Best time to see manatees in Florida
The ‘manatee season’ in Florida, typically from December to February, offers a unique spectacle.
During this time, hundreds of these gentle giants gather in warm water sanctuaries regulated by natural springs. Manatees, unable to endure water colder than 68 degrees for long, migrate from the cold coastal water to inland warm water sources. This phenomenon provides a perfect opportunity to see manatees in their natural habitat.
Even if you miss the ‘manatee season,’ there are still plenty of opportunities to spot these gentle giants. The best place to see manatees in Florida, like Crystal River, are home to resident manatees, which stay in the specific river year-round, increasing your chances of encountering manatees outside the typical season. Keep reading to learn more about other locations where you can spot manatees in Florida in the summer.
Can I see manatees in May?: Where to see manatees outside manatee season Florida
Manatees can be spotted in Florida in May and all other months, but it’s a treasure hunt.
While manatees are present, they may be challenging to find, adding an element of adventure to your wildlife observation.
To increase your chances, visit specific areas like Crystal River, Silver Springs State Park, and Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. These locations are known for their high manatee populations and are popular spots for sightings. Keep your eyes peeled for these gentle giants!
Where can I see manatees in Florida in the summer?
In Florida, in spring, summer, and fall months, you can find resident manatees with what they need in the inland waterways and choose to stay here all year.
These can include a random few, mothers and their babies, and orphaned young. They are herbivores and primarily feed on seagrass, a vital part of their diet.
Can you see a manatee in Orlando?: Where to see manatees Orlando
If you’re in Orlando longing to see manatees, you’re in luck.
Several resident manatees make the Silver River their home all year round. This river is conveniently located in central Florida, less than two hours from downtown Orlando. Glimpsing these peaceful giants in their natural Florida habitat is a truly awe-inspiring experience. The best access to the Silver River is through Silver Springs State Park.
In warm weather months outside of mantee season, you likely will not find them hanging out directly in the clear water springs but moving throughout the rivers, munching away on food sources. You can also see wild monkeys and alligators!
Where is the best place in the world to see manatees?
Crystal River, Florida, USA, on the west coast of Florida.
Crystal River is no doubt the capital for manatee tourism.
Best place to see manatees in Florida: Crystal River, Florida manatees
Dozens of tour companies offer boat and paddle tours to direct individuals to the manatees.
These tours can be a great way to see manatees up close and learn more about them from knowledgeable guides. We prefer to launch from Hunter Springs Park with our Bote Stand Up Paddle Boards that give us the best perspective of the manatees. During manatee season, with thousands of them throughout Crystal River in winter, you can rent a kayak and launch yourself. This gives you just as equal odds to see them as paying for a tour, empowering you to take control of your manatee sighting experience.
While boat tours offer excellent accessibility for those unable to paddle, it’s important to note that every manatee has visible boat injury scars. If paddling is feasible for you, you can play a direct and crucial role in their conservation by helping to keep our manatee friends safe. This empowers you to be a responsible observer and protector of these gentle giants. However, boat tours offer great accessibility and are an excellent way to learn about manatees.
Paying for a paddle tour during the months outside of manatee season will give you a better chance at seeing the few who have yet to venture out to coastal waters.
Are there manatees in places other than Florida?
Outside of mantatee season, when the water gets warm again, above 68 degrees, manatees will venture out of warm, inland waterway sanctuaries and back out to coastal water and even other states!
Manatees are highly adaptable and can move to different areas to find the most suitable water temperature and food sources.
Some Florida manatees journey up the eastern coastline into Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. During warm months, a few have even been tracked as far north as Massachusetts.
Where to see manatees in Florida Panhandle
You can spot manatees in the Gulf of Mexico throughout the coastal waters off the Florida Panhandle, Louisiana, and periodically sighted as far west as Texas.
When is manatee mating season?
Manatees mate in warm waters, mostly during the summer, offering a unique and privileged spectacle.
Witnessing the breathtaking moment when a large group of male manatees, known as a ‘mating herd,’ pursues a female for hours straight is a truly unique and privileged experience. This event is not only awe-inspiring but also crucial to manatee conservation efforts, as it helps maintain these gentle giants’ population and genetic diversity.
***Reminder to keep your distance and not get as close to the manatees as the kayak featured here.
The manatees will launch out of the water and throw themselves onto the females. If you get lucky to see it in person, it is truly awe-inspiring and somewhat chaotic. The manatees become most active in warm water during the summer, deemed manatee mating season. But manatees will also mate when they finally reach the warm water sanctuary and springs in the winter. Warm water provides manatees with the energy they need for their active behaviors, such as mating. The best place to see manatees in Florida mate is Crystal River near Three Sisters Springs.
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