Is it safe to be around manatee in a kayak?

Kayaking is an amazing way to see and swim with Florida manatees, offering you the opportunity to interact with these wonderful creatures in their natural habitats. Using a kayak, you can easily make your way through the narrow springs of Crystal River and locate the manatees wherever they are, whether they are lazing in the lagoons, nursing their calves or resting in the coves. A kayak enables you to paddle quietly through the warm springs, ensuring that you cause the least scare to the manatees and allowing a close contact with them.

So is it safe to be around a manatee in a kayak?

The answer is a definite yes. Kayaks steer through manatee habitats quietly and with minimal disturbance or damage. This allows the manatees to act naturally, go about their usual business and make no moves that may result in injuries or death. Likewise, there is nothing on kayaks that can accidentally injure a manatee, making observation of these gentle giants from inside a kayak safe and harmless. If you want to experience the magic that erupts when in the presence of manatees, then a kayak allows them to confidently approach you, check out what you are doing in their environment and interact with you without fear. Manatees are friendly and curious creatures and they are likely to come to your boat.

Respect manatees and their environment

Even though a kayak is a great way to safely see and swim with manatees, you will need to respect the animals and their environment in order to have a fruitful and memorable outing on the water. In fact, while kayak rides are peaceful and safe, you are not exempt from following the rules governing the protection of this endangered species. You are expected to exercise caution when you paddle near manatee sanctuaries, seagrass beds and refuge area boundaries to avoid injuring or killing manatees as they enter or leave these areas. Accord manatees the space for free movement in their habitat and obey the directions and restrictions on the signs around manatee habitats.

Steer your vessel away from manatees

When using a kayak, you should only observe manatees from a distance. These animals are very curious, so they can lose their natural caution at the sight of any vessel. You should keep the kayak at a distance to minimize the risk of injuring the manatees as they approach your kayak. Likewise, you should not approach or surround any manatee that you encounter. Even if the manatee initiates contact with your vessel, you should make sure of the least possible contact. Remember manatees have a powerful tail that can flip your vessel or upend you if the animal makes an abrupt, forceful move to get away. Always ensure that you are at a distance that does not change the behavior of the animal.

No fuss, more fun

Watching manatees from a distance is delightful and fun. You can take as many videos and photos as you desire and observe them from your strategic point without changing their behavior. However, you must remain quiet, make no attempts to touch the animals and avoid creating any disruption. Do not splash around or make loud noises when close to the manatees. And if a manatee approaches you on its own, you may interact with her only gently, following the animal’s lead and with help from your tour guide.

Are you planning a manatee tour to Florida and want to get the best experience possible? Captain Mike’s offers some of the safest kayaks to get you close and personal with the animals without interfering with their space. Using our kayaks is a great way to have some amazing memories with friends, family or co-workers. Located just a few miles from some of the best manatee hot spots in Crystal River, we provide tourists visiting Florida with stable, comfortable and affordable kayaks to ensure their kayaking trips are fun, safe, thrilling and memorable. For more information on finding the right kayak and achieving a once-in-a-lifetime manatee tour in Florida’s Crystal River, visit the “Captain Mike’s Kayak Academy” site.

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Do we always get to see manatees on the kayak trips?

Kayak trips in Crystal River almost always guarantee that you will see Florida manatees. Dubbed the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River plays host to hundreds of manatees that congregate in the warm, spring-fed waters of Kings Bay during the winter to help them survive the cold. Although manatees can be found up and down the coast of Florida, Homosassa and Crystal River stand alone as the only places where people can legally get into the water, see and interact with manatees. And because the water is always warm in Crystal River, there are several resident manatees on Crystal River throughout the year making it possible to always see manatees when you kayak on the river.

So do we always get to see manatees on the kayak trips?

Yes. Crystal River has manatees throughout the year so you most definitely will see them on your kayak trips. However, it may take hours and several stops in multiple springs to find the manatees. For instance, during summer months when the number of manatees in the springs drops drastically, you may spend a long time and kayak a greater distance before you find manatees. But manatees are easier to find in the springs during winter because they congregate in the warm waters. So as you kayak in Crystal River, it is important to search patiently for the animals in the lagoons and coves even when it is taking longer than expected.

Good Timing

While manatees can be spotted in Crystal River at any time, the likelihood of sighting them is higher on colder days or during the winter season compared to the summer. Kayaking in Crystal River between November and March enhances your chances of encountering at least one manatee during each excursion. Post March, the manatee population in the springs gradually decreases, making sightings more variable, although there are still several resident manatees in the river. Given that manatees tend to be active early in the morning, launching your kayak promptly allows you to swiftly and effortlessly locate them as they begin to graze on the river’s vegetation.

Appropriate gear

While kayaking in Crystal River offers the chance to engage with manatees at your own pace, it’s imperative to secure a stable and comfortable kayak from a reputable provider for a safe and fulfilling excursion. The kayak provider should also grant access to a launch site. Equipping yourself with a map and proper gear is essential to locate and navigate Three Sisters Springs, Hunter Spring, King Spring, or the designated Manatee Protection Zones. Trustworthy local establishments like Captain Mike’s Kayak Academy can furnish you with a map and all necessary gear, ensuring an extended water experience. With a wetsuit for warmth, a pool noodle for buoyancy, flippers for propulsion, and snorkel and mask for underwater observation, you’re set for an exhilarating and unforgettable adventure.

Slow down inside manatee habitats

When entering areas with reported manatee sightings, it’s crucial to reduce your speed in your kayak. Operating at slow speeds offers manatees ample time to surface, making them visible to you. Moving slowly through the springs enhances your ability to spot manatees. Signs of manatee presence include glimpses of their head, large tail, or rounded back as they roll and surface. You might also see a series of circles on the water’s surface caused by their tail in motion, or a snout breaking the surface as they breathe. Wearing polarized sunglasses can aid in spotting manatees resting or grazing below the water.

The experience of encountering a Florida manatee is emotional and exhilarating. These majestic creatures are captivating, leaving a lasting impression. At Captain Mike’s, we provide visitors to Florida with the optimal opportunity to observe and swim with these gentle beings through safe, stable, and comfortable kayaks. Our kayak range caters to outdoor enthusiasts of all levels, whether beginners or seasoned pros, accommodating various budgets. If you seek a high-quality kayak for exploring Crystal River, reach out to us for affordable rental options. For comprehensive information on kayaking and swimming with manatees in Crystal River, explore the “Captain Mike’s Kayak Academy” site.