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Manatee Zones in Miami-Dade: Winter Speed Rules for Boaters

By Scott Blaine Hoffman · November 10, 2026 · 5 min read

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Every year on November 15, the speed rules change on a big chunk of the water around Aventura. Florida's seasonal manatee protection zones switch on, and stretches of the Intracoastal where you could legally run 30 mph in October become Slow Speed zones. If you keep a boat at a condo dock in Aventura, launch at Haulover or run up to Hallandale, here is what changes, where, and how to stay legal this winter.

Why the rules change on November 15

Manatees can't tolerate cold water for long. As the Atlantic and Biscayne Bay cool off in late fall, they move into warmer, sheltered water: canals, creeks, river mouths and the shallow edges of the Intracoastal Waterway. That puts them right where boats travel. Because manatees surface to breathe and often rest just below the surface, boat strikes are a leading human-caused threat to them. Seasonal zones slow boats down during the months manatees are most concentrated in local waters.

Slow Speed vs. Idle Speed: what the signs mean

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) defines both terms in rule 68C-22.002 of the Florida Administrative Code. Neither one has a number attached, which surprises a lot of boaters.

The most common ticket in winter is running "almost off plane" in a Slow Speed zone, bow up and pushing a big wake. If your bow is high, you are not at Slow Speed.

Miami-Dade zones near Aventura: November 15 to April 30

Miami-Dade's manatee zones are spelled out in FAC rule 68C-22.025. In Miami-Dade the seasonal period runs November 15 through April 30. Some zones are year-round; others flip between Slow Speed in season and a 30 or 35 mph maximum the rest of the year. Highlights for boaters around Aventura and North Miami Beach:

• Dumfoundling Bay (the water off Aventura and Golden Beach): Slow Speed year-round across most of the bay and its connecting canals. A section of the main Intracoastal channel nearby is seasonal: Slow Speed November 15 to April 30, 30 mph maximum the rest of the year.
• Maule Lake and its canals: Slow Speed year-round. Parts of Little Maule Lake are Slow Speed year-round, and its northern end is Idle Speed year-round.
• Oleta River: Idle Speed year-round in the river sections described in the rule, including northwest of the U.S. 1 bridge. Plan on idling all the way if you're paddling out of or launching near Oleta River State Park.
• Biscayne Creek: Slow Speed year-round.
• Biscayne Bay around Oleta River State Park: Slow Speed year-round outside the marked Intracoastal channel, where a 30 mph maximum applies.
• Broad Causeway to the JFK (79th Street) Causeway: Slow Speed year-round outside the channel. The main Intracoastal channel here is seasonal: Slow Speed in winter, 30 mph maximum the rest of the year. Some adjacent waters switch between Slow Speed in winter and 35 mph in summer.

The practical takeaway: from mid-November through April, a run from Aventura south through the bay toward Haulover and Bal Harbour involves long stretches of Slow Speed. Budget extra time, and extra fuel if you're used to running on plane.

Hallandale and Broward: a different calendar

Cross the county line north into Hallandale Beach and you're under Broward County's zones, which have their own rule. Local reporting on Broward's season puts its seasonal zones at November 15 through March 31, a month shorter than Miami-Dade. Broward also has year-round slow speed stretches on the Intracoastal. Don't assume the speed you ran in one county applies after you pass the line; watch for the next sign.

How to stay legal (and keep manatees safe)

1. Read every sign. FWC notes that zones can't be enforced until they're posted, and where rules overlap, the most restrictive one is posted. The sign wins.
2. Get the maps. FWC publishes manatee protection zone maps on its website. Broward County offers the no-cost "I Spy a Manatee" app showing its zones.
3. Use polarized sunglasses. They cut glare so you can spot swirls, snouts and the flat, round "footprint" a manatee leaves on the surface. A good pair like Costa polarized sunglasses pays for itself on the bay.
4. Stay in the marked channel. Manatees favor the shallow grass flats. Channels are deeper and usually have looser limits.
5. Trim down early. Come off plane well before the sign so you're settled when you pass it.
6. Report injured or dead manatees to the FWC Wildlife Alert line at 888-404-FWCC (3922), or #FWC / *FWC from a cell phone.

If you're new to the area or haven't boated here in winter, a chart plotter with current zone overlays helps. Many boaters add a Garmin chartplotter, but no device replaces reading the posted signs.

What this means for charters, rentals and slip holders

Winter is peak season for yacht charters and boat rentals around Aventura, and the slower speeds affect trip timing. A sandbar or dock-and-dine run that takes 20 minutes in summer can take noticeably longer in January. Good captains build that into the itinerary, so ask about it when you book.

If you run a charter or rental business, the busy season is the time to be found. List your charter on Aventura Boating so snowbirds planning winter trips can see your boat. Slip owners who are away for the season can also list a slip for rent while demand is high. Browse current slips for rent to see what's out there.

FAQ

When do manatee zones start in Miami-Dade?

Seasonal manatee zones in Miami-Dade County run from November 15 through April 30 under FAC rule 68C-22.025. Year-round zones apply all year.

How fast is Slow Speed in a manatee zone?

There's no number. Slow Speed means your boat is fully off plane and completely settled into the water, making minimal wake. If your bow is up, you're going too fast.

Are the manatee zones different in Hallandale Beach?

Yes. Hallandale is in Broward County, which has its own zones, and its seasonal period is reported as November 15 through March 31. Always follow the posted signs.

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