Tag Archives: Play

Palm Beach Wreck Dive
Florida, Palm Beach, Play, Trip Ideas

Florida’s Favorite Shipwrecks

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Less than a mile offshore from the mansions and high rises of Palm Beach, a freighter is taking on water. Hundreds of spectators and law environment officials watch from nearby boats, but no one intervenes to stop the sinking. In a matter of minutes, the doomed vessel slips below the waves. Just as planned.

The Ana Cecilia is the latest addition to Florida’s artificial reef program, which has sent more than 100 vessels to the bottom to serve as fish habitats and dive sites. Members of the fleet range from confiscated drug-running speedboats and sloops to a decommissioned aircraft carrier. Prior to sinking, each vessel is stripped of all contaminants and structural hazards that might entangle a scuba diver. It is then towed to a predetermined offshore location. Valves are opened to allow the boat to sink in a controlled manner, hopefully coming to rest upright and ready for exploration.

Ana Cecelia Sinking Palm Beach

The Ana Cecilia takes on water in a controlled sinking that will allow the vessel to settle onto the sea floor in 90 feet of water, just a short distance from the Palm Beach Inlet and area dive charters. Photo: Walt Stearns

Over time, corals and sponges may begin to overgrow the ship’s steel structures, adding new colors and textures. Fish and lobster will take up residences in the cabins and cargo holds. A star attraction of some wrecks is the massive goliath groupers that can grow up to 600 pounds. Other wrecks attract swilling schools of baitfish or silver-sided tarpon. These wrecks have become favorites with both divers and fishermen. It is estimated that each sunken ship will earn millions in tourism revenue and attract a generous crop of new fish life.

Palm Beach Ana Cecelia Divers

Mere hours after sinking, the Ana Cecilia is visited by scuba divers. Though initially in pristine condition, this wreck will soon begin to squire coatings of coral and sponges. Photo: Walt Stearns

Cancun Underwater Sculpture
Bahamas, Bahamas-New Providence, Cancun, Caribbean, Cayman Islands, Grenada, Mexico

Four Amazing Caribbean Underwater Sculpture Parks

 

Swimsuits and snorkels are not usually considered appropriate attire for viewing works of art. But that’s exactly what you’ll need to gain a full appreciation of these sculptures, because they all lie beneath clear Caribbean waters. What started with the placement of a single iconic statue has become a trend, with four islands now offering underwater exhibitions, and more expected to follow. Here are the places where you can combine artistic appreciation with aquatic recreation.

Grand Cayman’s Bronze Gods

In the summer of 2000, a mermaid appeared on one of Grand Cayman’s most popular snorkeling and shore diving sites. Swimmers will have no trouble finding this legendary lady, because she hasn’t moved since. The 9-foot-tall, 600-pound bronze statue is a representation of Amphitrite, the legendary queen of the seas and wife of Poseidon. The work was created by Canadian artist Simon Morris, and placed just offshore of the Sunset House Resort, where it can be viewed from the surface, or enjoyed by the many divers who pose for underwater selfies.

Grand Cayman Underwater Sculpture

The bronze statue of Amphitrite sits on a shallow reef off the west coast of Grand Cayman Island. It is one of two submerged sculptures created by Canadian artist Simon Morris. Photo: Cathy Church/Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Three years after Amphitrite arrived, a second iconic bronze figure appeared on a reef eight miles to the north. The Guardian of the Reef, also created by Morris, is a 13-foot-tall creation that is half seahorse, half mythological warrior. The work was commissioned by the owners of Divetech Resort, and placed on a popular dive site a short swim from their dive shop.

Art Goes Underwater In Grenada

Grenada’s Molinere Bay became the world’s underwater art gallery when British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor – http://www.underwatersculpture.com/ – placed a collection of contemporary sculptures among the coral heads in 2006. The exhibition was instrumental in the creation of a marine protected area along the island’s southwestern coast. Each sculpture is strategically placed to enhance the natural beauty of the surrounding reefs, and fabricated from environmentally friendly materials that encourage corals and other marine life to overgrow and transform the statues over time.

Grenada Underwater Sculpture

The Ring of Children is a signature element of Grenada’s Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park. This exhibition was created in 2006 by British sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor. Photo: Orlando Romain/ Grenada Tourism Authority

The original exhibition was expanded with additional works by Taylor and Grenadian sculptor Rene Froehlich, and now includes some 65 figures and still-life tableaus. The Molinere Bay Sculpture Park can be reached with a short swim from shore, or by a ten-minute boat ride from St. Georges and the resorts of Grand Anse. The works can be enjoyed from the surface, and are shallow enough to allow most swimmers to duck down for a closer look.

