Crystal River, Florida Manatee Experience 2008

[leopoldvs]

Bonito = Mignon = Cute :)

[CitizenKNUCKLEHEAD]

Whoa was that a shark that cruised by?

[nwspitze]

Amazing video. I was down there last weekend and hope to be back next month.

[randomgirl2001]

OMG I went there it was so coooooool!

[hpisgreat]

you cant chase a manatee, that is punishable by law

[pspfanboy100]

Manatees are amazing. I swim with them whatever chance I get. I live about 15 miles away from Crystal River. I actually go to a marine research school, we swim with manatees at least once a month.

[super58173]

5:00 - That was a shark, right? It didn't seem like you were in danger, was it just passing?

[cindyandallie]

yeah it was so much fun

[MrSteves08srt]

Amazing video!!

[MissCrackbrained]

I'm from Germany and I swear to god, I would do almost EVERYTHING to see a Manatee in real life <3

Not in the zoo, but in nature! <3

Maybe someday I'll be able to do this!

I want to swim with this cutie <3

[Variegata1000]

That music spoils it completely!!

[Variegata1000]

What a pity to spoil your entire movie by that boring music. You're shooting yourself in the foot big time.

[coreyp30]

Ive lived in crystal river my whole life and swam with the manatees once on a field trip in 4th grade,it's pretty amazing when you have a mother manatee swim in between your legs.

[Miyavisgirl1540]

Its so amazing how docile these giants are! They really like getting their belly rubbed, huh? So cute!

[Axelrad1]

Adorable.

[tcw00]

So cute!

[irishgummybear]

Sea cows are beautiful. It's nice to see something big in the water that won't eat us.

[jabroadie]

I recently moved to jacksonville and swimming with manatees is top on the to do list. great video. I cant believe the mothers are super protective of their young around people! Here is a site i like that helps people find things to do near them.

Its fundivvy.com

Check it out. Enjoy.

[jabroadie]

I recently moved to jacksonville and swimming with manatees is top on the to do list. great video. I cant believe the mothers are super protective of their young around people! Here is a site i like that helps people find things to do near them.

Its fundivvy.com

Check it out. Enjoy.

[bigdawg0118]

Awesome experience....I took my wife and 5 year old daughter there in 2007 for Valentines Day! What a great time! Even with the fanatics there, it was a great time!

[cloverkatt]

that was a tarpon, right? @ 455/459 tNice video, & great manatee manners!

[cloverkatt]

that was a tarpon, right?

[neutralhero999]

Manatees are sea mammals, right? I want to swim with one someday! Awww! XD XD XD

[FallenAngelzV]

i love manatees...XD



[sammy11232003]

the most beautiful creatures on the earth God how i wish i was there

[kassidim1]

it seems they are having a BLAST no harm done its people that DRIVE FAST that bother me and i think i have an opinion that is above all others considing MY taxes actually pay to protect these creatures considering im paying taxes on my property in which they live i think that was an experiance for that little guy more than you and it seems you were very respectful ,.......... i cant take how cute that was

[kassidim1]

That has to be the CUTEIST thing i have ever seen im from florida in fact i live right behind 3 sisters and i cant believe i can litterly jump off my dock and swim there and i have NEVER had an experiance like this in the 25 years of having them in back yard but you can bet this winter i will be jumping in with them when they come to my dock for lettus

[Ipodforabrain]

AHHH! I'm going to crystal river in less than a week!! I'm so excited!

[crystallrice]

I so enjoyed doing this. My family and I have done this twice in Crystal River. Love it!

[littlemissmayalou]

i went on a trip to crystal river and you are allowed to touch them but only there in that small area of Florida. it was an amazing experience.

[Cindipyrmont]

Is it against the law to touch manatees? Yes

A. Manatees are an endangered species, protected under the federal Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection Acts and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act. Conviction on the federal level is punishable by a fine of up to $100,000 and/or one year in prison.

Cant believe you claim to love these animals and yet going against guidelines.

Truly disgusting, some people will never learn.. Take your video down and understand what you have done is wrong.

[DiversIncorporated]

@Cindipyrmont I think you better check your facts before you publish false information on a public forum. It is not illegal to touch manatees. Not sure where you got that idea. The guidelines say that we are not to interfere with the normal activity of the animals. Lucky for us they are social creatures and crave the interaction. We are not chasing them, we are not trapping them and in fact, we had a florida fish and wildlife ranger with us pretty much the whole time this video was taken.

[littlemissmayalou]

@Cindipyrmont Actually in Crystal River in Florida there is a small area that allows you to touch the manatees. you are just not allowed to scare them, chase them, poke them, prod, or stab them. I went on a tour and the manatees loved it because if they didn't they would swim away.

[WGJameson]

@Cindipyrmont I've gone to crystal river, Fl and swam with the manatees. There is NO law against "touching" endangered species. They have designated areas they call "manatee sanctuaries" where humans aren't allowed... You "disgust" me with your false facts trying to feel self-righteous. Go and be a troll elsewhere instead of a family video and get your facts straight before you speak. Don't want to sound stupid, do we?

