Manatees Head to Warm Water as Winter Nears
Florida wildlife officials urge boaters and residents to protect manatees during November Manatee Awareness Month as water temperatures drop.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Wildlife
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminded residents and visitors to protect manatees during November Manatee Awareness Month. Manatees move to warm-water sites when water temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why it matters
Manatees are a protected species that rely on warm water sites to survive the winter, and boat strikes remain a major threat to Florida manatees. Awareness during the seasonal movement helps reduce harm to the animals across the state.
Manatees move to warm-water sites once water drops below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, a threshold the state uses to signal the seasonal shift. A $5 donation supports conservation through a collectible FWC manatee decal.
The players
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
The state agency responsible for managing Florida's wildlife, including manatee protection and the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline.
The details
Boaters can spot manatees by looking for snouts, backs, tails, pectoral flippers, or circular footprint patterns on the water, and polarized glasses help observers see them. Protection zones are marked by waterway signs, and it is illegal to harass, feed, disturb or harm manatees.
Timeline
November 2026 is Manatee Awareness Month.
Manatees seek warm-water habitats through winter 2026-2027.
Seasonal Patterns
Florida's manatee protection zones, marked by waterway signs, were established to reduce boat strikes that threaten the species as it moves into warm-water sites each winter. This November reminder follows the same seasonal pattern of protection outreach tied to water temperatures.
Boaters should slow down in posted manatee protection zones and watch for manatees at the surface before operating vessels. Residents who spot a sick, injured or harassed manatee can call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
The takeaway
Slowing down and watching the water for manatees is one of the simplest ways to protect them through the winter months. Staying alert in marked zones can prevent injuries to a species that depends on warm water to survive.
Further reading
Explore more on Wildlife to see how seasonal animal movements affect species across the state.
More information
View the manatee protection zone maps from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to locate protected waters before boating.
