An encounter with wildlife, or any type of eco-adventure, is increasingly on every family's wishlist for the perfect vacation. Florida, with its diverse array of wildlife, is a great family destination to plan one.  Kids, who are especially attuned to the environment, will cherish a chance to interact with the manatee, a big, gentle creature that's becoming endangered, partly because water pollution kills sea grass, their staple food.

The Save the Manatee Club keeps tabs on "sea cow" happenings. They report that these thousand-pound buddies -- who look more like clean-shaven walruses than their elephant cousins -- are most easily seen lazing around Florida waterways between November and February. A manatee encounter is an incredible experience for anyone, and a bargain as well, since many of the central Florida wildlife tours are given in state parks or government protected lands.

See Manatees in Captivity or in the Wild

You can visit the manatees' favorite stomping grounds at various Florida locations, including the state's northern region around Homosassa Springs. Check out this video:

Here are other local resources where you can meet and greet manatees.

• Blue Spring State Park, 2100 West French Avenue, Orange City, FL 32763
• The Manatee Observation and Education Center, 480 N. Indian River Drive, Fort Pierce, FL 34950 (this is part of the local electric company's efforts)
• Lee County Manatee Park, 10901 State Road 80 (Palm Beach Blvd.), Fort Myers, FL 33905
• Tampa Electric Co. Manatee Viewing Center, 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
• Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 4180 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446

Swim With Manatees under Naturalists' Supervision

Local outfitters offering "swim with the manatees" experiences (appropriate for children ages 3-4 and up who can swim) include:

• River Safaris and Gulf Charters 10823 W. Yelee Drive, Homosassa, FL 34448
• Port Paradise Marina & Dive Center 1610 S.E. Paradise Circle, Crystal River, FL 34429
• Crystal Lodge Dive Center 525 NW 7th Avenue, Crystal River, FL 34428

Everglades Wildlife Tours

And if you snowbirds can't drag yourself north of Miami in winter, there's other wildlife to be seen with your kids in the Everglades:

• Everglades Excursions (1010 6th Avenue South, Naples, FL 34102) show off alligators and birds
• National Park Boat Tours (Everglades National Park, 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034) Families can join park rangers to track dolphins on their day cruises