Find the manatee

[Neilyboy]

Hi,

My DD has decided recently she's in to manatees in a big way . Has anyone been on or could recommend any 'experiences' of getting up close to manatees?

Looked in Seaworld but their 'experiences' seem to cover everything bar manatees

thanks in advance

[loves2plan]

There are manatees in the Nemo building at Epcot, so she could see them there. For more of a close up experience, I've read good things about the Crystal River tours.

[tigger48]

We’re booked with fun2dive at crystal river next month after reading (on a separate thread) recommendations from other dibbers. Their reviews on trip advisor are also good. We’re really looking forward to doing our vip Package. Manatees rock!

[Ridersmom]

Depending when you are in Florida there are lots of places to see manatees in the wild. We found Merritt Island National Wildlife REfuge one of the most reliable, always getting quite a bit of interaction even in August. I think it is $10.00 per carload to enter the refuge.

My family did one of the swim with the manatee tours and my ex loved it. My environmentally focused sons felt it was disturbing to the manatees.

Manatees are wonderful animals. I am glad your daughter has found an interest.

[chrisxal]

Depends on when you are planning to go to Florida as manatees only come inland during the winter months. We saw loads of them down at Tampa Power Station but it is usually the months November to March when they come in to the warmer waters.

tampaelectric/company/mvc/

[chrisblanc]

Another vote for Fun2Dive, but you're going over Easter 2019? As has been said above, there may not be many manatees that time of year, although I went in April 2010 and there were some then.

[toddy22]

Fun2dive gets my vote and the best thing ive ever done in the sunshine state

[Ridersmom]

My family did our manatee swim on April 30 and manatees were plentiful. I believe they went out into the gulf. We have even seen them in August at Merritt Island. While they are more plentiful in the winter, they can be found year round,

[Ninnybobs]

We went kayaking at Fort Desoto and got some great ‘up close and personal’ time with Manatees.
Even better was the Kayaking at Lovers Key, but that is too far to travel just for the experience if staying in Orlando.

[carolineonecat]

We went to crystal river in July but very few there - while swimming in the gulf we have had a manatee swim up to us - amazing creatures