Manatee Casually Takes Over Paddleboard Like It's His New Spot
Sharing the water with wildlife can lead to some pretty unforgettable moments, and this one might top them all for Aaron (@awa.kayak.tours). A calm, curious Manatee casually decided to turn Aaron's paddleboard into a lounge chair and quickly made himself right at home.
Watch as the manatee grabs onto the board and refuses to let go. The best part? The giant sea cow looks so comfortable, it's basically like he's claimed the board as his own personal floating couch… until he decides to make it his personal bathroom, too.
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Aaron didn't seem all that surprised that the manatee peed on his board!
We laughed when he told the manatee, "You need a manicure." He needs to get some manners, too!
Related: Video of Aquarium Worker Feeding Baby Manatees Has Everyone Totally Obsessed
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Why Manatees Are So Curious Around People
Did you know it's illegal to "feed, harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, annoy, or molest manatees?"
Under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, people aren't allowed to touch or interact with manatees, which is probably part of the reason why these gentle animals are often so comfortable approaching humans.
Manatees are known for being calm, curious creatures that don't seem to mind investigating boats, kayaks, and paddleboards to see what the humans around them are doing.
They're also lovingly nicknamed "sea cows" because they're slow-moving and spend a lot of time resting, especially near the surface. Quiet paddleboards and kayaks probably seem non-threatening to them, making them the perfect place to casually hang out for a while.
But sometimes, that curiosity can get them into trouble. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission explains. "Manatees seem to be intrigued with items in their environment and often explore these items with their flippers or mouths. Their sense of touch or innate curiosity often gets manatees into trouble when the exploration leads to swallowing the object or when the animal is unable to remove the entangled item."
So while encounters like this are always fun to watch, it's always best to give curious manatees plenty of space and let them explore on their own terms.
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This story was originally published May 9, 2026 at 9:00 AM.