Manatee at Hilton Head - Photos!!

[RobDoc]

We returned to HH yesterday after 5 great days (even with TS Debby) at WDW with kids/grandkids.

Over the years, we've enjoyed watching dolphin, sea otter, manatee and a wide variety of sea birds right at the resort. From the main lodge we had the fun of watching a group of 4 dolphin "bubble" fishing in the marsh where the group took turns churning the water near the reeds while one of them would swim into the froth and grab a mouthful of small fish and then return to the group to allow another member to snack.

While walking around the Harbour last night we spotted a young manatee taking a nap near one of the docks just opposite the DVC resort. He (she?) is about 10 feet long and was enjoying drinking fresh water running from a fish table on the dock. (S)He would also snack on the algae growing under the dock. The manatee stayed there for about an hour before slowly disappearing under the dock at about dusk. We have seen Manatee in the harbour in the past, but this one hung around for quite awhile. Click on an image for a larger view.










... and finally - a face only a mother could love ...

 

[supersuperwendy]

so sweet!

 

[Splashboat]

I clicked to enlarge - Reminds me of my husband drinking from the hose when he works in the back yard. Very cute pictures, must have been awesome to see in person.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

What an amazing experience! Thanks for sharing your pictures with us!

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow! I have to walk over there right now! Thank you for posting this. I'm having a wonderful time just observing the birds in the marsh,but I'll gladly wander around if there's any chance to see a manatee!

Bobbi

 

[DenLo]

Great photos of the manatee. Thanks for posting them.

 

[SusieBea]

We came in last night, too. I have never seen manatee here. We will need to make a trip up your way to take a look. Have a great time.

 

[Laurabearz]

How wonderful!! We saw lots of dolphin while we were there and were tickled with that! I'll have to keep an eye out for Manatee
now!

 

[AJA]

Great photo's! That is amazing.

 

[kid-at-heart]

Thank you!

 

[Tinks "SS"]

How cool is that!! My youngest son just looked at the pics too and is bummed that we missed such an awesome site! Would have loved to have seen the dolphins playing in the marsh as well. We spent a fair amount of time out on the pier and on balcony looking out over the water and missed seeing them then. Thanks so much for sharing such great pics!

 

[Shannon12]

That is just awesome...so jealous! Love manatees!

 

[Simba's Mom]

That's so cool that you saw a manatee there! Are they only there in the summer? If so, that would explain why we've never seen one.

 

[RobDoc]

That's so cool that you saw a manatee there! Are they only there in the summer? If so, that would explain why we've never seen one.

They come to HH via the intracoastal waterway and are around HH from April into October before heading back south for the winter. They will usually hang around the HH harbours (Skull Creek, Harbourtown, Shelter Cove, etc.) where the water is warmer and quieter although I'm sure they are in many areas where no one would ever see them.

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources wants boaters to be on the lookout to avoid collisions with the manatees. DNR also warns against squirting the manatees with fresh water. The manatees like it, but it causes them to become too comfortable getting close to docks and boats, where they could get hit by propellers. Feeding or watering them is illegal.

The SC DNR reports 50 - 75 manatee sightings per year in the HH area.

Here is a link to a local HH newspaper report from 2 years ago - http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/07/02/1295251/keep-your-eyes-open-manatees-have.html#storylink=cpy

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for sharing, hope you are having a great time.

 

[Andrea_loves_Disney]

Oh my gosh that is SO cool!!! My DS12 would have been SO thrilled to see a manatee!!! He sat out on the pier by himself for several hours just watching the herons, etc. Thank you for sharing!! Can wait to show my son!

 

[disneybirds]

That is so exciting. We have seen the dolphins when we were there, but never manatee. We will have to look for them when we are there later this month.

 

[MinnieGi]

My DH and DS saw the manatee too!!! We just returned yesterday from HHI. They saw the manatee while bike riding back from the beach right in the channel of water next to the main lodge. When they came back and told DD and I we rode over to try to catch the manatee too, but had no luck.

So cool you got pix too! DH and DS didn't have a camera with them when they saw him/her.

 

[chum]

Thanks for posting this meet & greet!

 

[NJDVCmember]

Thanks for posting! so cool. we saw one years ago on a boat tour but never one by the resort...have to keep an eye open!

Any jelly fish at the beach? that is the only thing that could ruin beach days at HHI