Manatee Sanctuary

About this board game

Manatee Sanctuary is a family-weight board game for 1–6 players that takes about 30 minutes to play. Across three rounds, players draft cards, attract manatees, expand their habitats, and compete to create the highest-scoring sanctuary.

Each round uses an “I split, you choose” drafting method. Once the draft is complete, every player decides how to use each card. Play its top action to attract manatees and produce food, or tuck the card’s top portion under your expanding board to create more room for manatees and increase food production.

The sea is home to several types of manatees, including Hungry Manatees, Playful Manatees, and Common Manatees. Each type has its own effect, giving your growing habitat different possibilities as you build your sanctuary over the course of the game.

• Draft cards using an “I split, you choose” method.
• Use cards to attract manatees, produce food, or expand your sanctuary.
• Manage different manatee types, each with its own effect.
• Feed all hungry manatees after each player has used their cards.
• Score based on your manatee numbers, their types, and the current round.

After all manatees have been fed, players score points according to the number of manatees they have, the types they have collected, and the round in progress. After three rounds, the player with the most points wins.

Manatee Sanctuary includes multiple modules and play options designed for both families and hobby board gamers. Its combination of card drafting, habitat growth, food production, and animal management creates a welcoming contest centered on building the best possible manatee sanctuary.