CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA
home to hundreds of manatees
If you’re going to Crystal River, Florida, you’re likely going for the manatees. There are around 150 local manatees that live there year round, but over 900-1000 manatees come in during the winter months to seek warmth from the springs. Although you may want to, you’re not supposed to feed the manatees lettuce. Be still, and they’ll come find you. These giant mammals are very friendly and curious. They range from 7’ to 9’ long.
WHERE TO VISIT
MUST KNOW DETAILS
Peak season: November 15 - March 31
In peak season, the springs are roped off so you can’t get very close to the manatees, but they’ll come out to you.Off season: You’ll still likely see manatees, just not as many
In the off season, you can snorkel back into the springs, but there won’t be as many manatees.Water Temperature: Around 72 F all year long
Attire: Bring or rent at least a 3mm wetsuit. You’ll be thankful
Handling manatees: They will come to you, don’t chase them down
Length of stay: If you have at least 2 days in the water with them, it’ll be enough
Timeframe: Low tide is when all of the manatees are by the spring, but they won’t be moving around as much. If you go during high tide, you’ll see less but they’ll be swimming all around you.
Where to stay: Get a cheap Airbnb nearby
Where to eat: The town is small, but they have lots of good food options
Boating in: If you boat into the area, keep your propellers out of the water
SNORKELING WITH MANATEES
WALKING AROUND THE SPRINGS
It’s worth the time to walk around the springs and stay out of the water for a morning or afternoon. Seeing hundreds of manatees from above the water is really neat! Type in Three Sisters Springs in Google maps, and it’ll take you to the entrance. You’ll have to park in a nearby parking lot because they only allow handicapped parking at the springs. We went across the street to a strip mall and walked back. It’s free to enter, so walk on through the gates. You’ll walk around a pond to get there.
DON’T PAY ANYONE TO TAKE YOU ON A TOUR!
go on your own!
It’s much cheaper if you rent or bring kayaks, and then go into the springs on your own. It’s $5 to park at Hunter Springs State Park (where the top star is), and you can put your kayaks in at that location. From there, turn right. Follow the red arrows to the best viewing spots. You’ll turn left after the marina and go under the first bridge you see. Once you get close to the bridge, you’ll start to see manatees! The red stars are all places that typically have lots of manatees there. The last star on the right is the best place to get out of your kayak and snorkel. There are ropes to tie off to, so make sure you bring a rope.
The purple arrow is another route to take if you are ready to get some exercise. There are typically not as many manatees at the King Spring, but you should see a few. It’s a pretty kayak through the bay too.
homosassa springs state park
This state park is really cool! It’s a zoo inside of a state park. They have many local birds and animals that live in that portion of Florida. They also have flamingos! They are certainly well fed because they are bright coral. My favorite part of the park is the underwater observatory. You can see all of the fish and occasionally a few manatees swim through. The observatory is built on top of the spring, so hundreds of fish school there. Make sure to also see Lu the hippopotamus while you’re there. Check their website for feeding times.
