Manatee Awareness Month: Paddle with Purpose on a Clear Kayak Tour in Weeki Wachee
Celebrate Manatee Awareness Month with Get Up and Go Kayaking Weeki Wachee! Paddle above Florida’s gentle giants in crystal-clear water while learning about manatee conservation from Guardian Guides-certified eco-tour leaders.
November Marks the Start of Manatee Season and Manatee Awareness Month 🌿✨
As temperatures cool and Florida’s coastal waters drop, the gentle giants of the sea — manatees — return to the warm, crystal-clear springs of Weeki Wachee. November is a special time here in Florida — not only is it the start of manatee season, it’s also Manatee Awareness Month, a time dedicated to celebrating and protecting these beloved creatures.
At Get Up and Go Kayaking Weeki Wachee, our clear kayak tours let you see manatees like never before — gliding peacefully beneath you in waters so clear, it feels like floating over glass. But this experience isn’t just about awe; it’s about awareness, respect, and conservation.
Why Manatee Awareness Month Matters 💙
Every November, organizations across Florida — including our partners at the Save the Manatee Club — work to raise awareness about manatee conservation. These gentle giants face ongoing challenges like:
- Cold stress during winter months
- Boat strikes in busy waterways
- Loss of seagrass habitats due to development, water pollution and algal blooms
By increasing awareness, we can help ensure manatees have safe, clean, and healthy waterways for generations to come.
🌿 Did you know? Manatees are herbivores that can eat up to 10% of their body weight in vegetation every day! That’s why clean, thriving waterways like the Weeki Wachee River are so essential to their long term survival and conservation!
Manatee Season in Weeki Wachee: November Through March 🌞🛶
Manatee season officially runs from mid-November through March, when the river becomes a warm-water refuge for manatees seeking shelter from chilly Gulf temperatures.
During this time, guests on our clear kayak tours often spot manatees gliding gracefully beneath their kayaks or resting near the river’s shallow springs. The Weeki Wachee’s 72°F year-round water temperature makes it one of Florida’s most reliable winter havens for these magnificent creatures.
💙 Early morning tours during manatee season offer the calmest conditions and the best chance to see them up close (always from a respectful distance).
Our Commitment: Paddle with a Purpose
At Get Up and Go Kayaking Weeki Wachee, our mission goes beyond offering unforgettable experiences — it’s about protecting what makes those experiences possible.
We’re proud to be part of the Save the Manatee Club’s Guardian Guides Voluntary Education Program, a certification that ensures all of our guides are trained in manatee-safe and eco-conscious practices. That means when you join us on the water, you’re exploring responsibly — and directly supporting conservation.
Here’s how our tours make a difference:
- Respectful Wildlife Encounters
We always keep a safe distance from manatees, allowing them to move freely and naturally. No touching, feeding, or chasing — ever. - Education at Every Paddle
Our Guardian Guides share insights about manatee behavior, migration patterns, and how guests can help protect them long after the tour ends. - Eco-Friendly Operations
Our clear kayaks don’t have motors, which means zero pollution, zero noise, and zero wake, and zero boat strikes— keeping the water calm and clear for all creatures. - Community Awareness
Every tour helps amplify the importance of clean water, slow boating zones, and responsible recreation, supporting local conservation efforts.
🛶 When you paddle with us, you’re helping protect manatees — one tour at a time.
How You Can Help Protect Manatees 💙🐋
Whether you’re visiting for manatee season or simply love Florida’s natural beauty, there are simple ways to support these gentle giants:
- Observe from a distance: Always give manatees space — never touch, chase, or feed them.
- Paddle smart: Avoid shallow areas where manatees may be resting.
- Respect “No Wake” zones: These are critical protection areas to prevent boat strikes.
- Spread awareness: Share what you learn with others during Manatee Awareness Month — small actions lead to big change.
- Support conservation groups: Organizations like the Save the Manatee Club work year-round to protect and advocate for manatees.
🌿 Awareness is the first step toward action — and every paddler can play a part.
Experience Manatee Season the Eco-Friendly Way 🌞
Imagine gliding silently through turquoise water as sunlight filters through the trees. Beneath you, a manatee drifts gracefully, its shadow dancing across the sandy riverbed. That’s the magic of Weeki Wachee in manatee season — and it’s even more meaningful when you know you’re helping protect what you’re seeing.
Our clear kayak tours offer the perfect blend of adventure and conservation. With every paddle stroke, you’re connecting with nature and contributing to its protection.
💙 “See more, disturb less” — that’s our motto for every manatee encounter.
Join Us This Manatee Awareness Month 🛶🐋
This November, celebrate Manatee Awareness Month by experiencing the wonder of Weeki Wachee up close. Our clear kayak eco tours give you an immersive, educational, and responsible way to see manatees — while supporting their protection.
🛶 Book your tour today with Get Up and Go Kayaking Weeki Wachee and paddle with purpose. Let’s protect Florida’s gentle giants together — one clear kayak tour at a time.