| Objective: Swimming with Manatees Location: Crystal River, Florida |
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to swim with manatees? At Crystal River in Florida, you have the opportunity to do just that. This magical place has warm water, which manatees love, and clear water, so you can see them. The swim starts really early. You’ll probably have to drive through the tropical central Florida night. In addition, check out the Floridian Trifecta to view more of Florida’s wildlife. The challenge is to viewing alligators, dolphins, and manatees in their natural habitats. You can see gators in Lake Panasoffkee from an airboat and dolphins frolicking off the coast of Sarasota.
Crystal River | What Is a Manatee? | Boat Search Party | Manatee Encounter | Plan Your Visit
What Is a Manatee?
A West Indian manatee is a large aquatic mammal with a round body tapering to a flat paddle-shaped tail. They are grayish-brown in color and have two flippers with nails. Their faces have wrinkles with whiskers on the snout. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long and weighs half a ton. People once thought they were mermaids. However, we now know they evolved from elephants or hyraxes.
Crystal River
Crystal River connects the Gulf of Mexico to the springs of Kings Bay. An aquifer feeds pure spring water into the headwaters of the river at a comfortable 72 degrees. As a result, hundreds of manatees meet in the clear warm waters every winter. Of these manatees, a large aggregation remains in the bay year-round. Lucky for you, this is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim with manatees in the wild.
Boat Search Party
Yes, 6 a.m. is early, but it’s the best time to go before everyone has scared away the manatees. So, put on a wetsuit and jump into a van. The dive captain will meet you at the pier.
After a quick bus ride to Crystal River, it’s time to board the dive boat. You will slowly cruise past groves of cedar trees, palms, and beautiful homes. The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a safe haven for manatees. It is an area of 20 islands with no roads.
How do you know where the manatees are? In due time, after 15-20 minutes, manatees must come up for air. You will be on the lookout for bubbles or a nose poking through the surface. It may require circling the bay and springs a few times. Then, when you least expect it, you will see both bubbles and nostrils!
Manatee Encounter
Jump in. The water is warm and crystal clear. During our first dive, there are three sightings. From a distance, it’s understandable how you could mistake a manatee for a mermaid with its fishtail and limb-like flippers. They are plump like miniature whales or hippos. It’s time for a short break and we return to the boat and look for more manatees.
With our masks and snorkels back on, we begin our next dive. This time, we have found the meeting spot. You must avoid touching the manatees. Observe them passively by floating calmly in the water and wait for the manatees to approach you. Because of their natural curiosity, these gentle giants will probably touch you as they swim past you. From up close, you can see patches of algae on their skin as well as scars from boat propellers.
After snorkeling with the manatees, we end the adventure by swimming in a clear spring by Hunter’s Point.
Swimming with manatees is a real gift. Where else can you get so close to another species? For a few fleeting moments, you can experience their slow pace of life and mild nature.
Plan Your Visit
| Vendor: River Ventures Location: 498 S.E. Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL Peak Season: Winter (November to March) Capacity: 10 Duration: 3 hour Price: $54.95 When: 6:15 a.m. What to Bring: Change of clothes Towel Sunscreen Waterproof bag Waterproof camera |
Rules for Interacting with Manatees:
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Where Else Can You See Manatees?
You can also see manatees in Tampa Bay. At the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, the power plant releases warm water that attracts manatees. You can visit the walkway from November 1st to April 15th, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