Mexico’s Underwater Museum

Three years after opening the world’s first underwater sculpture park in Grenada, sculptor Jason deCaires Taylor turned his talents to an even more ambitious project in the waters of Cancun, Mexico. The Museo Subacuatico de Arte is located in a national marine park just off the shores of Isla Mujeres, where it can be viewed by swimmers, divers and passengers in glass bottom boats.

Mexico Underwater Sculpture Gardener

The sculpture known as The Gardener is adorned with corals rescued after tropical storms or damage by human activity. Sculptures and photography: Jason deCaires Taylor

The exhibition is described as an interaction between art and environmental science, as the exhibits 500-plus life-size sculptures are made from specialized materials used to promote coral life. The Museum is divided into two galleries called Salon Manchones and Salon Nizuc. The first is located in 25 feet of water and suited for viewing by both divers and snorkelers, while the second gallery is positioned at a depth of just 12 feet, with sculptures rising to within six feet of the surface. It is reserved for snorkelers. Snorkelers and swimmers can reach the exhibits from shore or boat tours from Isla Mujeres or Cancun.

Bigger in the Bahamas

The world’s largest underwater sculpture comes with a message, and a mission. Ocean Atlas is a 60-ton, 18-foot-high depiction of a young Bahamian girl who appears to be holding up the ocean, much like the mythological Titan Atlas shouldered the burden of the heavens. The work is intended both as a reminder of the environmental threats oceans face, and a message of how human interactions with nature can be positive and sustainable.

Bahamas Nassau Atlas Coral Reef Sculpture Garden

Ocean Atlas is the world’s largest underwater sculpture, and the centerpiece of the Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden, located in the waters of New Providence Island, Bahamas. Photo: BREEF

The sculpture is made from sustainable PH-neutral materials, and surrounded by a collection of structures known as reef balls that will attract fish life and promote coral growth, eventually transforming the site into a living reef. More sculptures are planned for the site, which is shallow enough to be enjoyed by snorkelers. The Sir Nicholas Nuttall Coral Reef Sculpture Garden can be reached by a short boat ride from the south coast of New Providence Island, and has already become a favorite with cruise ship passengers and guests staying at the resorts of Nassau and Paradise Island. Check out more photos here: https://news.artnet.com/exhibitions/worlds-largest-underwater-sculpture- unveiled-in-bahamas-144457/#/slideshow/144457-2/5

Belize Hol Chan Reef Scene
Aruba, Bahamas, Bahamas-Out Islands, Belize, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Cancun, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Play, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Trip Ideas, Turks & Caicos, U.S. Virgin Islands

The Caribbean’s Best Snorkel Sites

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The Caribbean is home to thousands of snorkel-worthy beaches and reefs, and I’ve spent hundreds of hours exploring sites near and far. For the optimum combination of calm water, easy access, vibrant coral growth, abundant fish life and sheer variety, here are my favorites.

Kline Bonaire

Coral reefs start close to shore all along Bonaire’s sheltered western coastline, but the most colorful sites are a short boat ride away. A five- minute ride across calm water brings you to the low-lying, uninhabited shores of Kline Bonaire. Your boat captain can choose from one of more than two dozen sites based on conditions, and my consistent favorite begins right off No Name Beach, where hard and soft coral growth starts in as little as five feet of water.

Bonaire Klein Turtles

Sea turtles are often seen along the shoreline of deserted Kline Bonaire island, which is just a short boat ride from dive resorts on the west coast of Bonaire. Photo: Alejandro Gutierrez/ Tourism Corporation Bonaire

Anse Chastanet, St. Lucia

I’ve spent hours watching the fish life on Anse Chastanet Reef, but every so often, I find myself pausing to admire the view above the water. A foreground of golden sand and jungle green frame the towering profiles of St. Lucia’s most famous landmarks, the Pitons. Just a short swim from shore, a coral-covered plateau presents an undulating profile that rises within five feet of the surface, and then falls from 20 feet to depths of more than 100. In addition to large schools of tropical fish, this site is known for its small invertebrates, giving critter spotters hours of enjoyable hunting.

