Crystal River Manatees

I was there 3 years ago and stayed for 3 weeks - SENSATIONAL........
You don't need a guide - we rented kayaks and paddled across the river/bay
to the spring where the Manatees hang out. We did not swim with them but stayed in the kayak and saw then swim right under us in crystal clear waters.

Lots of things to do if you are outdoors types, An hour north is Cedar Key - funky little "town" with a great beach. Rainbow Park (?) - swim with the Alligators !!!!. Ride a bike along the railroad path, visit the "zoo" in Homasassa (?). Went to a few different boat ramps along the coast and kayaked around - Airboat rides, a few nice state parks in the area and Orlando is only 90 minutes away.

Gerry

Funny story...I lived in Cocoa Beach,FL and loved to go to the Indian River to take sunset pictures. I waded into the river waist deep to get away from the shorea edge. While composing my picture I didn't see a manatee swim up to me. I guess I wasn't giving him/her the attention they wanted and he grab my leg with his flipper. Let me tell you Jesus is not the only one who can walk on water, I did that evening.

The manatee just looked at me standing on shore with the where did you go look. The are awesome creatures. Very loving and gentle. Just remember they are endangered and really should not be bothered in the wild.

Enjoy your trip you'll love the springs and seeing the manatees.

I heard that the State is cracking down on the swimming with manatees activity. You can't approach one closer than a set distance (50 ft?). The fines are serious.

I used these folks last March, very pleased. They provided mask, snorkel and wet suit (you will need one). riverventures

I would use them once and after that you may want to rent a kayak and go on your own. The guides also take a lot of pictures and will sell you a cd as you leave.

Here's a pic from last year.



P.S. Crystal River is one of the few places where you can interact with the Manatees. The educational film at the tour office explains the laws.

Most of the waters of Crystal River is a Federal Wildlife Refuge for the protection of Manatee. Not controlled by the State of Florida. Swimming with the manatee is allowed.

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/crystal_river/

I would rent a kayak, the time of year your going you will find manatee all over. By suggestion for a kayak rental is
Crystal River Kayak. You paddle a short distance from there docks and you at Three Sisters Springs. There you can paddle into the springs and get out of your kayak and swim with them. The average count last winter was close to 600 manatee in the Crystal River Refuge.

http://crystalriverkayakcompany.com/

Captbru has all the right info. RV parks best bet is Rock Crusher Canyon...have to reserve way early for those months.......a week should give you enough time to see all in the area. We have lived right here for 15 years, down the road in Weeki wachee. Weeki Wachee Springs State park is where the Mermaids do a show, its fun .......also Homosassa Wildlife Park is a good adventure.

Be sure to go to Homosassa wildlife park https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Homosassa-Springs . You can't swim with manatees there but you can see them and other animals.

Aside from Rock Crusher there's a couple of other rv parks right in Homosassa; never stayed in them but they're popular. If you don't have a toad there's an Enterprise in Crystal River. There's also supermarkets, Home Depot etc.

There's not a whole lot to do that isn't water-related; a week might be a bit much.

Also, it gets mighty chilly in January and February.

Thank you all for the good info. We have a 36' fifth wheel. I'll contact Rock Crusher this week and see what we can book. Is it reasonable to get to the keys in one day's drive from Crystal River and then from the Keys to St. Augustine in one day? Just trying to decide whether to book intermediate overnight stops or not. We're not working under any time constraints but I don't mind a full day drive if I'm going to then be parked for a week or more.

Crystal River to Key Largo, which is at the top of the Keys is about375 miles. The Keys are about 120 miles long, so it depends where your going in the keys.

From Key Largo up to Saint Augstine is about 400 miles. Both routes are either on interstate or toll roads.

Since you bring it up, any recommendation for a destination and campground in the keys?