Manatee heaven!

Florida
2025/1/24 Edited to

... Read moreIf you're a paddle boarding enthusiast or a nature lover, Florida is the place to be. With its stunning waterways, you can glide on your paddle board while spotting manatees in their natural habitat. Manatees, often referred to as sea cows, are gentle and playful creatures that thrive in warm coastal waters. The best time for paddle boarding with manatees typically runs from late fall through early spring when the waters are cooler, and these majestic animals congregate in places like Crystal River and Homosassa Springs. These locations are recognized as manatee sanctuaries and attract visitors from all over the world. As you paddle, keep an eye out for these affectionate mammals as they surface for air. To ensure an ethical and enjoyable experience, always remember to maintain a safe distance from manatees and follow local guidelines. This not only protects the manatees but also enhances your encounter, allowing you to observe their natural behaviors without disturbance. Whether you're an experienced paddler or a beginner, Florida's waterways promise an unforgettable adventure amidst the beauty of nature. Don't forget your camera to capture the magic of manatee heaven!

11 comments

Related posts

Manatee Heaven
Jes Hallock

Jes Hallock

2 likes

The front entrance of Manatee Diner, featuring a sign with a manatee holding a burger, white brick walls, and glass doors showing the interior and operating hours.
The exterior wall of Manatee Diner with a red sign stating "SLOW DOWN AND JUST TAKE DEEP FRIED FOOD," a lifebuoy, a red chair with an "OPEN" sign, and green plants.
An exterior view of Manatee Diner showing a red A-frame sign advertising "紅鮒魚" (Red Bream Fish), an "OPEN" neon sign, and outdoor seating.
เบอร์เกอร์ ” 馬納蒂 Manatee Diner “ ไต้หวันอร่อยมากก 🍔
ใครผ่านมาแถวทะเล Wanghaixiang Beach แนะนำร้านเบอร์เกอร์ร้าน ” 馬納蒂 Manatee Diner “นี้เลยค่ะ 🍔 ส่วนตัวรู้สึกชอบมาก ร้านน่ารักวิวทะเลเลยค่ะ ราคาก็ไม่แรงมาก โดยรวมโอเคเลยค่ะ ของเรากินเลอร์เกอร์ทรัฟเฟิล 320 $ ค่ะ ราคานี้รวมโค้กและเฟรนช์ฟรายส์ https://maps.app.goo.gl/oGJcBnQVEgZPuieF8?g_st=ic 💰
Satapron

Satapron

24 likes

Curling with my profanity manatee socks
went curling again my profanity manatee socks carried 🥌🐋✨ #curling #tryingsomethingnew #winterfun #socks #CapCut
Sasha Rose

Sasha Rose

171 likes

A person's hand holds a small, light-colored clay sculpture of a manatee, which is a work in progress. Text overlays read "I love making Clay animals", "Manatee", and "What should I make next!?", along with Lemon8 branding.
🫧 WIP ceramic manatee
She’s drying while I decide if I want to try to add color, or let the white clay shine on its own #clayideas #animals #lemon8challenge #createwithme #art
Skylar Jean Art

Skylar Jean Art

17 likes

Munching Manatee🌿
Listen up! Some manatees can eat pretty loud, can you hear this one??🌿 Manatees have “Marching Molars”. This means that as the molars at the front of their jaw wear down from chewing tough, sandy vegetation, new molars grow in the back and slowly move forward, like a conveyor belt, pushing the o
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

5 likes

A light blue crocheted tapestry bag featuring a gray manatee design with green accents on the front. The manatee design has subtle sparkles in the gray yarn. The bag has a matching crocheted shoulder strap and is displayed on a white surface.
Manatee Bag
This cute little tapestry bag has a manatee on both sides and is fully lined. You cant really tell from the picture but the gray has SPARKLES! I LOVE manatees, they’re easily one of my favorite animals. What are your thoughts on the gentle sea cow? #manatees #crochetproject #seacow
TableMamaTrinkets

TableMamaTrinkets

9 likes

Manatee Park located in Fort Myers, Florida
Manatee Park in Fort Myers, Florida - Up-Close with Gentle Giants! #TheSoFloDuo #SoFloGem #Florida #Floridatravel #travelcreators
Codie N Drew

Codie N Drew

193 likes

Manatee Season Update
Manatee Season Update: This weeks temperatures have risen (avg. 80 degrees), thus warming the gulf temperatures back up. That has permitted manatees that were residing in the springs to move out into the bay or to the gulf to eat. This is a good thing for manatees!👍🏻 For us, this means that
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