St Lucia Anse Chastanet Snorkeling

On the island of St. Lucia, the twin spires of the Pitons provide a dramatic backdrop for snorkelers exploring the near shore reefs at Anse Chastanet. Photo: Bernd Rac/Anse Chastanet Resort

The Indians, British Virgin Islands

Between the bareboat fleets, tour operators and private boaters, you’ll seldom find the waters around the rock pinnacles known as the Indians deserted. But that’s OK, there’s plenty of coral-covered reef to go around. I especially enjoy the steep cliff faces to the west, where seas are calmest and the underwater landscape is the most dramatic. The usual roster of reef characters there in abundance, including blue tangs, queen angels and a colorful assortment of parrotfish. Peek into the crevices and you might discover an eel or lobster lurking in the shadows.

BVI the Indians Rocks

The distinctive rock pinnacles known as the Indians are the most popular snorkeling destination in the British Virgin Islands, offering clear water and colorful corals. Photo: BVI Tourist Board

Puerto Morelos, Mexico

Cancun isn’t known for great snorkeling. But drive a few miles south to the sleepy fishing village of Puerto Morelos, and you’re just a short boat ride from the Yucatan’s premier national marine park. The coral gardens begin a half-mile from the beach, and there are always a number of panga-style launches on the beach, with gregarious crews ready to provide guided snorkel tours of the park. Depths are typically less than 10 feet, making it easy to spot the menagerie of reef creatures that flit through the sea fans and coral fingers.

Puerto Morales Mexico Reef Fish Snorkel

A short distance south of Cancun, the national marine park at Puerto Morales features protected reefs rich in fish life and corals. Photo: Adam Saltman/Flickr

Smith’s Reef, Turks & Caicos

There are literally hundreds of miles of pristine shallow reef to explore around the islands of the Turks & Caicos. When I’m staying on Providenciales, and don’t feel like a boat ride, there’s no need to go far. Right off the beach is a three-mile expanse of coral heads and sea grass shallows known as Smith’s Reef. I sometimes enjoy searching the grass beds for hidden critters, but it’s the coral heads that hold the greatest variety of life. To locate a coral patch from shore, look for the patches of water that have a brownish tint, which indicates hard bottom.

Turks and Caicos Smiths Reef

On the island of Providenciales in the Turks & Caicos island group, the coral heads of Smith’s Reef start just offshore of the Turtle Cove Marina and stretch for three miles to the east. Photo: Turks & Caicos Tourist Board

Exumas Land and Sea Park, Bahamas

In the heart of the Bahamas, the Exuma Land and Sea Park encompasses dozens of islands and miles of protected reef. The best way to explore the fish-laden waters of this aquatic preserve is by signing up for a half or full day boat tour. The guides will not only know which sites are best based on tides and weather, they will also put you on to a number of additional adventures such as a swim through the hidden grotto from the James Bond film Thunderball, or a visit to the famous swimming pigs of the Exumas.

Exumas Bahamas Land Sea Park

The Exumas Land and Sea Park encompasses a number of small islands and thousands of acres of shoals and reefs ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Photo: Darryl Massaro/Flickr

Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Belize

Belize’s original marine reserve packs a lot of underwater diversity into a relatively small area. Hol Chan is the Mayan phrase for “little channel” and when snorkelers arrive at this cut in the reef after an easy boat ride from Ambergris Caye, they are treated to spur and grove coral formations, sea brass beds and mangrove nurseries. Most tours also take in the site’s famous Shark Ray Alley, where southern stingrays and nurse sharks gather to nosh on fishy morsels offered by dive guides. The interaction is safe, and will put you right in the middle of the action.

Belize Hol Chan Nurse Sharks

Nurse sharks gather in the shallow waters of Belize’s Hol Chan Marine Reserve in anticipation of a free meal of fish scraps. These placid reef dwellers pose no danger to humans. Photo: iStock

Buck Island, St. Croix

It’s been more than 50 years since Buck Island Reef was declared a National Monument, and it’s still one of the Caribbean’s most popular snorkel sites. Located off the northeastern shore of St. Croix, Buck Island offers deserted white sand beaches and an encircling reef dominated by branching Elkhorn formations and groves of undulating sea fans. An underwater snorkel trail leads through the coral maze, which is home to hawksbill sea turtles. Shallow depths put swimmers face to face with the many tropical fish that seek shelter in the branching arms of the corals.

