Why you want a tour guide when kayaking with manatees in Florida

Visiting one of Florida’s Springs, like the Weeki Wachee River, to kayak with manatees is an amazing experience that can offer lifetime memories. It’s the time of year when these gentle giants migrate to the warm spring fed rivers of the Sunshine State, providing us with a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat! Unfortunately, manatee populations are dwindling, and it’s important to understand the importance of having a guide to help protect them.

 knowledgeable guide ensures the best chance to find manatees by considering weather conditions such as tide, wind, and water temperatures.  

Our passionate guides will share insight into the importance of respecting manatee habitats. Manatees are vital to Florida’s ecosystem and must be protected from human activities like boat traffic, pollution, littering and harassment. Understanding the biology and behavior of these animals, helps to create an appreciation for manatees and a desire to protect them. Our guides have participated in additional training with Save the Manatee Club’s Guardian Guides Certification, a voluntary recognition and education program offered to ecotourism providers in Florida that promote stewardship of manatees and their aquatic ecosystems.

Finally, adventuring with our team ensures your experience follows the state and federal regulations and restrictions in place to protect the manatees from harassment. It’s essential that visitors and locals alike are aware that touching, feeding, or otherwise disturbing manatees can have severe consequences for the health and well-being of the manatee and can get you in trouble in you violate the protections.

Observing wild manatees in Florida can be an experience unlike any other! Having a certified guide to help protect the manatees and educate visitors and locals on respecting their environment is essential to ensure the population remains healthy and safe.

 We provide a world-class manatee educational experience while following scientifically informed guidelines supporting conservation and good stewardship! Get Up and Go Kayaking  Weeki Wachee offers guided eco-tours in 100% clear kayaks on the Weeki Wachee River and we donate to a portion of every reservation in addition to a $1 for every 5 star review that mentions manatee to programs that provide manatee education and conservation through SeaGrant and UF/IFAS. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will immerse you in everything manatee! Make your reservation today!