[ZebraGomez]

@Cindipyrmont WOW your SO stupid...dumb ass....-.- you shouldnt be saying shit like that.

[annafearless]

@Cindipyrmont No its not, its at crystal river ur allowed to touch them

[blazen113]

@Cindipyrmont Hey, just saying Manatees arent endangered anymore. Also they look like they aren't hurting them so stop being an ass and maybe you can cut yourself in a corner =]

[troubledseed]

@Cindipyrmont Even if what you are saying is true.. Who do you think conducted the study (if they did) and made that a rule? Answer is government. Do you not realise your a dumb fucking idiot and people like you shouldnt exist. What you are saying is that we should never interact with animals or mammals cause someone thinks its wrong.. Well their wrong and so are you. We need to be more closer with entities such as these and if your diving and see one. hug it if you can, Show love. Idiots..

[monkeyandkoala]

@Cindipyrmont wut a fking retard. U CAN HUG MANATEES!!!!! I RODE IN ONE WHENI WAS 11

[pspfanboy100]

@Cindipyrmont You're stupid. Crystal River Florida is the ONLY place in the world that allows humans to have physical contact with manatees. I know this because I live there. I swim with manatees at least once a month. It's part of my regular schooling.

[krazzyyo2]

@Cindipyrmont shut up bitch

[2cjmom]

@Cindipyrmont Scientists don't recommend touching them. They recommend keeping your hands to yourself.

[rizzodizzo]

Does anyone notice the shark in the background??? 455

[19Jose91]

@rizzodizzo they touch the shark too #lol

[karlchebator]

Thank you for that adventure. Great footage

[paramorechick18]

omg! i love manatees! i've loved them since i was 3yrs old and went to sea world with my family. my mom has a video of me just staring at them in wonder. nothing else at sea world interested me after that. i went to swim with them when i was 10 at the same place your video was taken. GREATEST expierence of my life. now i'm 19 and they still fascinate me.

[turbokitty222]

Great video! I fill silly for being afraid of them on my kayak after seeing this. they act more like my cat!

[Ewigheim]

How beautiful ♥ i love manatees so much. What a pity that I live in Germany :(

[ogioful]

whoa dont forget chrystal river glen arbor michigan the cleanest warmest river ever it is only 5ft deeep at maximum and the tempereture is around 70 degrees wild river otters live ther and it is a great fly fishing spot

[keepruvthknight]

Yay!! I was there!! I swam with the manatees in Crystal River in January of '08. What an experience : D They are so gentle, friendly and curious.....your video is so awesome and magical.

[catrinandflash]

We enjoyed watching your video. thank you for the experience. They look so friendly.

[MrDiveDave]

@Jenny160411 I agree that it is unfortunate that you see this video the way you do. I am an avid diver and manatee fan.... It does not at all look like they were in pursuit of the mother or calf, they were observing and turning their bodies as the manatee's passed.

[mix0xim]

i live there :P i go kayaking to see them al the time!

[sunlovekissed]

This is a great video!

[IslanProd]

Nice video ! That video camera used ??

[CFCarePOO]

WOW!.....some of the loveliest most lugubrious creatures on the planet!!! (Excellently made vid,thanks DiversInc et al.)

[Breathanie]

ok. so i want to do this so bad, but arent there aligators in the water too??!?

[DiversIncorporated]

@Breathanie there are but they are little and don't eat much... and they avoid eating anything moving most of the time.

[jamiebellwolf]

@Breathanie OH yeah and human too which they eat the alligators so whats the problem?

[coldohiodiver]

I like all of your videos!

[casanovaforeva22]

i love them though i have only swam with them a few times they are neat

the law states that u cant touch them unless they are interested in u i see them all the time and i still am fasinated about them

[sxchiriboga]

Can anybody give me the ww or phone of the dive center for this awesome experience?

tks

[DiversIncorporated]

@sxchiriboga Divers incorporated diversinc com 734 971 7770

[ICEICEBABY97]

i went here today for a feild trip...an amazing expirience

[abpokemon]

one manatee kissed me on the lips

[mmatute23]

Nice video , Great music.

Did you see the Giant Fish at 4:59?

[BreatheInMalice]

This is very popular, alot of scuba classes go here for certification... very pretty in winter, it IS a refuge to all those who oppose it.. Manatees are like this everywhere, they arent super dependent and wont become super dependent... they are literally like puppies, and the love their belly rubbed =]

[CocotzinsDream]

They ar so cute like sea puppies, them and dolphins bring me to tears, can't wait to move back home and swim with them someday, miss Florida too.

[AresCassell]

Manatees are so cute. If they ever legalize interspecies marriage, I'm so gonna get hitched to one!

[metalownsj00]

Could I get the name of the song?

[aceofaerospace]

The song is called "Can One Day Change Your Life" by Tom Geiger

[GeorginaEa]

Gorgeous i did it you wont belive how amaing it is we didnt really get to stroke them or anything though how you did but it was amazing just to see them in their natural habitat xx :)

[MermaidLex]

wow how much do you have to pay to do that and asre they only there in the winter?

[cschm2]

What is teh name fo this song?

