Florida’s Hot Spot for Viewing and Snorkeling with Manatees

Located in Crystal River, Florida, Three Sisters Springs is the hot spot for manatees in the winter months.

The 57-acre Three Sisters Springs refuge surrounds the springs and is the only way to access the land around Three Sisters Springs.

A nice boardwalk with viewing platforms takes you around most of the springs.

If you arrive as soon as they open and walk in, you will have a few minutes to walk around before the crowds arrive by trolley.

You can swim and snorkel in the manatees, but must enter through the waterway at the south end of the springs. There is no access on the refuge.

Boat/ Kayak launches can be found throughout Kings Bay. If you do one of the “snorkel with manatees” tours, chances are this is where you will wind up. Two tour groups and tons of snorkelers on their own, were there the morning we visited. 

Swim and snorkel tours:
 here & here.

Address:

Front Gate for Walk-in   

601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, Florida

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We parked in a large parking lot on Kings Bay Drive between Little Caesars Pizza and Sonic and walked in. It's about a two block walk. 

Trolley Parking area

123 N.W U.S. Highway 19, Crystal River, FL. (behind City Hall)

This is where you can catch the trolley that departs every 30 minutes. 

Hours:

Daily, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Admission:

(November 15th- March 31st)

$20.00 Adult

$17.50 Senior (55+)

$15.00 Military

$7.50 Child (6-15)

FREE for Children 5 &under

Happy Travels!

3 Natural Springs in North & Central Florida

Juniper Springs Recreation Area

Juniper Springs is a subtropical paradise located in the middle of the Ocala National Forest. The water temperature of the crystal clear water is 72 degrees year round.

We decided to stop by Juniper Springs on our way back home from a cruise out of Tallahassee. I wish we would have allowed more time to explore the area! It is one of those places that doesn’t feel quiet real. It is so pretty!

Address :

26701 FL-40

Silver Springs, FL 34488

Fanning Springs State Park

Fanning Springs State Park is a great place for swimming, snorkeling, or watching manatees. 

We drove past this places and decided to go back and check it out. I am so glad we did!

We drove past this places and decided to go back and check it out. I am so glad we did!

There were a couple of manatees swimming around with the people. This is the first time for me to see manatees so close. It was a little too cool of a day for me to get in the water, but the couple swimming said that the temperature of the water was comfortable. I will definitely go back when the weather is warmer!

*Remember that it is against the law to harass manatees. Look, but don’t touch!

Address:

18020 N.W. HWY 19
Fanning Springs, FL 32693

Manatee Springs State Park

Manatee Springs is a popular place for snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, and spotting manatees.

 A long boardwalk allows for a quite stroll through Cyprus trees.

It is common to see deer throughout the park, many times walking right up to you.

I have been to Manatee Springs twice and have yet to see a manatee!  It is a very interesting place though. It seems a little bit like “Jurassic Park” to me… maybe because the first visit was right after a rain storm. It was cloudy and foggy.

The second time was early morning and there were hundreds of buzzards flying around our heads!

Address:

11650 NW 115 Street

Chiefland, FL 32626

Happy Travels!