Every winter, West Indian manatees seek out Florida’s warm freshwater springs, where the water stays at about 22°C when the Gulf of Mexico cools. Crystal River, on Florida’s Gulf coast, is the only place in the United States where people are legally allowed to swim with manatees in the wild. Done well, it is an unforgettable encounter; done badly, it harasses a vulnerable animal. See our West Indian manatee profile.
At a glance
| Best time | November to March (peak January and February) |
| Getting there | About 1.5 hours north of Tampa or Orlando |
| Time needed | A half-day tour; 1 to 2 days in the area |
| Big draws | Manatees in clear spring water |
| Good for | Families, snorkellers |
Manatees
- Florida manatees are a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. Threats include boat strikes, habitat loss and starvation: in 2021 and 2022, loss of seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon on Florida’s east coast caused record deaths.
- In winter, hundreds of manatees gather in the Crystal River and Kings Bay area.
Swimming with manatees: the rules
Swimming is allowed under “passive observation” rules, set by the US Fish and Wildlife Service:
- Float quietly on the surface; do not dive down or chase manatees.
- Never touch or feed manatees; let them approach you if they choose.
- Do not disturb resting or nursing manatees.
- Stay out of sanctuary areas, marked by buoys, where manatees rest.
- Use a licensed tour operator that briefs you on the rules and uses flotation to help you stay at the surface.
Three Sisters Springs, part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, may close to swimmers on cold days when many manatees are inside.
Watching from land
- Three Sisters Springs boardwalk: overlooks clear springs where manatees rest.
- Blue Spring State Park (near Orlando): hundreds of manatees in winter, viewed from a boardwalk; swimming is closed in manatee season.
- Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park: an underwater observatory and rescued manatees.
- Manatee Viewing Center (Apollo Beach, Tampa Bay): manatees gather in warm water outflows from a power station.
When to go
- November to March: the manatee season, peaking in the coldest months.
- April to October: fewer manatees in the springs, as they disperse along the coast.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ethical to swim with manatees? It can be, if you follow passive observation rules strictly and use a responsible operator. Watching from land is the lowest-impact option.
When is the best time to see manatees in Crystal River? January and February, on cold mornings.
Can I touch a manatee? No. Touching or harassing manatees is illegal.
Do I need to be a strong swimmer? No. Operators provide wetsuits and flotation, and you float at the surface.
Related guides
- Everglades National Park wildlife guide
- Belize wildlife guide
- Wildlife tourism to avoid
- Animal profiles: West Indian manatee, Dugong
Cover photo: LittleT889, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons