• Manatees vacation in Fort Myers.manatee,sea cow,mammal,water,river,homosassa sprin image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  Fort Myers, Florida, is home to one of the largest congregation sites of West Indian manatees in the world. The manatee's love of the warm Florida waters has earned them the nickname "Florida manatees." Manatees can be found along the coasts and in rivers and canals during the winter months. The Florida government heavily protects these gentle giants, the aquatic relatives of the elephant. The species is near extension, and often injured by motorboats. Several tours in the Fort Myers area allow you to see manatees.
  
  

Manatee and River Tours

• Manatee and River Tours visits the Caloosahatchee and Orange Rivers seven days a week from November 1 to April 30, excluding holidays. The two-hour tours depart from the Sweetwater Landing Marina. In addition to experiencing manatees, the tour offers an opportunity to see many species of native Floridian animals, birds and plants. Manatee and River Tours is also supports manatee conservation by retrieving and transporting injured manatees. The company has been granted "Verifier" status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. Reservations are required.
  
  Manatee and River Tours
  16991 State Rd. 31
  Ft. Myers, FL 33905
  239-693-1434
  manateeandrivertours.com
  
  

Manatee State Park

• Manatee Park is a 17-acre regional park and non-captive refuge for manatees. The best times to see the manatees are from November to March. The park offers manatee walks and programming. Manatee Park also houses a large butterfly garden, gift shop, playground, amphitheater and picnic area. You can pier fish and rent kayaks on the Orange River, which runs through the park. The park is free and open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset.
  
  Manatee Park
  10901 Palm Beach Blvd.
  Ft. Myers, FL 33905
  239-690-5030
  leeparks.org
  
  

Manatee Sightseeing Eco-Tourism Adventure

• Manatee Sightseeing Eco-Tourism Adventure provides private sightseeing excursions, with no more than six passengers per tour. The tour explores a remote manatee hideout in the Florida Everglades. The company's guarantee is "if you don't see a manatee you don't pay for the trip." The owners, Captain Barry and Captain Carol, lead your 1 1/2 -hour tour. The trip starts right outside Fort Myers at Port of the Islands.
  
  Manatee Sightseeing Eco-Tourism Adventure
  25000 Tamiami Trail E.
  Naples, FL 34114
  239-642-8818
  see-manatees.com