We went to the three sisters spring in Crystal River about a half hour north of us. We got an early start and got to the spring outlet just after 9. I have never seen so many manatees at one time. On any given day you will see 2 or 3 at a time. This time we saw 1 or 2 dozen at a time.
So here with my sister and niece and a few other people. During winter they put up ropes to give the manatees free access to the springs. In summer or when the manatees move out you are allowed into the springs where the water is warm and much clearer. The springs have a temperature in the mid 70s, and the gulf is in the low 60s, so the manatees move into the warm springs.
I spent too much time trying to get underwater pictures, but it was too murky as you can see here is a manatee much less than 10 feet in front of me.
And here are some just under me, again a murky picture.
After floating around with the manatees for about an hour we headed out into Kings Bay. Lots of birds including a number of ospreys. On returning to the kayak launch and passing by the 3 sisters again, the crowds of people had descended by kayak and swimming from tour boats. And the manatees had become much fewer. So we suggest if you go, choose midweek (we did not and a holiday weekend) and get there early.
While I was wasting time trying to get underwater shots my niece took these. As you can see without the crowds around the manatees came right up to our kayaks when we sat there quietly.
And here we are outside the rope lines, I can count at least 20 manatees in the picture (yes they look like rocks until they move).
