An encounter with a manatee is a magical, one-of-a-kind experience. These gentle, whimsical-looking creatures are amazing to glimpse in person. Whether you’re sharing the water with them or just admiring them from land, iconic manatees are a must-see during a Florida Keys visit.

The Florida Keys offer an abundance of these teddy bear-like ocean dwellers. The specific species native to the Florida Keys is the Florida manatee, or West Indian Manatee. Closely related to elephants, they are herbivores, but will sometimes eat marine life including invertebrates and fish. Fully aquatic, manatees never leave the water, although they are believed to be descendants of land mammals.

You’re more likely to see these gentle creatures in the winter from November until March. This is because their bodies need warm subtropical or tropical coastal waters above 68 degrees. The full-figured critters also like to hang out near power plants that release warm water into the sea. Think of it as a manatee hot tub.

The size of a Cadillac and weighing up to 3,500 pounds, they eat 150 pounds of seagrass a day. This means you have a better chance to see manatees where underwater vegetation is plentiful.

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary safeguards a vast 2,896 nautical square miles of warm waters surrounding the Keys. Its flourishing marine ecosystem features more than 6,000 animal species and the world’s third-largest barrier reef. It also abounds in seagrass beds that attract manatees like a magnet.

If you’re interested in observing manatees in the Florida Keys, let’s explore where you can find them:

1) Visit The Incredible World Of Manatees In Key West

Are there manatees in Key West? Definitely! As a matter of fact, it’s home to the area’s premier manatee sanctuary, Cow Key Marina. Located on Stock Island, Cow Key Marina boasts daily sightings of these sea cows (affectionately nicknamed after the endlessly grazing bovine).

Like a friendly neighborhood tavern, Cow Key also hosts long-term regulars who have their own special monikers, including Big Moe, Speedy, Pete, Marshal, and Little Rich (who weigh over 900 pounds). If you’re wondering where to see manatees in Key West, Cow Key Marina can’t be beat.

When watching Key West manatees:

• Speak quietly and don’t make loud noises. Manatees are sensitive to sound.
• Look for signs of manatees. If you see ripples or circular swirls in the water, the animal may be nearby.
• If you’re paddling or kayaking, make sure you’re not above resting manatees. They need space to surface and breathe.
• Manatees are endearing and loveable, but they’re not pets! Remember to “look, don’t touch.”
• Take a guided tour. Tour guides are more likely to know where to see manatees and provide interesting information about them and their habits.

Discover The Top Manatee Viewing Spots With Us!

To manatee or not to manatee, that is the question. When you set sail with us at Key West Boat Trips, the answer is definitely yes! Operating the best small-group boat fleet in the area, we helm expertly guided tours that whisk you away to the special world of manatees.

Ready to meet these endearing animals? Then book your boat tour with us today!

2) Key Largo

Docile and incredibly curious, the Florida manatee is plentiful in Key Largo’s shallow water. Reflecting Key Largo’s laid-back vibe, manatees leisurely scarf down truckloads of plants, unhurriedly slip through shallow waters and, well, do a whole lot of nothing.

Places to see manatees in Key Largo include:

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is one of Key Largo’s most popular places for manatee encounters. Paddle or snorkel through the park’s mangrove tunnels, and you may see the mellow mammals chilling among the intricate roots.

Marinas And Canals

When it comes to finding manatees in Key Largo, the marinas and canals are the place to be. These gentle giants are known to frequent these areas, seeking shelter and abundance of their favorite delicacy – seagrass.

Pro tip: Before you see manatees, you should understand that the animals are legally safeguarded by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. These laws dictate that it’s illegal to touch, feed, or molest manatees. You may be well-intentioned and just want to make a connection with one, but it could frighten or endanger the animal.

3) Dry Tortugas National Park

Located approximately seventy miles west of Key West, you will find the secluded Dry Tortugas National Park. Accessible only by seaplane or boat, it’s peppered with seven small islands: Loggerhead Key, Bush Key, Long Key, Hospital Key, East Key, Middle Key, and Garden Key.

Garden Key’s showpiece is the historic Fort Jackson, previously a Civil War prison. Since the area is difficult to access, marine life is largely undisturbed by crowds of people. That means you’ll have an excellent chance of spotting one of these amazing creatures.

Not only will you see one, you may be able to hear one! Manatees communicate with each other through squeaks, chirps, and whistles. Mothers and calves are especially talkative during the day to keep track of each other’s locations.

Fun fact: According to legend, when European explorer Juan Ponce de Leon encountered Dry Tortugas, he saw manatees and thought they were mermaids. However, he unflatteringly described these underwater blimps as, “not half as beautiful as they are painted.”

4) Indian Key Historic State Park

Only accessible by boat or kayak, Indian Key is a tiny, 11-acre island located offshore from Lower Matecumbe Key at Mile Marker 78.5. In the mid-19th Century, it was home to residents who profited by salvaging cargo from shipwrecks. Now a ghost town, the key is a great place to swim, snorkel, hike, and see manatees.

Indian Key’s shallow waters provide breathtaking views of these gentle giants. The island’s waters are ringed by lush grass flats that magnetize manatees. The rotund eating machines also shelter near the island, seeking tranquility and safety from nearby boats.

Since manatees are slow-moving animals, it may be hard for them to avoid boat strikes that could scar or kill them. On a lighter note, these marine mammals move so slowly that barnacles and algae grow on them as they age!

5) Discover Manatees In The Mangrove Tunnels Of The Mud Keys

Looking for a unique place to see manatees near Key West? Look no further than Mud Keys. This hidden gem offers the perfect setting to observe these gentle giants up close and personal.

Mangroves are surreal-looking trees whose aerial roots arch high above the water. They thrive in brutal conditions: water is 100 times saltier than most other plants can endure and twice-daily flooding from powerful ocean tides.

Growing closely together and sporting a dense tangle of roots, mangrove trees form small passageways, or mangrove channels, over the warm waters. They support and protect a diverse ecosystem that includes manatees. Mangroves provide them with a peaceful shelter to rest, find food, and raise their young.

The world’s fattest vegetarians, manatees, also eat mangrove leaves at low tide. The leaves contain about 74 percent fiber, which helps prevent infection and digestive problems.

Meet Manatees Around Key West With Us!

If you’ve ever dreamed of meeting manatees, we at Key West Boat Trips will make your dreams come true. We’ll help you get up close and personal with these mild-mannered mammals in ways you never imagined.

No one can locate these irresistible creatures better than our experienced guides – even in the off-season. Create amazing, lifelong memories, and book your Mud Key Mangrove Safari with us today!