Positioned on central Florida’s Nature Coast, Crystal River is named the Manatee Capital of the World. Named after the brief river that connects the town with the Gulf of Mexico, this vacation spot is THE place to go to if you’re on the lookout for a chance to see manatees of their pure surroundings.
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Crystal River is located alongside Kings Bay, a first-magnitude Florida springs system and a number one winter refuge for the Florida Manatee. This freshwater bay is linked to the Gulf of Mexico by means of the Crystal River, making it a great refuge for manatees who come right here to hunt refuge through the colder months.
The importance of this habitat prompted the creation of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the one refuge within the U.S. devoted to the preservation and safety of a single species.
Crystal River, Florida, and the encompassing Citrus County is the solely place in america the place you may legally swim with manatees.
It’s precisely because of this that we made our option to Crystal River in July 2023. Not sure whether or not manatees will be present in Crystal River within the low season (they refuge right here in tons of through the winter months), we set off on a mission to search out the Florida manatees of their pure habitat!
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About Manatees
A subspecies of the West Indian manatee, the Florida manatee, lives within the water up and down the Florida coast all year long.
Their most well-liked habitat is close to the shore, with loads of underwater vegetation. Because the Florida manatee can’t tolerate temperatures beneath 20℃ (68℉) for an prolonged size of time, these mild giants search for refuge in hotter canals, energy plans outfalls and pure springs when the water temperatures alongside the coast begin to drop within the winter months.
Beginning in November/December, between 500 and 1000 manatees search refuge in Crystal River, drawn to the spring-fed Kings Bay and its fixed temperature of about 23℃ (72℉). In the summertime, because the water temperatures come again up, the manatee numbers in Crystal River dwindle as they return again to the open waters searching for extra meals sources alongside the shores.
However as we came upon throughout our go to, some manatees stay and select to spend their summers in Crystal Rivers. Greater than 100 resident manatees stay in and round Crystal River all all year long.
As soon as designated as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Florida manatee inhabitants has seen a resurgence within the final 30 years. Whereas the inhabitants has bounced again, they’re nonetheless thought of to be threatened resulting from harm and disturbance from swimmers and boaters, toxins related to crimson tides, and lack of the seagrass they subsist on.
Finest Time to Swim with Manatees
Since manatees will be present in Crystal River, Florida, year-round, they are often noticed right here at any time of the 12 months. Throughout our go to to the area and our tour with Explorida, we discovered rather a lot about manatee behaviour all year long, which helped us additional perceive their actions in numerous seasons.
Permit us to shed some mild. The reality is every season has its benefits and drawbacks in terms of manatee interactions.
Winter
Because the manatees migrate to hotter waters through the winter months, you may see tons of of them within the springs throughout this time of 12 months. Thought of to be the Manatee Season, the winter months additionally see numerous vacationers desirous to catch a glimpse of the animals, so you may anticipate the excursions and is derived to be busy.
Nevertheless, as we discovered, manatees really spend winters in semi-hibernation mode (saving their vitality to remain heat within the coolest waters), so there isn’t as a lot motion taking place within the springs this time of the 12 months.
They don’t typically feed or swim round a lot and may typically be present in a lot shallower (and therefore hotter) sections of the springs. To guard manatees many of those sections get roped off within the winter months to guard the manatees of their fragile winter surroundings.
Whereas the manatees aren’t very lively within the winter season, planning a visit within the winter permits you to see extra manatees in a single spot and sometimes in very clear waters!
Spring
Manatees are extra lively through the spring months since they’re popping out of their winter hibernation. Spring additionally marks the start of the manatee mating season, which may final throughout to the Fall months.
So far as vacationers go, Springs isn’t as busy as within the Winter, so viewing areas gained’t be so crowded, and also you shouldn’t have hassle reserving a manatee swim. Because the waters heat up, so do manatee numbers, however you’ve the next probability of seeing manatees feed or transfer round in manatee sanctuaries.
If you happen to do go swimming with manatees in Spring, remember to comply with any and all tips whereas within the water. As they seek for a mate, these mild creatures can develop into a bit extra aggressive throughout this time of the 12 months.
