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As coastal waters cool in the winter months, manatees will move further inshore in search of warmer waters. 🌊 ❄️

Consistently warm temperatures often draw the creatures to Florida’s natural springs and spring-fed rivers, including Weeki Wachee Springs, where wild manatees are even known to share the stage with Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids from time to time. 🧜

✨ Let's cherish our gentle manatees and keep the Weeki Wachee River beautiful for generations to come!

#FLAdventureCoast #Manatee #WeekiWachee #ProtectManatees #LoveFL

#manateeweekend #manateelove #familyfunweekend❤️ #weekiwachee

There’s a special kind of quiet that falls over the river when a manatee appears — the soft glide, the gentle rise for air, the calm that settles in as you watch one of Florida’s most iconic animals move through crystal-clear water. 💙

Watching manatees in the wild isn’t just magical… it’s meaningful. These gentle giants depend on warm springs like Weeki Wachee to survive the winter, seeking out 72° water when the Gulf gets too cold. Every slow movement, every calf following close behind, is a reminder of how carefully they navigate the world — and how much they rely on healthy, protected waterways.

When you view manatees from a clear kayak, you’re seeing behavior that’s entirely natural: grazing on vegetation, gliding along the bottom, or resting quietly. And when we keep our distance, stay calm, and let them choose the interaction, we help ensure they can thrive for generations to come.

Moments like these inspire connection, curiosity, and a deep respect for the wild. That’s the true magic of watching manatees — not just seeing them, but understanding their story. 🌊💙

📍Get Up and Go Kayaking Weeki Wachee

🎥: bres.photography7

There is nothing quite like the sight of a manatee drifting into the crystal-clear waters of the main spring! As temperatures drop in the Gulf, these gentle giants seek out our Florida springs, which stay a consistent 72°F (22°C) year-round. It’s not just a spa day—for a manatee, these warm waters are essential for survival against the winter chill.
How You Can Help Protect Them:
• Give Them Space: Keep a respectful distance (at least 50 feet). If they change their behavior because of you, you’re too close!
• Look, Don’t Touch: Manatees are wild animals. Touching or feeding them can disrupt their natural instincts and make them too comfortable around humans.
• Practice “Passive Observation”: The best way to enjoy their beauty is to float quietly and watch them do their thing.
• Mind the No-Wake Zones: If you’re on a boat, keep a sharp lookout for snouts and tails.
Let’s keep our springs a safe sanctuary for these incredible creatures. 💙 #manatee #weekiwachee

Spotted: A gentle giant gliding through the springs 💙

🌊 Who’s ready for manatee season? 💙 These gentle giants typically start arriving in late November when the weather cools down! 🍃🐾

Pro tip: Early morning paddles are your best bet for spotting them gliding through the crystal-clear springs. 🛶✨

📸 Don’t forget your camera and your sense of wonder!

✨ Discover the magic of Florida’s Adventure Coast! ✨

From crystal-clear springs 🌊 to forest trails 🌿 and golden shorelines 🌅, beauty is around every corner. Treat these places with care—just like a local 💙—and help keep them amazing for everyone.

Adventure is calling… are you in? 🧭
👉 Check out the link in bio for more info + tips!

#FLAdventureCoast #WeekiWachee #LoveItLikeALocal #ExploreFlorida #DiscoverFL #FamilyTravel

Manatees are more than seagrass munching marine mammals - they're are iconic, beloved symbols of natural Florida!

Some Other Little-Known Facts About The Marvelous Manatee Include:

🌊They have a typical lifespan of 40 to 60 years in the wild.

🌊Manatee mothers typically have one calf every two to five years, with the calf nursing from under Mom’s flipper for two years.

🌊Air-breathing mammals, manatees typically poke their nose up for air every few minutes. But if they are resting, they can remain under water for up to 15 minutes.

#ManateeAppreciationDay #WeekiWachee #LoveFL #FLAdventureCoast #Manatee #Mermaid

It's the official start of manatee season on Florida's Adventure Coast! 🌊

If you encounter a wild manatee, it is an unforgettable and extraordinary experience of Florida’s natural wonders. However, human interaction can potentially alter the behavior of manatees and put the gentle creatures at risk.

✨ Give them plenty of space, do not touch them and remember that it is illegal to harass them in any way.

#FLAdventureCoast #Manatee #WeekiWachee #Florida #wildflorida #hernando #realmermaid #manatees #wanderlust

Happy #ManateeAppreciationDay! 🌊 From time to time these OG sirens are a show-stealer at Weeki Wachee Springs, and the mermaids do not mind one bit! 🧜‍♀️

👉 Ready to spot Manatees this spring? Help protect them with these tips from FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute:

🔹 Go slow and look out below! Sport some polarized sunglasses to reduce glare (and increase your cool factor). Shades and a slow speed will help you better spot manatees, other wildlife and even other people in the water.

🔹 Bring a buddy! Friends or family can be the designated lookout for manatees and other wildlife. Pro-tip: have them scan for sea cow snouts and manatee “footprints” – circular patterns on the water’s surface.

🔹 Know your zones! From April 1 – Nov. 15, seasonal manatee zones require boaters to slow down in designated areas to prevent collisions with manatees.
🔹 Boat on! More manatee-friendly tips: https://myfwc.com/.../7327/boaters-guide-living-manatees.pdf

If you spot an injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatee, please report it as soon as possible to our Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922).

