Diving with Manatees
The Underwater Teddy Bear
Together with Dugongs, Manatees form the order of sea cows. These two species differ mainly in their caudal fin; Manatees have a single round paddle-shaped tail while Dugongs have a forked fluke more like that of a whale. With a length of up to 5 meters, a manatee can weigh up to 500 kilograms. Diving with manatees is indescribable. These wonderful animals are very peaceful, calm, and slow, moving at a speed of only 3 to 7 km/h, perfect for observing and studying these majestic marine creatures.
Manatees are unique in that they can live in both saltwater and freshwater. They prefer warm waters and are herbivores, feeding mostly on fresh and saltwater plants. These animals spend 50% of their day resting and the other half grazing. While resting, they can stay submerged for up to 15 minutes, but while swimming, must surface every three to four minutes. Since they often search for food in shallow waters, it is possible to snorkel with manatees. Find out where you can dive with these gentle giants here.
Dive sites with this animal Show more on map
★★★★☆ Xcalak
Located at the southern tip of Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Xcalak is one of the last truly untouched diving destinations in the region. Part of the Xcalak Reefs National Park and the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, this remote area offers pristine coral formations, healthy marine life, and a peaceful environment!
★★★★☆ Blue Heron Bridge at Phil Foster Park
One of the most popular dive sites in South Florida, Blue Heron Bridge is an easily accessible shore dive sitting just under the Blue Heron Bridge in Riviera Beach. SPECIAL NOTE: check the tide schedule as this dive can only be made during slack tide otherwise currents will be too strong through the bay.
★★★★★ La Poza, Xcalak
An very nice underwater trench that makes for a beautiful wall dive. Current can sometimes convert it into drift diving. The depth ranges from 5 m/15 ft to 26m/90ft. It is full of alcoves where fish hide and tower-like structures of coral at the end of the dive.
★★★★☆ Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Hol Chan is THE most popular dive area in Belize if not all of the Caribbean. This Marine Park sits just offshore from Ambergris Caye and boasts great visibility, beautiful coral formations, and TONS of marine life.
★★★★☆ Jules Undersea Lodge
Home to Americas only underwater hotel, this site is great for confined and open water training. There is a shallow platform at about 6 feet (depending on the tides) and the deepest point is about 25 feet. There are 3 downlines and 3 exit points. Visibility is typically around 10 feet.
★★★★☆ Caye Caulker Marine Reserve
This site is a marine protected area just off Caye Caulker with beautiful, healthy reef with copious amounts of live corals and juvenile fishes.