So a few months ago, I was reading an issue of National Geographic Magazine and an article in it featured the manatees in Crystal River, along with the controversial argument about whether people should be allowed to interact with the endangered animals or not, since they are protected. Many people visit Crystal River to see manatees, especially during the winter months when the large mammals gather in the river from all over the gulf to stay warm. Laws protect them, and people are not allowed to touch or harm the manatees in any way. As a wildlife lover myself I could see both sides of the argument because I believe these creatures need some vital habitat to rest in during the cold months and should be able to remain undisturbed (since no matter what the rules are, some people always do what they choose anyway, even if it includes harming an animal), but on the other hand, I love close up encounters with animals and I think that seeing them in their natural habitat is far more astounding than seeing them behind bars or in a big tank in a zoo.
Shortly after my reading, totally surprised, I got a wedding shower gift from two of my best friends that was a voucher for Josh and I to go swim with the manatees in Crystal River, which was part of a big basket they made us filled with fun date ideas. We were so excited and I knew that we HAD to do it, so we decided to incorporate it into our honeymoon which was still at that point unplanned.
We booked a tour with Captain Mike's Sunshine River Tours which was a package that included a boat ride out to King's Bay, snorkel gear (even though we chose to use our own) and a swimming experience with the manatees after watching a video about the rules and given strict instructions of how to see manatees without harming them. We decided to lengthen our experience by renting a kayak in the morning and took it out to Three Sister's Spring, where we swam and snorkeled and saw a manatee up close, kayaked through a big storm and then made it back just in time for lunch and time to get ready for our boat ride back out there. Both experiences were amazing.
The whole experience took place on the river which is a part of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge where all the manatees are protected. Many areas are blocked off to boats, and some are also blocked off to swimmers to keep people away from resting manatees during the winter months.
Three Sister's Spring and Banana Island were where we went on the river by kayak. They were beautiful, like nothing we had ever seen before. Similar to some of the other springs in Florida, but also unique because the small areas were so secluded, AND had manatees, it didn't seem real. The water was crystal clear (hence the name of the river) and by swimming down below you could actually see the spring down below burping up fresh water from within piles of old dead trees. Freshwater fish decorated the underwater scene, and once and a while a dark figure would approach with dark, algae covered skin and a large paddle tail covered in scars. Each manatee told their own story without saying a word.
From the kayak we saw a few manatees down below us. The day quickly became overcast which made the clear waters appear gray from the reflection of the sky and manatees were harder to see. We could only tell they were near us when we heard water being sprayed and saw 2 nostrils appear above the surface. Since we were there during the slow season for the manatees and the tourists, we got an opportunity to find some on our own while the water was quiet and still.
Once we got back to the dock and geared up for the boat trip (we wore our own wetsuits... the springs are 72 degrees year round which is a bit cold, so if you get cold easily or if you go during the winter I recommend a wetsuit, which can also be rented). Once we spotted a pod of manatees, Josh and I hopped out first (strategically planned by sitting towards the front of the boat), resting quietly on our noodles, as we quietly moved towards where our captain pointed out the manatees. It was still overcast, and still hard to see from the surface of the water, so we followed where he directed. The view from underwater wasn't much better.. it was murky, and dirty so it didn't look like much.. until what appeared to be the ground began moving and the movement ended in the shape of a paddle tail! There must have been about 10 manatees around us... and I don't think they could see us either because they pushed us and I accidentally touched a few by mistake because they came up to me. We were told if they approach you and you aren't hurting them, touching is okay. Submerged below the water I could even hear the munching sound of them nibbling on sea grass. Unfortunately I didn't get many good pictures but I got some underwater video footage of one of the manatees. Overall it was an incredible experience I would recommend to anyone!
Oh yeah, and we also visited Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park where there are wild manatees that are rehabilitated and kept in a gated off part of the river. They also help other sick manatees and release them when they are better. There is a big "fish bowl" where you can see the manatees getting fed! In addition to this there are many other Florida native species that are kept there in a zoo-like setting, but most of them are there because they otherwise wouldn't be able to survive in the wild.
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