#FLAdventureCoast #WeekiWacheeSprings #weekiwachee #manatees #mermaid #florida #wildflorida #lovefl #wanderlust

The best part of travel is meeting the friendly locals! 🌊⁠
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As cool temps brings manatees into the warm waters of Weeki Wachee, it's a perfect time to catch a sight of these marvelous creatures.⁠
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The best way to enjoy their company is to observe from a distance, giving them plenty of space to move freely in their habitat. ✨️ Have you seen any manatees in Weeki Wachee?⁠
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📸 credit: @andrewjamesferris and @innovationbound⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast #WeekiWachee #HernandoCounty #manatee #manateeseason

It's always amazing to see manatees on the river! 🌟🌊 Watch from a distance and protect these precious mermaids.⁠
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📸: @supweeki⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast #weekiwachee #manatee #weekiwacheespring #floridaspring #loveFL #florida #sunshinestate #hernandocounty

If you’re looking for a magical adventure this winter, look no further than Weeki Wachee. ✨🧜‍♀️⁠
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📷: reefraft⁠
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This enchanting town is home to the famous mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs, who perform dazzling underwater shows in a natural spring; but, that’s not all. ⁠
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Visitors may spot manatees from land at nearby coastal parks, from a kayak or a boat tour, and marvel at their grace and beauty. 😌 ⁠
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Manatee season runs from November to March, so don’t miss this opportunity to see these amazing creatures! Check out a list of places to spot manatees in #WeekiWachee and #FLAdventureCoast, at the link in our bio. 🌊⁠
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#mustseeflorida #manatees #floridawildlife #loveflorida #floridatravel #manatee

Florida's Adventure Coast is an oasis and home to so much aquatic life! Slow down and enjoy the ride. ⁠
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📸: @getupandgoweekiwachee ⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast #WeekiWachee #weekiwacheesprings #florida #manatees #floridawildlife #naturecoast #exploreflorida #sunshinestate #floridatravel #hernandocounty

Manatees on the move 🌊 Slow down this Summer, and enjoy the view of these lovable giants on the river!⁠
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📸: @weekiwacheeretreatfl⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast #WeekiWachee #WeekiWacheeSprings #explorida #manatees

Adding some ✨Manatee Magic✨ to your Monday.

DYK Manatee Season officially lasts until April? Gone is the 'cool' weather, but we still see manatees occasionally - Slow down, and keep an eye out for these chubby mermaids!

📸: @supweeki
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#Manatee #manatees #weekiwachee #weekiwacheesprings #florida #lovefl #floridatravel #wanderlust #sunshinestate #fladventurecoast #floridasprings

Try us out this Summer 🌞 and embark on an exciting journey down the beautiful Weeki Wachee River! 🚣🏼‍♂️🍃You may spot one of these guys along the way! Check out our Summer rates NOW 🤗 #weekiwachee #boat #boating #manatee #weekiwacheeboatingco

Fun fact: Manatees can swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts, but typically they only swim about three to five miles per hour.⁠
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📸: @inspiredbymovement⁠
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#FLorida #travel #manatee #realmermaid #vacation #weekiwachee #river #underwater #seacow #hernandocounty #fladventurecoast #manateemonday #brooksville #centralflorida #tampa #orlando #flsaltlife #floridaexplored #realflorida #protectmanatees #floridasprings #funfact

Happy #ManateeMonday! 🌊🌊🌊⁠
📸: @introsparked⁠
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Who doesn't love "seacows," the potato-shaped sirens of the sea?⁠
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Next time you're out exploring Florida's amazing springs, rivers and waterways, remember:⁠
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💠 Always look out for manatees, especially while boating (a pair of polarized sunglasses can help you see them more easily).⁠
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💠 Be aware of waterways, speed zones, and shallow areas.⁠
Manatees swim an average of three to five miles per hour, making it difficult for them to escape boaters.⁠
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💠 Give manatees space. Even though manatees might seem friendly, petting or harassing them can change their behavior and lead to more health risks. Manatees are listed as a threatened species and are legally protected.⁠
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Check out the link in bio for more ways you can help manatees and where to spot them on #FLAdventureCoast.⁠

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#fladventurecoast #fladventures #florida #floridalife #lovefl #weekiwachee #weekiwacheeflorida #hernandobeach #manatee #manatees #protectmanatees #realmermaids #explorida #naturecoast #hernandocounty

Happy #ManateeMonday! This 'seacow' was seen with a group of mangrove snapper in Weeki Wachee.⁠
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📷: amazing capture by @been_ellis⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast⁠
#WeekiWachee⁠
#weekiwacheesprings⁠
#florida⁠
#lovefl⁠
#manatee⁠
#seacow⁠
#hernandocounty⁠
#adventurecoast⁠
#motivationalmonday

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Happy #ManateeMonday!⁠
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"Our friendly neighborhood manatee came to say hi while we were swimming behind the house today. I love where I live!"⁠
( #📷 @briankellyart )⁠
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#FLAdventureCoast #Hernandobeach #hernandocounty #thisisflorida #floridatravel #naturetravel #manatee #weekiwachee #lovefl #florida