Anna Maria Island Manatee Tours – Everything to Know

If you're planning a trip to Anna Maria Island and hoping to spot a manatee, you’re in the right place. These gentle, slow-moving marine mammals are some of Florida’s most beloved creatures, and seeing one in the wild is an experience you won’t forget anytime soon.

At Passage Key Dolphin Tours, we welcome guests every day who are excited to see manatees up close. Whether you’re joining our Two-Hour Dolphin & Manatee Adventure or adding a wildlife twist to a snorkeling or sunset cruise, here’s everything you should know about manatees before you set sail.

Manatees are large, slow-moving marine mammals often referred to as sea cows. They can weigh over 1,000 pounds and reach lengths of 13 feet, but they are incredibly gentle and calm. Manatees are herbivores, grazing on seagrass and aquatic vegetation for up to eight hours a day. While they look bulky, they are graceful swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when resting.

In Florida, the most common type is the West Indian manatee. These creatures are native to warm coastal waters, rivers, and bays, making the Gulf Coast—especially near Anna Maria Island—a perfect place to spot them.

Manatees thrive in warm waters, so you’re most likely to see them between April and October. That’s when the Gulf waters are at their warmest and the manatees are most active. During the winter, many migrate to natural springs or warm water outflows, but a few stick around the AMI area year-round.

For the best chance of seeing manatees, we recommend booking a private boat tour through the peaceful waterways near Longboat Key, Egmont Key, and the sandbars of Anna Maria Island. Our blog on where to spot manatees gives a full breakdown of the best areas to explore.

Seeing a manatee in its natural habitat is peaceful, memorable, and surprisingly emotional. Unlike zoos or aquariums, our boat tours offer the chance to connect with wildlife in the wild. When a manatee swims past your boat or lifts its nose for a breath of air, there’s a quiet sense of awe that takes over.

All of our tours are private, which means you won’t be crammed in with strangers or rushing through a checklist. Instead, you’ll have the chance to fully immerse yourself in the experience with a local captain who knows where to go, what to look for, and how to do it all with care and respect for the environment.

Our Two-Hour Dolphin & Manatee Adventure is the perfect introduction to these animals. You’ll cruise through calm, shallow waters where manatees love to hang out. And you’ll likely see dolphins too.

We’re not your average tour company. We’re local, family-owned, and completely focused on giving you the best day on the water possible. All of our tours are private and fully customizable for up to six guests, with the option to add a second boat for larger groups.

We don’t rush. We don’t pack our boat. And we don’t follow a script. Instead, we listen to what you want, whether that’s wildlife, snorkeling, shelling, or just relaxing—and design a trip that makes it happen.

Our captains are Tampa Bay locals who know the area inside and out. That means we can guide you to the quiet spots where manatees like to hang out, away from the busy tourist traps.