Crystal River Florida – Swim With Manatees

Have you ever wanted to swim with a manatee, Florida’s gentle giant? Here is how to make that dream come true, and you don’t have to book a tour to meet them! Otherwise known as sea cows, these gentle giants are indigenous to Florida and hang out in droves at the Crystal River, Florida.

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About the Crystal River, Florida

The Crystal River is best known for swimming with manatees. It’s also a trendy place to catch scallops. The Crystal River is the only place in America where it is legal to swim with manatees. Deceiving as its title is, it’s not a river. The Crystal River is an area that is a combination of an estuary, freshwater springs, and brackish water leading to the west coast ocean. All are accessible once you launch into Kings Head Bay.  And, once you do, you can experience fresh and saltwater in the same region.

We first started venturing here before we owned a boat. Our maiden trip to this area did not include the water, but we immediately booked to return and swim with the manatee tour. From my perspective, the tours are hit-and-miss. They are fantastic options if you time it right and don’t want to rent a boat. I think you have just as much chance of finding the manatees on your own, even if you only kayak!

We’ve had many a-day trips and weekends to the Crystal River, which never disappoints. The Crystal River is one of my favorite places in Florida.

As our experience with the area has matured, we have learned the do’s and don’ts and have become veteran scallopers. I will share all the information you need for a great weekend or day out, with or without booking a tour to swim with manatees.

About Crystal River Florida Manatees

Manatees are large aquatic marine mammals measuring 10- to 15-feet-long and weighing one ton. Manatees live in coastal waters and rivers, the ocean’s most giant herbivores. They eat four to nine percent of their body weight daily, approximately two hundred pounds of food. They can swim up to in short bursts at 15 mph. However, they typically swim at five mph.

Swim With Manatees

Manatees are everywhere throughout the Crystal River region. In the winter, they congregate at the Three Sisters Springs. You will undoubtedly see glamorous photographs of people up close in the bright blue spring water.

The chances of you getting this close are limited. For example, the springs are closed as a sanctuary when the temperature drops below 68 degrees. Meanwhile, most tour operators operate all year round. If you decide to go in the winter, the tour operators will take you as close to the Three Sisters’ entry as possible. Even if you go on your boat, you will only get as close as the barriers.

I do not recommend the tours during this time. Firstly, you can get to the springs yourself. Most importantly, tour operators tend to ride around Kings Head Bay, an inlet of murky brown water. This is because you can only get up so close to the springs during the winter.

Lastly, if you end up on tour and can’t get as close to the Three Sisters Springs as ideal to see the manatees, you will have zero visibility, making this experience pointless.

Note: Some tours, specifically diving tours have great reputations for getting you in clear water where you have a much better chance of swimming with the manatees in clear water.

Best Places To Swim With Manatees In Crystal River

If you want to swim with manatees, visit in spring or summer and rent a boat if you don’t own one. Explore the area. You will run into manatees all over the Crystal River region. Our most intimate swim with manatees was in April. We had parked for lunch at the bridge heading to Three Sisters Springs. A group of ten manatees and some babies swam up toward our boat.

Naturally, we jumped in the water to get a good look. Floating on top of the water and watching these gentle giants is a surreal experience. Firstly, manatees are a lot bigger in person than you anticipate. Secondly, while appearing slow, they do move pretty fast! One thing you must know is that you cannot harass manatees. You must respect their space. Contact with them is illegal. The only exception is them contacting you or, as in our case swimming into you.

In addition to boating the Crystal River, you can canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

Here are some places we always see manatees:

1. Entrance to The Sisters Springs
2. Hunter Springs
3. Before the bridge that heads to the Three Sisters Springs

The photos above of us swimming with the manatees were taken at this spot before the bridge. Time and time again, we see manatees here. It’s like the manatee highway, all making their way in and out of the springs. You can’t miss this spot; it’s left of Pete’s Marina. You’ll probably see other boats docked up here, as it’s a popular area that gets shallow during low tide. 

Everything You Need To Enjoy a Swim With the Manatees

Technically, you could only use a swim mask and a snorkel. I strongly suggest you get fins because, depending on the tide, you may need to dive more than four or five feet. Having the fins makes diving easy and stops you from tiring out. Everyone in our household has one of these sets. We’ve had them for two years now, and they are still going strong. These come in multiple colors, so everyone can quickly identify their own set. They also come in handy bags that keep the kit intact.

A child under six must wear a life jacket while the boat is in motion. If you rent a boat, they will provide them, but they will be the generic orange ones. Kids tend to hate these as they look, well, generic! Life jackets are also great flotation devices for when everyone is tired. O’Neil is a great brand – they last forever.

When Is The Best Time To Swim With Manatees At The Crystal River?

Mid-November to late March is the official manatee season at Crystal River. The manatee sanctuaries take effect at this time. Manatees come to Crystal River springs for their survival in the cold Gulf waters during the winter.

Because of the large number of manatees, December, January, and February are the best months to swim with them. If you are planning a trip, be sure to keep this in mind.

It is best to view and swim with the manatees early in the morning at Three Sisters Springs when they are most active. This said, the manatees are in the Crystal River year-round. You have just as much chance of seeing them any month if you know what to look for and where to hang out.

