All activities / Wildlife Safaris / Crystal River
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Wildlife Safaris in Crystal River
Kings Bay, the winter refuge where hundreds of manatees gather in the constant 22C spring water.
Why here
Kings Bay is the only place in the United States where you can legally get in the water with wild manatees. They gather in the hundreds when the Gulf cools and the springs stay at 22C.
Best months
US Fish and Wildlife rules are strict and enforced: passive observation only, no chasing, no touching that initiates contact, no separating a calf from its mother. Operators must hold a federal special use permit. Peak season is the coldest months, which is when the animals are actually there.
Getting there & around
Schools & guides (1)
Bird's Underwater
OutfitterCrystal River manatee snorkelling operator at 320 NW Hwy 19, on the US Fish and Wildlife special use permit holder list for the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Thirty years running. Phone (352) 563-2763; no published email.
Also good for wildlife safaris in November:
Torn between Crystal River and Churchill for November?
A plan settles it for your skill and budget, same-day.