Crystal River Manatee Tours

Crystal River is called the “Home of the Manatee”, and for good reason. Crystal River and Homosassa have the highest concentration of West Indian Manatees in the world. These gentle giants inhabit both the fresh water rivers and springs of Citrus County’s Nature coast, as well as the grass flats along the Gulf Coast around Crystal River. Manatees are endangered species that need to be respected and protected. You will have a chance to interact with these amazing creatures that call Crystal River and Homosassa Springs home.

Manatees are herbivores, feeding mainly on the sea grasses that grow along the river beds and grass flats of the Gulf Coast around Crystal River. Manatees have been known to reach sizes up to 3500 pounds, although the average size is 800 to 1000 pounds. As marine mammals, manatees need to surface to breathe air every 5 minutes of so. They also are unable to survive in waters cooler than 68 degrees. They can swim in both fresh and sea water, and live an average of 30 years in the wild. The conditions of weather and water in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs are perfect habitat for the West Indian Manatee. One of the goals of our Manatee Charter is to educate our guest about the manatees and the many human influences that threaten them. Human interaction has been for the most part a bad thing for manatees, with boats and loss of habitat the two main causes of manatee death in the wild. We take care to respect and protect the manatees’ natural environment in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, offering small party excursions of no more than 6 people that have a minimal impact on the manatees and their habitat. We will get into the water and snorkel with the manatees of Crystal River. Manatees are one of Florida’s most precious treasures and deserve our respect. We can interact with them and experience the magic of these gentle giants up close without causing harm.
Captain Nick has years of experience guiding people from all over the world to swim with the manatees of Crystal River. He has extensive knowledge of these incredible creatures, and would love to share with you the majesty and fun of snorkeling with manatees in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs, and teach you about the importance of protecting these wonderful animals. It is important to not try and disrupt the manatees’ natural behavior and allow them to approach you on their own. If you respect them and treat them with gentle observation, a manatee encounter in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs can be one of the most unique, exhilarating, and memorable experiences of your life!