What is the best time to see manatees at Crystal River?

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.



People Also Ask

It tends to be less busy than on the weekends, which means that visitors have more time to observe and appreciate the manatees in their natural habitat. What is the best time of day? The best time of day to swim with manatees in Crystal River, Florida is typically early in the morning.

MORE DETAILS

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge has a lovely boardwalk rimming Three Sisters Springs that gives you good views of the springs and manatees, if any are present.

MORE DETAILS

Manatees tend to be most active earliest in the morning, so our later tours generally encounter more feeding or resting manatees that may not be quite as interested in us.

MORE DETAILS

The manatee season at Crystal River NWR begins in mid-November and ends in late March. This is when the manatee sanctuaries go into effect. During the winter months, manatees come to the springs of Crystal River NWR to conserve the energy necessary to survive the cold Gulf waters.

MORE DETAILS

Three Sisters Springs, located in Crystal River, is one of Florida's most popular springs and is known to have hundreds of manatees resting inside of it at one time! You can take a tour of the springs and surrounding locations in a 100% clear kayak with Get Up And Go Kayaking in Crystal River!

MORE DETAILS

Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can swim with manatees. Find out how to meet a manatee and get to know these awe-inspiring creatures better.

MORE DETAILS

As we mentioned, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the most popular spot to observe manatees in Florida. It offers visitors several access points along the river where they can safely view manatees in their natural habitat.

MORE DETAILS

Tour operators do a great job keeping down egregious behavior, but it takes super quiet guests for the manatees to feel safe enough to initiate interaction. (more on that later). That being said, if the only time you have available is a holiday, then it's still absolutely worth going.

MORE DETAILS

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.

MORE DETAILS

When planning your trip, consider visiting the springs in the early morning and during the middle of the week. Local springs will be less crowded on weekdays and the manatees are most active and playful in the mornings.

MORE DETAILS

Local tour operators and nature guides provide a variety of options for experiencing these awesome sea creatures. From swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding to snorkeling and diving, there are many ways to meet a manatee while you're here!

MORE DETAILS

Remember - Look but don't touch manatees The Crystal River and Kings Bay area is the only area in Florida where swimmers are monitored around manatees. Viewing guidelines and sanctuary rules must be followed.

MORE DETAILS

Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can swim with manatees. Find out how to meet a manatee and get to know these awe-inspiring creatures better.

MORE DETAILS

The best time to visit Crystal River is November through to mid-February. But whether the manatees are there, and in any sort of numbers, is entirely temperature related.

MORE DETAILS