Explore the world of mermaiding in Florida… discover how to swim with fish and embrace your own Little Mermaid fantasy.

Shell-o! I’m Eva. Although I have two legs, I’ve always felt like a mermaid. This belief has followed me since my days as a bespectacled fish-out-of-water in Crystal River, Florida – a charming Nature Coast town known as the ‘Home of the Manatees’.

When Disney’s The Little Mermaid premiered in 1989, I felt as if Walt Disney had peeked into my nine-year-old heart. A decade later, as an aspiring writer in New York City, I eagerly anticipated the annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade – parading down the boardwalk in my quirky, lovingly-crafted mermaid costumes. I even met my fiancé at a beach lido in southern Italy named La Sirena del Mare (which translates to ‘mermaid of the sea’).

Imagine my delight when I stumbled upon mermaiding, where people don hyper-realistic mermaid tails and swim in picturesque water settings. What’s even more mer-maizing? My home state of Florida is the hub for this enchanting activity. Here’s how to dive into the world of mermaiding.

Essential information before you dive in

Mermaiding can be embraced as a hobby, a way of life, or even a career – many merfolk perform or teach as mermaid instructors. The popularity of mermaiding over the last decade has spurred mermaid tourism, with enthusiasts traveling to swim in prime mermaiding locations and join events.

While mermaiding offers a whimsical escape, it’s rooted in a close-knit community committed to marine conservation and self-expression.

“The mermaid community is a welcoming space where you can truly be yourself,” shares Mermaid Marina Pearl, a 49-year-old mermaid from Arizona, whom I connect with in a Florida mermaid pod group on Facebook. “Our motto is: ‘You can swim with us.’”

While the classic depiction of a mermaid often features a slender, young, white woman, the real mermaid community encompasses all genders, body types, ethnicities, and ages.

“Inclusion is something we truly value,” states Mermaid Ché Monique, the founder of the body-positive clothing line The Society of Fat Mermaids. “This vibrant and diverse community has taught me a lot about the experiences of individuals with disabilities, gender equity, and age discrimination.”

One essential requirement for mermaiding is proficient swimming ability. Beginners should also enroll in a mermaid class to learn how to swim safely using a tail and a monofin (a single fin that fits into the bottom of the tail).

My pods recommend Live Free Diving located in Palm Beach and Ina’s Mermaid School, which conducts sessions in Clearwater and St Petersburg. The latter is conveniently close to my parents’ house. I can’t help but squeal as I click ‘confirm’.

Where to locate it

Mermaiding is a global trend. There are pods in places like the Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Morocco, and Albania. “I always advise people to use Facebook to connect with their local pod,” suggests Mermaid Ché Monique. “Swimming with more experienced merfolk is priceless.”

In the USA, vibrant mermaid communities thrive in Texas, California, and New England. However, due to its plentiful springs, year-round swimming opportunities, and the presence of manatees—once mistaken by sailors for enchanting sea-maidens—Florida has emerged as the heart of mermaiding. The focal point? Citrus and Pasco counties, where I was raised.

This area has long held mermaid cred. It is home to the famous Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which has hosted underwater mermaid shows since 1947. My friends and I spent our childhood swimming with manatees at Three Sisters Springs and dreaming of becoming Weeki Wachee mermaids, but who would have thought our hometown would evolve into a key destination for mermaiding enthusiasts?

My connection to this region is what initially introduced me to mermaiding. Some of my former classmates started to ‘like’ a local Facebook page: Mertailor Mermaid Tails by Eric Ducharme. I clicked on it, and the rest is history.

Ducharme’s beautiful tails have gained immense popularity within the mermaid community and beyond—his creations appear in music videos and photoshoots. He also operates Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter, featuring an exhibit of exotic birds and marine life, complete with an underwater mermaid performance.

Visitors are captivated as Ducharme’s mermaids—many of whom, like Ducharme himself, began their journeys at Weeki Wachee—swim gracefully among fish, adorned in silicone Mertailor tails that are so lifelike you might expect them to feel slippery when touched.

Ducharme, 33, shares that he’s been crafting tails since childhood using “duct tape and whatever materials I could scrounge.” Nowadays, he opts for spandex, water-resistant wetsuit fabric, or silicone, which he meticulously hand-paints.

So where will you wear your tail? Florida boasts stunning coastlines, but its most sought-after mermaiding locations are its serene, crystal-clear springs, such as Alexander Springs, Ginnie Springs, and Rainbow Springs. Mermaid DD, a 51-year-old performer from Miami known as the String Siren, notes that while swimming in the sea is delightful, “the sand and waves can complicate things, and [renting] boats adds to the expense.” Keep in mind that not all springs permit tails.

Regardless of your destination, think carefully before tagging your location on social media, advises Cecíl Mullan, a 27-year-old PADI divemaster and mermaid instructor based in Orlando.

“We aim to safeguard these cherished sites from being overwhelmed by tourists,” Mullan explains, “by labeling our social media posts with ‘Tag Responsibly – Keep the Spring State Wild’ instead of disclosing the exact spring we’re visiting.”

