It’s another thing to visit an aquarium and stare in awe at a 1,000-pound manatee swimming just behind the glass. It’s another thing to share the same water with sea cows in Florida and have an up-close and personal encounter with them.
Opportunities like this are only possible when you visit Crystal River, a charming Gulf coast city with a concentration of freshwater springs that lives up to its apt name, “Manatee Capital of the World.”
They are primarily found in Kings Bay and the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the only sanctuary created specifically to protect the endangered Florida manatee. The sparkling azure water gushing from the aquifer provides warm water shelter for sea cows during the cold winter months.
Crystal River is the only place in the United States where people are legally allowed to swim with these gentle giants. A guided snorkeling tour reveals their docile nature to human swimmers. There are dozens of area outfitters to help you accomplish this bucket list endeavor.
One of them is Crystal River Watersports, a family-owned business founded more than 20 years ago.
“People want to create memories and experiences, and I think swimming with manatees fits the bill,” said Mike Engiles, owner of the costume store. “That’s something you can only do in Florida.”
The company prioritizes education and environmental stewardship when interacting with tour visitors.
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“There’s an old saying by Jacques Cousteau that says, ‘You only protect what you love.’ Until you experience something, you don’t have the same feeling of gratitude,” Engiles said. “What we want people to learn is an appreciation for animals and their environment, and how to protect it. At our core is building education into our tours.”
On a recent tour with Crystal River Watersports, we spotted more than a dozen manatees during the three-hour experience, stopping near Hunter Springs Park and exploring Jurassic Springs and House Springs. From there we headed to Three Sisters Springs and our captain parked the boat outside of Spring Run. Spring Run is closed to kayaks and paddleboards during manatee season. We swam inside and found at least 6 manatees enjoying themselves in their quiet shelter.
Crystal River’s beloved manatees have thrived in part because of the community’s conservation spirit. It is also shared with supply vendors and concerned citizens who participate in management activities, such as restoring the native eelgrass that sea cows depend on to survive. There are also many people paying attention to them.
“A Bob Bondy quote and a favorite in the industry is, ‘If I were a manatee, I’d want to be in Crystal River.'” There are 30 tour companies and captains and guides out looking, Engiles said, referring to one of Florida’s prominent marine biologists who studies manatees. “So if there’s a manatee in distress, we’ll find it.”
All outfitters and individuals must follow the same passive observation rules and “manatee etiquette.” Do not feed, disturb, chase, surround, ride, grab, poke, step on, or harass manatees. Crystal River Watersports goes one step further with Save the Manatee Club’s Guardian Guide Certification. This certification recognizes outfitters who prioritize education and management efforts based on four principles.
Regardless of your professional attire, there are many guides and captains waiting to help visitors realize their dreams and tick off their bucket list while swimming with manatees.
To see a complete list of travel companies, visit discovercrystalriverfl.com. Kayak and paddleboard tours and rentals are also available through more than 20 outfitters in Crystal River.
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