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Where to Observe Manatees in the Wild

Last Updated on October 26, 2022

Curious about where you can see wild manatees in Florida? Citrus County, known as the Manatee Capital of the World, is a great place to start.

Visitors to the Sunshine State may have peered through a glass window or into an enclosed tank to observe Florida’s official state marine mammal, the manatee. But did you know that there are many places you can see wild manatees in Florida?

See Wild Manatees in Florida

Observing manatees is one of many unique things to do in Florida, and is often found at the top of many bucket lists. So, where exactly can you observe (and even swim near) a manatee?

Photo of manatees from above
Manatees keeping warm at Three Sisters Springs. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, north of Tampa and west of Orlando, is Citrus County. It is the world’s largest natural winter refuge for the West Indian Manatee, so it’s no wonder it is known as the Manatee Capital of the World. The manatees are attracted to the area because of its abundance of freshwater springs.

Citrus County offers many observation points and is one of the few locations in Florida where you can legally observe manatees from within the water. Local tour guides are specially trained to make the experience safe for both you and the threatened species.

Often called “gentle giants” these slow-moving, 1,000-pound, 10-foot long, grayish-brown creatures are related to the elephant, as evidenced by their thick, leathery wrinkled skin. They congregate near the springs, especially from November through March when the water temperature in the Gulf and bays dips below 68 degrees, requiring them to seek the warmer 72-degree spring water.

According to manatee expert and U.S. Geological Survey research biologist Bob Bonde, “Citrus County draws an average of 1,000 manatees per year, and with a total Florida population just exceeding 6,000, that makes the area a significant draw for winter migrating herds.”

Photo of a manatee underwater with a kayak nearby
Manatee. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com

The privilege of enjoying these wondrous creatures takes a very special effort by local officials to balance and protect the fragile habitat of the manatee, to accommodate the tourism demand, and to provide an educational effort and guidelines for proper behavior around these endangered animals.

Photo of a person underwater with a manatee
Passive observation is best with manatees. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com 

Ivan Vicente of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, a specialist in manatee behavior shares, “The best way to interact with manatees is through ‘passive observation’ and that means observing these wild animals from a distance without initiating contact. Manatees are used to humans and are not scared of us, but they are wild animals and are very curious. They should be respected in their habitat.”

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asks anyone wishing to swim near the manatees to watch this informational video in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for humans and manatees alike.

Photo of Chassahowitzka
Seven Sisters Springs, photo courtesy, Melissa Mederos & Manny Pradas

Springs are Home to the Manatee and More

Citrus County is rich in natural springs, both in quantity and in the amount of fresh water pouring out of them. And this spring water does more than attract manatees. It is the heart of the entire natural ecosystem and the perfect spot to see wild manatees in Florida.

Everything in nature is connected and this is especially true with springs. They are part of nature’s web, often flowing into a river or a waterway providing major ecological value to wildlife of all kinds –manatees, fish, birds, and animals. Even the seagrasses, part of the manatee’s diet, are part of the web,” reports Chief Scientist Chris Anastasiou of the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).

Photo of people kayaking in Three Sisters Spring
Springs emanate from the aquifer. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com

So what is a Spring?

To answer that question we first need to understand the aquifer. Essentially, Florida’s aquifer is a water storage system. The porous limestone under the surface is much like a giant sponge, storing rainwater that has soaked into the ground. When pressure forces this groundwater up and out through natural openings, it is a spring.

In Citrus County, like much of the north-central part of the state, the aquifer lies close to the surface, thereby creating a wealth of springs.

The major spring systems in Citrus County are Kings Bay, Homosassa, and Chassahowitzka. All are first-magnitude spring systems, meaning they average a flow of over 64 million gallons of water per day. These are the places you can admire manatees from land and in the water.

Photo of manatees underwater
Manatees congregate near springs during the winter. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFL.com

Observing Manatees

Kings Bay

Kings Bay is the largest spring system in Citrus County and is composed of more than 70 individual springs producing a total of 240 million gallons of fresh water a day. It flows westward into the 7-mile long Crystal River, eventually discharging into the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo of a person underwater with a manatee
Passive observation is best with manatees. Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFl.com 

The mainspring is Kings Spring, also known as the “Key Hole.”  It is the largest spring in Kings Bay and is where you’ll find the largest aggregation of manatees. It is also one of the few locations where you can swim, snorkel, and drift along with these gentle giants.

Observation Walkway

Photo of Crystal River's Hunter Springs
Crystal River’s Hunter Springs, courtesy, Discover Crystal River

If you would rather walk than swim to see manatees, try Hunter Springs. This local city park underwent a facelift and now provides a walkway with many manatee-viewing opportunities. There is also expanded parking, a kayak launch, and a beach area.

Three Sisters Springs

Photo of Three Sisters Springs, Citrus County
Three Sisters Springs

Tucked away in one of the last undeveloped tracts in Crystal River, is a collection of three springs feeding into Kings Bay. Considered to be one of Florida’s most visually stunning springs, its translucent blue hues create an “other-worldly” feel.

