How to Legally Swim with a Manatee

Rules exist to protect these supremely docile creatures. The Marina Mammal Protection Act of 1972 clearly dictates that it is illegal to harass, provoke, approach or harm marine mammals in any manner. Manatees, like whales, seals, dolphins and otters, are marine mammals. Follow these steps, and you will legally interact with these magnificent creatures.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A willing manatee

1. Should you spot a manatee swimming by, enter the water a safe distance from it.

2. Do not approach the manatee. If the animal is interested in a human encounter, it will approach you.

3. There is no law that dictates you have to swim away should a marine mammal approach you. And manatees do love to have their bellies scratched.

4. Do not ride the animal. Riding, roughly speaking, is considered having two hands on the animal at one time. Never place more than one hand on the creature at one time.

5. When the animal has decided it has had enough it will swim away. Let it.