General Don't feed manatees or give them water. If manatees become accustomed to being around people, they can alter their behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans, and this may make them more susceptible to harm.
Passive observation is the best way to interact with manatees and all wildlife.
Do not pursue or chase a manatee while you are swimming, snorkeling, diving or operating a boat. If a manatee avoids you, you should avoid it. Don't isolate or single out an individual manatee from its group, and don't separate a cow from her calf. Touching Look, but don't touch manatees. Never poke, prod, or stab a manatee with your hands, feet or any object.