St Croix USVI Buck Island

St. Croix’s Buck Island National Monument includes a white sand beach and one of the most extensive groves of elkhorn corals in the Caribbean. Photo: Steve Simonsen/ US Virgin Island Department of Tourism

De Palm Island, Aruba

A visit to Aruba’s De Palm Island is part snorkel trip, part beach party. Located just off the main island’s southern coast, this all-inclusive day resort offers half and full day experiences that include beachside buffets, libations, entertainment and guided tours to the nearby reef, which is one of the best on the island. Snorkel equipment and instruction are included in the price of admission, and while water conditions are beginner friendly, the underwater landscape offers plenty to keep even veteran snorkelers enthralled.

Aruba De Palm Island

De Palm Island is located just off the coast of Aruba. Guests who come for an all-inclusive beach day can enjoy guided or individual snorkeling on reefs just off the beach. Photo: De Palm Tours

Horseshoe Reef, Tobago Cays

I love to swim with sea turtles, and one of the best places to do this in the southern Caribbean is in the Tobago Cays. This collection of five uninhabited islands lies just east of Mayreau in the southern Grenadines. It became a wildlife reserve in 2006, and is home to a colorful array of marine life— including a population of resident turtles. The formation known as Horseshoe Reef encircles four of the five islands to create calm conditions for snorkeling. Portions of the park can get a bit crowded when several tour boats arrive at once, but even on busy days I’ve always been able to slip off and find a quieter corner of the reef to enjoy.

Horseshoe Reef Snorkeling St Vincent Grenadines in Tobago Cay

In the southern Grenadines, a group of five small, uninhabited islands known as the Tobago Cays provide excellent snorkeling within the protected shallows of Horseshoe Reef. Photo: Debbie Snow

Playa del Carmen Birdmen Dance
Mexico, Play, Playa del Carmen, Trip Ideas

Playa del Carmen’s Dance of the Mayan Birdmen

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Several times a day, the sound of a Mayan flute drifts through Playa del Carmen’s waterfront square, el Zocalo. Crowds gather around a large pole and gaze upwards to a small platform where five colorfully dressed men are perched 100 feet above the ground. While one continues to play the flute, four others wrap spirals of thick rope around the pole. They tie the loose ends to their waists, then flight themselves into space. The platform pivots and spins, flinging the men in an expanding, downward spiral that eventually brings them to earth.

Birdmen Preparation Playa del Carmen

At the central square on the Playa Del Carmen waterfront, a group of performers stage the Mayan ritual known as the dance of the birdmen. Photo: Andrei Orlov/iStock

This is el Danza de los Voladores—the Dance of the Flyers. Though somewhat reminiscent of a circus act, this ritual actually dates back to pre- Columbian times, when it was practiced by numerous cultures across Mesoamerica. In the Mayan tradition, the flutist represents the mythical bird deity Itzamna, and the pole is the World Tree that supports the earth. When the four fliers leap, their path symbolizes the recreation of the world, and the return of the rains after a draught. On their spiraling descent, the fliers circle the pole 13 times to represent the phases of the Mayan calendar. Few onlookers are aware of the stories behind these performances, but that doesn’t detract from the colorful nature of this spectacle.

Birdmen Playa del Carmen

Preparations are underway for the Voladores to perform their acrobatic maneuvers in this traditional Mayan ceremony. Photo: iStock

Kilauea Crater Hawaii
Hawaii, Hawaii-Big Island, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Hikes: Kilauea Iki Trail, Hawaii

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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. The boiling lava lake at the summit is best observed from a safe distance, but hikers can trek right across another once-boiling lava lake that showcases the fascinating aftermath of a major eruption.

The Kilauea Iki Trail is a four-mile loop that follows the rim of Little Kilauea Crater, and then drops into its interior, which was the site of a major eruption in 1959. That eruption sent fiery plumes 1,900 feet in the air, and filled the crater with molten lava. Today, the crater can be reached by an easy drive along Crater Rim Road. The trail is a loop that can be walked in either direction, but the preferred route runs counter-clockwise, where the trail winds through a rain forest where lush tropical growth thrive sin the rich volcanic soil.

Kilauea Trail Hawaii

Ohi’a lehua plants sprout from volcanic ash in Kilauea Crater. These plants are uniquely adapted to withstand the sulfurous atmosphere of the crater. Photo: George Burba/iStock

At the 1.5-mile point, walkers will begin a descent into the crater, and the trail then leads across the lava lake, which, though hardened and safe to traverse, is still pocked with crevices that vent steaming sulfurous gases. Yet even this barren terrain shows signs of life in the form of ohi’a lehua plants, which are uniquely adapted to tolerate the noxious fumes. After crossing the lava lake, the trail begins a 400-foot climb back to the rim. At the summit, hikers can recover from the climb while admiring sweeping views of the crater, and consider making a short side trip to the Thurston Lava Tube, or complete the loop with a quarter-mile trek back to the trailhead.

