Swim With Manatees In Belize: Best Tours & Ethical Tips

Swimming with manatees in Belize was easily one of my biggest highlights from Caye Caulker. These gentle sea cows are incredible to see in the wild, but there are a few things you’ll want to know before booking a tour, from where to go, how much it costs, and how to do it responsibly.

If you are traveling Belize, no doubt one of the best things to do there is to swim with Manatees. I mean there’s nothing cuter than the chill blobs with mermaid tails floating along. For sure, this was something I wanted to do during my visit, but you need to know it isn’t as straightforward as people expect.

First of all, there’s never a 100% chance you’ll actually get the chance to swim with Manatees. As chill as these guys are, they’re pretty elusive. Nevertheless, it’s well worth trying your luck.

I actually ended up swimming with 3 manatees, which were all hanging out together. We were lucky enough to find them straight away at one of our snorkeling spots and hung out with them for about an hour.

Personally, I found it rather hard to find info online about seeing manatees in Belize, and doing so ethically. Though that inspired me to write this guide, where you too can have one of these bucketlist experiences!

Quick Answer: If swimming with manatees in Belize is high on your list, your best bet is to stay in Caye Caulker and book a full-day snorkel tour. This is exactly what I did, and I was lucky enough to see them in the wild, which honestly ended up being one of my favorite memories from Belize. Just keep in mind sightings are never guaranteed!

Swimming With Manatees In Belize: All You Need To Know

the light shining through the water leaves pattens on the manatees

🚗 How I Book Ferries & Shuttles In Belize: gottoGo

Manatees In Belize

Belize is one of the best places in Central America to see manatees in the wild, especially around protected areas like Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, Gales Point, and Corozal Bay.

The manatees found here are Antillean manatees, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. They live in warm coastal waters, rivers, lagoons, and estuaries, where they spend most of their time slowly grazing on seagrass and other plants.

As gentle as they are, manatees are also incredibly vulnerable. Boat strikes, pollution, habitat loss, and people getting too close can all put them at risk.

Sadly, while I was in Belize, there was even a radio announcement that one had been hit by a boat and died, which was such a heartbreaking reminder of why responsible tours matter.

algae growing on the back on a slow moving manatee in belize that we had the opportunity to swim with

Can You Swim With Manatees In Belize?

Yes, you can snorkel near manatees in Belize, though it is important to remember this should be a calm, hands-off wildlife encounter rather than an interactive swim. We are here to watch and admire, not touch.

If you are lucky enough to spot them, you’ll see them slowly moving through the water, feeding on seagrass, or coming up to the surface for air. It is such a special experience.

Though as I said earlier swimming with manatees isn’t guaranteed. This is why I only recommend booking a tour if you are keen for a full snorkeling day anyway. That way, even if the manatees don’t make an appearance, you’ll still get to enjoy the reef and marine life.

Read my 1 week in Belize itinerary!

one last look at the manatee as it swims off into the depths

🚗 How I Book Ferries & Shuttles In Belize: gottoGo

Best Place To See Manatees In Belize: Caye Caulker

I would say Caye Caulker is the best place to base yourself if you want to see manatees in Belize. It’s easy to book affordable snorkel tours, and many of them include a manatee stop along with places like Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Manatees are wild animals, so even if your tour visits an area where they’re commonly spotted, there’s always a chance they won’t be around that day.

This is why I recommend choosing a tour you would be happy doing either way. The snorkel trips from Caye Caulker are incredible even without manatees, but if you are lucky enough to see them, it takes the day to a whole other level.

trying to do a cheeky selfie while swimming with manatees in belize

Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary

One of the best-known places to see manatees in Belize is Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area near Belize City and Caye Caulker. It was created to help protect Belize’s Antillean manatees and is one of the main spots for manatee watching in the country.

Most tours from Caye Caulker and Belize City visit Swallow Caye or nearby waters where manatees are known to hang out.

This is another reason Caye Caulker works so well as a base, especially if you want a budget-friendly tour rather than having to spend up large hiring a private boat. Speaking of $ find out how much I spent in Belize.

Caye Caulker Or San Pedro: Which Is Better For Seeing Manatees?

Honestly, this is where I screwed up a little on my backpacking Belize trip. I just assumed you’d easily be able to take a snorkeling tour from either San Pedro or Caye Caulker with the chance to see manatees, but that wasn’t really the case.

I visited San Pedro first, and while I loved it, most of the snorkel tours I found there focused on Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Both are incredible and absolutely worth visiting, but they aren’t really manatee spots.

