Manatee Season 2026: Observations from the Chassahowitzka River
- Rachel
- Feb 19
- 5 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
As winter unfolds, the river has been filled with curious manatee calves and playful juveniles. Watchful mamas have been guiding them by instinct all season long. But how does it all work?
Typically, migratory manatees don’t travel to our Florida Springs until mid-November, but this year was different. On Halloween night I was out enjoying the sunset and heard that unmistakable “woosh” signaling a nearby manatee surfacing for some fresh air. A few days later, a trio of manatees outpaced my paddle strokes, leaving the coastal waters of the Gulf and heading upriver towards the springs. Within the first few days of November, I had already spotted at least nine different manatees on the Chassahowitzka River, two of them with small calves in tow.
It all made sense when the weather forecast revealed historically cold temperatures heading for the Nature Coast. On November 10th we encountered our first major cold front of the season. Temperatures dropped below 40°F as an Artic blast swept across Florida. In the Gulf, coastal waters got as low as 64°F, pushing hoards of manatees into our local springs. The weather was frigid and the wind chills were in the 20s. When I managed to squeeze in a sunshine filled hour or two on the Chassahowitzka River, one thing was for certain: the mama manatees had made the right call, at the right time!
The main headspring, known as Seven Sister Springs, pumps out consistently warm waters averaging 72°F year round. The Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge covers more then 30,000 acres, and contains dozens of springs, some accessible and inaccessible. This Manatee season, rather than floating in the deepest and presumably warmest spring vents, the female manatees are keeping their calves tucked along the shorelines, away from the deeper channels where boat traffic passes through. From the surface, these spots don’t look very deep at all, but they offer just the right amount of space for the smallest calves to stay warm. As the season has progressed, observations quickly revealed many female manatees within various stages of their nursery period. Their mothering instincts were perfectly timed, and they were doing an excellent job keeping their baby manatees safe.
Mother Knows Best: Manatee Instincts
Despite their appearance, Manatees don't have well insulating body fat. When water temperatures fall below about 68°F, they can begin to experience cold stress, making warm spring-fed rivers like the Chassahowitzka critical winter refuges. Young calves cannot regulate their body temperature very efficiently, relying on their mothers instincts to guide them to protected shorelines and sheltered coves, where calves can rest safely while conserving energy to stay warm.
Manatees navigate their world almost entirely by instinct, relying on senses that are far sharper then most people would think. Maintaining their body temperature is critical for digestion, mobility, and overall survival. Staying warm is life or death, and every choice they make is built around maintaining their temperature. Much of their awareness comes from thousands of tiny whisker-like hairs, called vibrissae, that cover their bodies. These sensitive hairs allow manatees to detect subtle changes in water movement, barometric pressure, and currents, helping them navigate murky water and sense environmental changes long before humans notice them.
How Manatee Mothers Raise Their Young
The bond between a mother manatee and her calf is one of the most important relationships in the natural world. What we see as a peaceful pair of animals drifting by is actually a carefully guided learning period that is shaped by instinct, biology, and experience. Manatees can be born at any time of year, but many calves arrive during the warmer months when food is plentiful and conditions are more stable.
Manatees usually have a calf every two to five years. Once pregnant, the journey lasts about 13 months. When calves are born, they typically weigh 60 to 70lbs, are around 3ft long, and instinctively swimming to the surface for their first breath. The mothers strong hormones strengthen their bond right away, encouraging the calf to stay close. In the first few weeks, calves rarely leave her side, swimming closely alongside her where they conserve energy and remain protected.
Manatee calves feed by snuggling close to their mothers mammary glands, found beneath her flippers in the spot us humans think of as an armpit. The rich milk provides the fat and nutrients they need to build strength quickly. Many will nurse for up to 2 years, during that timeframe they will grow to around 200lbs, and measure about 6 foot long. Within a few months of birth, calves begin experimenting with vegetation, gently nibbling on seagrass and other aquatic plants while continuing to nurse.
Passive Observation and Manatee Manners
There are many opportunities to encounter and observe manatees around Homosassa, Florida. Citrus County is regarded as the Manatee Capital of the World. While it is legal to swim with and touch manatees under certain circumstances, our kayaking tours focus on passive observation only. The best manatee manners start with respecting their space by keeping your paddle out of the water and trying to float naturally as much as possible, instead of paddling around or crowding them. It is important to maintain reasonable distances, especially when calves are present, as they can become confused or separated in areas with more human activity. You should never feed or chase the manatees!
We believe that protecting Florida wildlife and conserving our natural areas begins with experiencing them firsthand. Seeing manatees with local guides, small outfitters, or even on your own, is best done when you practice passive observation and follow manatee manners. By keeping group sizes small and limiting the number of trips during manatee season, we keep the impact low, focusing on education and enjoyment versus exploitation and disruption.
Kayaking with Manatees on the Nature Coast
Let us guide you through the beautiful Chassahowitzka River for an unforgettable kayaking experience in Homosassa, Florida. We provide passive opportunities to encounter manatees in a natural setting. They are very curious creatures who like to interact, often times nudging your kayak along or doing flips and rolls. Enjoy wildlife observation away from the big crowds and watch as these majestic manatees play, feed, and rest. March provides excellent opportunities to see manatees on the move, and now is a great time to get on the water to see them! Learn about our Manatee Kayaking Tours at: www.NatureCoastEcoTours.com/florida-manatees-homosassa
Where to See Manatees on the Nature Coast
Citrus County offers easily accessible locations where you can safely observe manatees without getting wet. Don't miss out on these local spots to view them up-close, while learning more about their habitat and conservation! You don’t have to be in the water, or even on the water, to see manatees up close in Florida.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Don’t miss the amazing Underwater Observatory (known as the Fishbowl) where you can get unforgettable up-close views of manatees and other marine life. November-March is Manatee season in Citrus County, but year round it is a great please to visit. Explore a network of boardwalks that showcase a large variety of native Florida wildlife species, including Panther, Alligators, Flamingos, and more. The park has been open since the 1900s, with visitors once arriving by train to marvel at the crystal-clear waters of Homosassa Springs. Today, visitors park at the welcome center on HWY 19 and choose your ride to the main park: cruise down Pepper Creek on a pontoon boat or take a tram through scenic wooded trails. Plan your visit and learn more at: https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/ellie-schiller-homosassa-springs-wildlife-state-park
Three Sister Springs Wildlife Center
This 57 acre site features a one-acre spring complex and restored wetlands that attract native birds and other local wildlife. The springs throughout Kings Bay and Crystal River are a much preferred refuge during manatee season.
Learn more about visiting Three Sister Springs at:
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