Where to Find Wild Manatees

Manatees have long been on my list of animals I hope to encounter in the wild, alongside whales, puffins, moose, and otters. Southern Florida in winter is one of the best places and times to find them. So, we made it our mission to find these incredible creatures. Lo and behold, we found not one, not two, but more than two-hundred and thirty manatees in the wild! Here’s where we encountered these gentle giants, many of whom had brought their babies to warmer, shallower waters.

Head to Manatee Lagoon at 6000 N Flagler Dr, West Palm Beach. There, a museum educates visitors all about wild manatees. There are amazing, educational displays that tell guests all about the lifecycle of the seagrass that manatees depend upon, the dangers they face from global warming and reckless boating, and so much more.

Remember to be respectful. Do not feed them, throw things, or attempt to enter the water. Manatees are a federally protected species; harming them, or even touching them at all, is a federal crime punishable by heavy fines and jail time. That said, observe them from the platform, and enjoy watching them breach with their cute calves.