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Have you dreamed of swimming with manatees? Crystal River Florida is the Manatee Capital of the World and is known for its 400+ manatees that migrate to the warm water mid-Nov through Mar. Crystal River is also a US National Wildlife Refuge protecting the gentle giants of the sea making it the perfect place to safely cross this off your bucket list.
Crystal River is an easy day trip from the Tampa Bay area. It is also a great weekend getaway when a cruise to the Durney Key Stilt Homes, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, and Tarpon Springs are added to the itinerary. Keep reading to learn how to swim with manatees in Crystal River Florida. Enjoy your time out of the office!
Read How to Spend One Week in Tampa Bay Florida
Things to Do in Crystal River Florida
Take an excursion to snorkel with manatees
View the manatees from the boardwalk above the Three Sisters Springs
Paddle the Crystal River in a clear kayak
Watch the sunset from Fort Island Gulf Pier
See the ceremonial sites of Native Americans at the Crystal River Archaeological State Park
SUP around Kings Bay
Browse the Heritage Village shops for manatee souvenirs
Hike the 2-mile nature trail at Crystal River Preserve State Park
Harvest scallops and have them prepared for dinner (Jul-Sep)
Enjoy wine tasting at the Copp Winery and Wine Bar
Attend a concert at the Rock Canyon Pavilion and Amphitheater
Eat fresh seafood at Peck’s Old Port Cove
Kayak the Crack at the Chassahowitzka River
Take an airboat ride
Bike the Withlacoochee Bay Trail
Check out the zoo and underwater fish observatory at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Visit Devil’s Den underwater cave, reservations required
Spend a day playing in the water at nearby Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Watch the underwater Weeki Wachee mermaid show
How to Spend an Unforgettable Day in Crystal River Florida
Go for an early morning swim with the manatees
Have a late lunch at the Biscuit Barn
Shop for souvenirs in Heritage Village
Walk the Three Sisters Springs and photograph the manatees
Watch the manatees in the underwater observatory at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Enjoy dinner at Pecks Old Port Cove
Be sure to check the Crystal River Florida Tourism Board for current events
The Perfect Crystal Springs Florida Weekend Getaway
Day One in Crystal Springs Florida
Fly into Tampa International Airport and rent a car. Drive to Port Richey. Have dinner and a cocktail on the water at Gill Dawg before taking a sunset cruise to the Durney Key Stilt Homes. Continue to Crystal River and check into your hotel for the night.
Day Two in Crystal Springs Florida
Go for an early morning swim with manatees In Crystal River. Have brunch at the Biscuit Barn and shop for souvenirs in Heritage Village. Walk the Three Sisters Boardwalk and photograph the manatees. Enjoy dinner at Pecks Old Port Cove.
Day Three in Crystal Springs Florida
Check out of the hotel and go for an early morning swim with manatees in Homosassa Springs. Grab a quick breakfast and visit Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, don’t miss the Fish Bowl underwater observatory. Or, continue the drive back to Tampa and stop to spend the afternoon at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, don’t miss the mermaid show. Stop in Tarpon Springs. Walk the docks, buy a souvenir sea sponge, and have a Greek dinner at Hellas Restaurant & Bakery. Continue on to Clearwater. Check into your hotel, go for a walk on the beach, and stop for drinks next to the water.
Day Four in Crystal Springs Florida
Grab a coffee and take a walk on the beach. Check out of the hotel and drive back to Tampa International Airport for your flight home.
Choosing the Right Excursion
I do not normally comment on the excursions I take unless something remarkable happens. It did this time, In a bad way. And I have put off writing this for over a year because I hate saying negative things about a business. And, honestly, I haven’t gotten over it yet. Here is what happened.
I had wanted to swim with manatees in Crystal River Florida for a very very long time. Unfortunately, I’m not a great swimmer and had never snorkeled. I did some research and emailed River Ventures. They reassured me they would help me get comfortable with the snorkel and I could use a noodle. I bought the semi-private VIP ticket and rented the 180-degree mask and felt good about it. I was so excited I was there before the staff that day.
There were five of us. We got ready and the guide chit-chatted with two women who come every year. We went out in the boat and searched for manatees. We searched and searched. I could hear over the radio that other boats had found manatees, but your driver kept looking at other places so we would not be in a crowd and have a better chance of a more personal experience. He finally found a couple and everyone jumped in.
I put the mask on and hyperventilated for a minute. I quickly got used to it and looked around for the group. They were gone. I doggy paddled up to them and couldn’t squeeze in before they all turned to head back to the boat. I was in tears but pulled it together by the time we climbed into the boat. We were given hot chocolate. The guide and the three women talked about the manatees they saw. I sat silently looking out at the water.
The guide then asked if everyone had seen them and I said I did not. She looked at the driver who seemed annoyed but got on the radio and drove straight to where a group of people was swimming. The guide and I jumped in, I grabbed her foot and she headed for the group. A manatee swam right under me and we went back to the boat, I love that I did see one, but it was not the experience I had hoped for.
I went back to the hotel, showered, and headed to Three Sisters Springs. There were manatees everywhere. There were small groups of people with guides, and none of them crowded the manatees. I watched for a long time and as one group left, another came forward. They had a very different experience than I did.
My advice is:
1. If you can’t snorkel, buy one on Amazon and figure it out in a pool before you go.
2. Use a company that goes near the Three Sisters Springs.
3. If the guide knows people in the group, ask if you can go at a different time so you receive equal attention. Don’t be shy about it. They are blessed to be able to come every year but this may be your only chance to do this, and it isn’t cheap!
Sorry River Ventures.
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