Crystal River Manates

Experience the unique opportunity to swim alongside manatees in the picturesque Crystal River. At Twin Rivers Marina, we provide top-quality boat rentals, offering you a personal and intimate experience with these gentle giants. Explore their natural habitat in a way that traditional tours don’t offer.

Explore Kings Bay: A Sanctuary for Manatees

Navigate to Kings Bay in Crystal River, where you’ll find a manatee haven. Celebrated for its constant, warm spring waters at 72°F, King’s Bay has become a sanctuary for manatees. It’s the perfect spot to swim with these peaceful creatures.

In Crystal River, you can do more than watch manatees; you can interact with them for an unforgettable experience!

Watch this video about proper interactions with manatees provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Twin Rivers Marina has several rental boats available for full or half day rental that will allow you to get up-close and personal to swim with the manatees. Rent a boat now!

Why Choose Twin Rivers Marina?

Our boat rentals are specifically designed to enhance your adventure, allowing you to get close and appreciate manatees in their natural environment. Choose from full-day or half-day rentals and get ready for an up-close personal experience.

Discover the Manatees

Manatees are fascinating mammals, relatives of elephants, showcasing unique behaviors such as playful maneuvers and acrobatic skills. Despite their size—up to 10 feet long and weighing over 3,000 pounds—they are gentle, intelligent, and primarily herbivorous. Our boat rentals provide the perfect vantage point for observing these creatures in the clear waters of Crystal River.

Manatee Viewing Best Practices

The best time for manatee sightings is between November and April, with peak times during December and February. As herbivores1, manatees pose no threat, making them ideal for serene boat trips. We encourage responsible boating practices to protect these threatened species from boat collisions and habitat disturbances.

FAQ: All About Florida Manatees

  • Manatees graze on seagrasses for up to eight hours a day.

  • The best viewing times are from November to April, with highest numbers in winter.

  • During cooler months, manatees gather in warm springs like Crystal Springs; in warmer months, they migrate along the Eastern seaboard or to the Gulf of Mexico.

  • The Florida Manatee is now considered a threatened species due to improved habitat conditions and population increases.

For more details about Florida manatees, visit our Crystal River Manatee FAQ page.