Overview
At a glance
Is this game right for my group?
ABG editorial scores on a 1–5 scale.
Easier to teach
High replayability
Highly interactive
Scales well
Deep strategy
More strategic control
How it plays
How does it play?
Build a thriving coastal refuge by selecting paired actions, shaping habitats, and attracting manatees whose needs turn every sanctuary into a spatial puzzle.
Core mechanisms
Key systems that shape the decisions players make.
Pattern Building
Place elements to create arrangements that satisfy scoring or action patterns.
Hand Management
Time and sequence a limited hand of cards to preserve future options.
Multi-Use Cards
Use the same card in different ways, making each play a trade-off.
I Cut, You Choose
One player divides resources and another chooses which share to take.
End Game Bonuses
Earn additional points for meeting conditions evaluated when the game ends.
Read the full game description
Manatee Sanctuary is a tableau-building and habitat-planning game for one to six players. Each round presents paired options that divide resources and actions between players, creating an “I cut, you choose” tension before anything reaches a personal sanctuary. Cards serve several purposes as habitats, upgrades, and resources, and carefully connected spaces attract manatees while end-game goals reward broader conservation plans. The Seacow Edition packages the approachable core puzzle with a dedicated solo mode and room for larger groups.
