How to Swim with Manatees in the Florida Springs
It’s hard to believe after visiting 100-something countries and all 50 states, it took until my 30s to check off a bucket list item like swimming with manatees in the Florida springs. And once I did it, I was ready to shout from the rooftops how awesome this little corridor of Central Florida is. If you’ve always wanted to swim with manatees, read on—this is your step-by-step guide.
This post was last updated in January 2024. All information was accurate at the time of publication.
While visiting Orlando a few years back, we were traveling by car and I decided, there’s never going to be a better time than now to see those OG mermaids. So we planned a quick little 24 hours on Crystal River en route back home. And it was worth the 11 hours we had to spend in the car to make it back because it was, quite simply, magical .
When to see manatees in the Florida Springs
Manatee season is November through mid-March when the manatees retreat from the cold sea to the warmer waters of the spring heads. The bonus is that, if you’re coming to Orlando to do the theme parks , you can do a double-header: hit up Disney and the Universal parks during the shoulder- or off-season during the week, then head over to Crystal River for the weekend afterward.
Where to stay on Crystal River
We booked at the Plantation on Crystal River upon a friend’s recommendation. It felt very Old Florida, not many bells and whistles in the room, but the location was ideal and it was perfect for what we needed: a clean, convenient hotel that gave us easy access to the springs. Plus, this Crystal Springs hotel was pet-friendly, and we had Ella with us, which significantly limits our options by way of lodging. It also features a 27-hole championship golf course and several on-site restaurants.
The staff was super friendly, the property was truly welcoming of dogs (unlike so many others that claim to be and aren’t), and I would recommend this hotel for anyone looking to snorkel, swim or dive with manatees—or simply experience the natural oasis of Crystal River and its surrounding springs. There are also a number of vacation rentals in Crystal River and Homosassa, as well as cheaper chain hotels, if that’s more your speed.
The top reviewed hotels in Crystal River
Plantation on Crystal River
Retreat at Crystal Manatee
Crystal River Lullaby B&B
The Three Sisters
Paddling, snorkeling or kayaking with manatees
We had brought our paddleboards on this trip, so within an hour of us arriving at Crystal River, we’d loaded up Ella (after double-checking that the area was clear of alligators, of course!) and our camera gear on my board and set out into Kings Bay. We weren’t even past the resort by the time we saw a manatee and her calf cruise by us!
I had no idea it would be that easy to find them. The resort where we were staying also rented SUPs and kayaks for those not traveling with their own.
The current was strong that day, so we didn’t get too far as we knew we’d never make it back. Instead, we paddled into a protected cove and just floated along, and moments later, a few manatees joined us! It was hard to spot them from the surface at first as the water there wasn’t super clear, and we almost mistook one mamma jamma for a boulder.
Manatees spend most of their days eating, but they have to surface every few minutes, so keep on the lookout for a snout breaking the glassy surface of the water and then you’ll be able to keep eyes on them after that.
The next morning, we set out for a manatee snorkel tour —diving with manatees is not allowed in the state of Florida, and this is one of the only areas where you can swim with them in the wild. There’s also the option to see the manatees via a clear-bottom kayak if you don’t feel comfortable swimming.
Which manatee snorkeling tour to book
We booked a three-hour swimming tour with one of the many tour operators on Crystal River; there are many different manatee tours to choose from, and I imagine they all offer pretty comparable experiences at similar price points. You can also do a full-day manatee tour that includes lunch and a visiting to Homosassa State Park.
While we were there, there were three options for time slots for the shorter tour—7am, 10:30am, 1pm—and this seems to vary based on the season. We opted for the first tour of the morning, as several experienced manatee spotters told us our best bet of seeing a whole herd of them was in the wee hours of the morning. I woke up at 6am very ill and almost bailed because I didn’t think I could handle three hours on a boat feeling the way I did. But I’m so glad I just bit the bullet and went anyway, as the manatees were out in full force that morning.
Within moments of cruising into the river from the bay, our captain spotted a mom and a calf, so he turned off the boat as we all dropped into the chilly water in the river. Despite wearing a seven-millimeter wetsuit, the water was biting at first—it hovered around the same temperature as the air, which was in the 50s that day—but you quickly get used to it. The visibility was really low, so after we drifted around for a bit, our guide steered us toward a channel that led to a magnificent spring.
Swimming into Three Sisters Springs
Our favorite part of our manatee tour was when we snorkeled from the river through a narrow channel and into Three Sisters Springs, which is the best place to spot manatees in this area of Crystal River. Not only was the water clarity (and taste, according to SVV) amazing, but the manatees were out by the dozens! I was in manatee heaven.
I wasn’t sure which way to look, there were so many in every which direction: mama manatees, daddy manatees, fresh baby manatees nursing—it was all sensory overload.
There are roped off areas where the manatees sleep (and nurse) that you’re not allowed to swim in, but you can get close enough for a good view and a snapshot or two. It’s discouraged to disrupt the manatees (or touch them, obviously), so you should plan on floating peacefully above them and do your best to stay out of their way.
Would I snorkel with manatees again?
Absolutely, 1000 times yes. I can’t wait to go back to Crystal Springs and do this trip all over again.
What to pack for Crystal Springs
A camera with underwater capabilities
We took both our Canon G7X Mark II —the camera we use to dive with the underwater housing —and also a GoPro Hero mounted on a floating hand grip for stabilization. Water visibility is iffy and can vary day to day and spot to spot. We only had a couple feet of vis in the river, but once we swam into the spring, it significantly cleared up to a solid 50 feet.
A mask and snorkel if you have it
You won’t need fins—in fact, tours don’t allow them—but if you have a reliable mask , I would use your own instead of borrowing one. Your boat should have defogger to use prior to your dip.
A bathing suit and a towel (or something warm to wrap up in afterward)
Your wetsuit rental is included in the tour, but it was cold after we got out—a chilling 50 degrees in the air—and I was happy I had packed my warmest, snuggliest beach towel. Our captain also had hot chocolate ready for us, which was an added bonus.
What it costs to snorkel with manatees
We paid $139 for our hotel room including sales and occupancy tax, $14 for the resort fee and $65 each for our tours. To be honest, I didn’t even do any cost comparison, as this seemed like a fair price and we could head out to see the manatees directly from our hotel room.
We ate lunch on site ($30 for two people, including tax and tip), had a couple of cocktails ($20) and had dinner in the restaurant ($74, including tax and tips). We brought our own paddleboards, so incurred no additional fees for equipment rental.
Factoring in gratuity for our guides, we spent $407 for this once-in-a-lifetime experience—such a fun and affordable weekend getaway in Florida.
Note: This would have been pricier, of course, had we had to fly in and not already been in the area with our car for transportation.
Looking for other trip ideas to Florida? I’ve got a few:
4 Ways to Explore Jacksonville
Taking Your Dog to South Walton
Planning the Ultimate Vacation in the Florida Keys
Getting Your Water Park on at Volcano Bay
Exploring the Elegance of St. Augustine
Planning a Gulf Coast Bachelorette
Experiencing the Magic at Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Playing with Dolphins in Panama City Beach
Going Wreck Diving in the Gulf of Mexico
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