[underthemangotreee]

thats beautiful. but just saying, all wild life, especially endangered ones, are best not having any human encounters for their own good. but i totaly understand how hard it is not to touch one. great video

[ephillips75]

I swam with these things the other day. If you're in the water, you can't avoid touching them. They want you to. They will follow you until you pet them.

[toothbeaver]

Wow, those animals look like the one that owned SEA of Hamilton, NJ. I know they r peaceful creatures in the wild but when they operate a scuba shop they attack teenaged employees w gusto since their balls shrink on land lol. Earl u piece of shit!

[flitzpiepe75]

Absolutely lovely, great material :)

Thanks so much for sharing!

Who´s the music btw?

[brendafohio]

Such gentle creatures. They seemed to genuinely enjoy being caressed. I would like to see one myself one day. I hope I can make it while the manatee and myself still have time.

[chrisc8640]

that would be such a fantastic adventure! Great video

[whereismark]

I love Manatee's!!

[dougieladd]

What a special animal. Lets hope not too many people do this though. They are wild animals after all and deserve respect and their freedom from human intervention. But aside from that... how lucky you are to have done this.

[burgerwisdim]

geeee - beautiful water to tread, awesome other being

[97renee]

thats awesome!are manatees usually in crystal river in the month of august?

[ronsig]

Wow, I have to visit there next time!

[guingnol]

What is his name?

[LifeIsABigPuzzle]

Should people be swimming around with Manatees and other animals? I mean that is a good way to get the animals to trust people too much and then they might end up getting harpooned. But if that river is protected, they might be safe. But still, if they leave the river, they might be someone's meal.

[adelma01]

@LifeIsABigPuzzle no one harpoons manatees

[realisticHomeboy]

Too bad the video was ruined by music soundtrack instead of actual sound. Looks awesome. I wanna go swim with manatees too.

[19LYL84]

the name of the song?

[Shanna216]

Amazing video! I didn't realize that you could just go and do something like that. Awesome...I'm going to start planning my trip now!!

[flatsilver]

screw that girl... those things WANTED to be there! awesome

[theihammy]

It's so cute when the manatees roll on it's back! I would love to swim with the manatees! But no one in my family would go with me! They're such big creatures, but everyone knows that they're gentle giants! I rated it five stars! You were so gentle and you didn't chase them or anything, you were just well, gentle!

[beagle9singer]

i want to swim with manatees

[KayakMike1963]

I think you did a pretty good job of interacting without interfering.... my only concern was that there were a few times that you did get in between a manatee and the surface. I never saw any distress at all in tha animals, but it is something I strive to avoid at all times.  Just my thoughts!

[casanovahagfish]

2:42

that was by far the sweetest thing I've seen!

[tattafoote]

i was there today and swam wit them the ay before i swore saw you and the girl i may be wrong but we were with th playful mannitees

[papergunmaker989]

i went there yesterday, the water wasnt clear though

[chabrak99]

nice video and music. who is the interpret and title of the music?

[kinklexx]

This Video is Brill, i have swam with the manatees in the homosassa river and i am going to crystal river in 2 weeks i hope i have the experience that you have had the manatees look like the are loving all the attention.

[a69a59b]

2:30 are those its real eyes???? bull shit????

[Doozersb82]

Good Grief What The Hell Were You Doing At 2:50 Exfoliating That Manatee LOL

[DiversIncorporated]

We were very careful not to chase the manatees... you really should be there to see it.

[DiversIncorporated]

it is unfortunate that you feel this way. the mom and the calf were actually just swimming by... we did not "chase" Anything at all... infact the Florida fish and game people were above us watching us the whole time.

[fredryckphocks]

cool i'l be sure check those places out my family was planing on checking out hunter spring later this month

[iris122333444455555]

i'm going to florida crystal river on hollyday is it rare to have an encounter with manatees? and can you dive there

[DG121480]

I live in Orlando, and I'm pretty sure the people in this vid were breaking the law.(Unless they had permission.)Manatee "harassment" is usualy looked down upon by Florida Fish and Game. The problem, as you saw, is that they just want to play with you! Especialy the babies! They'll come up to a boat and beg for handouts just like a big, lazy dog... Without the drool of course.

[evilpigbannanas]

im jelous ;-)

[pbeavan1947]

People have to be careful not to make the manatee feeled trapped. I think these guys did a great job of getting close without forcing themselves on the animals. They seemed to have waited for the manatee to come to them which is the perfect way not to spook them.

[n00bssuck]

manatees are my fav animal

[fredryckphocks]

you know whats really cool is i first saw this video on google earth when i was looking up stuff in my area

[fredryckphocks]

its kinda funny cuase i living in beverly hills florida very close to crystal river almost 3 years now i have yet to see a mannatee in the wild seen them in zoos though

[pbeavan1947]

Just come to Crystal River and stand on a bridge. Much more fun than a zoo. Or take a helicopter flight for less than $30 and see hundreds.

[fredryckphocks]

heh i live in crystal river now but try to get a flight or something oh and is there even bridges in crystal river?

[RojoPirata]

Great job, looks to be a very cool adventure!