Manatee Season In Belize: When To Go

Belize is home to the largest population of manatees in Central America. The best time to see these gentle giants is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The weather is sunny and dry, and the water is clear and calm, making it easier to spot the manatees as they become more active and visible.

There are several places in Belize where you can see manatees in their natural habitat. The Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, located about 11 kilometres from Belize City, is one of the most popular spots. The Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Lagoon is another great option, where manatees congregate in large numbers.

When visiting Belize, it is important to remember that manatees are endangered animals. It is illegal to touch or harass them, and there are guidelines in place to ensure their safety and the enjoyment of tourists.

Best locations to see manatees in Belize

Manatees, also known as sea cows, are fascinating creatures that can be found in the warm waters of Belize. With their gentle and curious nature, these mammals have become a popular attraction for tourists visiting the country. Here are some of the best locations to see manatees in Belize:

Placencia Lagoon

The Placencia Lagoon, located on the southeastern coast of Belize, is one of the top spots to observe manatees in their natural habitat. Tour operators like Laru Beya offer excursions to this area, providing a great opportunity to get up close with these fascinating creatures.

Northern Lagoon

The Northern Lagoon is part of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and is situated in northern Belize. This calm and shallow lagoon serves as a resting and feeding spot for manatees. Organized tours to this location often depart from Caye Caulker, providing easy access for visitors.

Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary

The Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, approximately seven miles from Belize City, is a dedicated protected area for manatees. Established by local conservationist Chocolate Heredia, this sanctuary offers a high chance of spotting manatees. Boat tours from Belize City or Caye Caulker provide access to this location, making it a popular choice for tourists.

Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the Southern Lagoon, just offshore from the southern part of the Belize District, this sanctuary is a pristine area where manatees congregate in large numbers. Visitors can stay at the Manatee Lodge in Gales Point village and join boat tours to the Placencia Lagoon or other feeding grounds to observe these gentle giants.

Caye Caulker

Caye Caulker, a popular tourist destination, offers a great chance to spot manatees. Various tour operators on the island provide snorkeling tours that include the opportunity to swim with manatees. It is important to choose a reputable and responsible operator that follows guidelines to ensure the safety and well-being of these protected animals.

Ambergris Caye

While most manatee tours depart from Caye Caulker, there are operators in Ambergris Caye that offer similar experiences. Companies like Seaduced Belize and Belize Diving Adventures provide tours to spots where manatees are known to frequent, such as Coral Gardens.

Remember that manatees are wild animals, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. However, with a bit of luck and patience, these locations offer a good opportunity to observe and even swim with manatees in their natural habitat.

Manatee tour operators

When planning manatee tours in Belize, operators should consider the following key aspects:

Locations

Belize boasts several ideal spots to increase the chances of spotting manatees. Here are some recommended locations:

• Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary: Located about 7-11 kilometers from Belize City, this sanctuary is one of the most popular places to see manatees. Established by local conservationist Chocolate Heredia, it offers a protected area where manatees feed on seagrass beds and hang out near the mangroves. Tourists can take boat tours from Belize City or Caye Caulker to this sanctuary and even snorkel with the manatees.
• Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary: Found in the Southern Lagoon, just offshore from the southern part of the Belize District, this pristine area attracts manatees in large numbers. Tour operators can collaborate with the Manatee Lodge in Gales Point village, offering guided boat tours to the Placencia Lagoon and other manatee hotspots.
• Northern Lagoon: Part of the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Belize, this calm and shallow lagoon is a favorite resting and feeding spot for manatees. Tourists can join organised tours that depart from Caye Caulker and include a boat ride to the Swallow Caye Marine Reserve.

Timing

The dry season in Belize, from November to April, is the best time for manatee tours. During this period, the weather is sunny and dry, and the water is clear and calm. Manatees are more active and visible, making it an optimal time for tours. The wet season, from May to October, is less ideal due to rainy and stormy weather, murky and choppy waters, and more elusive manatee behaviour.

Tour Options

To enhance the experience, tour operators can provide a range of options for visitors:

• Full-Day Snorkeling Tour: Typically lasting from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm, this comprehensive tour costs around $90 to $120. It includes multiple stops, such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and offers a higher chance of spotting manatees.
• Half-Day Snorkeling Tour: Running for about 3 hours, this tour is a more affordable option at $45 to $60. However, it may not include all the highlights and has a lower probability of encountering manatees.
• Multi-Day Tour: For those seeking an immersive experience, multi-day tours are available. These tours usually include overnight stays at local accommodations and provide a more in-depth exploration of manatee habitats.

Best Practices

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both tourists and manatees, tour operators should adhere to the following guidelines:

• No Touching or Feeding: Manatees are protected by law, and touching or feeding them is considered harassment. Tourists must maintain a safe distance and avoid any direct contact.
• Slow Down Near Waterways: Boat operators should obey signs and slow down when approaching river waterways to minimise disturbance to manatees and their habitats.
• Patience and Respect: Manatees are wild animals with unique behaviours and personalities. Tourists should be patient and respectful, allowing the manatees to approach them if they are curious.
• Appropriate Gear: Tour operators should provide guests with the necessary gear, including masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets. Rash guards or wetsuits are also recommended to protect against the sun and jellyfish stings.
• Avoiding Sunscreen and Insect Repellent: Tourists should refrain from using sunscreen or insect repellent as these substances can harm manatees' sensitive skin.

