If you want to legally swim with wild manatees, Crystal River Springs is one of the only places you can do so!
By Bekah Whitney
Visited in January 2022
When we first crossed the border into Florida, I wasn’t really sure if I was going to enjoy it. I love beaches, but after a while they all start to blend together. The joy of living on the road is the little unexpected things you find out there and I wasn’t convinced Florida had anything unexpected for me. I guess that’s the magical thing about traveling though. The unexpected seems to find you.
I was intrigued when we found out that there were manatees and springs! I had seen photos of people swimming near manatees, but assumed it was a special case because everywhere we went that had manatees, swimming was strictly prohibited. We were trying to swim that day and we were disappointed by the closure sign until we learned that we could see 218 manatees. Then we found the Crystal River Springs.
Crystal River is a river that comes out of Kings Bay and is fed by over 7 natural springs. Crystal River dumps into the Gulf of Mexico and therefore has many Manatees that visit Kings Bay. Because of the mixing waters, it isn’t as crystal-clear as some of the other springs, despite its name. But, because of the mixing waters and the residential areas surrounding the many springs, there are manatees sprinkled throughout in the winter.
There are several places to put in and rent boats from in the Crystal River Area. As we have our own inflatable kayak, we launched from Hunter Springs Park.
Address: 18 NE 2nd St, Crystal River, FL 34429
Or Type in: Hunter Springs Park
Fee: There is a $5 parking fee and an additional $5 launch fee
The paddle: You can see many manatees in Hunter Spring Run, which is the little area where the swim beach, Hunter Spring, Jurassic Spring, and House Spring are located. Some people choose to stay in this small area who have paddleboards or would not like to fight the current.
Many who would like a little more of an adventure paddle out into Kings Bay and over to the Three Sisters Springs & Magnolia (aka Crystal Springs area). When we went the wind was strong and we got very wet from the amount of water splashing onto the boat. It was not a problem though because the amount of time you are in Kings Bay is rather short. Once in the Three Sisters Springs area, you will see tour boats, people swimming in the water, and manatees! There are areas closed to vessels, so make sure to read the signs.
Although there are multiple swimming areas, we recommend Hunter Springs Park because you can launch your kayak, enjoy the beach, and there is a designated swim area so you do not need to watch for power boats. This is where we swam with the manatees! We even heard a little girl, probably about three, say that she got really close to a manatee. They’re not very timid.
Address: 18 NE 2nd St, Crystal River, FL 34429
Or Type in: Hunter Springs Park
Fee: There is a $5 parking fee
The Spring: The spring is marked with white buoys and if you bring goggles or a mask and snorkel you will easily notice the spot where it gets very deep. When we were kayaking we saw at least 3 manatees swimming inside the swim area and one that we actually got to swim with.
Unlike whales and other marine mammals, Manatees do not have a continuous layer of blubber to keep them warm, meaning the manatees must travel to warmer water to survive. Luckily, the water that comes from most of Florida’s springs is 72 degrees year-round, perfect for the manatees.
Note: Manatees’ roundness comes from their large intestines, not blubber, for digesting seagrass and other aquatic plants, much like the large intestines of a horse.
Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and there have been many successful programs working on getting their numbers up. While in the manatee refuge you are asked to practice “passive observation”. This means keep a distance from all manatees, do not touch manatees, do not dive on top of or pursue a manatee, and do not get between or separate a manatee from her calf. By following these very simple rules, you are aiding in protecting and restoring manatee populations.
The first spring we ever went to, we did not have a mask. As soon as we were back in town, we promptly found a dive shop and bought some gear. If you want to have the best experience in any springs, especially with the manatees, a mask and snorkel is a must! Remember to try not to kick up sediment from the ground as it will ruin the clarity for not only you, but everyone else enjoying the springs.
If you are planning on visiting the Crystal River springs, it is a good idea to look at the tide tables before going. The manatees will actually swim with the tides and the density will be greater when it is high tide. Visibility will also be best at high tide. We learned this the hard way and it really does make an incredible difference.
I write about a ton of amazing places that Sawyer and I travel to, but I cannot think of anything cooler than swimming with manatees. If you are anywhere near the Crystal River Springs and have been wanting the chance to swim with manatees, this is a must. The best times to see manatees are in the winter (November through March), but there is actually a small population that lives in the Crystal River springs year round.
Leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts on visiting the Crystal River Springs and if you got to swim with a manatee! Remember to share with all your friends traveling through and planning their trips to Florida.
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