Thurston Lava Tube

Molten rock once flowed through the Thurston Lava Tube. Today, a lighted trial through its interior provides a fascinating glimpse into volcanic geology. Photo: Shutterstock

Shade and breezes can make for a refreshing trek along upper portions of the hike, but its advisable to bring plenty of water and some form of sun protection for the crater crossing. Those looking for a shorter route to the crater floor can park near the Thurston Lava Tube and make a one-mile down-and-back foray into the crater.

Belize Blue Hole
Belize, Central America, Play, Trip Ideas

Belize Snapshots: The Blue Hole, Lighthouse Reef

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The most famous landmark in Belize isn’t on land. Recognized as the world’s largest marine sinkhole, the Great Blue Hole is located some 40 miles from the mainland, in the center of a coral atoll known as Lighthouse Reef. Jacques Cousteau explored this gigantic geological anomaly, which measures nearly 1,000 feet across, and plunges to depths of just over 400 feet.

Though it looks like it was stamped out by a giant’s cookie cutter, the hole was actually formed as an underground cavern more than 100,000 years ago, when sea levels were lower. Eventually, the roof caved in, and the chamber filled with water when seas rose to present day levels.

Today, the Great Blue Hole is home to sharks and schooling fish, and evidence of its origins can be found in stalactite formations that hang from shadowy ledges tucked along the circular walls. A number of charter boats bring adventurous divers and snorkelers, who come to fulfill bucket list wishes and explore the depths of this unique natural treasure.

Oahu Hawaii Diamond Head
Hawaii, Oahu, Play, Trip Ideas

Hawaiian Hikes: Diamond Head Trail

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The extinct volcanic crater known as Diamond Head, or Leahi in the Hawaiian language is one of the state’s most famous landmarks. It’s also a favorite day hike that rewards a demanding but manageable climb with fantastic views of the island.

Diamond Head View Oahu

The reward for climbing some 560 feet and negotiation 200-plus stairs is a sweeping 360-degree view of Honolulu, Waikiki Beach and the island of Oahu. Photo: iStock

Within sight of downtown Honolulu and Waikiki Beach, 475-acre Diamond Head State Monument encompasses the interior and outer slopes of its namesake crater. Hikes begin inside the crater at the monument’s information center, which is reached via a roadway that tunnels through the eastern wall of the crater.

Diamond Head Entrance

The Diamond Head National Monument is reached through the Kahala tunnel, which was cut through the base of the crater wall. Photo: Robert Cravens/iStock

The .8 mile walking trail begins with a concrete pathway, then transitions to packed rock and dirt as it begins a climb up a series of cliff-hanging switchbacks. Walkers can catch their breath and take in views of the crater’s interior at the first rest stop, and then the real fun begins. A long set of concrete stairs (74 in all) lead to a tunnel, then a second thigh-straining 99- step stairway and another tunnel.

Next comes a three-story spiral staircase that rises through a chimney cut into the lava rock. When you finally re-emerge into daylight after all this stair climbing and tunneling, it’s just a short walk to the fire control station. This concrete-and-steel bunker is the actual reason for the infrastructure you have just climbed.

Tunnel Diamond Head Oahu

After ascending a series of switchbacks, the trail to the Diamond Head summit enters a long tunnel, carved more that 100 years ago as part of the island’s coastal defense system. Photo: Jeff Nagy/iStock

The trail was constructed in 1908 to give access to this observation post, which served as an artillery spotter’s station for Oahu’s coastal defense system. From the station, a flight of metal stairs rises to an open observation deck that provides 360-degree views of island and ocean. Congratulations, you have climbed a total of 560 feet and 200-plus stairs, and can now enjoy one of the most scenic vistas in Hawaii.

Diamond Head Stairs Hawaii

The observation post that once served as an artillery triangulation station is the high point of the Diamond Head Trial, reached via a flight of sturdy metal stairs. Photo: Robert Cravens/iStock

Plan on two hours for the entire hike up and back, and take water and a few snacks, as there are no concessions along the trail. The Monument opens at 6:30 am, and locals recommend starting early to avoid crowds and mid-day heat. If you visit in winter, it’s possible to arrive before dawn, and take in the sunrise from the summit.

