Where in Florida Do Manatees Live?

Manatees are rare in many parts of the world, which makes them appear special whenever you find them.

I have sighted manatees in Florida many times in different regions.

Where in Florida do manatees live?

I have seen manatees in Florida’s springs, rivers, and coaster water, especially in

.

The Florida manatee is a sub-species of the West Indian manatee that many visitors want to see in the state.

Where in Florida do manatees live?

Georgia,

and The Carolinas.

Manatees can be seen in  the eastern coastline into

, and the Carolinas and some of them travel as far north as Massachusetts during the summer months.

Florida manatees in the gulf can be seen around the western side of the gulf, through coastal Louisiana.

Sometimes they are seen as far west as Texas.

Before the cold months of winter, Florida manatees relocate to their habitats in Florida where they will get warm water like artesian springs, and power plant discharge canals.

The

is at the northern end, within the manatee’s winter range.

The warm-water habitats are very important for their survival during the cold months of winter.

Behavior:

Manatees are aquatic animals that feed on plants.

They are commonly called “Sea Cows”.

Most times they spend about eight hours eating seagrasses and other aquatic plants.

Every day a manatee eats grasses and aquatic plants that are up to 4 to 9 percent of its body weight.

The animals propel themselves forward by wagging their tails.

Manatees are good swimmers.

They can swim at the speed of up to 15 miles per hour in short bursts.

They spend between 2 to 12 hours every day resting either close to the surface of the water or at the bottom.

During the winter, they are seen gathered together close to places where there is warm water.

However, being semi-social animals, they move around the state’s waterways during the rest months of the year searching for food, mates, or places of rest.

The animals do not need to move in a group except for male and female pairs, and small mating herds, but they socialize when they meet with other manatees.

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

The East Coast also known as the Space Coast is home to the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.

NASA bought over the Refuge and turned it into a National Wildlife Refuge which became a huge benefit to the large population of manatees in that area.

The Refuge is home to many kinds of animals like alligators, endangered birds, bobcats, dolphins, and many others.

Manatees are common sights here at all times of the year.

There is a viewing deck in the Haulover Canal from where you will have a good view of manatees.

Go over to

if you did not see any manatees in Haulover Canal, it is another nice place you will have a good opportunity to have a clear view of manatees.

The time you are very sure of seeing manatees here is during the summer months.

Tarpon Springs

From Tarpon Springs to Tampa is about 45 minute drive.

This is a perfect destination for sponge fishing.

You will also see many manatees there during the winter months in Florida.

This location is a hidden gem because it is a gathering spot for manatees during the winter months.

Between 15th November and 31st March, during the weekends you can go kayaking with the manatees in “Get Up and Go Kayaking” because this period is known as the manatee season.

Blue Springs

Orange City Florida

is home to Blue Spring.

This Spring plays host to many manatees during the manatee season.

There are many boardwalks

State Park from where you can have a good view of these aquatic animals.

The cooler the temperature is the better view of the manatees you have in the park.

The park has a manatee webcam and daily counts, so you can have an idea of the number of manatees in the park before you leave for the day.

Note that during the winter months you are permitted to view the manatees only from the boardwalk because this is the time they close down the spring run.

During the winter you may by chance see one or two manatees in the main river.

However, the view may not be very clear as the water is not clear.

Homosassa Springs

The Ellie Schiller

, and there are lots of manatees in Homosassa Springs.

The park is open to visitors from 9 a.

m.

to 5 p.

m.

every day.

Many kinds of animals like manatees, alligators,

, birds and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity live in this park.

Winter is the best time to visit Homosassa if you want to see manatees because this is their escape destination from the cold temperature in the ocean.

Crystal River

The best place to see manatees in Florida is the Crystal River.

Crystal River is home to many natural springs like the Three Sisters Springs.

This spring is among the most popular springs in Florida, and there are hundreds of manatees that rest inside it at a time.

With Get Up And Go Kayaking you can take a tour of the springs and their environs in totally

.

Although some manatees are permanently resident in Crystal River, the winter period is the period to see them in their large number in the river.

Weeki Wachee

Weeki Wachee is another great spot to see manatees.

You will see manatees here at all times of the year and they have plenty of food available for them in the Spring Hill area.

However, it is during the winter time you will see manatees in large numbers in this place because of the warm spring waters the place offers.

You can see the manatees directly from your kayak when you take a kayak tour of the water.

FAQs

What beach has manatees in Florida?

You will see the Manatee Public Beach not far from Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach.

The park can be accessed from morning to about 10 p.

m.

every day.

This place is worth visiting every day.

is very easy because it has three access points.

Is it rare to see a manatee in Florida?

No, you can observe manatees in many

.

During the winter months, between November and March, you will see them in the wild where they are clustered around warm water sources.

Is it OK to touch a manatee?

No, it is unlawful to touch manatee and also unlawful to feed or give them water.

Their behaviors in the wild may change if they get used to being close to people.

It may make them lose the natural fear they have for boats and humans, making them dangerous.