Where Can You Legally Swim With Manatees? And Some Facts About Them

There is only one place in the USA that you can legally swim with manatees. That place is in Crystal River, Florida. The reason is because they have outfitters that take the time to educate visitors all about the manatees, safe behaviors, and are committed to ensuring the well-being of these adorable “sea cows”. The number one rule is that you may not touch the manatees. If they approach you, though, it’s up to them.

Within Crystal River, King’s Bay Wildlife Refuge is a safe haven for these gentle giants. They can come and go at their own will. They tend to come into the bay in winter to stay warm, and then head back out to the gulf for the rest of the year. But a few stay in the bay year-round, especially the ones that have been rehabilitated (from boating accidents, etc).

We went with a company called Fun 2 Dive, and we had a great experience. They have wetsuits, snorkels and masks. They knew just where to look for the manatees, since most were already out in the gulf at the end of March. We got to Three Sisters Spring ahead of other boats, and were able to peacefully watch some manatees before it got too crowded. We were in the water about 1.5 hrs, and the whole experience, including a safety video, was 3 hours.

The cost for an adult, including mask and snorkel, was about $70, while ride-along passengers paid only $46. There are also private tours for 12 people or less for $700. Children ages 3 and up are welcome. Younger children are allowed if it’s on a private tour. They also took photos and a few videos that you could purchase for a small additional fee.

Here are some fun facts about manatees:

• Their closest relative is the elephant
• The 2nd leading cause of death is cold stress (1st is boats)
• They eat about 100 pounds of grass per day
• Adult manatees can hold their breath for about 20 minutes
• They have no natural predators (this is why they are so trusting of everyone/everything)
• They are the only herbivorous marine animal
• They can detect your heartbeat from 5 ft. away