There was a buzz at the split this week as a manatee came right up to the split to come ‘hang out’ with tourists.

Brandi Gross (along with her husband Landon) were basking in the midday sun at the split when tourists came rushing out onto the sea wall to watch the manatee slowly swim into the split. Brandi, who was in the water was quite sure she was going to miss out on the fun as she could not see what was happening on the other side of the wall. However, patience is a virtue and Brandi’s patience won over when the manatee came around the wall, right up into the shallow area of the split where she was swimming. Luckily she had her camera in her hand to document the event and therefore we are able to post some pictures as proof of the incident!

For this, to celebrate that manatees do indeed love Caye Caulker, we want to make Brandi’s above picture our Facebook photo of the month – thanks Brandi!!

manatee viewed in shallow swimming area at Split – next to the broken sea wall

manatee viewed at Split

Tourists relaxing at the Caye Caulker split

RaggamuffinTours.com

The manatees travel regularly between the mainland and the reef off Caye Caulker. However the migration is usually more in summer months and they pass through the north end of the island ad go directly to the north channel. Its common to see them there while snorkling. One thought is they go to rub themselves on the reef to get rid of parasites?
Seeing one at the split is very unusual.