Locals Spy Cute Visitors in the Water

People from all over are flocking to our sunny area for summer and they aren’t the only ones coming through. Local Destin paddle boarders were happy to see a pod of manatees and a group of stingrays early one morning. Manatees are an endangered species and have been a real treat to spy out in the Gulf. National wildlife refuges and Florida state parks are the best places to spot the sea cows. The shadows move slowly through the water giving visitors ample time to get pictures and admire the giant creatures.

Stingray season is between April and October when they come to the warmer waters to mate. (Fun fact: a group of stingrays is actually called a “fever”.) The sea creatures get a bad rap but stinging incidents are pretty rare. They will sting out of defense but aren’t something you have to worry about attacking you in the water. Since they like to bury themselves in the sand to hide from predators, the best thing to do is shuffle your feet in the water which can scare them away.

More common to see when you are out swimming are dolphins, sea turtles, and lots of fish. When you are lucky enough to catch sight of our Gulf friends in the water, remember this is their home and respect that. Watch them pass by but don’t bother them in their habitat. You can browse through Destin vacation rentals in the area that give you direct beach access so you can get the best view to spot marine life.

Published on Friday, June 10, 2016