Oh Manatees… those gentle giants. Some call them sea cows. They have the sweetest disposition. And seriously, who couldn’t love this face?
Every year, over 400 manatees migrate to Crystal River to escape the cold Gulf waters. The headwaters of the Crystal River stay a constant 72 degrees, making it the ideal winter getaway for these gentle creatures. Crystal River is one of the only rivers where people can legally swim with the manatees and interact with them in their natural habitat. So we booked our trip for February, hoping to still catch an abundance of manatees in the river.
We booked our excursion through Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees. We chose to take the Platinum Tour, which was a private tour aboard a heated houseboat. Wet suits were provided and there were only four of us on board! The tour lasted about five hours and we went to three different locations to swim with the manatees. Snacks and hot and cold beverages were provided on the boat. Our captain was very friendly and knowledgeable.
The water was crystal clear. Being that it was February, it was also very cold! I was really feeling thankful that we booked the boat with a heater! I was FREEZING by the end of our adventure, but it was definitely worth it!
Manatees are very curious critters! And they reeeeally liked my husband. The manatees are protected, and it is against federal and state laws to harass them. You are not allowed to pursue them, and can only touch them if they come up and touch you. However, with the abundance of manatees in the river, it was very hard NOT to bump into them! They were everywhere!
We had a couple come check us out, and before we knew it we were surrounded! I could not believe how many manatees were congregating in this area! We literally could not even swim without bumping into one!
Adult manatees average about 10 feet long and weight 1000 pounds. This may seem intimidating swimming with a bunch of these creatures, but they are so sweet and gentle, slow-moving, and graceful, that there is nothing to fear from them. Manatees have no natural enemies, and can live 60 years or longer. Many manatee deaths are do to collisions with boats and other watercraft, and their loss of habitat is the most serious threat to them today. If you visit the manatees in Florida, please be respectful of their home, helping their species thrive for years to come.
This was such an incredible experience, and one I will never forget. I highly recommend going to Crystal River to visit and learn more about the manatees and the efforts taken to save them. You can also view and learn more about them, and other wildlife, at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.