Best Tours to Swim with Manatees

If you decide you would prefer to take a tour, here are some great options. Many guided tours are called “Crystal River Manatee Cruises or Crystal River Manatee Glass Bottom Boat Tours.” Ensure that any time you book is not just a viewing cruise but includes the option to swim with manatees.

Map of Crystal River, Florida

Crystal River Florida Hotels

Like the Rainbow River, most accommodations are dated and then some. Some are absolute S**t tips. We have had to check out of a place or two over the years. It took us a couple of years to find the hot spots, and now we have it down to science!

Great Options

If you want to stay on the water, the place to book is Plantation on Crystal River. A resort has amenities, but not all rooms or corridors are updated. As a result, this resort has been in the process of upgrading for a while. This place is right on the water. You can launch your boat from the dive center, and you can moor your boat onto the sea wall.

A massive advantage is if you spend the weekend. The restaurant is fantastic, affordable, and will cook your catch, including scallops. Therefore, if you plan to stay here during scalloping season, you must book as it sells out in advance. Something else to note, ownership changed in 2017. Sadly, they now charge a “resort fee” in addition to the nightly rate, so make sure you factor this into the cost when booking.

The other option is the Hampton Inn Crystal River. Above all, this hotel is not on the water. There is boat parking, and it’s a very modern hotel. It is only a five-minute drive to the Plantation, where you can launch.

Alright Options

A couple of other reasonable places won’t break the bank. I won’t recommend them. Having stayed there, I know there are better places to book. However, I would be happy to give you the information if the above two are unavailable or too costly. Just shoot me a message, and I’ll share it.

Find The Best Crystal River Florida Hotels Here:

Three Sisters Springs

The Three Sisters Springs is a designated wildlife refuge for manatees. During manatee season (November 15 to March 31), hundreds of manatees circle this one-acre spring, and water access is closed off from the public. Here are some photos of the channel outside of the Three Sisters Spring.

Hunter Springs

Another popular spot is Hunter Springs. Virtually right around the corner from the Three Sisters Springs. Hunter Springs has an enclosed beach area famous, and most manatee tour operators pass through this area. Many a time, we’ve seen manatees swimming here.

Best Of Florida Springs & Rivers

If you love springs, then you need this book! Florida is home to over 1000 natural springs between the sun-soaked beaches of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, which have drawn people to the state for thousands of years. Long before theme parks came to town, the freshwater springs were the top tourist attraction in the state. Join us across the state to explore 40 of the best springs in Florida that you can still visit today. Filled with vivid photos from the past and present, this guide will show you a side of the Sunshine State you won’t see in commercials. Complete with information on conservation and a key for activities offered, this book is a must-have for locals and tourists alike.

Crystal River Boat Rentals

1. Plantation Dive Shop
2. Crystal Lodge Dive Center
3. Port Hotel & Marina

Alternatively, rent one here from Boatsetter, the one-stop shop for all your boating needs. The best thing about renting here is that you can choose the right boat for your needs and the right size for the party:

The Crystal River Public Boat Ramps

There are twelve public boat ramps:

Crystal River

Kings Bay

We always launch out of the Shop At The Port Hotel & Marina.

The Crystal River and Scalloping

We have scalloped many times from the Crystal River and had great success. In 2019 we scalloped out of Homosassa. We were lucky enough to be given coordinates to a hot spot where people can catch their limit in an hour. Read my opinion of the differences between Homosassa and The Crystal River.

Or, if you are looking for a detailed guide on how to find and catch scallops. Read Scalloping in Florida – A Helpful Illustrated Guide: Where and How to Catch Scallops

Crystal River Restaurants

Several restaurants surround Kings Head Bay. You can pull your boat up to most and enjoy a drink or a snack. Many will cook your catch:

• West 82º Bar & Grill – at Plantation on Crystal River. This place will cook your catch! It’s semi-formal, definitely not a shack, but you can roll in here in casual attire. Please make a reservation or eat late during the scallop season, as it’s packed! We often stay here, so this is our natural first choice.
• Cracker’s Bar, Grill, and Tiki. This place is on the opposite side of the bay from Plantation. It’s a spot we often visit for a bon voyage beverage or lunch. We usually stop here if the weather is terrible and wait for it to pass. You can boat and more to this place, which is super convenient. Firstly, I don’t know if they will cook your catch, but the food here is excellent. The Pina Coladas are yummy!
• Charlie’s Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market. This place is a choice for many. Certainly decent seafood, but a tad overpriced. It’s on the water and accessible, but it does not have the ambiance of others. They specialize in stone crabs, which makes them very popular.

FAQs

Closing Thoughts

The Crystal River provides you with many options to enjoy Florida. It’s the number one spot to go if you want to swim with manatees. There is plenty for everyone of all ages to see and do. Join us on the river and create new traditions with your friends and family!

Looking for more posts on Florida? Start here:

• Five Best Airboat Rides Near Orlando
• Homosassa – Is It Better Than The Crystal River?
• Rainbow River – Why You Should Visit
• The Dome Houses of Cape Romano – Marco Island, Florida
• Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo

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