Manatees In Belize: Where To Spot Them

Belize is home to the largest concentration of Antillean manatees in the world, with around 800 to 1,000 individuals. These fascinating creatures, often described as sea cows, are a subspecies of the West Indian manatee and are native to the warm, shallow waters of Belize's coastline. With their gentle nature and curious personalities, manatees have long been a source of fascination, once mistaken for mermaids by ancient seafarers. Today, they are a protected species, facing severe danger of extinction.

Belize has established several wildlife sanctuaries to protect manatees, including the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, the Northern Lagoon in the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary in the Southern Lagoon. These protected areas offer visitors the best opportunities to spot manatees in their natural habitat, whether through organised tours or snorkelling excursions.

With their slow metabolism, manatees spend half their day resting and the other half slowly swimming in search of food. Growing up to 13 feet long and weighing up to 1,300 pounds, these gentle giants are a true wonder to behold in the wild.

Northern Lagoon, Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary

The Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (CBWS) in the north of Belize is one of the best places to see manatees in the country. Established in 1998, it is the second-largest marine protected area in Belize, covering approximately 178,000 acres (72,000 hectares) of the Belize portion of the Mesoamerican Reef's largest estuarine system.

The CBWS is home to one of the most stable populations of manatees in Belize. The Antillean manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, is the type of manatee found in Belize. They are commonly referred to as "sea cows" and are gentle, herbivorous creatures with round, puppy dog-like faces. Manatees can grow up to 13 feet (4 meters) long and weigh up to 1,300-1,800 pounds (590-816 kilograms). They spend their days resting in shallow waters and slowly swimming in search of food.

The Northern Lagoon is located inside the Corozal Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Tours to see the manatees in this area typically begin in Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, with a boat ride to the Swallow Caye Marine Reserve. These tours usually depart in the morning and return around 4 pm, including lunch.

It is important to note that manatees are a protected species, and it is prohibited to touch them as it can damage their skin. The greatest threat to manatees is human activity, particularly boat strikes, as they often swim in shallow waters. The Belize government has taken steps to protect manatees, and their population is slowly growing.

Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary

The Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area for manatees, located about seven miles from Belize City and 19 miles southwest of Caye Caulker. The sanctuary spans nearly 9,000 acres and includes Swallow Caye and parts of other nearby islands, such as Drowned Caye. The area is characterised by shallow waters and vast beds of seagrass, which serve as a natural feeding ground for manatees.

The Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 2002 to protect the threatened manatee population in Belize. Manatees are herbivorous mammals that are commonly known as sea cows. They have few natural predators but are vulnerable to injuries and death caused by boat propellers. As a result, boating in the sanctuary is strictly regulated, and all watercraft must be manually poled once inside the sanctuary. It is also illegal to swim with or touch manatees in Belize, and visitors are only allowed to observe them from a boat.

The best way to experience the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary is through a tour, as the area is only accessible by private boat. Tours are available from Belize City, Ambergris Caye, St. George's Caye, and Caye Caulker. It is important to note that the sanctuary is open all year round, but access may be difficult during bad weather. The dry season from November to April is considered the best time for viewing manatees, as the waters are clearer during this period.

In addition to manatees, the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to a variety of bird and fish species, as well as lush vegetation. Visitors are advised to bring adequate sun protection and be mindful of the weather, as seawater can become murky after rainstorms, making it harder to spot the manatees.

Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary

The Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Belize District, approximately 23.7 miles southwest of Belize City and 34 km north of Dangriga. The sanctuary is centred on two connected large lagoons on the central coastal plain and includes the Southern Lagoon, Sapodilla Lagoon, Western Lagoon, Quashie Trap Lagoon, and a portion of the Manatee River. It covers a diverse matrix of creeks, mangroves, mudflats, and brackish lagoons, providing a habitat for numerous species.

The primary purpose of the sanctuary is to protect the endangered Antillean manatees, which are a type of West Indian manatee. Manatees are large, gentle, slow-moving mammals that can grow up to 13 feet (4 meters) long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds (590 kilograms). They are herbivores that feed on plants such as seagrass, water hyacinth, and mangrove leaves. The sanctuary also protects other critically endangered species, such as the Central American river turtle, the Goliath grouper, and the hawksbill turtle, which uses the sanctuary as a nesting beach.

The Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places in Belize to spot manatees. The Manatee Lodge in Gales Point offers organised tours, taking visitors by boat to see the manatees in their natural habitat. Visitors are advised not to touch the manatees as it can damage their skin. In addition to manatees, the sanctuary is home to a diverse array of species, including fish, mammals, reptiles, and birds. Some of the notable species found within or around the sanctuary include the Yucatán howler monkey, Morlet's crocodile, American saltwater crocodile, Baird's tapir, Neotropical river otter, cownose ray, and Cubera snapper.

The village of Gales Point, located within the sanctuary, has a rich history and culture. It was once an early maroon community, settled by people who resisted enslavement and fled the control of colonial authorities. The village is home to approximately 297 people, most of whom subsist on fishing and farming. Traditional African practices and West African cultural influences can still be observed in the community.

Placencia Lagoon

Belize is a sanctuary for manatees, with the largest concentration of Antillean manatees in the world. These fascinating creatures, often described as "sea cows", are a huge draw for tourists, who flock to see them in their natural habitat.

One of the best places to see manatees in Belize is Placencia Lagoon on the southeastern coast. Tours leave from Placencia and head to the Southern Lagoon, where the manatees like to feed and play. The Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary is also located in the Southern Lagoon and operates a Manatee Lodge, from which organised tours depart by boat.

The manatee is a protected species, so it is important to remember not to try to touch the animals, as this can damage their skin. Manatees are slow-moving and spend around half their day resting in shallow waters, so it is important to obey signs to slow down when nearing river waterways.

The best time to visit the manatees is in the morning, returning around 4 pm, and tours include lunch.

Port Honduras Marine Reserve

The Port Honduras Marine Reserve (PHMR) is a national protected marine reserve in the Toledo district of Belize, covering 40,470 hectares (100,000 acres) of mangrove and coastal ecosystems. It was established in January 2000 to maintain the viability of local populations of the West Indian manatee, which is a species in danger of extinction. The reserve is also a valuable fish nursery area and has been included in national requirements for biodiversity protection.

The PHMR is a semi-estuarine system stretching from Monkey River to beyond Rio Grande, extending approximately 8 kilometres out to sea. It contains diverse ecosystems, including coastal and tidal wetlands, coral reefs, extensive sea-grass beds, and mangroves. The reserve encompasses over 100 small, mangrove-fringed cayes, with soft-bottom seagrass beds and fringing reefs. An important resource for local fishermen, the PHMR has a relatively high value as a fish nursery area.

The reserve is divided into three zones: a General Use Zone (95%), a Replenishment Zone (4%), and a Preservation Zone (1%). In the General Use Zone, commercial, subsistence, and recreational fishing are permitted within the limits of Managed Access. The Replenishment Zone only allows non-extractive recreational activities, while the Preservation Zone is off-limits except for pre-approved, non-extractive research purposes.

The PHMR is co-managed by the community-based Non-Governmental Organization, the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). TIDE has a ranger station located strategically on Abalone Caye in the middle of the reserve, serving as a hub for enforcement and research activities. A team of TIDE rangers carries out enforcement patrols throughout the reserve to protect the local manatee populations and ensure compliance with the regulations.

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