over a year ago. They’re open Nov. 1 through April 15 and the manatees are in there the whole time. The colder the weather the more manatees you’ll see there.
When can you see manatees in Tampa?
November 15th-March 31st is considered ‘manatee season’ in the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs area.
What time of year is best to see manatee?
Which months are best for seeing manatees? The peak season for observing manatees is November through April, and the local manatee population swells to its largest size between December and February. You can spot manatees in our waterways all year round, but the population is much smaller during the summer months.
Can you see manatees near Tampa?
The Tampa Riverwalk
The islands and channels at the mouth of the river create an oasis for a wide variety of wildlife right in the heart of Florida’s third-largest city. That makes the local waterfront a great place for spotting manatees during a stroll.
What month is best to swim with manatees?
Effects of the season on manatee tours
But in the winter, manatees move to Florida in huge numbers to take advantage of the warm water gushing out of the springs. December, January and February are the best months to swim with manatees due to the large numbers.
How much does the manatee viewing center cost?
free
Admission is free. As for the manatees, when the weather cools, they will flock to the clean, warm-water discharge canal of the plant – sometimes by the hundreds. Manatees cannot tolerate temperatures below 68 degrees for long periods of time.
How much does it cost to swim with manatees in Crystal River?
How much do manatee tours cost? Our public manatee tours start at $59.95 and go up to $65 for peak manatee season (November-April). Private manatee tours are $449 for a boat that holds up to six people, larger private manatee tours can be arranged for an additional $75 per person.
Can you see manatees in Florida in March?
You can see manatees in Florida waters any time of year, but manatees are more commonly spotted from November to March, when they gather in places with warmer water.
What time of day do manatees come out?
The Three Sisters Springs is a quieter viewing and swimming spot but wherever you are, the best time to be with the manatees is early morning 6 am to 8.30 am when they are most active. You can also experience the manatee swim by visiting with a tour group.
Can you touch a manatee with one hand?
Manatees are naturally curious creatures. If you are patient, chances are great a manatee will approach you. When you touch a manatee, do so with one hand only. Placing two hands on a manatee is considered “riding” the animal and is forbidden.
Why is there no swimming at Apollo Beach?
This “beach” specifically forbids swimming, and it is located next to a power plant. You can see the smoke billowing from the electric generator towers, and the water looks hazardous. Yet, people still swim. As for a “nature preserve,” there is nothing but grazed land.
Where are the most manatees in Florida?
Crystal River is the #1 place to see manatees in Florida! It is known for its many natural springs. Three Sisters Springs, located in Crystal River, is one of Florida’s most popular springs and is known to have hundreds of manatees resting inside of it at one time!
Can you touch a manatee?
Look, but don’t touch manatees.
If manatees become accustomed to being around people, they can alter their behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans, which may make them more susceptible to harm.
Can you swim with manatees without a tour?
Yes, that’s possible, but only if you are a local who knows where to go, what to do, and how to conduct yourself properly in their habitat. Swimming with the manatees requires planning and knowledge, including locating the right place to snorkel with them legally, bringing the right gear, and mastering manatee manners.
Do you need a wetsuit to swim with manatees?
We do require that you wear a wetsuit when you snorkel with the manatees as they help you stay warm, buoyant, and assist you in keeping your feet near the top of the water and not dangling, which often will stir up the bottom and scare the manatees.
Is swimming with manatees safe?
Manatees are calm and peaceful marine mammals that pose no danger to swimmers. In fact, they are curious animals that enjoy human interaction and are quite happy to relate with and be around humans. That’s why it’s quite common for manatees to approach swimmers or divers for a belly rub or close contact.
Are there manatees at TECO?
Hello, Human! Come visit us at Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center! Manatees love warm water. And by a stroke of POWERful luck, Tampa Electric can provide it to them!
Do you have to pay at Manatee Viewing Center?
Admission is completely free! The facility offers free parking and free admission. Donations are welcome, and go directly toward the purchase and maintenance of educational exhibits and publications. The Manatee Viewing Center is located at 6990 Dickman Rd, in Apollo Beach, Florida.
Is Manatee Viewing open?
Our discharge canal is a state and federally designated manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from the cold for these unique, gentle animals. Hours: Open daily from November 1 – April 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails close at 4 p.m. We are closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Easter.
Are there snakes in Crystal River?
The timber rattlesnake and the southern copperhead are rare in Crystal River and are typically found in northern Florida, but if you’ve spent time outdoors in the Crystal River area, you’ve probably seen at least one of the four other venomous snakes.
Are there alligators in the Crystal River in Florida?
It happened with a guy snorkeling in the Crystal River: He bumped into a 5-foot alligator, and it bit him on the head. “Most fatalities probably were predatory attacks, and it’s almost always alligators 10 feet or over.”