Price: $99.50 (dive equipment additional)
The Crystal River dive and snorkel offers something for every family member. Start the morning snorkeling with the curious and playful manatees in the 72 degree Crystal River Florida Springs.
Do you need a wetsuit for Crystal River?
The water temperature in the Crystal River and Homosassa River is a constant 72 degrees year around. This may seem warm but prolonged exposure could result in hypothermia. Therefore we recommend a wetsuit.
Can you scuba dive with manatees?
Manatees are curious and generally not afraid of humans, but the loud bubbles exhaled by divers can scare them. For this reason, you may want to snorkel or freedive instead of scuba dive with manatees.
How much does it cost to swim with manatees in Crystal River?
How much does it cost to swim with manatees? Tours with a guide cost $65-$80 + tip for a 2-3 hour tour. You can expect up to an hour and a half in the water with the manatees. Most tours provide wet suits, snorkel, masks, towels, and additional flotation devices like a noodle.
Can you scuba dive with manatees in Crystal River? – Related Questions
Are there alligators in Crystal River?
Phone: 352-563-2088. Are there alligators or venomous snakes on the refuge? Three Sisters Springs is a wetland habitat and both alligators and venomous snakes live in this habitat.
Are there alligators in Crystal River with manatees?
There are alligators in Crystal River. They live in King’s Bay, and the surrounding canals. They are also found in Three Sisters Spring. Alligators can live in any body of freshwater in Florida.
How can I swim with manatees for free?
There’s only one place in North America where you legally swim with manatees, and that’s in the Crystal River area— located about 90 minutes north of Tampa, on the west coast of Florida. The headwaters of Crystal River are known as Kings Bay, where the water temperature is a consistent 72 degrees year-round.
Do you have to pay to swim at Crystal River?
The boardwalk and property around the springs can ONLY be accessed through the City of Crystal River’s services 8:30 am – 3:30 pm and daily admission fees apply.
Do you have to go on a tour to swim with manatees Crystal River?
You can go on the river or bay to see the manatees on your own – if you have your own kayak or boat. But you will have a better time if you go on a tour. A tour guide will know all the best spots to find manatees, especially during the off-season.
What is the best time of day to swim with manatees in Crystal River?
About Crystal River
The Three Sisters Springs is a quieter viewing and swimming spot but wherever you are, the best time to be with the manatees is early morning 6 am to 8.30 am when they are most active. You can also experience the manatee swim by visiting with a tour group.
Can you touch a manatee if it touches you first?
Look, but don’t touch manatees.
Also, don’t feed manatees or give them water. If manatees become accustomed to being around people, they can alter their behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans, which may make them more susceptible to harm.
How deep is the water at Crystal River?
Many of the river’s springs are 20 to 30 feet deep and the water is clear enough to see a dime resting on the bottom! Coming from deep within the limestone aquifer, the spring water is 72 degrees year-round, offering a cool break during the hot summers and a natural, warm bath during the winter months.
Are there dolphins in Crystal River?
The dolphin encounters in Homosassa and Crystal River Florida (Central West Coast Gulf Side) have become more and more popular. These guys have no schedule and can show up anywhere. The dolphins are funny and have amazing speeds. Let’s head out on a river boat ride to see these wild dolphins.
Are there snakes in Crystal River Florida?
The timber rattlesnake and the southern copperhead are rare in Crystal River and are typically found in northern Florida, but if you’ve spent time outdoors in the Crystal River area, you’ve probably seen at least one of the four other venomous snakes.
Are there monkeys in Crystal River?
Homosassa Crystal River
Also known as “Monkey Alcatraz,” the monkeys were moved there from a nearby wildlife attraction in the 1960s. They are now living their best life free and comfortable on their own private island.
Are there bears in Crystal River?
The truth is that the chance of seeing a black bear in Crystal River is rare. There’s only a little over 4,000 black bears in the state of Florida.
Do people swim in Crystal River?
You can visit the boardwalk and swim in the springs year-round, which are located within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.
What time of year are manatees in Crystal River?
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.