Falling in Love with Florida’s Manatees
During our road trip in Florida, I had one goal in mind: to see manatees! Unfortunately, since we had to postpone the trip, I knew it would be a little more challenging… But, as often happens, nature was incredibly generous, and that’s how I fell in love with one of its most adorable creatures 😊!
Who am I?
I’m the manatee, sometimes nicknamed the ‘sea cow,’ and my ancestors inspired the legend of mermaids. Despite what you might think 😉, I have very little fat and need warm water to survive. That means I have to move around to find spots where the water temperature is just right for me (above 21°C). I spend most of my day grazing on aquatic plants, my main food, and I regularly come to the surface to breathe. I can grow up to 4 meters long and weigh nearly 600 kg. My reproduction is slow: I carry my calf for about 12 months, and it will stay by my side for around two years.
Even though I might make you want to hug me, I’m a protected species, and it’s very important to keep a safe distance when you meet me. Every interaction should be gentle and respectful—just like me 😊.
Where to find me?
I hang out in warm waters, rivers, and natural springs. You’re most likely to spot me in winter, between November and March. During this time, we gather in the springs, drawn by the constant and warmer water temperatures.
Some places have become famous for spotting me easily, like Crystal River or Blue Spring State Park. In winter, we gather there, sometimes by the hundreds, a truly impressive sight! Of course, you can also see me elsewhere in Florida, like in the Weeki Wachee River, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and more.
First Encounters
We caught a brief glimpse of our first manatee noses 😉 at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, from the Manatee Observation Deck, but the water was murky at the time. Our first real encounter, however, happened during a canoe trip in the beautiful Silver Springs State Park.
As often happens, it appeared just when we least expected it. Just when we thought we’d come back empty-handed, a magnificent manatee swam right past our canoe. The encounter was brief but intense. By sliding the camera underwater, we even managed to capture a completely unexpected shot—taken literally blind 😉—something we never imagined we’d get!
Swimming with a beautiful mermaid
After weighing the pros and cons, I booked a trip to Crystal River with Fun 2 Dive to swim with the manatees. The company seemed responsible and respectful of the animals, and indeed, that was the case. It was just the two of us, along with an adorable family of four, and our boat was the only one in the area. Despite the season, we were lucky enough to get a very close encounter with a manatee. An incredible moment, especially when Mrs. Manatee decided to snuggle up to me 😍! Of course, during peak season, the experience must be even more amazing!
I should mention that the rules for this encounter were very strict: no sudden movements when moving around, no getting too close (at least for us 😉), and observation time was limited. The guide made sure everything was strictly respected.
Nothing but love, pure love
Ultimately, our most amazing moment with these incredible animals happened at Three Sisters Springs, a place well-known for its manatee population. Yet, when we arrived, the sign at the entrance said there were no manatees that day… and imagine our surprise when we stumbled upon a mother and her adorable calf in a truly idyllic setting! Crystal-clear blue water, lush vegetation, jumping fish 😉, birds… in short, just perfect!
We stayed for a long, long time just watching them, and even had a picnic on a bench to prolong this extraordinary moment. I didn’t know it at the time, but it’s actually possible to go snorkeling in this beautiful place, with certain areas specially reserved for manatees.
After this encounter, we didn’t see any again, except in the Keys, where we spotted some swimming along the beach near our hotel. I knew before leaving that I would love them, and it far exceeded my expectations! We both completely fell in love with these animals, which radiate so much gentleness. I even decided to “adopt” one upon returning through the Save the Manatee Club, and I am now the sponsor of beautiful Phyllis 😉!