Capt. Scott Faulkenberg started Manatee Safari over 10 years ago out of  love for the manatee and the place he was raised in the wild Florida of not so long ago. As is often the case, it wasn't until his adult years that he realized how unique this area really was and how fast it was disappearing in other areas of his native state.

Manatee Safari emphasizes education through interaction and cooperation. We work, in conjunction with, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and other conservation agencies to help preserve the manatees in their natural habitat and to educate the public on manatee issues statewide.  Matt Clemons, owner of Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company and a former state manatee researcher serves as a consulting biologist for our programs and frequently refers his clients to us when they wish an in the water manatee experience. We go that extra step to protect the manatees and minimize our impact through small things that we believe make a difference, such as limiting group size, pre-swim acclimation, and emphasizing buoyancy control.

We have hosted such distinguished individuals Dr. Jane Goodall, Wyland, and Guy Harvey.  The Discovery Channel has been our guest and we frequently participate in Make a Wish Foundation programs.

So Scott and Manatee Safari invites you to see the real Florida the way it used to be and maybe learn a thing or two in the process. Anyone can go to Disney World but not everyone can say they swam with an endangered species, the Florida Manatee.