Florida offers a unique opportunity in all of the United States to swim with the manatees.

Manatees are unlike any other type of wildlife, and the only place to see them with any regularity in the United States is in Florida. The Florida manatees move just offshore for much of the year, but come into the warm water of the springs when the big water temp drops below 68° F. In all, it’s estimated there are somewhere in the neighborhood of 3,000 manatees in and around Florida. There are special regulations in place so that manatees are not disturbed and in an attempt to avoid collisions between manatees and power boats.

The 50 Campfires Field Trip opportunity to swim with the manatees was courtesy of the tour company River Ventures out of Crystal River, Florida.