Paddling with Manatees on the Treasure Coast

A Responsible Guide to Paddling on the Indian River Lagoon

 You've just cleared the launch site when the water bulges beside you. A grey-brown shape the size of a dining room table rises slowly to the surface, exhales with a sound like a wet sigh, and slides back under without a ripple. You've just met a Florida manatee, and if you're paddling the Indian River Lagoon on the Treasure Coast, there's a good chance this happens within minutes of setting out.

The shallow, calm waters of the lagoon provide ideal manatee habitat: protected from ocean swells, rich (well getting richer) in seagrass, and warm enough for these large but cold-sensitive animals to remain present year-round. For newcomers and visitors, an encounter here can be genuinely transformative. But it comes with responsibilities.

Know the Animal You're Sharing the Water With

The Florida manatee is classified as a threatened species. Florida's statewide population is estimated between 8,350 and 11,730 animals, enough to warrant a reclassification from endangered to threatened in 2017. But the story is complicated.

Between 2021 and 2022, a record mortality event killed more than 2,000 manatees, largely from starvation after algae blooms smothered the seagrass beds of the Indian River Lagoon. At the height of the crisis, the lagoon was rated "F" by the Marine Resources Council due to poor water quality and collapsed food sources. The FWC officially declared that Unusual Mortality Event over in March 2025, with recorded deaths dropping from over 1,100 in 2021 to 565 in 2024. But the underlying threats, including nutrient pollution, harmful algal blooms, and vessel strikes, have not been fully resolved. Experts estimate it could take 10 to 20 years for seagrass beds in parts of the central Indian River Lagoon to recover fully.

When you paddle alongside a manatee here, you are sharing water with an animal that has been through a lot. That's worth holding onto.

The Law and the Rules

Manatees are protected under Florida's Manatee Sanctuary Act and federal law. It is illegal to intentionally or negligently annoy, molest, harass, or disturb a manatee. Anything that disrupts a manatee's normal behavior is a violation punishable by a federal fine of up to $100,000, one year in prison, or both. These rules apply equally to kayaks and paddleboards.

In practice, responsible behavior comes down to a few principles: Let manatees set the terms. If a manatee approaches you, hold your position. If you are moving toward one, stop and wait. If a manatee changes its behavior because of your presence, you are too close. Pelicanislandaudubon

Do not touch manatees. An animal conditioned to approach humans is a vulnerable one, particularly around motorized boats.

Never feed or offer fresh water. Doing so can encourage manatees to approach people and boats and can alter their natural foraging behavior, with potentially fatal consequences. Pelicanislandaudubon

Stay stable on your paddleboard. Surfacing manatees are capable of flipping kayaks and paddleboards. Crouch or kneel if one surfaces nearby.

Check manatee protection zone maps before launching. FWC maintains current maps at myfwc.com/manatee. Indian River County zones were under active revision as recently as April 2026, so verify before you go.

Where to Paddle

The Treasure Coast has excellent launch options along all three counties.

Round Island Riverside Park (Vero Beach) is the best all-around kayak launch on the Treasure Coast, with two boat ramps, a canoe launch, paved parking, and a manatee-viewing boardwalk. Shallow water keeps most motorized boats away, making it ideal for wildlife paddling. It is widely regarded as the best single spot on the Treasure Coast to see manatees. 9810 South A1A, Vero Beach. Free parking.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park (Fort Pierce) sits inside the Indian River St. Lucie County Aquatic Preserve, with quiet mangrove tunnels, sandbars, and regular sightings of manatees, dolphins, and stingrays. A versatile launch for all skill levels. 905 Shorewinds Drive, Fort Pierce. Day-use fee applies.

Halpatiokee Regional Park (Stuart) offers about four miles of South Fork river frontage with connections to the county blueway trail. The undeveloped upper reaches of the South Fork are reliable for manatees, otters, osprey, alligators, and wading birds. 8303 SE Gomez Avenue, Hobe Sound.

Sebastian Canoe Launch (Sebastian) starts in a narrow, jungle-like river section before opening into wider water where manatees appear regularly. A favorite for paddlers wanting a less-trafficked experience. Plan for a shuttle vehicle or rideshare for the full run.

Practical Notes

The best time to paddle is early morning, when the water is calmest and boat traffic is light. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, and plenty of water. Always check the marine forecast at weather.gov/mlb before launching.

If you encounter an injured, sick, dead, or entangled manatee, report it to the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922, or dial *FWC or #FWC from a cell phone. Do not attempt to assist the animal yourself. \

A morning on the Indian River Lagoon is one of the finest things this coast offers. Paddle quietly, follow the rules, and consider getting involved with the local organizations working to restore the ecosystem that makes it all possible.