Swimming with Florida manatees | Swimming | Florida

Endangered Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) are present in Kings Bay's warm, spring-fed waters year-round; in winter, though, their numbers swell substantially as they seek refuge from the Gulf of Mexico's chilly waters. Crystal River operators offer swimming/snorkelling tours to sites such as Three Sisters Springs, where clear waters provide a magnificent opportunity to view these aquatic mammals in their natural habitat.

In March 2012, the US Fish and Wildlife Service established a manatee refuge in the waters of Kings Bay, including its tributaries and connected waters. Prohibited activities include:

(i) Chasing or pursuing manatees
(ii) Disturbing or touching a resting or feeding manatee(s).
(iii) Diving from the surface onto a resting or feeding manatee(s).
(iv) Cornering or surrounding or attempting to corner or surround a manatee(s).
(v) Riding, holding, grabbing, or pinching or attempting to ride, hold, grab, or pinch a manatee(s).
(vi) Poking, prodding, or stabbing or attempting to poke, prod, or stab a manatee(s) with anything, including your hands and feet.
(vii) Standing on or attempting to stand on a manatee(s).
(viii) Separating a mother and calf or attempting to separate a mother and calf.
(ix) Separating a manatee(s) from a group or attempting to separate a manatee(s) from a group.
(x) Giving a manatee(s) anything to eat or drink or attempting to give a manatee(s) anything to eat or drink.
(xi) Actively initiating contact with a belted and/or tagged manatee(s) and associated gear, including any belts, harnesses, tracking devices, or antennae.
(xii) Interfering with rescue and research activities.