1 like

A vibrant sunset over a body of water with palm trees and a wooden railing. Overlay text reads "SKIP TAMPA" and "GO HERE INSTEAD," suggesting an alternative travel destination.
A street scene in Fort Myers, Florida, featuring tall palm trees, a blue public clock, and buildings under a partly cloudy sky. Overlay text highlights "FORT MYERS, FL" and "Here's why."
A woman stands on a wooden deck with a sunset over water and palm trees in the background. The image includes text overlays listing reasons to visit Fort Myers and a "THINGS TO DO" section.
Go here instead of Tampa 🌴
Of course everyone has different preferences when they travel, but especially if you’re young and on a budget, this city would be considered a better option! Here’s why ⤵️ 💰 More budget-friendly 🐦 More natural beauty & wildlife 👥Not as crowded ⛱️Known for its beautiful beaches 🔒Co
Sarah Close

Sarah Close

107 likes

Manatee Mornings🥰☕️
Manatee Season is only about a month away, and this weeks cold fronts are getting us excited!!🥶 We can’t wait for steamy mornings at the springs and manatees all about!🩵 Most manatees are still residing in the Gulf at this time, as the temperatures have not dropped down too low yet! Once we g
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

1 like

An underwater scene shows a person in a wetsuit and snorkel observing a manatee. The manatee, with its flippers visible, swims calmly towards the camera, while the person maintains a respectful distance, embodying passive observation.
Manatee Floats!🤿✨
Swim with manatees the respectful way: practice 'Passive Observation' and embrace 'Manatee Manners -let them come to you, move slowly, and cherish their peaceful presence!☀️✨
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

18 likes

Ukulele Tutorial: Say Yes to Heaven 😇
love this Lana Del Rey song!! Tag me in your covers if you play this one :) #ukulele #ukuleletutorial #ukulelecover #lanadelrey #fingerstyleukulele
Victoria | all things ukulele

Victoria | all things ukulele

120 likes

Gyoza Heaven in Kyoto
made it to Kyoto! #gyoza #kyoto #japanesefood #foodie #japan #foodieoflemon8
jeremyj

jeremyj

84 likes

An underwater image captures a manatee calf nursing from its mother. The calf is positioned near the mother's pectoral flipper, with sunlight dappling their backs through the water.
Manatee Mother & Calf
A manatee calf was nursing from its mother above the spring this morning! Here’s some things to know about it: •Manatee calves nurse underwater from behind the mother’s pectoral flippers. •They nurse frequently at short intervals because manatee milk glands don’t have storage sacs. •Man
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

8 likes

Manatee NOM NOM NOM🦭🌱🌿
GentleMan100

GentleMan100

1 like

Manatee Paddle 🚣‍♂️
Love going to visit the potatoes 😍 #manatee #manatees #paddleboarding #naturevibes
KEᑎᗪᖇᗩᗩ

KEᑎᗪᖇᗩᗩ

7 likes

MANATEE SEASON IS HERE!
📌 SAVE for your next trip to Tampa Now is the time to see manatees, aka sea cows, at the Manatee Viewing Center (@manateeviewingcenter), which is only 30 minutes from Tampa. Manatee season is from November to April. I just went here last week, and there were so many manatees. The manatee
Petiteweekender

Petiteweekender

70 likes

Manatee
A Manatee under the water #animal #artistsoflemon8 #Lemon8 #acrylic #paintingideas
Kiwi

Kiwi

7 likes

Manatee Mornings☀️✨
Only two weeks until Manatee Season 2025 kicks off!!🙌🏻 We are currently experiencing a cold front (it was 40 degrees this morning) and that has brought a few more manatees into the area. As the gulf temperature continue to drop, more manatees will make their way into the bay to keep warm in the
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

3 likes

Manatee Magic ✨
"Did you know manatees never stop growing? These gentle giants just keep getting bigger their whole lives!"
Linn’s World 🌍✨

Linn’s World 🌍✨

60 likes

Manatee Season🥰
The manatees are probably out here wondering who and what we’re looking😅 The cold front we had this weekend is beginning to move off, and the weather is going to a warm a bit. The manatees will not need to seek warmth at the springs, but they may do some swim throughs to check things out!🌿 Of
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

3 likes

Manatee Park, Ft. Myers, FL
#ThingsToDo #lemon8challenge #floridaparks #kayaking
🌷Denise🌷

🌷Denise🌷

26 likes

A serene beach scene with light blue water and white sand, featuring the text "FREE things to do IN TAMPA" in pink and orange, serving as the title for a list of free activities.
Two manatees are visible in clear green water, with text overlay encouraging viewers to "See the manatees!" at the Big Bend power plant, where they gather in warm water.
A person stands on a sandy beach, facing the ocean as the sun sets, casting warm colors across the sky. Text suggests enjoying a "Sunset at the Beach" with a blanket or snack.
FREE FUN in Tampa! ☀️
Looking for FREE things to do in Tampa to have fun? Here are some ideas: 1. See the Manatees!🐟 There is a manatee viewing center at the Big Bend Taco power plant! All the manatees like to congregate here especially in the winter because the water is warm from the power plant! There can be hundr
Anna Schmidt

