We regret to inform you that the Christmas Parade is maxed out, and no more tickets are available for this event.

            However, we still have bookings available for our Christmas Lights Cruises. Give us a call to see which dates are available.  Reserve your seat today!

(941) 209-0203

          The gentle giants of the bays and inlets in our state of Florida, the manatee, has been protected under federal law since 1972 by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill them. 

          Manatees, also known as sea cows,  are no risk to humans, and when confronted with one of our species, they will even show some curiosity. Manatees will even hang around for a photo op long as we pose no danger. Observing or taking photographs of the creatures is perfectly okay, but some overzealous admirers want to interact with the animals, which is considered illegal.

          Early European explorers who saw manatees for the first time didn’t know what to make of them; some even thought they were mermaids. It makes you wonder what goes through the mind of a sailor after being at sea for several months at a time.

          In our area, many manatees have scars on their backs due to contact with propellers from watercraft. Manatees endure much pain and anguish after being struck by a propeller, but eventually, the wounds heal, leaving scars along their backs for the rest of their lives.

           As devastating as prop encounters may be, the thing that seals the fate of the unluckiest manatees is when they get hit broadside and their backs are broken. Such a fate awaits many manatees out in open water where larger boats operate at high speed. Even though these types of encounters aren’t common, they do happen usually with a 100% fatality for the manatee.

          We love watching manatees on the River Skipper II, and we like to show them off to our guests. We hope that manatee numbers increase this year and that we all take care to obey the posted markers to keep our gentle Giants safe.