WhenToDive
Sirenian · 🦦

Manatee

Trichechus manatus

Manatees are the Atlantic cousin of the dugong — docile, slow-moving herbivores that spend their days grazing on seagrass and resting at warm-water sources. The iconic encounter destination is Crystal River, Florida, where manatees congregate in the hundreds each winter (November–March) to escape cold Gulf waters in the constant-temperature springs. Encounters are snorkel-only. Manatees are also found in Belize and parts of the Caribbean, though never in the aggregations seen in Crystal River.

Manatees are the Atlantic cousin of the dugong — docile, slow-moving herbivores that spend their days grazing on seagrass and resting at warm-water sources. The iconic encounter destination is Crystal River, Florida, where manatees congregate in the hundreds each winter (November–March) to escape cold Gulf waters in the constant-temperature springs. Encounters are snorkel-only. Manatees are also found in Belize and parts of the Caribbean, though never in the aggregations seen in Crystal River.

The year at a glance

Global aggregated reliability — at any given month, how reliably can you find this species somewhere in the world?

Score 1–5 · global aggregated reliability Rare Moderate Reliable

Where to see them in April

Manatee is not reported at any destination this month. Check the full season breakdown below.

Full season breakdown

Peak Present Rare

Destination
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Notes
Crystal River
Wintering aggregation at constant-temperature springs; snorkel only