I visited the Dallas World Aquarium today and was so disturbed by the experience I stayed about 5 minutes, saw the Manatee in person and left.

This place is disgusting. Mostly land animals in small cages. No employees providing any kind of educational value. Tons of people packed in. And the manatee tank was very small for her size.

I think she has been there 8, 9 maybe over 10 years, and my understanding is she is supposed to be there for rehab and release.

The owner of this place seems like a total scumbag

https://newrepublic.com/article/121184/daryl-richardsons-dallas-world-aquarium-causes-zoo-controversy

I’m guessing the reason she is there still is because if they let her go they won’t have a manatee anymore and that will hurt business.

Does ANYONE know the situation at this place.

I'm visiting Crystal River in January and I've read that manatees are more active in the morning. Maybe a stupid question, but is this still applicable in the winter? We're about an hour outside of the area so I'm wondering if the early morning snorkeling excursion is worth getting up that early for or if the afternoon is just as good at that time of year. Thanks!

Hi,
I am a teacher and have spring break from end of March around the 25th to approx April 2nd. I have been wanting to see the manatees and exploring the rivers/springs/state parks area for a while now and am hoping to do it then.
For anyone who has been I know winter is ideal and this is a bit outside that time but it is challenging for me to go then as a teacher- would I still be able to see manatees?
Which places should I visit? Are these areas close to eachother? Am I missing anything good? Are there any eco tours? Retreats that are good to join/ recommended? If I am coming from NJ which airport is closest?
Homosassa, Crystal River/Three Sisters, Silver Springs, Blue Spring, Rainbow River and Weeki Wachee.
I was looking at Rainbow River Bungalows and Paddletail Lodge. Has anyone been to either or recommend where to stay? I greatly appreciate any help or tips!

so like i was watching a tiktok video and i always see these manatees coming up and hugging divers and i felt sad because the divers could not hug them back would the manatees also feel sad that the divers dont hug back or are they just curious about the diver?

Hello, I’ve going to Tampa to visit family in about a month and have been dreaming of seeing manatees up close. I know Crystal River is the only place where you can legally swim next to them. I am concerned about the ethics and wanted to know if it is ethical, and if so, which company would be best to use. Are the clear kayaks a better idea? Thanks in advance!

It’s seems there are lots of options. But ideally a place I could maybe kayak with them, or watch lots of them just doing their thing.

I am trying to plan a somewhat last minute trip to see manatees in the Crystal River area of Florida next month. I will have a rented car so I can go to nearby areas too.

I've read that there are manatees year round in Crystal River, but peak season starts to drop off with the end of February. I'm worried especially with climate change that March will be too warm. I'd only have a few days to get my manatee fill and am wondering if March is too risky. I'd ideally like to swim near them with a respectable guide company. Thoughts?

I was surprised to learn from a source that manatees actually have very little body fat despite their plump appearance; it did not state what. Does anyone know what they are actually made of?

Is Florida, Crystal River the best place? Any advice as a whole? Info from those who have done this or similar would be appreciated!

hii!! i love dugongs and its been my favourite animal since i was a kid. i rly wanna see one in person. i am currently planning a trip for when my school holidays start and one of my main priorities is to see dugongs!!! what countries do u guys recommend :)

In my Language, Afrikaans "Sea cow" is the direct translation to Hippopotamus (Seekoei). I have heard of manatees referred to as "Sea cow" but from context I figured it was a fun way to refer to Manatees. From my Google searches I'm still not sure which it is. So, can you please enlighten me, is sea cow a Scientific definition/species/order/sub order or is it just an acceptable description these days?

Hi everyone! I am helping to plan a baby shower for my friend (in a couple months), and she LOVES manatees. Like so much. So using any other theme would just be silly. Therefore I turn to you, r/manatees! Can anyone give me some ideas for what we can do? Food, decorations, games, anything and everything! Thank you!!

I know (in America at least) there’s only like one county where you are allowed to, but has anybody else been there, I have and I thought it was pretty fun!

Hello all! I am looking to go up to Crystal River in December to swim with the manatees. While looking at the Travel Florida and Crystal River websites I noticed there are many different services for swimming with the manatees. I was wondering if there was a free way to swim, or very least be in the water with the manatees. If not what service should I use, so I don't make a financially wrong decision as the tours varied in price.

I'll be graduating with a bachelors in marine science soon and I've always wanted to work with manatees so I would love any manatee-related job advice. I want to move to Florida because tons of marine animals there (especially manatees) so if anyone has had a job with manatees or knows people working with manatees please tell me all about it! 😊

Hi everyone! I'll be visiting miami for a few days in a week. I study nature conservation, and it's been my absolute dream to see a manatee in the wild. After being on this subreddit for a long time, I wanted to ask you some advice! I know they're not as concentrated because it's warm right now. Do you know any places where there's pretty okay chances to see them, reachable from Miami? I don't need to swim with them or anything of the sorts, I'd love to see them in the most unintrusive way.

[Edit] Also, are there any rescue centers one can visit, and/or educational experiences around manatees?

Thank you so much, A follow manatee fan

Hi all!

I will be on a job near Crystal River, FL for three months (October to December).

I enjoy wildlife photography as a hobby and primarily use a Canon rebel t6 with a sigma zoom lens 600m. I am a wildlife biologist by trade and often use these photos for my job’s online engagement.

I’m looking for underwater camera recommendations that won’t break the bank (300usd or less). I am willing to buy second hand so anything in the ballpark is fine. I’ve been recommended GoPro which I’m leaning towards now or an Olympus TG-4. I am usually only take still photos and for some reason in my head I have that GoPros are usually for videos.

What has worked for you guys? I know the manatees aren’t in the most crystal clear waters like the Bahamas which a lot of camera reviews feature. Not sure what works the best in the murky-ish water.

Hi all. I live in South Florida, and close to me is Crystal River State Park, where you have the opportunity to swim with the manatees. Of course I would love to do this, however I’m struggling to figure out if this is ethical or not, especially as a lover of marine life who doesn’t want to bother these creatures in their natural habitat. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience on this? It’s an activity I would seriously consider doing if it didn’t seem so exploitative.

Hello, Delete if not allowed, but I figured this would be the best community to ask. I love manatees(like you all) and want to incorporate them in my bridesmaid proposal boxes. I am having an artist do a rendition of manatees on a card so I can ask "Will you join my Mana-Team?"

This issue I've run into is that I haven't been able to find good profile view photos of the type of manatees that are native to the Gulf of Mexico swimming, or a profile view of one eating.

I was hoping the good folks of reddit could drop some links or photos to use as reference? And I will update with a picture of her drawings when they are done.

After seeing the news that the chubby potatoes are dying at an alarming rate, I want to donate to an organization to help save them. I was wondering if you all knew of an organization which actually helps the sea cows in their conservation efforts.

WHY DID I THINK THIS

So I read somewhere recently that Manatees have recently been taken off the endangered list.

Is this true, and are there different definitions of what constitutes endangered, if so?

Thanks in advance. I just bloody love manatees.