sandy

Is the manatee encounter at Crystal River worth the $$ around the second week of March? I do understand this is just to view the creatures.

Celeste

I've never heard of the "manatee encounter," but I swim with manatees at Crystal River in January of each year - just rent a canoe, wear a wet suit, bring snorkel gear, and go for it! By the way, if you get there right when the boat rentals open (8 am), the manatees will usually come right up to you and beg to have their tummies scratched. The crowds drive them away.

st

I went out on one of the boats in Crystal River to swim with manatees this past summer. It was a pretty awesome experience! It took the boat captain awhile to find some manatees and we had a few disappointing trips into some very murky water before we found a spot with some manatees. They loved having their bellies scratched! I like the idea of going on your own as the boat folks do a video and then a hard sell. However, we did see some people out on their own who were not very respectful of the manatees where as our captain was a stickler on that and had to "reprimand" one or two other passengers. I would also be hesitant to take my own watercraft out into the area as there are lots of little canals and cut throughs and I would get totally lost!

Lisa

Sorry to sound ignorant, but where is Crystal River?

Thanks

sylvia/florida

Lisa,

Crystal River is in central Florida. You can find manatees around the banks of several Florida rivers. There are manatee zones, where boaters are required to slow down. Manatees are an endangered species. Crystal River is, I believe, a primary breeding ground. S

Celeste

Crystal River is on the Gulf Coast about 75 miles north of Clearwater. The manatees go there when the Gulf waters become colder than the Crystal River waters, which average 70-72 degrees. That usually occurs in early December (although it's been so warm here all year, I'm not sure if they're there yet now), with them leaving in late February or early March depending again on the Gulf temperature.

It's very easy to rent a jon boat with motor or a canoe (my preference) and tool around the area. I have never failed to see manatees, but they usually find me rather than vice-versa as they will approach a canoe but rarely a motorboat.

AnimalLover

Please explain to me why anyone feels the need to swim with an endangered, protected animal that can get sick from human germs??? They may be cute, but they are after all wild animals and not meant to be a tourist attraction.

IMO, you are doing more harm to the manatees than good. If you want to see them, fine, stand on the bank and take pictures or go to Sea World.