A few days later, I arrived in Caye Caulker, and straight away it felt like the better option for manatees. Basically, all the snorkeling tour boards here advertise the chance to see manatees and offer a longer trip to experience more.

The grounds for the manatees are actually about halfway between Caye Caulker and Shark Ray Alley, so you’ll pass them twice as you travel there and back.

So if seeing manatees is high on your Belize bucket list, I would stay in Caye Caulker and book a full-day snorkel tour for the best chance.

meeting at the dock for our snorkeling tour where we would get the chance to swim with manatees

Best Manatee Tours In Belize

If seeing manatees is high on your Belize wish list, as I’ve said, I recommend booking a full-day snorkel tour from Caye Caulker.

You’ll find plenty of tour operators along the main street in Caye Caulker, with popular options including Caveman Snorkeling Tours and Anda De Wata Tours. I recommend comparing what is included, whether marine park fees are extra, and whether the operator follows responsible wildlife practices.

Most tours fall into three main options:

Full-day snorkeling tour: Best option if you want the highest chance of seeing manatees.
Half-day snorkeling tour: Cheaper, but usually misses the manatee spots.
Scuba diving tour: Great if you are a diver, but I wouldn’t book this for manatees.
Manatee tour: Focuses just on popular manatee grounds, best chance of seeing them, but you’ll miss out on the main snorkeling spots. Some also only have viewing them from the boat and not looking at them under the water.

a manatee coming up next to me for a breath of air

🚗 How I Book Ferries & Shuttles In Belize: gottoGo

Full-Day Snorkeling Tour

A full-day snorkeling tour typically lasts from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. The price is usually around $90.00 to $130.00, and yes this is pricey, but Belize is pretty damn expensive. This is the tour I would choose if you want the best chance of seeing manatees.

Most companies visit similar spots, though inclusions can vary slightly. Some may include rum punch, lunch, snacks, gear, or marine park fees, while others charge these separately. The marine park fee is often around $10.00, so bring extra cash just in case.

Full-day tours commonly include stops such as:

Hol Chan Marine Reserve
Shark Ray Alley
Coral Gardens
Chatos Area
A small shipwreck
A manatee stop

This is the option I recommend. Even if you don’t see manatees, the snorkeling at Hol Chan Marine Reserve is absolutely incredible and honestly some of the best snorkeling I’ve done anywhere in the world.

two manatees touching while we swim alongside them in belize

Half-Day Snorkeling Tour

A half-day snorkeling tour usually runs for around 3 hours, either in the morning or afternoon, and costs roughly $45.00 to $60.00.

They’re a good option if you’re short on time or traveling on a tight budget, but I personally wouldn’t recommend one if seeing manatees is your goal. They usually focus on the closer reef stops and often miss the areas where manatees are commonly spotted.

Half-day tours include:

Shark Ray Alley
Coral Gardens
South Channel

These spots are still beautiful, but you’ll miss the impressive Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which was easily one of the highlights for me. So if your budget allows, I’d choose the full-day tour instead.

a turtle chilling on the sea floor at hol chan marine reserve

Scuba Diving Tour

If you’re already a certified diver, scuba diving here can be amazing. However, I wouldn’t book a dive trip specifically to see manatees.

Manatees are usually seen in shallower areas and near the surface when they come up to breathe, so a snorkel tour is better if they’re priority.

I actually ended up diving from San Pedro on my second Belize trip. I found most dive shops in Caye Caulker were focused on trips to the blue hole rather than local fun dives. San Pedro was great for diving, but for manatees a snorkeling tour from Caye Caulker is your best bet.

How To Improve Your Chances Of Seeing Manatees

Swimming with manatees in Belize is a dream come true if you love nature and wildlife like me. Though they’re wild animals, so a lot comes down to luck, weather, water conditions, and where they happen to be hangin around.

That being said, there are a few things you can do to give yourself a better chance:

Base yourself in Caye Caulker: I found this is the best place to book a budget-friendly group tour with the chance of seeing manatees.
Book a full-day snorkel tour: This gives you more time on the water and means visiting more stops, including areas where manatees are spotted. Even if you don’t see them, the full-day tours are still incredible with reef snorkeling, coral, fish rays, and sharks (the chill nurse shark kind).
Choose a responsible tour operator: A good guide will know the local waters and where manatees are often seen, but they should also follow the rules practising responsible tourism. This means keeping a respectful distance and never chasing, touching, feeding, or crowding them.
Choose the right time: The best time to swim with manatees is during the dry season, which runs from November to April. This is where the weather is sunny, the water is calm, and the manatees are more active and visible.
Go in with realistic expectations: Manatees are wild animals, not a guaranteed tour stop. I would only book a manatee snorkeling tour if you are also excited about the rest of the day, because there is always a chance they won’t appear.

a cheeky sucker fish enjoying a ride on a manatee in belize

What To Expect On A Manatee Snorkeling Tour

Now I won’t talk about my snorkeling tour as a whole, but I do want to share what the manatee part of the day was actually like.

