Swimming With Wild Manatees in Crystal River, Florida: Making It Happen!
Visiting Florida soon and dreaming of going swimming with manatees in Crystal River? Or, maybe you live locally and this is on your Bucket List (that’s us!). In fact we loved this so much, we went back again and already planning for our 3rd visit!
Getting into the water with these gentle giant manatees is without doubt one of the most amazing wildlife encounters ever have had! But there’s more to explore in and around Crystal River, like shallow diving for your dinner scallops or relaxed kayaking around Florida’s Nature Coast?
We also share other spots where we locals go to see manatees in the wild (non swimming options).
This guide shares practical tips to help you plan an awesome wild manatee experience in Crystal River. We also share more top things to do in Crystal River, Florida, nestled on the Gulf.
Where To Swim With Manatees In Florida
We see manatees in different spots around Florida, including the bays around Sarasota. They gather in their hundreds during the cooler months near Apollo Beach (south of Tampa).
However, if you are looking to get in the water with wild manatees, Crystal River is without doubt the best place to come.
This laid back coastal town is around 80 miles (1 hour and 15 mins) north of Tampa, 128 from Sarasota (a little over a 2-hour drive) and 86 Miles from Orlando (1 hour 40 mins drive).
You can easily combine a stay in Crystal River with the top beaches of Sarasota. How does a Siesta Key and Crystal River combination vacation sound?
How Long to Plan to Stay in Crystal River?
Honestly, if you can create the time to linger a little. We suggest you plan to stay for a night minimum before your swim, and preferably 2 nights so you can explore afterwards.
You need time to get ready for your swim, especially if it’s an early start (6am) and also once you are here, spend a day to enjoy this beautiful part of the Florida Nature Coast a little longer!
🎒TPOP Tip: If you are on tight budget or limited time, Apollo Beach is excellent location to view manatees from an overview platform.
How to Book a Swimming With Manatees Tour
It’s easy! Just go online ahead of your visit to book an early morning manatee tour and beat the heat of the day!
Check Manatee Swimming Tour Availability and Prices Here!
Most boats accommodate six people, with a captain and a guide who comes into the water with you.
Tours also include time afterwards in nearby 3 Sisters Spring, where you can relax in the crystal clear blue waters to the source of the spring. If you’re confident enough, hold your breath and try to dive down to it!
🎒TPOP Tip: Pre-book Manatee Swimming Tours in Crystal River because there are limited numbers each day and it’s very popular!
Where to Stay in Crystal River, Florida
Our picks are based on location, links to transport hubs and value for money.
Crystal River is a small town, but there are a number of good chain hotel options just out of town which are great for larger groups and families. If you prefer check out the 700+ Crystal River VRBO listings too.
Budget Option
1.3m from town, Holiday Inn Express offers affordable accommodation, pool, breakfast, parking & pets.
Mid-Range Option
Close to the water Retreat at Crystal Manatee has off road parking, big rooms, l breakfast & garden area.
Luxury Option
Perfect for family & larger groups, Crystal River Highrise is perfectly located, sleeps 9 – a home from home
Swimming with Manatees: 10 Things To Know
To maximize your manatee experience, we have a few tips to share before you go on your Florida adventure!
1. Be Ready For An Early Start
There are options to swim early morning or later in the day. We strongly suggest the earliest tour. The quieter cooler temperatures apparently are more conductive to manatee action. So plan for a 5-5.30am get-up time to be at the check-in location for around 6am!
2. Prepare for 70 Degree Water Temperatures
You will need to wear a wet suit and these are provided by the tour operator and come in all sizes. Average water temperatures are in the 70s in this river so it’s cool to swim in year round.
Once you have your wetsuits on, there is a short transfer by mini-van to the jetty at Pete’s Pier where the boat will be waiting for you.
3. Keep Safety Top of Mind
Pre departure you will need to watch a short video on safety and rules in the water. Even if you are not the greatest of swimmers, everyone gets a swim noodle (regardless of swimming ability) to use as additional stability. Also, we get buoyancy from our wetsuits.
The river can be deep in parts but you are always with a certified marine guide.