Shafts of sunlight pierce through the lush overhanging greenery into glittering crystal-clear water bubbling up from the sandy bottom as manatees gently glide below the surface. A boardwalk with viewing platforms gives visitors a perfect vantage point. Swimmers can enter the springs, but only if traveling by boat (not from the park) and observing the manatees up close. But when the cold snaps occur manatees take priority over humans and swimmers may not enter the enclosed area.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Photo of a man viewing a manatee underwater
 Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park “Fishbowl,” Photo courtesy of DiscoverCrystalRiverFl.com

The headspring is located at the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. This is an attraction that has drawn tourists since the early 20th century. This spring system pumps 65 million gallons a day from three spring vents into the Homosassa River flowing to Homosassa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Photo of a manatee underwater
Manatee at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Photo courtesy of William Garvin

Manatees can be viewed in several ways, the most popular being the Park’s “fishbowl” underwater observatory where you can view manatees face-to-face through glass windows. The park also hosts three daily programs where you can learn about the manatee and the center’s role as a refuge and rehabilitation center for injured and orphaned manatees. Additionally, a pavilion provides viewing of a protected area called Blue Water, where you can see many wild manatees in Florida.

Chassahowitzka Springs

Photo of boats on the Chas River
Chassahowitzka River where manatees can be viewed

In southern Citrus County, the five-mile Chassahowitzka (Chass-a-how-itz-ka) River, “Chaz” to locals, is a stunning river fed by several tributaries and springs and is one of the ecologically healthiest in the region. A dozen springs form the first-magnitude system at its headwaters. Manatees are often seen near the Chassahowitzka River boat ramp and feeding along the riverbank. But be sure to paddle to the Seven Sisters Springs or journey up Baird Creek to “Maggie’s Crack,” another beloved local spring.

Go with a Manatee Tour

Photo of divers on a boat
Local boat tours bring swimmers to the springs to observe manatees

The best way to experience a manatee encounter is to go on a tour. These groups will help you experience the gentle giants above or also below the water.

Aquavision Manatee Tours

Crystal River is home to 500 manatees during the season.  You WILL see manatees, and if you are in the water during manatee season and while they are awake, it is very very likely that you will swim with them.  Captain White is known for making sure that your personal experience will be amazing and that you will have an interaction with manatees unlike what you’ve ever imagined.

Each tour is a unique experience, and prices are custom to each party.  To book your tour and find out the exact price for your party, call Captain White at 352-613-1982.

Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center

Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center offers a variety of options. They have tours at 8:00 am and 11:30 am and during the winter, they add a 3:00 pm tour. Tours run more than 3 hours at $70 per person and private tours run $85 per person. For more time in the water six-hour, private tours include lunch and are set at $119 per person. And to be sure you are 100% guaranteed, “rain-checks” are provided if a manatee is not spotted.

“Some people have trepidation about being around manatees due to their massive size, but once they are on the boat and see them, they quickly change their mind and get in the water,” reports Wood.

And during the trip, along with the chance to see wild manatees in Florida, you are likely to see dolphins, bald eagles, otters, and loads of birds, enjoying nature all around. “We love the manatees and we love to share the experience, raise awareness, and help preserve them.”

Bird’s Underwater Tours

Bird’s Underwater is a 25-year locally operated company-owned and by Bill and Diane Oestreich. Located on the Crystal River, they specialize in a wide range of tours. It is also a full-service scuba dive shop, taking passengers and groups out daily. Generally, tours are at 6:00 and 11:00 am with the best manatee viewing during the 6:00 am tour. Manatees are likely to be feeding in the early morning.

Private tours usually have six individuals or fewer and larger tours accommodate up to 11. Tour costs range from $65-90. Birds also provide underwater filming for keepsake memories.

There are many ways to observe manatees. But there are specific rules to remember:

First, manatees are more likely to be present during cool winter days. They require the 72-degree warmer springs to elevate their body temperature. (Summer warm weather reduces your chance to see a manatee.) Be sure to call ahead to inquire specifically what is a good time and what are the chances to see wild manatees in Florida.

Ivan Vicente of the FWS recommends the following, “When swimming with manatees, enter the water calmly, glide on the surface and give them appropriate space. Remember they are in their wild habitat; they do not need affection like a pet. We are entering their home and are their guests.”

How to Help Our Springs, Home to the Manatee

Without healthy springs, manatees will cease to have a winter home. Keeping springs healthy starts with how we treat our waterways.

Did you know that Florida has the largest collection of springs on earth? With eight billion gallons of water flowing from Florida’s springs daily, it is easy to see the significance.

“Many think a spring is where groundwater’s journey ends or perhaps where the spring-fed rivers, bays, and estuaries begin. In truth, it is both. Springs are windows into the aquifer. But that water originated in an area called a springshed, where rainwater falling to the ground percolates through the sand and into the limestone where it travels through conduits and reemerges via a spring vent,” shares SFWMD’s Chris Anastasiou.

When we are in a spring environment, we can avoid disturbing our springs while swimming by carefully entering and exiting the spring, by not standing on vegetation, and by always raising our boat motor around native vegetation such as seagrass, an important component of the manatee diet.

Current challenges facing springs include increased amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus from development, fertilizer, and failing septic tanks; habitat changes through the loss of desirable aquatic plants; a decline in rainfall creating a reduction in spring discharge, and an increase in salinity due to spring flow declines and sea-level rise.

According to the SFWMD, if you live in Florida, there are some helpful ways you can protect the springs:

  • Always dispose of grass clippings, litter, and also pet waste properly.
  • Never dump anything around a storm drain
  • Use lawn fertilizers sparingly
  • Have your septic tank inspected every 2-3 years
  • Plant a buffer zone between the lawn and the shoreline.

The whole idea is to ensure that this treasured resource continues to function properly. A healthy spring system reflects a healthy water supply that provides immense ecological value to people and also nature. Springs are essential to the manatee, and protecting springs ensures that we can continue to enjoy these vital natural resources – whether observing, swimming, or seeing wild manatees in Florida.

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