text: How to Snorkel With Manatees in Florida
  Posted on February 20, 2017 February 10, 2018 by jill
  This is early in 2017 and I feel I've already set the bar high for this year's top experiences. How could this be?
  Is it safe to snorkel with wild manatees in Florida?
  The manatees here in Florida are completely wild. Wild as in that they're not captive animals. But don't worry, manatees are completely harmless. Manatees eat sea grass and their teeth are tucked in the back of their mouth. They're about as likely to charge as a plate of burritos. The worst thing they'll do to you is slobber manatee saliva all over your hair.
  I've swam with big things in the ocean before but swimming with manatees is something else. They're not like whale sharks that treat people with the same indiffirence I give to dust under the furniture; whale sharks know you're there but they'd rather ignore you. Manatees, however, are curious about people and behave more like puppies. If puppies come in boat size that is. They'll come to you for kisses and chew on your hair. They'll grab your arm with their little front flippers. Guys, they ask for belly rubs!
  At Bird's Underwater, they made us watch an introduction video before hand about how to behave around manatees – and I'll tell you, there were some things shown on the video that churned my stomach: people stepping on manatees, poking them with sticks, coralling/cornering them. Obviously these were the things you are NOT supposed to do.