A Manatee Encounter at Crystal River

[dizzypunchpanda29]

manatees have to be one of my top favorite animals. they are so graceful!

[imeanbean]

Solid Thievery corp soundtrack. Noice

[pope1982]

Beautiful.

[tmackx]

Yes, there are guidelines for manatee interaction but anyone who has swam with the manatees in crystal river know that they will rub up on you like a spoiled house cat! The manatees don't seem to mind the whole touching rule. Was there thanksgiving 08 and headed back in a couple of weeks.

[dragonballd3]

lol the water in the begining looked red

[shadowrocks15]

are u riding in a jon boat

[KayakMike1963]

I'm glad you earned your lesson about touching the manatees, because the video does indeed show unapproved behavior. THey must touch YOU before YOU even reach out with a single hand. Thanks for posting the fact that you did err.

[ragingflamerboy]

yah, it's so hard to not just reach and cuddle with these fantastic creatures, it's almost even hard to blame them for doing so! but I'm glad they also admitted their err, but if they didn't, they would've been crucified here in youtube land! haha

[Ladyhawkwright]

I remember snorkling there! years ago! Thanks for sharing! I used to find old wine bottles down there that were really pretty..

[TheBlackFlute]

Wild flamingos? Wow.

[punchNathan]

i will touch a manatee, in my lifetime.. several, if possible.

what's the song, it's interesting.

[Philmoscowitz]

i want to ride them. i bet they'd like that.

[Tyazen]

Soooooooooo beautiful this encouner, that we feel the emotions just by looking at this video.... Thank you!

[decopixel]

It appears to be a judgment call. Two handed touching can lead to grabbing. Grabbing can lead to "riding". So it is discouraged. The most important thing is to have the manatee initiate the contact. Don't chase, pursue, block, or separate. I've learned a lot since that encounter. I'm more responsible now then when that was filmed.

[a69a59b]

I'm going to crystal river aswell on Dec.27. But im concerned of getting stun by a jellyfish, or seeing a baracuda. How long was your tour, and what other fish did you see jouring the tour?

[imhatepie]

Underwater we are weightless, so as long as you aernt wearing any heavy/ pointy equipment that could damage the skin you should be ok...

I have heard for instance that Dolphins will relish the chance to rub against a wetsuit. But yeah, not saying you should try to corner one.

[syckindahead]

is there a problem with touching them with two hands?