Do you know one of the coolest reasons to book your stay at Hamanasi this November? It’s Manatee Awareness Month, and there’s no better place to celebrate than right here in Belize, home to the largest population of Antillean manatees, Trichechus m. manatus.
These majestic yet gentle marine mammals can grow up to 13-feet long and weigh as much as 3,500 lbs. So how do they get their nickname “sea cows”? It’s their big appetite. Manatees graze on seagrass for most of their waking hours, munching up to 10% of their body weight each day. The warm, shallow coastal waters off Hamanasi’s beachfront are rich in turtle grass, making it a favorite feeding ground for Antillean manatees.
From Hamanasi’s dock guests sometimes spot these peaceful, endangered creatures enjoying their seagrass meal just offshore. On calm days, watch for their whiskered snouts breaking the surface as they come up for air. Even better, take a kayak or standup paddleboard onto the sea and hope you will see a manatee up close – a magical experience. With plenty of turtle grass, our waters are a perfect manatee hangout.
Photo by Hamanasi guest Shaun Hunter
While Belize offers a safe haven, manatees are still at risk of extinction, especially due to boat collisions. That’s why Hamanasi is doing its part by motoring slowly in shallow waters. By reducing runoff from onshore we help ensure our seagrass meadow is healthy offshore. We encourage you to only use reef safe sunscreen as certain chemicals in regular sunscreen can disrupt the hormonal balance of sea creatures, including manatees, and impact their reproduction. You can help protect these amazing animals. By staying at Hamanasi, you not only will have an unforgettable vacation, you will be supporting eco-tourism that makes a positive impact.
