Manatee question (Tampa, Sarasota, Bradenton: home, live in, move)

[ShelbyGirl1]

Hi everyone...We live in Texas, but make the drive over to Sarasota often, as my 93 yr old MIL is in a nursing home there. We usually stay out on LongBoat Key on the beach...which I absolutely love!
My question is this...have any of you ever actually seen a Manatee? Signs are up all over...Hubby contends that is the work of the Chamber of Commerce posting signs for us tourists! I realize they are an endangered species...but I would kill to see one in the wild. We have been to Mote and seen the 2 there...We just got back from Fl. last week and my eyes were constantly searching! Pics anyone? Thanks in advance!

[ShelbyGirl1]

I guess, I should ask...where is a good spot to view them? I understand during the winter months they seek out warmer waters so they hang out in the drainage of the electric plants. We have plans to be back in a few months. Thanks again!

[basa9159]

I live in Punta Gorda, about 1 hour south of Longboat. We go to the beach in Boca Grande. On the last 2 occasions we were there, manatees swam 20-30 ft from shore. My husband and daughter actually swam next to them and were able to touch them. They truley are magnificent creatures.

[lilaclady]

Originally Posted by ShelbyGirl1

Hi everyone...We live in Texas, but make the drive over to Sarasota often, as my 93 yr old MIL is in a nursing home there. We usually stay out on LongBoat Key on the beach...which I absolutely love!
My question is this...have any of you ever actually seen a Manatee? Signs are up all over...Hubby contends that is the work of the Chamber of Commerce posting signs for us tourists! I realize they are an endangered species...but I would kill to see one in the wild. We have been to Mote and seen the 2 there...We just got back from Fl. last week and my eyes were constantly searching! Pics anyone? Thanks in advance!

There were 3 spotted just last week near Siesta Key Beach. A friend of mine works for Sarasota Co. and he saw them there.
I've seen one in Boca Grande while fishing and I saw one eating at a
St Augustine pier.
I went to TECO in February to see them and was shocked at the number of them that were there.
I'm going to Homossasa in March and they have places there in the wildlife park where they are visible in the clear waters unlike the murky water at TECO.
Have fun and YES, they are very real!!

[Racelady88]

We used to see them all the time out at Palma Sola Causeway in Bradenton back when we had jet skis. TECO has set up a manatee viewing area Tampa Electric - Manatee Viewing Center It is pretty cool to see them out in the wild, also very scary when one appears out of nowhere next to your jet ski. They are pretty big.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by Racelady88

We used to see them all the time out at Palma Sola Causeway in Bradenton back when we had jet skis. TECO has set up a manatee viewing area Tampa Electric - Manatee Viewing Center It is pretty cool to see them out in the wild, also very scary when one appears out of nowhere next to your jet ski. They are pretty big.

Thank you so much for all of your answers! I will continue to keep an eagle eye! Also, thank you for the Teco link....I think we will just have to make a detour in that direction this coming winter!
I can't imagine something that large come up next to you on a jet-ski! When we lived in N. Ca., we jet-skied all the time and having a seal swim up next to you is scary enough. Now that we are in Texas, we have jet-skied with the Dolphins out on Galveston Bay...They are such magnificent animals!

[ShelbyGirl1]

Originally Posted by lilaclady

There were 3 spotted just last week near Siesta Key Beach. A friend of mine works for Sarasota Co. and he saw them there.
I've seen one in Boca Grande while fishing and I saw one eating at a
St Augustine pier.
I went to TECO in February to see them and was shocked at the number of them that were there.
I'm going to Homossasa in March and they have places there in the wildlife park where they are visible in the clear waters unlike the murky water at TECO.
Have fun and YES, they are very real!!

LOL...Now wouldn't you just know it! I was on Siesta Key Bch probably 3 times just last week! I know it's a big beach...but I guess timing is everything!

[FLBob]

I boat and fish all over this area. Manatees are everywhere. They can spend over 10 minutes at a time submerged and only stick their nose out of the water for a few moments before going back down.
On the move they come to the surface more frequently. So the best time to locate one is when they are on the move. Look for signs of them swimming, their tail flipper makes a distinctive circular mark on the water surface, a round area seen among the ripples.
Another way to locate the manatee is to listen for them when they take air.
I've had manatee hang around the boat while I fish. I'm frequently running on electric trolling motor and they just follow me around.
Spend time on the water, keep your eyes and ears alert and you'll see manatee.

[ShelbyGirl1]

Thanks so much for taking the time to ans. my question! I'll be sure to keep an eye out!

[Racelady88]

I forgot about this, but the South Florida Museum hosts Snooty and friends. They have a webcam on the manatee tank. Parker Manatee Aquarium (broken link)