and Snorkel. Manatees stay mostly underwater, typically only surfacing briefly. To view them best and save your eyes, bringing goggles and a snorkel is advisable. Fortunately, many manatee tours offer these items for rent, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t have your own. However, swimming fins are not recommended for manatee tours. The water won’t be very deep, and the fins could stir up materials from the sea floor, clouding your vision.

3. Camera. For these tours, an underwater camera comes highly recommended. Moreover, manatees are incredibly friendly, and they are even known to pose for selfies with swimmers. You won’t want to miss this chance to capture and show off your own manatee selfies. Furthermore, the photos will make for great stories for your friends and family.

4. Towel and dry clothes. After your adventure in the water with the manatees, you will naturally want to dry off with a towel. Additionally, it’s recommended that you bring some dry clothes so you don’t have to sit in your kayak or pontoon in a wet swimsuit on the return trip. Depending on the time of year, you may even want to bring a sweatshirt.

Lastly, it’s important to remember that you are entering a wildlife area when you go on a manatee tour. You should leave with everything you entered with in order to preserve this natural area. For more information about having a great manatee tour, let Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees help you with your plans. They have been providing great, eco-friendly manatee tours for years. For more information on manatees and manatee tours, visit Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees website.