What is the best time to visit Crystal River Florida?
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Yes! But not just anywhere, and there is only one place where you can actually swim/snorkel with wild and free (uncaged) manatees in their natural habitat, that is unless you just happen to run into one of them when swimming in spring-fed Florida rivers.
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.
Remember - Look but don't touch manateesThe 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.
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.