Plan your trip to swim with the manatees during the late spring, summer or early fall. In Florida, the best time for the manatees is early morning when they are most active. There are tour guides and boat rides that take small groups to swim with the manatees.
Get into the water slowly and quietly. Sudden movement and noise may scare the manatees causing them to flee. Even the noise of SCUBA gear could scare the manatee.
Allow the manatees to come to you. They are curious animals, and if you're still and quiet, they will usually come to you. If they swim away from you, don't follow them.
Keep from stirring up sediment. This will cloud the water and hamper your manatee experience.
Let the manatee be in charge of your visit. Don't wake a sleeping manatee or force contact with one that seems uninterested in you.
Be gentle when touching a manatee. Don't poke, grab or try to ride a manatee.