I’m not quite ready for the springs yet, so I head to mermaid class, my knees trembling. I meet Mermaid Ina and Mermaid Bettina—Bettina is a new classmate, equally anxious. But when Mermaid Ina unveils her trunk of tails, Bettina and I let out squeals of excitement like children. My tail is purple, while Bettina’s is a vibrant fuchsia.

We learn how to slide our monofin into the tail “skin” and perform the mermaid swim stroke—a dolphin-like shimmy. Once we master it, she tosses gems into the pool for us to collect, then teaches us how to blow underwater “mermaid kisses” and execute somersaults.

There’s a mirror attached to the side of the pool, allowing us to see ourselves gliding through the water while Mermaid Ina captures the moment on video. When she later sends me the clip, I can hardly believe my eyes. It’s me—a genuine mermaid. At last.

The specifics

While mermaiding offers a sense of freedom, prioritizing personal safety and environmental respect is essential. Merfolk are careful to swim during less busy times, such as early mornings, weekdays, and especially on Mermaid Monday, the unofficial mermaid swim day.

“Conduct thorough research or contact local dive shops to inquire about conditions—currents, water clarity, depth, and bottom type,” cautions Mullan. “Always check in advance if the location permits mermaid tails. Be polite, courteous, and adhere to all posted signs and regulations.”

Specifically: dispose of trash, maintain a respectful distance from wildlife, and be mindful of the area’s regular visitors.

Never swim alone, advises Merman Andrew, a 29-year-old professional merman from Tampa. “Unexpected things can happen. You might get stuck on a rock or something similar,” he explains. “Mermaiding can pose risks if you’re not adequately trained.”

Keep it up

Embrace some mermaid lingo like ‘shell-o’ (hello), ‘mermaiz-ing’ (amazing), and ‘mer-sona’ (your mermaid alter ego). At the start of class, Mermaid Ina asks us about our mersona – naturally, I choose to be Mermaid Eva.

Other terms to familiarize yourself with include: ‘mer-momma’ (an elder mer who guides other merfolk), ‘mer-sis’ and ‘mer-bro’ (“We treat each other like family,” shares Ariel Stein, a 35-year-old mermaid from Orlando, FL), and ‘Mer-tender’ (a non-mer partner who assists with dressing and, if necessary, transports merfolk to the water). In other words, my fiancé.

Dive deeper into the world of mermaiding with Weeki Wachee’s Sirens of the Deep Mermaid Camp, where you can master the basics of mermaid performance. There are also an increasing number of annual Mermaid events and conventions across the United States, such as MerMagic Con in the greater Washington D.C. area; the Afro Mermaid Summit in Miami, FL; the California Mermaid Convention; the Key West Mermaid Festival; the San Marcos Mermaid Festival; and Spring Splash in Ginnie Springs, Florida.

You can even join a mermaid retreat, like Mermaid Ina’s three-day Mermaid Intensive featuring mermaid yoga and lessons in mer-makeup and -hair, or Mermaid Ché Monique’s 8-day Red Sea Adventure, where you’ll swim with dolphins and enjoy a glamorous time on a private yacht.

Take it home

The ultimate mermaiding accessory to bring home is the tail; many talented crafters create beautiful silicone and fabric options. Fabric tail “skins” require a separate monofin, while silicone tails come with built-in monofins.

Popular choices in the mermaid community include the Mertailor, Jurassic Merman, and MerNation in Florida, as well as Merbella Studios, the budget-friendly Fin Fun in Idaho, Mermaid Kariel in Hawai’i, MerrowFins, Mermaid Kat’s customizable silicone tails in Germany, and Kiki Von Mermaid, who offers custom accessories. Many merfolk own multiple tails.

“I have around twelve tails total, with another one on the way,” shares Krista Fleig, a 35-year-old mermaid, freediver, and mermaid instructor in Port Lucie. “Each tail maker is a unique artist crafting stunning pieces that we get to swim in and perform with. Every mermaid has their favorites based on color, fluke shapes, comfort, and price.”

Be ready to spend: tails can cost anywhere from $100 to several thousand dollars. During Mermaid Ina’s course, I had the choice to rent or buy a spandex tail; I chose to rent and have regretted that decision ever since. Other classes may provide take-home options like photos, videos, or a mermaiding achievement certificate.

How to prepare

Essential items for your mermaid kit include: tail, light snacks and water, a change of clothes, and a towel. You might also want to bring sinus savers, eye drops, a mask, snorkel, weight belt, lifeguard rescue tubes, and a GoPro-style camera to capture the magic.

Be cautious with accessories, advises Mermaid Marina Pearl: “As mermaids, we must ensure our costumes are marine-safe; avoid glitter in open water, and don’t use accessories that could break off and clog waterways or be ingested by fish and turtles. Also, use reef-safe sunscreen to protect fragile corals.”

Once you've mastered swimming with a monofin and have your safety buddy in place, you're set to dive in. Prepare the night before to get on the road early, fuel up with a light breakfast, and do some stretching before swimming.

Catch you later, little fishies.