What is Crystal River known for?

Together with neighboring Homosassa, Crystal River is the site of the largest gathering of manatees in North America. When the water temperature drops in the Gulf of Mexico, manatees move to the warmer waters of Crystal River and the springs of Kings Bay, followed closely by both national and international tourists.



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Crystal River is the best place in the whole world to view the manatee in their natural habitat! World renowned Three Sisters Springs is right here in our backyard and plays home to hundreds of manatees in the winter. We welcome our thousands of visitors each year from around the world.

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Which months are best for seeing manatees? The peak season for observing manatees is November through April, and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February. You can spot manatees in our waterways all year round, but the population is much smaller during the summer months.

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Tours average around $70 per person including the use of a wetsuit, snorkel. mask and a floating device. The West Indian manatee is an imperiled species and is protected by the laws of the state of Florida and US Fish and Wildlife.

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Crystal River is the only place in Florida where it's legal to swim with manatees in their natural habitat. Located in Citrus County, the area gets busy and draws crowds because of the high number of manatees found in Kings Bay.

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The Crystal River, Florida manatees are free and you have the opportunity to swim and snorkel with them within the protected Three Sisters Spring. There are areas that are roped off to give them space, but when snorkeling along the open areas within the spring it is very common for the manatees to swim right past you!

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Crystal River/Kings Bay is the second largest springs group in Florida, the first being Wakulla Springs in northern Florida near Tallahassee. Many of the river's springs are 20 to 30 feet deep, and the water discharging from them is very clear.

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By looking for sand bubbling up from the spring's floor, it was easy to see springs all around. Three Sisters Springs is reputed to emit 12 million gallons of crystal clear water daily at a consistent 72 degrees.

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