Lauren Tjaden
Hi, I'm Lauren Tjaden, your Adventure Expert with VISITFLORIDA.com, and this is my husband, Paul.
Paul
Hey!
Lauren Tjaden
Today, thanks to the crew of Captain Mike's Sunshine River Tours, we're going to swim with the manatees in Florida's Crystal River. Citrus County is the only place in the whole wide world you can have an adventure like this. This is not an amusement park ride. These endangered animals are wild, and they're huge too, up to 13 feet long and 3,500 [thirty-five hundred] pounds. Thankfully, these giants are gentle and I can't wait to get in the water so let's get this party started!
[Lauren enters the water, cut to interview with Captain Michael Birns]
This is Mike, who is our captain today from Sunshine River Tours and he's going to tell us a little bit about the manatees and the experience that we're going to have here today.
Captain Michael Birns
You're in the King's Bay area of Crystal River, which is the body of water in which we are traveling. We have manatees here all year long. We're about an hour north of Tampa, about an hour and a half northwest of Orlando, on the gulf coast.
Lauren Tjaden
I've heard that this is actually the only place in the whole world that you can legally swim with manatees. Is that true?
Captain Michael Birns
Yes, this is the only place where you can swim with a Florida manatee.
[cut to Lauren interview with Kara Tyler]
Lauren Tjaden
Kara, I saw you out snorkeling with me and I noticed you were actually writing on this underwater. So tell me, what are you doing here? Tell me about it.
Kara Tyler
Well, I go to New College of Florida, that's in Sarasota, and every January we have an inter-term independent study project. And for mine, my friend and I chose to do a study on manatee lateralization, which is the study of which fin they use more. It's a fancy name for handedness.
Lauren Tjaden
Are manatees endangered?
Kara Tyler
Well, they used to be endangered. They're kind of deciding right now whether to take them off that or not. I don't know if they've decided yet. But they are definitely making a comeback and I've actually been very, very excited to see so many mothers with their calves when I've been doing this study these past two weeks. So, they're definitely making a comeback, that's very good to know.
Paul Tjaden
[emerges from water]
That's incredible. I've done this, this is my second time and it's really an incredible experience. I'm always amazed at how they, they're just like big dogs, big Labrador retrievers.
Off-camera voice
Ooh, manatee love!
Lauren Tjaden
That was absolutely one of the coolest things I've ever gotten to do. I don't know why manatees seem to like people so much, but they do. Kids can do this, older people can do it. I brought my mom for her 74th birthday and she loved it. So, you have no excuse not to do this, you need to try it. So do this. It's Lauren Tjaden with VISITFLORIDA.com reminding you, you only live once – make it count!
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Recent Comments
Most Recent Comment
09/07/2011
Joy, I am so glad you enjoy the manatees as much as I do. They are so funny and enchanting and perfect. Lauren Tjaden VISIT FLORIDA Beaches and Adventure Insider
Flag This As Inappropriate09/06/2011
I loved it. Have done it two times and just love it. Going again this year, To get up close with them is something else, it's great.
Flag This As Inappropriate08/20/2011
I disagree with swimming with manatees because even if they are not being harassed it teaches them to come into contact with boats and people, that is their problem to begin with. I only hope all of the money from this goes to the manatees. I really think that more money to go into the design of a boat motor propellor that does not harm manatees
Flag This As Inappropriate05/18/2011
Lin, You should absolutely do this! I'm 54 years old and my mother was 76 when she went with me -- you just float in the wetsuit. I LOVE manatees. Lauren
Flag This As Inappropriate05/18/2011
loved to see the manatee interact with humans, I am older but I think I want to try this out for myself if I can find a friend to do it with
Flag This As Inappropriate03/28/2011
Hi Joy, They are INCREDIBLE animals. Your guides can explain how you can help to protect them. Lauren Tjaden
Flag This As Inappropriate03/26/2011
We will be spending the winters in Fl soon. I can't wait to swim with the Manatees and see their young. The video was great, I did not see any harassment of the Manatee, only space and respect. Thank you.
Flag This As Inappropriate03/01/2011
It's SAD !!! I wish you left these beautiful creatures alone!!!! There are only so few left, give them the peace they deserve!!! Please, and understand, let them live the life they had before you greedy people started to take advantage of their helplessness!!!
Flag This As Inappropriate01/24/2011
Hi Carrie, Manatees are AWESOME. The people I went out on my trips into the Crystal River with were staunch conservationists and were extremely protective of the manatees. It's fun, but there are rules - for instance, you can't chase the manatees or harass them in any way. I personally think getting an up-close glimpse of these incredible animals is a great way to teach about them. I hope you get to see them for yourself. Lauren PS: There are other ways to view manatees, of course, like via kayaks or glass bottom boat, if you want to stay dry!
Flag This As Inappropriate01/22/2011
Hi! I did not mean to click on 'comment as inappropriate.' I'd love to swim with the manatees! I trust you have determined that this activity does not negatively impact them in anyway as you love them too, right?!!! Why are they legal to mingle with us humans at this location, and who is making that determination? I would never want to disturb the wildlife, nor support those who do for business. I suspect you feel the same, however, please inform!!! Thanks, Carrie
Flag This As Inappropriate01/04/2011
I love manatees, too. They are such gentle giants.
Flag This As Inappropriate12/31/2010
Please always protect the manatees.
Flag This As Inappropriate02/16/2010
Amazing, can't wait to April to swim with the Manatees
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