I booked my tour directly through my hostel in Caye Caulker, and it cost US$80.00 excluding the marine park fee. After grabbing a cheeky fry jack for breakfast, we headed down to the pier, got fitted with our fins, mask, and snorkel, and jumped on the boat.

We then jump on board the boat which we are also sharing with a group from Canada, so five of us and the boat driver. Heading off, we make our way to the first stop, though on the way we slow down in certain areas to watch for manatees surfacing. Supposedly, this is the best way to spot them.

Unfortunately, we had no luck, so we continued on to Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley. Afterward, on the way back toward Caye Caulker, we slowed down again and spent around 15 minutes scanning the water for any sign of manatees.

Still nothing.

We eventually headed to a nearby snorkeling spot instead, and somehow this is where the magic happened. I’m the first one in the water, and immediately there’s a manatee chilling on the seafloor right beside me.

It’s honestly crazy how well it blended in, so I can completely understand why guides look for them surfacing rather than trying to spot them underwater.

Everyone else jumped in, and soon enough we spotted two more for a total of three manatees. This stop was originally meant to be for snorkeling around the reef, but instead we spent the next 45 minutes to an hour watching the manatees move around, surface, and interact with each other.

It was such a special experience, and when I got back to the hostel, my friends couldn’t believe we had seen three, let alone spent that long with them. No doubt, it ended up being one of my highlights in Belize.

Looking for Belize inspo? Read my reasons why you should visit Belize

hanging out in the sunshine of our boat following a pod of dolphins

trying a selfie swimming alongside two manatees

two manatees just relaxing in the deeper part of the reef in belize

Rules For Snorkeling Near Manatees In Belize

Snorkeling near manatees in Belize is an incredible experience, but it also comes with a bit of responsibility. These animals are protected, and the best encounters are the ones where you calmly observe them respectfully.

Here are a few simple rules to follow:

Keep your distance: Give manatees plenty of space and never try to touch, chase, feed, or crowd them. If they swim away, let them go.
Stay calm in the water: Avoid splashing, yelling, or making sudden movements. The quieter you are, the less stressful the encounter will be for them.
Do not block their path: Manatees need to come up to the surface to breathe, so never position yourself above them or cut off where they’re trying to go.
Listen to your guide: A responsible guide will explain how to behave in the water and when it is okay to get in. Follow their instructions, even if it means staying on the boat.
Use sun protection carefully: A rash guard is the best option if you have one. If you need sunscreen, choose reef-safe sunscreen and apply it well before getting in the water.

two manatees with a sucker fish stuck to one

What To Pack For A Manatee Snorkeling Tour

You don’t need a whole lot for a manatee snorkeling tour, but there are a few things worth bringing to make the day easier and more comfortable:

Swimwear: Wear something comfortable that you are happy snorkeling in for the day.
Towel: Some tours may provide one, but I wouldn’t count on it. A quick-dry towel is perfect if you are backpacking Belize.
Rash guard: This is one of the best things to bring, as it helps protect you from the sun without needing to constantly reapply sunscreen.
Reef-safe sunscreen: If you do need sunscreen, choose a reef-safe option and apply it before you get in the water.
Snorkeling gear: Most tours include a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket, but you can bring your own if you prefer.
Water bottle: You’ll be out in the sun for hours, so bring plenty of water. Some tours provide drinks, but it’s still worth having your own.
Waterproof camera or phone case: You’ll definitely want photos if you are lucky enough to see manatees. Just make sure you don’t get so focused on the photo that you forget to enjoy the moment.
Extra cash: Bring cash for marine park fees if they aren’t included, plus tips, snacks, or anything else you might want before or after the tour.

a rather large manatee blending in with the reef behind it off caye caulker

Where To Stay In Caye Caulker

I stayed at Bella’s Backpackers, which is one of the main budget options on the island. It has a great social vibe, I met plenty of people, and it worked perfectly for me. They have also upgraded some of the dorms since my visit, including adding AC!

That being said, it’s still a hostel, so don’t expect anything fancy. The facilities are pretty basic, the showers are in a separate building, and comfort levels can depend on what room you get. If you’re after somewhere quieter or a little more comfortable, it’s worth spending a bit extra.

