Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Visitors to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge must approach the area by boat. Trained wildlife experts lead excursions onto the river for visitors to view the sea cows and snorkel among them. Whether on a private or group tour, visitors should receive safety instructions to give the wild animals plenty of space and admire their beauty from a distance. In addition to manatees, you may see dolphins, birds, fish, and turtles. Though manatee encounters are never guaranteed, the refuge is one of the few natural habitats where people are permitted to swim with them.

• The waters at Crystal River are comfortably warm, about 72°F (22°C) and clear year-round.

• Most guided tours are led by US Coast Guard–licensed captains and include a wetsuit and snorkel gear.

• Travelers should not intentionally approach the manatees; touching, chasing, and feeding are prohibited.

• Tours often include underwater photography and meals or snacks for the day.

• Manatee season is mid-November to late March and most tours start early in the morning.

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge sits alongside the town of Crystal River in Kings Bay, about 80 miles (129 kilometers) north of Tampa and 85 miles (137 kilometers) northwest of Orlando. The refuge doesn’t offer water access facilities for visitors.

The manatee season at Crystal River refuge begins in mid-November and ends in late March. The visitor center is open daily from morning to late afternoon in the winter, and on weekdays from May through October. The refuge staff may close parts of the sanctuary during the winter season.

There are three major sites within Crystal River from which the Florida manatee can be observed. King Spring, where the refuge started, is the largest. Meanwhile, Three Sisters is considered the most beautiful and important to the manatees. Shuttles from the Three Sisters Springs Center to a boardwalk along the water run daily.

The Florida manatee is the main draw of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see one, but this area allows you to get as close as possible to this manatee species. Other animals in the refuge include over 100 different birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.

Yes, multiple tour companies offer guided tours of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and its surroundings. The most popular are manatee-focused tours, such as kayak tours. Others include bird watching, guided hikes, wildlife viewing, and photography tours. You can also kayak and hike without a guide.

The Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim with wild manatees. Scuba diving and snorkeling with manatees are also permitted in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge at Three Sister Springs Refuge. Some areas are prohibited from entering between November and March.

Yes, one lesser-known regulation is that all drone flights are prohibited in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Under general Florida law, it’s illegal to disturb wildlife, including alligators, manatees, sea turtles, and other protected species. Fishing in the refuge’s waters is also prohibited.

Yes, a large pavilion is available for picnickers at Three Sisters Springs near Lake Crystal. Unfortunately, the refuge has no public parking nearby beyond a few handicapped parking spaces. Bathrooms are available at the Three Sisters Springs Visitors Center and around the sanctuary.

Yes, the area around the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge has other outdoor natural attractions, including the Crystal River State Park, Crystal River Preserve State Park, and Crystal River Archaeological State Park. The closest beach is Fort Island Beach, which has a boat ramp and fishing pier.