I went snorkeling this morning on the west side of the BHB. I got in the water around 10:40am and got out around 12:30pm or so. The current was strong (high tide was around 11:55am) and visibility was great. Bunches of folks were getting in the water as I exited.
I got to see a family of 12 manatees cruising north literally around the corner from where folks enter the water under the main bridge. It couldn't have been more than 6 ft. deep there. The pack was moving slowly and passed within 4-6 feet of me. I counted 4 small and 8 adults. The biggest ones in the front were pretty beefy. I'm 6 ft., 190lbs and the big 'un looked right at me and probably thought: Sweeeeet, Italian salami for an appetizer.
They were moving slowly, slightly faster than the current, and didn't seem fazed at my presence in the least. Pretty cool! I considered letting the current take me and floating alongside them but I quickly came to my senses. I have no ideal what these animals do when threatened and I decided not to find out this morning.
The sun was shining when I got onto shore. Imagine that.