Bellas Backpackers Caye Caulker

The most popular hostel on the islands. Rooms start from $14.00 for a dorm and make sure to upgrade if you want air-con.

BOOK NOW

Tropical Oasis

The best hostel in Caye Caulker, and a popular choice for travelers. Dorms start from $21.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

Sea And Sun Guesthouse

A comfortable stay for travelers who want a private room. The rooms here start from $40.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

Blue Wave Guesthouse Caye Caulker

An excellent choice if you want a bit more privacy. Fan-cooled rooms here start from $30.00 per night.

BOOK NOW

🚗 How I Book Ferries & Shuttles In Belize: gottoGo

Other Things To Do In Caye Caulker

If you are basing yourself in Caye Caulker for a manatee snorkel tour, it is worth spending a few days on the island. It’s small, relaxed, and easy to get around by foot or bicycle.

Other things to do in Caye Caulker include:

Snorkel the Belize Barrier Reef: Even if you don’t see manatees, the snorkeling around Caye Caulker is incredible. Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley were easily some of my favorites.
Go diving: If you’re certified, Caye Caulker can be a good base for diving, including trips to the Great Blue Hole.
Swim at The Split: This is one of the main hangout spots on the island, and a good place to cool off, grab a drink, and enjoy the classic “go slow” vibe.
Hire a bike: Caye Caulker is small and flat, so hiring a bicycle is an easy way to explore without much effort. You can cruise around the sandy streets and find quieter corners of the island.
Watch the sunset: Head to the waterfront, The Split, or one of the beach bars for sunset. It’s simple, but honestly one of the best ways to end the day in Caye Caulker.
Eat your way around the island: Make time for fry jacks, fresh seafood, rice and beans, and the local street food stalls.

FAQs about Manatees In Belize

Is It Ethical To Swim With Manatees In Belize?

It can be, as long as you choose a responsible tour company and treat it as a calm, hands-off encounter. You should never touch, chase, feed, block, or crowd manatees, and always follow your guide’s instructions.

Is Swimming With Manatees In Belize Worth It?

Yes, but only if you go in with realistic expectations. Seeing manatees in the wild is really special, but it isn’t guaranteed. I’d only book the tour if you’re also excited about the snorkeling, reef, and other marine life, in case you don’t see one.

Wrap Up: All About Swimming With Manatees In Belize

Without a doubt when I think back to my time in Caye Caulker swimming with manatees was easily one of my favorite memories.

If seeing them is high on your Belize bucket list, I recommend basing yourself in Caye Caulker and booking a full-day snorkel tour. Just remember sightings aren’t guaranteed, and to keep your distance if you do come across one.

Even if you don’t stumble on a manatee, you’ll still get an epic day snorkeling around the Belize Barrier Reef. And if you do get lucky, it’s something you won’t forget anytime soon.

Planning More Of Your Belize Trip?

Any Questions? Let me know in the comments!

LIKE IT? PIN IT!

Find out all you need to know to have the ultimate bucketlist experience: Swim with manatees in Belize! No doubt this was one of my highlights backpacking Belize, so I am here to tell you all you need to know!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on it and purchase something, I get a small percentage at no extra cost to you. As always all opinions are my own and your support is much appreciated.

bright blue waters of the reef off Belize and Honduras

3 thoughts on “Swim With Manatees In Belize: Best Tours & Ethical Tips”

Jaila says:
Hi
We are in placencia
And trying to avoid the keys
We are very much wanting to swim with the manatees and we have a few days that we could book a hostel or inexpensive place close to Gales point or somewhere in that vicinity to swim with the manatees this is my daughters dream. Anyway, do you have any recommendations I really suck looking up things online and would very much appreciate your help, we are in Placencia now for the next few days

April 19, 2024 at 1:08 am
Denise V says:
Hi Tasha! What’s your suggestion for a family staying in Ambergis Caye who wants to have a good chance snorkeling near manitees? Seems most of the tours you mentioned are from Caye Caulker.

December 4, 2023 at 7:55 am
- Tasha Amy says:
  Hey Denise. Unfortunately the majority of manatee tours do depart from Caye Caulker as they live in the marine reserve around that area. If you are keen to swim with them from Ambergris Caye there are a handful of operators who offer these tours and also will dock on Caye Caulker so you get to spend a little bit of time exploring that island as well. Seaduced Belize and Belize Diving Adventures both offer these types of tours, also look out for operators listing Coral Gardens as one of the snorkeling spots as they are known to frequent here.
  
  December 14, 2023 at 10:05 pm