Manatees

I have heard you can see manatees in Sanibel. If true, what is the best time of year to see them and where in Sanibel or Captiva. Coming to Florida for 3-4 days first week in Oct but only able to come to Sanibel for a day! Any advice is appriciated!!

Manatees

You can see them anywhere in Southwest Florida, but they%26#39;re so spread out during the warm months that I can%26#39;t think of any guaranteed spot on Sanibel where you%26#39;ll spot one.

I%26#39;ve seen quite a few while kayaking over on the Pine Island Sound side, but it%26#39;s really hit or miss.

The best bet is probably to ask a few locals if they%26#39;ve seen any.

Manatees

Unlike Islandkitty, I don%26#39;t kayak, so of the many trips to Sanibel/captiva I think I%26#39;ve seen manatees many 3 times out of 20 trips. I%26#39;ve seen them mostly around the dock and mangrove areas.

I must be fortunate, but we have seen manatee on almost all our trips to Sanibel. The last 17 years it has been in the summer. Jensens Marina on Captiva, South Seas Plantation, or while in a boat in the bay or along the gulf sometimes while I%26#39;m sitting and gazing out over the water. You do have to look for them, as you do dolphin. This summer a manatee %26amp; her calf were feeding for quite a while.

Also fun, I%26#39;ve seen the Sea Otters (Not sure exactly what you call them) at Jensens Marina. They can be found when the fishing is good. They annoy the guest as they fish.

My husband has been in Tarpon Bay %26amp; had one put its snout on the side of his little fishing boat. It was on his first visit %26amp; it scared him to death, he didn%26#39;t know what kind of creature it was. My step-father was with him %26amp; assured him that it wouldn%26#39;t tip over the boat %26amp; eat him.

We were renting a boat near Cayo Costa %26amp; just idling. The manatee swam right up to the boat near the propellor to see what it was.

Once at Jensens a few years ago 2 manatees were playing with a boatone was on each side rocking it.

Once right on the edge of the concrete wall there at Jensens there were 4 calves all lined up eating alage off the wall. The girls spotted them %26amp; stood right over them watching and the calves didn%26#39;t care.

I%26#39;m sure the other marinas have them hanging out as well we buy bait from Jensens, rent boats and have had water taxis from them over the last 30 years.

When the water temperatures cool they relocate!