What I love most about Manatee Bob’s Retreat is that it reminds us how meaningful a vacation can be.

You can go anywhere and find a beach or a swimming pool. But how often do you get to step onto a paddleboard and watch a manatee glide beneath you in crystal-clear water? Those quiet moments—when everyone stops talking at the same time—are the ones that stay with you.

I love that guests can spend the morning out on the water, then come back and play ping pong with siblings and friends, laughing in the game room, completely unplugged. They can eat meals on the porch and enjoy conversations around the fire pit. There’s something special about being away from the crowds and noise, where Old Florida still feels calm, natural, and unhurried.

Manatee Bob’s Retreat isn’t about rushing from one activity to the next. It’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and creating memories you’ll talk about long after the trip is over.

That’s what makes this place so special to me—and why I love sharing it with others.

My favorite morning at Manatee Bob’s Retreat

It All Begins Here