Summer season
With the Gulf waters warming up through the summer time months, the manatees’ numbers within the springs and canals of Crystal River are likely to go down. Nevertheless, not all of them head out of the Crystal River space.
Some resident manatees, like moms with calves and older males, do keep within the refuge, the place they are going to be protected from boats and crimson tides.
The manatees are extra lively in the summertime months. So in the event you select to go swimming with manatees in the summertime, as we did, you’ll be handled to a feeding frenzy present. It’s not unusual for manatees to hang around in native springs and graze on seagrass and different aquatic vegetation for as much as 8 hours a day.
Though there are far fewer manatees throughout this season, they certain are enjoyable to observe.
Fall
Throughout chilly fronts and the cooler months of fall, manatees start their migration again to the canals and is derived of Crystal River, Florida. This additionally marks the tip of their mating season. They’re additionally fairly cellular through the fall months, actively feeding as they put together for hibernation.
Fall is usually a nice time to see manatees since their numbers shall be rising within the space, and so they gained’t be hibernating fairly but. If you happen to do a manatee swim throughout this time, be conscious of the information’s directions as a result of there shall be numerous motion with the migration.
They is perhaps mild giants, however these guys can weigh greater than 3,000 kilos!
Selecting the Proper Swimming with Manatee Supplier
The privilege of swimming with Crystal River manatees is exclusive to Citrus County, so it’s necessary to do it responsibly. Whereas we at all times advocate for accountable interactions with ALL wildlife, the Florida manatees are literally designated as a threatened species and are protected by legislation.
Interference with migration and feeding is a critical offence, so it’s particularly necessary to pick a educated and accountable manatee tour operator that will help you have an unimaginable interplay with these animals.
We’ve discovered that it’s greatest to go along with an established firm that gives boat excursions targeted on environmental schooling and moral operations. Since Citrus County is the one place within the nation the place it’s authorized to swim with manatees, a number of corporations have tried to capitalize on the distinctive expertise with out one of the best intentions.
Swimming with Manatees with Explorida
For our manatee swim, we joined a manatee tour with Explorida, an exercise operator that gives swimming with manatee excursions and a Crystal River manatee viewing eco-cruise.
Explorida is a regionally owned and operated firm that has over 20 years of expertise in environmental schooling and tour operations and has proven dedication to facilitating respectful, accountable native wildlife encounters. Their focus is on educating each customer on manatees and their behaviour whereas serving to to facilitate interactive manatee excursions in Crystal River.
Another excuse we selected Explorida is that the corporate continues to contribute to the conservation and care of the manatees and the surroundings. Captains and guides monitor animal behaviour and take motion in an emergency or when an animal wants care. A number of Explorida workers take part in manatee rescue efforts and water restoration efforts as properly.
We actually felt just like the workers at Explorida had been passionate concerning the manatees and cared for his or her well-being. It made us really feel nice to know that we had been supporting a tour operator with a coronary heart!
Getting Up Shut with the Mild Giants: Our Manatee Encounter
Following the recommendation of Explorida, we booked a 6 am tour to swim with manatees in July. The early begin time was instructed to provide us the greatest probability of recognizing the manatees this time of the 12 months. On condition that the waters are heat all alongside the coast this time of the 12 months, the manatees have a tendency to maneuver between the springs and King’s Bay and the Gulf, making them a bit more durable to search out later within the day.
Our tour started on the Explorida workplace in downtown Crystal River the place we had been handled to an instructional presentation to assist us study extra about manatees, and their behaviours and to know the Do’s and Don’t of swimming with manatees (sure, there’s such a factor and sure, the don’ts are a critical matter!)
From there, it was time to get our moist fits on, seize our snorkeling gear (3mm moist suites, masks and snorkels are included within the value of the tour) and head straight to the boat, the place the seek for the manatees started.
There aren’t numerous manatees left in Crystal River in the summertime, so we received an opportunity to go on a little manatee safari, trying to find the manatees in canals round King’s Bay. We saved our eyes peeled on the water till we noticed bubbles and rings within the water and noticed the lovable nostril of the manatee pop up for air proper beside our boat.