Anna Schmidt

2108 likes

Manatee Breath!🫧✨
Manatees may be slow-moving, but they’re excellent breath-holders!🫧 On average, they surface to breathe every 3 to 5 minutes. However, when resting, they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes at a time!😴 These gentle giants rely on lungs that stretch almost the entire length of their bod
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

4 likes

Morning manatee views😍
Woke up with my cup of coffee in hand to this amazing view #springbreak #vacation #manatees
ArianaZen

ArianaZen

10 likes

☀️Manatee Mornings☀️
During one of our morning adventures, the manatees moved back and forth across one of the coves. There were small springs scattered in the area, but the manatees were not localized to one singular spring. Therefore, the water clarity changed frequently from clear to cloudy. 🤿 The manatees were e
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

2 likes

Happy Manatee Awareness Month💙
I love my Sea cows💙🥰
🌸Victoria🌸

🌸Victoria🌸

5 likes

Manatee
They love fresh water if you can tell she’s rolling around all cute an happy 😊
AA

AA

4 likes

A woman on a wooden boardwalk surrounded by green foliage, with text overlay "Favorite Outdoors Near Orlando" and "lemon8 @babid6".
A woman on a long wooden boardwalk extending through a forest of tall, slender trees, likely at a nature preserve or park near Orlando.
A woman in a blue bikini standing in reddish-brown natural spring water, possibly at Kings Landing or Alexander Springs.
Outdoors near Orlando
If you’re an adventure girl like I am then save this for later. 1. Tibet-Butler Nature Preserve is near Disney, an easy trail and is free entry. 2. & 3. Kings Landing only for kayaking, canoeing and paddle boarding. If you don’t have any of those you can rent them out on their website. I
🤍🪩Babi🫧🐚

🤍🪩Babi🫧🐚

16 likes

Manatee Noses🥰
The only thing cuter than one nose, is TWO NOSES!🥰 Often times, a mother and calf will rise to the surface together for a breath, resulting in adorable moments like this! 🩵 Given that baby is a bit smaller, with a smaller set of lungs, they may need a second breath inbetween. Some large mothe
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

2 likes

A painting shows a manatee partially submerged in blue water, looking forward. Above the water is a dark blue line representing the surface, with a light blue sky. Green aquatic plants are visible at the bottom of the water. The text "Lemon8 @polissa2026" is in the lower left.
Manatee
Polissa2026

Polissa2026

2 likes

A red heart-shaped sign for a "Thrift Shop" hangs outside a building, with text overlay "Thrift Finds I REGRET NOT BUYING," setting the theme for the article about regretted thrift store purchases.
A cream-colored ceramic kitchen canister with a brown lid, adorned with a charming strawberry and floral pattern, described as a "cute kitchen canister."
A person holds a light blue quilted makeup bag featuring a delicate floral pattern, lace trim, and a small bow, labeled as a "Handmade Vintage Makeup Bag."
Soft Girl Era Thrift Finds
This is becoming my Saturday morning ritual. Go to the thrift store, spend 45 minutes looking through books. Then romanticize all of the things I would buy if I had the room in my house. If I were in my first apartment all over again, I would fill every inch of my house with these. Maybe when w
Lucille 🦋

Lucille 🦋

187 likes

Manatee Sighting
Saw this on my Sarasota vacation. #savethemanatees #manatee #sarasota #visitsarasota #florida Destination List ✈️ City/Country 1: Sarasota, FL USA ✨ Pros: Always something to do. Beach is at least 2 miles away. 👀 Cons: Snowbirds can cause problems if going between November to May.
Rachel Schenck

Rachel Schenck

27 likes

Manatee Mornings🥰
Talk about an unexpected morning, in the best way possible!😍 There were some manatees that moved into the Crystal Cove area and we were lucky enough to float with them for a while. The manatees do not need to localize over the springs for warmth yet, rather they’re enjoying some grass growing ar
Birds Underwater Dive Center

Birds Underwater Dive Center

4 likes

Manatee Viewing Center - Apollo Beach, Florida
Would You Believe This Is Just 30 Minutes from Tampa? Every winter from November through April, hundreds of manatees (aka sea cows) gather at the Manatee Viewing Center (@manateeviewingcenter) in Apollo Beach. It’s completely free to visit — and there’s also a snack bar, gift shop, and educat
Petiteweekender

Petiteweekender

9 likes

Manatee Munchies 🌱
Spotted this gentle manatee grazing in a Florida spring💦 Fun fact:Manatees can eat up to 10% of their body weight in plants each day, that’s a lot of salad 😅 #manatee #florida #spring #wildlife #nature
Linn’s World 🌍✨

Linn’s World 🌍✨

18 likes

See more