There’s a community along the Gulf Coast that’s come together to help one of Florida’s most beloved animals, manatees. In Citrus County, more specifically, in Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida, they are helping restore and maintain a healthy environment to protect and preserve manatees – all while allowing humans to observer and swim alongside these gentle giants. A win-win for everyone – and every being involved!
- Widely considered the Manatee Capital of the World, the Crystal River region makes it easy to see manatees in the wild from easily accessed boardwalks, or by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding throughout Kings Bay or the Homosassa River. It is also one of the few places in North America to legally observe manatees while swimming alongside them in their natural habitat, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides who ensure this threatened species is treated with the utmost care and respect.
- Each winter, as temperatures drop in the Gulf of Mexico, hundreds of West Indian Manatees will make their way to the warmer waters in and around Crystal River, Florida (think just north of Tampa along the coast). Known as Manatee Season (Nov. 15 - March 31, 2022), this annual influx of Florida’s beloved state marine mammal makes the pristine, spring fed waters of Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida the perfect place to learn about these curious creatures in their natural habitat.
- Among the most notable efforts to restore conditions for manatees are the saving of Three Sisters Springs; the designation of the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge; and the newly established Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve, which has created a large, contiguous protected area for the Gulf of Mexico’s largest seagrass meadow. Two other recent successes are the ongoing Kings Bay Restoration Project and Homosassa River Restoration Project.
This winter, Discover Crystal River Florida encourages you to experience a close-up or in-water manatee encounter for yourself, and learn about the community’s conservation efforts, including the fantastic eel grass restorations – two opportunities that are unavailable anywhere else!.
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| Photos Courtesy of: Cristal River National Wildlife Refuge |
Wintertime Ideal for Manatee-Watching in Crystal River, Florida
Visitors can easily observe, interact with Florida’s beloved manatees in the wild
As temperatures drop in the Gulf of Mexico, hundreds of West Indian Manatees will make their way to the warmer waters in and around Crystal River, Florida. Known as Manatee Season (Nov. 15 - March 31, 2022), this annual influx of Florida’s beloved state marine mammal makes the pristine, spring fed waters of Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida the perfect place to learn about these curious creatures in their natural habitat.
Widely considered the Manatee Capital of the World, the Crystal River region makes it easy to see manatees in the wild from easily accessed boardwalks at Three Sisters Springs and the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, or by kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding throughout Kings Bay or the Homosassa River. It is also one of the few places in North America to legally observe manatees while swimming alongside them in their natural habitat, accompanied by knowledgeable local guides who ensure this threatened species is treated with the utmost care and respect.
“It’s more important than ever to raise awareness of manatees and what the Crystal River and Homosassa communities are doing to protect them, making each visitor experience safe and memorable,” said John Pricher, director of Discover Crystal River Florida. “Observing manatees while swimming in their underwater world is an extraordinary experience, and concerted efforts have been made to protect and restore their natural environment, benefiting the manatees, as well as those wishing to observe the gentle giants in the wild.”
Crystal River is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the only refuge in the United States specifically created to protect critical habitats for the manatee. Manatees can be found here year-round, but between November and March hundreds of the slow-moving mammals leave the nearby Gulf of Mexico for the constant 72°F (23°C) spring waters of Kings Bay and the Homosassa River.
Seven manatee sanctuaries within the refuge are off limits to human activity during Manatee Season, giving manatees protected “safe zones.” Refuge managers also have the authority to expand sanctuary areas when manatee activity is high due to cold waters in the Gulf, which can ebb and flow daily. Swimmers and paddlers are not permitted to cross into these protected areas, but they can observe from a distance or from the various boardwalks.
Tour operators offer semi-private and private manatee tours, ensuring visitors have the most rewarding encounter possible. The trained tour guides are proud stewards of the manatees, making sure swimmers, paddlers and boaters adhere to the rules and avoid designated sanctuary areas.
“There are several successful projects going on in Crystal River and Homosassa to help restore and maintain a healthy environment to protect and preserve manatees,” said Pricher. Among the most notable efforts are the saving of Three Sisters Springs; the designation of the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge; and the newly established Nature Coast Aquatic Preserve, which has created a large, contiguous protected area for the Gulf of Mexico’s largest seagrass meadow. Two other recent successes are the ongoing Kings Bay Restoration Project and Homosassa River Restoration Project.
Started in 2015, the Kings Bay Restoration Project has seen dramatic success by replanting a freshwater variety of native eel grass called “Rock Star” in this coastal bay. Newly uncovered spring vents and seeps began pumping water from the Florida aquifer again. The grasses survived the first winter and even spread to nearby parts of Kings Bay. Manatees are seen feeding on eel grass and frolicking in the clear water, resulting in a more enjoyable experience for both manatees and observers, and a refreshing counterpoint to national headlines about Florida manatees in jeopardy.
Inspired by the dramatic results on Kings Bay, another local advocacy group – the Homosassa River Restoration Project – secured state funding to begin similar work on the nearby Homosassa River last year, where work is currently underway.
To learn more about visiting Crystal River, including King’s Bay and Three Sisters Springs, visit DiscoverCrystalRiverFlorida.
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About Crystal River Florida
Widely known as the Manatee Capital of the World, Crystal River, Florida, is the only place in the United States to legally experience the up-close encounter of swimming with these gentle giants. Located in Central Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River and the surrounding cities of Old Homosassa, Inverness and Floral City are an authentic showcase of outdoor adventure and scenic beauty. Within tens of thousands of acres of protected state parks, forests and wildlife refuges, visitors can explore miles of bicycling, walking, birding, horseback riding and hiking trails to unlock a wild and wonderful world of natural, recreational and archaeological treasures. Pristine swimmable springs and a shimmering network of rivers, lakes, marshlands and mangroves make Crystal River perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, canoeing, boating, fishing and floating. Feeding the fun is a creative collection of restaurants, pubs, bistros and bars serving up freshly caught seafood and other seasonal favorites all year long – from summer scallop season, to fall blue crab season, to manatee season and a year-round fishing season. Begin your adventure at DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com or call (352) 794-5506.
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