“Yep, that’s Triangle”, referred to as out Captain Mike, recognizing a well-known sample on the again of the manatee within the water. “You guys are protected to leap in, he’s actually mild to swim with”
We placed on our snorkels and masks, grabbed our floaties, and virtually jumped into the water. Really, we descended very slowly in order to not disturb the manatee, however our hearts had been undoubtedly leaping out of our chests from pleasure.
The floaties assist us hover above the floor and reduce our disturbance to the manatee’s surroundings. We caught our heads into the water, hovering proper above the manatee. We may barely make out his define. However earlier than we knew it, he was developing for air, his mouth stuffed with seagrass. He took a deep breath, exhaled, and dove again in, resuming his exercise beneath the floor.
We adjusted our positions to get somewhat nearer.
“Hover proper above him and don’t transfer as he comes up,” instructed our information, Amy, in a relaxed, mild voice. “He’ll navigate round you,”… and so we did.
He popped up proper in entrance of us, his chewing extra audible than earlier than, seemingly undisturbed by our presence.
The joys of coming head to head with these mild creatures was indescribable. We needed to battle the urge to flail about as we tried our greatest to remain nonetheless whereas ready for Triangle to return as much as the floor, hoping for him to emerge shut however not too shut.
His each breath supplied a brand new alternative to admire him from one other angle, to absorb his splendour and majestic manner.
The hour we spent with him appeared to fly by. And because of the early begin, our small group of 8 received to get pleasure from his presence all by ourselves. It wasn’t lengthy earlier than different boats, kayakers and snorkelers discovered their option to Triangle.
But it surely didn’t matter. It felt like we received one of the best of him!
Swimming with Manatees: Sensible Data & Ideas
Contact Data
Conveniently positioned within the historic downtown district of Crystal River, Explorida Journey Heart may be very straightforward to search out and has loads of parking. The workplace hours are 6am – 5pm each day, and they are often reached at 1-352-423-3798 from 5am – 8pm. You’ll find extra details about their excursions and e-book a manatee swim by means of their website.
How A lot Do Manatee Excursions Value?
Manatee swims begin at $64 USD per particular person, and a Manatee Viewing Eco Cruise begins at $35 USD per particular person. Non-public excursions are additionally out there, and costs fluctuate by season.
What’s Included?
There are not any hidden charges – all snorkel gear, and a wetsuit are included with the tour value. Make certain to convey a swimsuit, towels, a change of garments, and a few sandals or water sneakers. If in case you have a GoPro or one other underwater digicam, remember to convey it alongside. However in the event you don’t, no downside. Your in-water information can even function your skilled underwater photographer, and the pictures shall be out there for buy while you return to the Journey Heart.
Different Data About Excursions
Manatee excursions run year-round, except for just a few holidays. Be sure to e-book at the least per week prematurely, particularly through the winter months. It’s uncommon for excursions to be cancelled resulting from climate, but when it does occur, you may both reschedule or get a refund.
Different Locations to Spot Manatees
Close by Homosassa Springs Park and Hunter Springs Park are two different recreation areas the place you may see manatees, particularly through the winter months. Homosassa Springs Park has an underwater observatory the place you may stroll beneath the spring’s floor to observe the manatees swim about. In Hunter Springs Park, there’s a roped-off space for swimming, a kayak/canoe launch, and a boardwalk from which you may spot manatees swimming by.
Closing Word
Our time with Triangle was a tremendous expertise, and due to Explorida – a accountable one too!
We will’t stress sufficient how necessary it’s to be respectful and accountable when interacting with manatees in Crystal River and elsewhere in Florida. The pure habitats of King’s Bay and the encompassing springs are extraordinarily delicate, and manatees already face risks with out our interference.
It’s such a privilege to have the ability to swim with these wonderful creatures, and with that comes the accountability of behaving responsibly when of their surroundings!
Disclaimer: Our go to to Crystal River was organized as part of a partnership with Visit Florida, however as at all times, all opinions expressed on this article are our personal.
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