Plus, learn the dos and don’ts of swimming with them before you go.
Its no wonder, then, that Crystal River is known as the Manatee Capital of the World.
Learn about swimming with these gentle creatures.
Credit: James R.D. Scott / Getty Images
I was all in.
Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
The FWC and FWS have the discretion to open and end the springs to snorkelers.
The two authorities also designate manatee sanctuaries that are entirely off limits to peoplemanatees only.
All at once, we saw manatees.
Manatees can weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds and are herbivores.
The docile creatures are as curious as they are adorable.
Though we practice passive observation, the manatees dont always do the same.
Its not uncommon for young manatees to approach swimmers and investigate their masks and snorkels, sometimes coming face-to-face.
I even got a hug from a manatee a few years ago.
Certainly one of the best days of my life.
After about an hour or so, we swam back to the boat and bid farewell to the manatees.
Like snowbirds, once manatees find their spot, they return to the same place each year.
Kayaking and diving are allowed between April 1 and November 14.
Snorkeling is permitted all year in designated areas.
The center providessnorkel gearand wetsuits for swimming with the manatees.
However, the St. Johns River Nature Cruise runs daily through ecotour company Blue Springs Adventures.
Admission and parking are free.
Manatees seek the warm water in the canal, created by the nearby power plant to cool its equipment.
Manatees like to congregate in the warm water during colder months.
Rent canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards at the park or bring your own.
Take a glass-bottom boat tour for a unique look at local aquatic life as well as old movie props.
Here’s what to know if you catch a manatee.
