Stretching 11km into the Gulf of Mexico in Citrus County is Crystal River, home to 30 natural springs which pour around 300 million gallons of warm water into the river every day. In winter – from mid-October to mid-March, the river plays host to up to 400 manatees who migrate from the chilly waters of the Gulf of Mexico, to the warmer waters of Crystal River.
The manatees group at the head of the river, Kings Bay, where 28 of the natural springs are situated. The river serves as a habitat for 15-20% of the US manatee population, making it an ideal spot to observe the majestic mammals. Book a tour with one of the many dive centers in the area for a chance to interact with and observe the curious, playful, friendly, and sadly, endangered creatures.
Bird’s Underwater Dive Center is one of the most popular dive centers in the area, as it is both fully-equipped and conveniently located at Kings Bay, right on top of the diving site. Along with renting out and selling ScubaPro gear, the center also offers classes from basic open-water diving to highly-advanced technical diving. Daily manatee tour timings are at 6:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM local time and can be reserved online via their website.
Prices start from $55.