Manatee conservation efforts

One of the main threats to manatees in Belize is human-related deaths due to coastal development. Boat collisions and destruction of habitats are now the major concerns, replacing poaching as the primary threat. To address this, the Belize government, in collaboration with organisations like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) Research Institute, has established sanctuaries, speed zones, and regulations to safeguard manatees. The CMA Research Institute provides data, expertise, and scientific exchange to support these efforts.

Community education and outreach are also essential components of manatee conservation in Belize. Jamal Galves, the Belize Manatee Conservation program coordinator, has been recognised for his dedication to protecting manatees through public education and outreach in local schools. Conservation initiatives also involve local children, teaching them about the importance of protecting waterways and conserving habitats.

Another aspect of manatee conservation in Belize is the work of rescue and rehabilitation centres. Scientists and volunteers at these centres work tirelessly to rehabilitate injured, sick, or orphaned manatees and release them back into the wild. Conservation organisations also conduct health assessments on wild manatee populations to monitor their health and gather vital information for conservation efforts.

Additionally, conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring coastal forests, particularly mangrove ecosystems. Mangroves play a crucial role in protecting the Belizean coastline and providing habitats for manatees and other marine life. By working with local conservation organisations, students from Ecology Project International (EPI) contribute to monitoring manatee populations and analysing seagrass beds, which are a vital food source for manatees.

Manatee behaviour

Manatees are gentle, curious, and social animals. They are sometimes called sea cows because they eat plants and have thick, grey skin. They can grow up to 4 metres long and weigh up to 600 kilograms. They have a paddle-like tail and two flippers that help them swim and steer. They also have whiskers on their snouts that help them find food.

Manatees are herbivores and can eat over 60 different kinds of plants, such as seagrass, water hyacinth, and mangrove leaves. They are able to crawl onto a river bank to reach shoreline vegetation. They spend approximately half of their day resting in shallow waters and the other half slowly swimming in search of food. They are able to consume more than 45 kilograms of plants in a day.

Manatees are social animals and often form groups of two to six individuals. They communicate with each other using sounds like squeaks, chirps, and whistles. They are known to body surf or barrel roll when playing, and are capable of complex manoeuvring including somersaults, rolls, and swimming upside down.

Manatees are able to crawl onto a river bank to reach shoreline vegetation. They spend approximately half of their day resting in shallow waters and the other half slowly swimming in search of food. An average manatee spends six to eight hours a day feeding, two to twelve hours sleeping, and the rest of the time travelling. When resting, a manatee is able to suspend itself near the surface of the water but it can also lie on the bottom of the seafloor. A large resting manatee can stay submerged for about twenty minutes, but others need to resurface every three to four minutes. When manatees are using a great deal of energy, they may surface to breathe as often as every 30 seconds.

Manatees are well-adapted to their environment. They have a very slow metabolism and can only survive in warm waters. They prefer shallow water that is two to six metres deep and are rarely found in deeper water. They have a flexible upper lip that they use to bring food into their mouth by grabbing and tearing plants. They also have an acute sense of touch, mediated by thick hairs called vibrissae that adorn their entire body.

Manatees are protected by law in Belize and listed as endangered under the country's Wildlife Protection Act of 1981. They are also protected by several wildlife sanctuaries in Belize, such as the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary.

Manatee tour best practices

Passive Observation

The best way to observe manatees is to practice passive observation. This means quietly floating in the water and waiting for the curious animal to approach you. Do not chase or move closer to the manatee if it passes by. Keep your hands to yourself and allow the animal to move freely.

Mind Your Manners

It is considered bad manners to disturb a resting or sleeping manatee. You should also refrain from hovering over a manatee or attempting to pet one as it comes to the surface to breathe. Remember that a manatee coming to the surface is doing so to survive, not to play with you.

Maintain Your Distance

When in the water, manatees may be difficult to see. Keep your distance and passively observe the animals. If you are in a boat, look out for swirls on the surface caused by a diving animal or a break in the water's surface made by the tail, snout or back of the manatee.

Ride Safely Through Their Habitat

When boating in a manatee habitat, stay in deep water and avoid shallow areas and seagrass beds. Do not discard trash, hooks, microfilament lines and other rubbish in the water, as these may be ingested by manatees or entangle them, causing injury or death.

Choose a Responsible Tour Operator

Not all tour operators are as eco-conscious or responsible in helping to protect manatees. Look for operators who stress the eco in their eco tours and who offer small group tours with no more than 6-10 people. Ask if they prepare snorkelers ahead of the tour and how knowledgeable the guides are about manatees.

Do Not Feed the Manatees

Do not feed the manatees or give them water to drink.

Ask Questions

If you are unsure about anything, ask your tour operator. A good operator will be happy to answer your questions and ensure you have a safe and memorable experience.

Frequently asked questions