Here’s what to expect:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n We watched a short video highlighting interesting manatee facts \u2013 their brains are smooth and thinking ability minimal, males and females have different body shapes and despite the mass winter migration, they prefer hanging solo.<\/p>\n We learned how to safely swim with the manatees so as not to disturb them \u2013 arms folded with no touching allowed.<\/p>\n Next, we headed for the dressing room to don wet suits. Being a licensed scuba diver, I’ve put on these always much-too-tight-but-will-keep-you-warmer apparel hundreds of times. It’s no easy feat, especially for first-timers.<\/p>\n After squeezing into our suits, we boarded a van for a quick trip to the Salty Sirens boat and boarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Captain Ed piloted us near a protected warm springs sanctuary area, anchored, then we slipped into the mid-70s water via a long and sturdy boat ladder. No matter what time of year you visit, water temp remains constant. On this late December day, the water felt chilly as it seeped in, but the wet suits did their job \u2013 warming water temp closer to body temperature.<\/p>\n Meeting manatees:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Swimming with our required pool noodles, we swam a short distance to the sanctuary. No feet kicking or arm movements upon entering the roped-off protected area \u2013 we folded our arms across our chests to limit motion.<\/span><\/p>\n The WOW water moment was well worth the wait. Beneath us and everywhere we looked, herds of these massive mammals floated like blobs of blubber, rising to the surface every three to five minutes for a breath of air. A single breath replenishes 90 percent of their lungs, compared to 10 percent refill per human breath.<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/travelbeatmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/GOPR5926-4-1024x896.jpg\")
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