A group of manatees surprised dozens of bathers on Friday at Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, by unexpectedly coming close to the shore.
The enormous marine mammals, known for their peaceful nature, were spotted resting on the sand.
After their brief visit, the manatees returned to the ocean safely, according to local reports.
The sighting was shared on social media, where videos under the hashtag #ONLYinDADE show the manatees swimming calmly near the shore, an unusual spectacle for the residents and tourists in the area.
This event is unusual in the summer months; however, it occurs every winter in Florida when hundreds of manatees seek refuge in warmer waters due to the low temperatures.
In January, numerous manatees gathered at the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, a city in Citrus County.
The Southwest Florida Water Management District shared a video showing animals clustered in the hot springs, where temperatures reach 72 degrees Fahrenheit, providing an ideal refuge.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protects these manatees by limiting access to the springs of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge during the manatee season, which runs from November 15 to April 1.
Crystal River, known as the "world capital of manatees," attracts visitors who come to swim with these iconic mammals in their natural habitat.
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