snorkling with manatees

[teamsterdiver]

I will be in Florida in a month and want to take my two kids snorkling with manatees. Any suggestions?

We will be in the Bradenton area and I hear the crystal river site is 2 hours north. We are excited and have been watching you tube videos. It looks pretty easy and I hope to get some great video myself.

[BSea]

It's been years since I've done it (1999, or 2000), but you should go if you have the chance. My buddy & I rented a boat and went diving too, but we got to see several up close. There was some talk of rule changes, and I don't know what or if has changes since I was there. You should probably call, or look on the internet for exact info. Just be sure & get good wetsuits for your kids. The water is pretty cold, and depending on the temp during the day, it could get uncomfortable without an adequate wetsuit.

[teamsterdiver]

thanks for the response. I hear that they don't like the bubbles from scuba.

I think I can get some rental suits for the dive shop. just have to keep the kids from scarring them away. it should be a great time

[Landlocked Amphibian]

I never thought of snorkeling with manatees. I think it would be fun. The next time I am down in Florida I might make a detour and try it out. Thanks for the idea.

[BSea]

Originally Posted by teamsterdiver

thanks for the response. I hear that they don't like the bubbles from scuba.

I think I can get some rental suits for the dive shop. just have to keep the kids from scarring them away. it should be a great time

I've heard that about bubble too. But we didn't use scuba gear around them, only snorkle gear. you really don't need fins either. Just get into the water near them & slowly approach to about 15 to 20 feet. sometimes they will come closer on their own. We never got close enough to touch, but we didn't try either.

[Travelnsj]

I was at Crystal River a month ago and used Birds (i think they was their name). They were great saw more Manatees than I could count.

[utahfish]

I'm hoping to get down there within a year or so myself! Let me know how it goes! And post some pics! Have fun!

[clararhb]

You guys have got to do it. We did it several years ago..I think with Birds..and had a BLAST!! I think we were in for 30 minutes and that was about enough. We all wore 3mm shorties but could have used a full. At any rate it is worth every penny of getting up early.