Crystal River, Florida is home to hundreds of manatees in the winter months. Due to this area being fed by fresh water springs, the water remains around 72 degrees throughout the year. As the water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico begins to drop, manatees flee to Crystal River to stay warm throughout the winter.

While manatees are a protected species with rules and regulations visitors must follow, there are several tour companies in the area that will educate visitors on “manatee manners” to understand how to safely (and legally) observe these curious creatures in the water. Guides will teach you how to engage in “passive observation” by calmly floating on top of the water. We found that the calmer we were, the more manatees approached us. Swimming with the manatees is an incredible experience, but booking with a tour company is highly recommended to ensure the safety of the manatees.

We would recommend considering the Plantation Adventure Center at the Plantation on Crystal River. They provide thick wetsuits (5mm) to keep you warm and buoyant. Staying warmer allows visitors to stay in the water to swim for a longer period of time. Being buoyant helps to be able to float calmly on top of the water to not disturb the manatees and potentially increase the chances one may approach you.