Get on Board the “Do Not Disturb” Tours
View manatees without disrupting their natural behavior

Participants on one of SMC's "Do Not Disturb" kayak tours set out with high hopes of seeing manatees in the wild. (Photo courtesy of Matt Clemons)

You’ve dreamed of seeing manatees all your life but have wrestled with a guilty conscience at the thought of going on a snorkel or dive tour where endangered manatees can be groped and grabbed and generally harassed. What’s a manatee lover to do?

Wrestle no longer. Back by popular demand are Save the Manatee Club’s “Do Not Disturb” kayak tours. The tours, which will be offered December – February in Crystal River, Florida, offer an alternative way to view manatees without disrupting their natural behavior.

Biologist Matt Clemons of Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company pauses to view a manatee. (Photo by Steve Kingery)

"Save the Manatee Club has always endorsed passive observation when it comes to manatee viewing," says Patrick Rose, Executive Director for the Club. "We don't support swimming with manatees, but we do want our members to be able to view manatees with an emphasis on doing it the right way. What better way to see manatees than from a kayak?"

The kayak tours will be offered by the Club in conjunction with Aardvark’s Florida Kayak Company. The cost is $40 per person and includes an experienced guide, kayak, paddle, and life jacket. And Aardvark’s is generously donating 50% of each tour fee to Save the Manatee Club.

The three-hour tours will be kept small for the utmost enjoyment and include a maximum of 20 participants. Tour participants must be Save the Manatee Club members and their guests and have to be 13 years of age or older. In addition, an adult must accompany anyone under the age of 18. Tour participants are responsible for all travel, hotel, meals, and other expenses. Once you sign up, we’ll send you an itinerary including information about area hotels.

A manatee checks out a kayaker. (Photo courtesy of Matt Clemons)

Crystal River/Kings Bay is the winter home to hundreds of manatees. Your kayak trip will start with an educational briefing to discuss proper etiquette for observing manatees as well as basic kayaking tips. Then it’s time to begin a wonderful morning of paddling through the waters of Crystal River. Along the way, you’ll get a chance to view your favorite aquatic mammals in the wild and learn about the local flora and fauna. You’ll be done by noon, with time to explore the local shops and restaurants of the area.

So call Save the Manatee Club now at 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) to reserve your spot. We will need at least two weeks’ notice to book your tour. Phone reservations only. Please call during our regular business hours: Monday –Friday, 8:30 – 4:30 EST.

We hope to see you there!

SMC Board Member Katie Tripp enjoys a morning paddling through the beautiful waters of Crystal River. (Photo courtesy of Katie Tripp)

Dates for the 2008 "Do Not Disturb" Tours
Tours will launch at 9:00 a.m. on the dates below with the educational presentation starting an hour before your trip.

Not a Member?
Adopt-A-Manatee and join Save the Manatee Club today!