Crystal River Manatees

Crystal River Manatees

Crystal River, Florida

US Highways 19 & 98

The first time Johnny and I went to Crystal River was on a dive trip with his dad towing the boat to Florida from Atlanta.  It was a combination trip as his dad wanted to swim with the Manatees in Crystal River and also dive the “Empire Mica” wreck off Panama City Beach, Florida.  We headed out over the long Thanksgiving weekend and drove first to the Tampa area to Crystal River.  We drove during the night and arrived early in the morning for our dive and snorkeling adventure with these big lumbering mammals.

I remember when I first heard of manatees.  It was in elementary school, when we were talking about endangered species and what that meant.  I was more concerned about the gray wolves but I remember thinking manatees sounded pretty cool, too.

During the winter months, the manatees that call the waters in and around the Gulf of Mexico home often have to seek warmer spots if they want to survive.  Because, even though most people associate places like Florida and Alabama with hot, tropical weather, the reality is that it can get quite chilly there during the winter — especially at night.  Crystal River is known for being one of just a few places in Florida that native manatees flock to each year during the cold months.  The town and its surrounding waters are dotted with natural springs that remain a balmy 72 degrees year-round, drawing in the manatees that can't survive in colder water.

We put the boat in the water at King’s Bay and headed down river a short distance and anchored preparing to get in the water.  It was probably around 7:30 or 8 in the morning, we hadn’t even had breakfast.  Johnny’s dad was growling at us to hurry up as you could see the manatees in the water swimming close to us.  We all eased into the water and it was not long before several large manatees and a couple of their babies swam up to us.

We swam around and the larger manatees would approach and nudge us with their bulbous snouts.  The babies were curious but stayed just out of reach and swam back and forth watching the mama’s play with us.  After a bit, the babies swam up and started interacting with us mimicking the mama’s actions.  Several of the large ones had scar marks on their backs or sides from boat propellers going past them.  This was sea cow heaven but leave your spurs behind as only fins were welcomed here.  The incredible graceful power to swim down underwater for several minutes without coming up for air was an amazing thing to watch.  They would just roll around, swim by, turn, and come back to be “petted” or touched.  

The area is a major mecca for manatees, which congregate in herds in the warm waters from November through April.  This protected and endangered species can reach an average 10 feet in length and 1,000 pounds. Several of these giants came up to us playfully pushing us and grabbing our arms with their flippers.  Back then you could use scuba tanks but they were in such shallow water we only used our snorkeling gear to play with them.

Only snorkeling is now allowed in the posted manatee areas and harassing or chasing them is strictly prohibited.   The Three Sisters springs area is home to many manatees.  In fact, it's some of the best snorkeling in Florida, especially for wildlife lovers.  Divers can experience dozens of freshwater springs that boil from the underground aquifer.  The salty mix of Gulf waters create a marine environment that is nothing short of spectacular.  You are also just as likely to find tarpon, snapper and redfish as you are to see largemouth bass and garfish.

We stayed until late afternoon then drove up to Panama City to St. Andrews State Park camping that night so we could dive the next day on the Empire Mica, a shipwreck with history dating back to WWII.

Here is a more recent photo of me swimming with the Manatees in Mexico.

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