4. Remember Searching for Wild Manatees Takes Time
Manatees, an endangered species, live in the wild around the fresh water river They come into the area over winter mainly to eat the grasses that are painstakingly being renewed to help the population become more sustainable.
Along the river, there are cordoned off ‘manatee hotels.’ In certain months of the year, manatees come to rest, free of disturbances from boats and people. It’s like a retreat for them!!!
On this kind of tour, we are guaranteed to see a wild manatee as ‘sea cows’ are continuously on the move. An adult manatee can consume around 4 to 9 percent of its body weight in aquatic vegetation daily and so needs to keep grazing.
What To Know During Swimming with Manatees
It’s so exciting when one of us on the boat spots a manatee and we make our way to that spot in the river. Of course manatees move as they munch on grasses and so sometimes it takes a little while to anchor up.
5. Be Patient Getting Into the Water & Be Aware
The captain will position the boat a little way off, respectful, both of the manatee space and comfort. This means you may have to swim a little to get over to where they are, but in our experiences, it’s never that far and with the noodle, even non-swimmers will be fine.
As you join the manatees (at a respectable distance) they may be submerged and eating. Suddenly they will be on the moving up to the surface to get some air which they do quite frequently while eating.
Even if resting, on average, a manatee comes up for air every 18-20 minutes. Try and catch sight as they pop their distinctive snouts up and within seconds submerge themselves again. They don’t want to miss out on that grass!
6. Remember – Follow The Law
It’s so easy to be excited and long to get closer to these incredible gentle giants of Crystal River. But don’t forget the strict legal rules which mean you cannot physically touch a manatee.
We are always surprised at how big a manatee is up close and personal! I mean, they tower above us. An adult manatee typically measures 10 feet and weighs between 800 and 1,200 pounds!!
7. Get Your Guide Take Your Photos!
As you hover your heads just below the water watching these magical animals do their thing you will have an urge to ‘capture the moment’! It’s good to know that your guide will snap a few photos with an underwater camera which are such a great souvenir.
8. Manatees Are Inquisitive – They Love Teasing You!
Manatees are incredibly curious. As we mentioned it is illegal to touch or disturb a manatee but they come towards you, they love to engage in their own way. If you wear your hair in braids you might have a unique close encounter!
One time, a juvenile manatee mistook one of our group’s braids for grass and decided to have a gentle nuzzle. Beth in our group was amazing; she just stayed still, her hair hanging there for the baby manatee to explore before it realized that it wasn’t very appetizing.
9. Relax When In Water With Wild Manatees
Manatees are more relaxed if we are more relaxed in the water with them. They seem to have little fear of passing right up in front of us, sometimes turning over giving us a little shove if we’re in their way – gently of course!
10. Enjoy Hot Drinks Before 3 Sisters Spring Float
To be honest, it’s always hard to leave these gentle giants and get back onto our boat. By the way, boats are limited to six passengers, so it’s never crowded on board.
Guides have hot coffee, chocolate and tea ready when you re-board. Even if you can only do this tour in the summer (we have too in July!) hot drinks are always welcome when you come out of the river.
Swimming In Three Sisters Spring
After time with the manatees you will sail to the Three Sisters Spring – a fairly short ride. The waters are, as the name suggests, crystal clear and the trees that hug the river banks are beautiful.
Follow your guide, descending into a small pond like area. Then swim for around 5-10 minutes until this opens up into the source of the spring. It’s very calm and relaxing and you can spend around 20 minutes playing in the water.
There are more fish to see underwater here. Also this is a fun spot to hold your breath and see how far down you can go. Be careful if you are prone to pressure in your ears though!
The guide films throughout your time in the Springs too. We’re sure will capture many amazing shots using a go-pro, stills and video. You can buy these as a digital souvenir and we felt it was great value.
Where to Eat Breakfast In Crystal River
After an early morning spectacular swimming with manatees, it’s time for a hearty breakfast. Here are 3 suggestions that we have eaten at:
- Biscuit Barn – the most traditional breakfast place in town, with delicious home cooking and friendly service.
- Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters – huge range of coffee and teas, and delicious food menu too.