Diamond Head Oahu

Though the climb can be steep, the Diamond Head walking trail is very secure. Many sections that follow steep cliffs or ridges have permanent handrails. Photo: Anna Bryukhanova/iStock

Yucatan Ik Kil Cenote
Cancun, Cozumel, Mexico, Plan, Playa del Carmen, Trip Ideas

Mexico Snapshots: Cenote Ik-kil

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The limestone substrate of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is riddled with underground rivers and flooded caverns. When the roofs of these chambers collapse and expose the subterranean waters to the sky, they are known as cenotes. One of the region’s most spectacular cenotes is known as Ik-kil. Located near the ruins of the ancient city of Chichen Itza, the clear waters of this natural pool are surrounded by 85-foot cliffs, and plunge to depths of more than 130 feet.

Vines drop rope-like runners from the surface to tap into the water source, and small waterfalls often cascade over the edges. Revered as a sacred site in traditional Mayan culture, it was once the site of ceremonies and sacrifices. Today, it is a popular swimming hole, with a wooden stairway leading down to the water. A dip in the waters of Ik-kil is often bundled with tours of Chichen Itza, giving visitors a chance to cool off after exploring the ruins.

Florida Manatee
Clearwater Beach, Florida, Florida Keys, Key West, Orlando, Play, St. Pete Beach, Trip Ideas

Florida’s Best Manatee Encounters

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The first time you see a manatee, it’s amazing. And even after hundreds of encounters, I still get excited when I come across one of these huge “sea cows.” They can be 10 feet long and weigh more than a ton, but they are harmless to humans. In fact, it’s humans who pose a threat to the manatee when we don’t treat them with respect. Fortunately, there are responsible ways to interact with wild manatees, and plenty of sites all across Florida where they can be found. Here are a few of my favorite places to watch them, get up close and even swim with them.

Blue Springs Manatee

Central Florida’s Blue Springs State Park provides a refuge for manatees escaping the colder waters of the St. Johns River. In winter, the spring run may host hundreds of these animals. Photo: Stephen Meese/iStock

From Shore

When wintertime water temperatures drop below 70, manatees look for a place to warm up. They find it in the constant 72-degree water that flows from Florida’s underground springs. A great place for manatee watching is Blue Spring State Park, which is about an hour’s drive north of Orlando’s theme parks. I make at least one trip a year to Blue Springs, and never get tired of seeing as many as 100 of the big sea cows gathered in the clear waters of the preserve. In addition to natural springs, manatees have learned to take advantage of the warm water discharge from coastal power plants. Several utility companies have created viewing stations next to these discharge lagoons, and two of the best are Tampa Electric’s viewing station at Apollo Beach, and the brand new $5-million Manatee Lagoon visitor’s center in Riviera Beach. At these sites, winter months are best, but a few manatees always seem to hang around throughout the year.

On The Water

When they aren’t bunching up to escape winter cold, manatee spread out into rivers, bays and lagoons all around Florida. The areas where they are most often seen become designated manatee zones, with posted speed limits to prevent powerboats from running over these slow moving mammals. I always watch out for manatees when driving a powerboat, and keep my distance. For an up-close encounter, I use a kayak. By loosing the engine noise and moving slower, paddlers stand a greater chance of meeting up with a manatee. One of the best places to do this is the Jupiter Inlet Aquatic Preserve, which is just a few miles north of the Palm Beach area. Other good manatee paddles include the Weeki Wachee spring run, Crystal River and the mangrove islands of the Florida Keys—especially the wooded shores of Key Largo’s Tarpon Bay and the backcountry shallows near Key West. Kayaks are available for rent in all these areas, and most offer guided tours.

In The Water

Back in the day, when there were more manatees and fewer Floridians, there were a number of places where you could get in the water with manatees. To prevent hordes of swimmers from driving the sea cows from their favorite habitats, many of these sites are now designated preserves, with no swimming allowed. Two exceptions to this are the coastal springs at Crystal River and Homosassa, which are about an hour north of Tampa. A number of tour companies run sanctioned manatee encounter programs that allow snorkelers to get a first-hand look at the animals in their natural habitat. Winter months are the best, and because things can get chilly—at least by Florida standards—tour companies will usually supply wetsuits along with snorkel gear. Aside from these sites, there’s always a chance of a manatee swim-by when you are swimming or snorkeling. I’ve been treated to a number of these visits over the years, and always keep an eye out for the swirl of a manatee’s tail, or their car-size underwater profiles.