Florida Manatee Tour – A Sunshine State Bucket List Adventure

If you’re dreaming of a truly unforgettable Florida experience, taking a manatee tour should be at the top of your list. The almost mythical creatures are incredible to see up close. You might even wonder if they are real the first time you see them, or if your boat captain has a friend with a manatee suit. That is until you start to see more. Taking a Florida manatee tour offers an up-close encounter like no other: a magical, peaceful moment you won’t forget.

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What Is A Manatee?

Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals often referred to as “gentle giants” or “sea cows.” When you see them in the wild, you’ll fully understand this description as they bob up to the surface and back down all around your boat.

While manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh over 1000 lbs, they are incredibly peaceful and curious creatures. Tours will focus on warm, shallow waters, where manatees are often found. These herbivores spend much of their time grazing on seagrass and floating plants.

Can You Only See Manatees In Florida?

While Florida is one of the best and most reliable places to see manatees, they aren’t exclusive to the Sunshine State. Manatees can also be found in parts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean, and along the coasts of Central and South America.

Florida, however, offers some of the most accessible and protected environments for up-close manatee encounters, making it a top destination for manatee tours.

In Florida, they’re a protected species and a beloved part of the state’s natural wildlife. And let’s face it, they’re a little friendlier looking than Florida’s other popular resident: the alligator.

Do I Have To Take A Florida Manatee Tour To See Them?

Of course you don’t have to take a manatee tour specifically to see these funny-looking animals, but it is one of the best ways to see them up close. You might be surprised at how easy they are to spot once you know what you’re looking for. But if you really want to (almost) guarantee a sighting, booking a tour with an expert is key.

I took a small boat tour to see manatees from near Naples Florida, but there are a number of different places (and tours to choose from) around the state.

Some places also offer kayaking adventures or snorkeling trips to see manatees – although that also felt a bit too close to the gators for my liking.

Florida Manatee Tour – Quick Facts

PRICE: Expect to pay around $70 USD per person. Some places are cheaper, some are more expensive, but this seemed to be the average.

TOUR LENGTH: Most Florida manatee tours are around 1-1.5 hours. Again, tours vary, but this is also a really good amount of time to see some manatees and have time in your day for other things.

WHERE: Manatees can be found in many areas in Florida, and the manatee tours are no different. Most tours are concentrated around the west coast and in warmer spring-fed waters where they like to gather.

WHEN: Manatees can be found year-round, but they do prefer warm (and shallow) water. The winter months might see them move to warmer waters like natural springs or around power plants.

TOUR SIZE: Most boat tours are small boats, think 6-8 people max. Our tour was 5 people and it was the perfect size.

BOAT AMENITIES: The manatee tour we took was on a very nice boat, lots of comfortable seating, but not much shade, and no bathroom. We were given polarized glasses and phone camera lenses to help spot manatees without the glare from the water. Game changer!

OTHER WILDLIFE: Wildlife is never guaranteed, but expert guides know where to look. With luck you’ll see manatees, as well as alligators and a variety of interesting birds.

What To Expect On A Florida Manatee Tour By Boat

Most manatee tours follow a similar structure as the one I took from near Naples in Florida. You’ll head out on a small boat with a local guide who will not only know the water like the back of their hand, but have all the insider tips on the best places to maximize manatee viewing.

We had barely got past our safety talk when we saw our first manatee. And by that I mean a little blip of a nose poking out of the water that could have been missed if not for our guide.

From that point on we spotted the signs of manatees in the area: bubbles on top of the water, the odd little nose breaking the calm water near the marina, and a slight shadow just below the surface.

Where you find one manatee, you’re likely to find more as they can be social, often found in pairs or small groups. You’ll find they stick to the shallow waters, so are especially likely to be seen around the marinas, near the edges of water where you’ll find the seagrasses and underwater plants they like to eat.

On our Florida manatee tour we saw dozens of these huge funny-looking animals. They bobbed to the surface, then disappeared just as quickly.

Of course without being underwater the best you can hope for is to see the outline of the animal if the water is clear enough, or the whiskered noses sucking in fresh air for a few seconds.

BEYOND THE MANATEES

A Florida manatee tour is not just about the manatees though. Expect your guide to give you the full Florida experience, and go searching for alligators, always a crowd favorite.

You’ll probably come across some gators sunning themselves on a beachy area nearby, or gazing out of the water on a warm day.

They are so still that you’ll wonder if they’re real. But they are, and it will make you think twice about heading into the water like the occasional kayaker you’ll spot. In a place where paddleboarding could be considered an extreme sport, I’ll opt for the full sized boat, thank you.

Another fun part about some of these tours is getting a good look at some of the massive houses that line the water around Florida. Who doesn’t love a bit of gawk at houses you might not be able to afford?

Aside from alligators and manatees, expect to see lots of birds. From herons to pelicans, and black vultures soaring in circles above, there are many unique birds you can spot on a Florida manatee tour when out on the water.

While a 90-minute tour might not seem a long time, it’s perfect for seeing some of Florida’s most unique animals. And considering you don’t have to go too far to see them, you don’t need much longer than this. This is a great activity to fill part of your day, and will still leave you with time to do other things.

Are Manatees Worth Seeing In Florida?

Absolutely. Manatees are one of Florida’s most unique and unforgettable animals. It might be the only place you’ll have the opportunity to see them in the wild. I lost track of time watching them bob up and down in the water, not caring that we were so close to them.

A Florida manatee tour isn’t just about spotting wildlife, it lets you experience the calm, peaceful presence of these endangered animals and gaining a deeper appreciation for their conservation. Which of course, is always easier when the animal is cute or funny-looking.

If you want to get closer to manatees you might want to look at an option to go swimming or kayaking with them – but after seeing the alligators, I think I’ll stick to the bigger boat.

For travelers seeking a once-in-a-lifetime experience, manatees are definitely worth seeing in Florida. Tours are reasonably priced enough that you shouldn’t skip it on your trip to the Sunshine State.

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