Dinner Restaurants Crystal River, Fl
The name Crab Plant says it all – as fresh as you can get it here. It looks like a seafood industrial processing set up – and it is! Casual and friendly, enjoy the catch of the day!
Other restaurants to try are the much loved Waterfront Social, laid back friendly Vintage on 5th or Seafood Cellars – don’t let the strip mall location put you off.
Top Things To Do in Crystal River, Florida
On Florida’s Nature Coast, Crystal River is an outdoor playground offering fantastic experiences and activities for all age groups and interests.
Snorkel For Clams
In the summer months, you can book a tour to go clamming in Crystal River Bay. The waters are shallow waters and it is a safe and fun activity for kids and adults alike. Scallop Adventures offers a family run scallop experience!
If you’re lucky and harvest your allocation of clams, take them to a shore side restaurant. They will usually cook them up for your dinner.
Go Fishing
This is a fantastic spot to go fishing as there are so many inlets and secret spot that a guide can take you too. Of course you can bring your won rod, and find a spot along the water’s edge too!
If you want a recommendation on a charter, we suggest Florida Fishing Adventures who can set you up for everything from tarpon, to red fish to clamming too.
Last time we fished here, we hooked a stingray (not intentional) and it took a while to land and then release, so you never know what excitement is waiting!
Manatee and Monkeys Kayak Tour Crystal River
If you love the idea of a gentler activity get out on a kayak or SUP. Bring your own and just launch at Hunter Springs Park and Kings Bay Park. Look out for manatees (of course) and yes, monkeys, who also hang out around here.
Alternatively, book an organized guided tour. Here’s 3 that offer different experiences:
- Morning Kayak Manatee & Monkey Guided Tour – choose from a clear 2-Person Kayak, a Clear Single Kayak, or if you prefer, a Paddleboard. Get ready to see lots of local wildlife, including turtles and maybe even an alligator.
- Night Time Kayak Tour Crystal River – a wonderful way to enjoy 3 sisters spring, followed by sunset on the water.
- Kayak Rental for Two – for a more intimate kayak trip, this 2 hour rental is great value. Find your own path through the river tributaries.
Sunset Tours
A cruise around King’s Bay at Sunset is an unforgettable experience to enjoy in Crystal River. This 2 hour sunset cruise . Sit back and let the captain and crew point out wildlife in and out of the water. Bring binoculars just in case.
Fort Island Beach
Compared to other west coast Florida beaches, the local sandy spots around Crystal River may appear less appealing. That said, we recommend heading to Fort Island Beach.
The damage from previous hurricanes is hardly visible except the boat launch area is still closed at the time of updating this article. Pets are not permitted on the beach.
We spent a few hours here and it was pretty crowded. If you want more space, go early or later in the afternoon.Try to avoid weekends too.
FAQs
Manatees are ocean goers but their closest animal relation is the elephant. It is believed that they evolved from the dugong and Steller’s sea cow species. Sadly, the latter was hunted to extinction in the 1700s.
A gentle giant manatee’s sole diet is wild grasses that grow in Florida’s coastal waters. Due to a reduction of their feeding grasses, they are struggling and are now classified as an endangered species.
You can go swimming with manatees year round in Crystal River, Florida.
If you visit between November and April you will be here during the high season as the populations here grow during cooler months. So if you have this flexibility we suggest planning your trip during the winter months.
Swimming with Wild Manatees is perhaps more expensive than other Florida water based activities, but it’s far more unique. Remember you are hiring time on a boat, the captain, a marine biologist guide, use of wet-suits and time with an endangered species. Compared to a day in Disney, we say it’s likely cheaper to swim with manatees vs. a trip to Orlando!
Other Bucket List Wildlife Experiences
For teenage and older kids, a trip to swim with wild manatees in Florida is an incredible experience.
Having done this with our grown up niece and nephews, it helped them appreciate why manatees are endangered. Maybe consider joining or gifting a family member or friend a membership of Save the Manatee Club.
We love any opportunity to interact with wildlife and if you have similar dreams, how about Trekking with Gorillas in Uganda, or a Family Safari Trip in South Africa.
