How to View Manatees at Three Sisters Springs by Water or Land
On our last camping trip at Rock Crusher Canyon RV Resort we visited Three Sisters Springs by canoe and by the boardwalk. Both had spectacular views of the springs, but it was amazing to be so close to the manatees in the canoe.
Three Sisters Springs
Three Sisters Springs is located in Kings Bay in Crystal River, Florida. It is part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This beautiful natural habitat is the wintering ground for hundreds of manatees. During the winter months the manatees flock to this area because of the naturally warm springs. Manatees can be seen in large numbers in and around the springs during the months of November through March.
The inlet to Three Sisters Springs is closed November 14th to April 1st. We were so lucky to be able to explore this area by canoe last weekend before the closure. It was such an amazing experience!
Kayaking, Canoeing or Snorkeling
It you love water sports like kayaking, canoeing or snorkeling Crystal River is the place to be. There are several companies in and around the springs and Kings Bay that offer tours and equipment rentals.
We chose to rent a three person canoe because we had our youngest son with us to explore the area.
We found the company Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center online. This is an amazing company to work with and we highly recommend them. I personally loved the fact that they went out of their way to make my son feel relaxed and at ease about the trip. They even gave him a scavenger hunt card so he could participate and not just sit in the canoe.
We also loved their launch site. It was calm and not on Kings Bay, which can be a bit more rocky to launch from. They gave us a detailed map to help find our way to Three Sisters Springs and clear directions are well. If you are looking for a reliable, professional company to rent equipment from check them out.
If you would like to have more a tour of the area check out Get Up and Go Kayaking. We did this tour a few years ago and loved it. Check out my post here.
A great website to search for kayaking or snorkeling tours is the Discovery Crystal River under the Water Adventures tab. This is a fantastic starting point to research what type of adventure you would like to experience.
Whichever type of water sport you choose make sure to use your Manatee Manners. This is taken very seriously. We had to watch a video before our outing. What it basically says is to leave the manatees alone and give them space. Just common sense when dealing with any wildlife.
Three Sisters Springs Land Access
There are two ways to enter the Three Sisters Springs by land. The front gate located at 601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, is for walk-in and bicycle access. You can purchase your tickets at the gate. There is no parking available unless it is handicapped parking. The other way to get in is to use the trolley. This is what we did.
To ride the trolley and have a place to park your vehicle go the Three Sisters Springs Center at 123 NW Highway 19. Our ride was more of van than a trolley, but the trolley might be for busier times.
Depending on the time of the year, summer versus winter, the ticket price will vary. Check their website here for current pricing. There is a discount for National Parks Pass holders.
Between November 15th – March 31st the water entrance to the springs is closed. The only way to view manatees in their natural habitat is from the boardwalk. Manatees can still be seen in Crystal River and surrounding areas in the winter. It is just this particular area that will closed to people by water access.
Viewing manatees from this area will be crowded in the winter months. Weekends especially, but the views are amazing.
We came here later in the afternoon and couldn’t find any manatees. There were a few just outside the entrance of the springs. Seeing manatees in not guaranteed.
What to Bring
Make sure to pack to sunscreen, bug spray and water for your trip. It is also a good idea to have a waterproof dry bag and a waterproof phone pouch when exploring by kayak or canoe. Don’t forget to pack a poncho or rain jacket.
Another good idea that was recommended to us was to have polarized sunglasses to better spot manatees in the water.
Taking Photos of Manatees
My timing for taking pictures is terrible as you can see above. While we were in the canoe the manatees would be floating by and by the time I got the camera on my phone on, they would be out of range. And it is hard to paddle and take photos at the same time.
My husband used his Go Pro and got amazing videos of the manatees. I stole a few of his still shots.
Sometimes it is best to just take in the view instead of trying to capture it. So get out there and explore and find your next great adventure.
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