Rare marine creature spotted outside well-known Mississippi Coast restaurant
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Manatee sighting near Huck’s Cove in Gautier surprises patrons and staff
- Marine experts attribute visit to vegetation search, urge public to keep distance
- Boaters advised to avoid collisions; manatees often injured by propeller strikes
Patrons spotted a manatee swimming near the dock at Huck’s Cove in Gautier earlier this week, surprising restaurant staff and diners along the riverbank.
Huck’s Cove manager Marissa Stephens was showing two patrons the restaurant’s resident baby alligator when a manatee emerged.
“Within 5 minutes of being out there—-here emerges this huge manatee,” Stephens said. “That thing was the size of a Volkswagen Beetle.”
Stephens said this isn’t the first time a manatee has appeared near Huck’s Cove—last year, a mother and calf were seen swimming outside the bar and grill.
Experts weigh in
Theresa Madrigal, stranding coordinator at the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, said the manatee likely ended up behind the restaurant while searching for vegetation to eat.
“In the summertime, we do get reports of them in and around this area and the different bayous,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal warned patrons to keep their distance and not to feed the manatee, citing its federal protection status and strength.
“They weigh over a ton, generally speaking, and they’re very powerful animals, so people should keep their distance,” Madrigal said.
IMMS director Moby Solangi said boaters should exercise caution around the area.
“Sometimes they have scars from boat propellers that hit them,” Solangi said. “That has been a big, big issue in some of these channels where there’s some boat traffic.”
Madrigal said manatee sightings can be reported to IMMS or the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.
This story was originally published July 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
