Boaters Urged to Slow Down for Manatees

Florida wildlife officials ask boaters to watch for manatees as the animals move toward warmer waters for the season.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Forecasts

Shallow subtropical estuary with mangrove shoreline and the dark backs of several manatees surfacing in the middle distance. — Florida wildlife officials urged boaters to slow down in posted manatee zones as the animals move toward warm-water refuges ahead of cold fronts. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you slow your boat down to protect manatees this winter?

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urged boaters to slow down as manatees begin their seasonal move to warmer waters. November is Manatee Awareness Month, and boat strikes remain a major threat to the animals.

Why it matters

Manatees seek warm-water refuge when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and cold fronts arriving prompt that movement. Disturbing the animals could push them out of protected areas and into dangerously cold water.

Water temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit trigger the move to warm-water sites such as springs and power plant discharge areas. The source does not quantify current manatee numbers in Florida waters.

The players

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

The state agency responsible for managing Florida's fish and wildlife resources, including manatee protection, enforces speed zones and issues public safety guidance.

The details

Boaters are asked to follow posted manatee protection zones that require reduced speed or avoidance. FWC officers patrol state waters to enforce speed zones, and it is illegal to harass, feed, disturb, or harm manatees. People viewing manatees at warm-water sites are asked to keep their distance.

November 2026: Manatee Awareness Month and the seasonal move to warm water begin.

Seasonal Patterns

Manatees follow a predictable cold-weather pattern, moving to Florida's warm springs and power plant discharge areas once water temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This recurring seasonal cycle is why FWC designates November as Manatee Awareness Month.

Boaters should slow down in posted manatee zones and assign someone on board to watch the water for manatees. Polarized sunglasses help spot the animals beneath the surface, and sightings of injured or harassed manatees can be reported to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922.

The takeaway

Manatees are visible as snouts, backs, tails, or flippers, and circular footprint patterns on the surface reveal movement below. Slowing down and keeping watch can prevent boat strikes and protect the animals during their cold-weather move.