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

Manatee Safari emphasizes education through interaction. 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 worldwide. Scott has spent extensive time working in the Crystal River National Wild Life Refuge and the Chassahowitzka National Wild Life Refuge with some of the worlds best know biologist, film makers, photographers and artist. He also help design and build thirteen miles of the south end of the Citrus County Canoe and Kayak Trail; some of this area had never been charted or recorded by man.

Matt Clemons who operates the Florida Kayak Company is a former state manatee researcher serving as consulting biologist for our manatee programs. The Florida Kayak Company is also located on the Manatee Safaris property, so if you are looking to doing some paddling we have the the largest selection of Kayak's and accessories in Citrus County. We go that extra step to protect the manatees and there habitat to minimize our impact. It’s small things that we believe make a difference, such as limiting group size, pre-swim acclimation, and emphasizing buoyancy control and other environmental issues.

We have hosted such distinguished individuals Dr. Jane Goodall, Wyland, Guy Harvey, The Discovery Channel's the Animal Planet. In 2000 Manatee Safaris was featured on the television program “Destination Nature”, seen world wide as well as the Japanese show “Space Ship Earth”. Manatee Safaris is also host to the Make a Wish Foundation programs to help make wishes of very special children come true.

Scott and Manatee Safari invite 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.