Manatee /Florida snorkeling question

[CharH]

Hi all,

I will be in Florida the first week of March and wondered if anyone could recommend the best options for snorkeling with manatee and some good snorkel spots.

Thanks!

 

[azchipka]

Manatee snorkeling you want to look to central florida in the Crystal River area. Birds Underwater and American Pro Diving both in Crystal River run daily trips.

 

[cdreamer]

I like the Plantation Inn and Dive Shop in Crystal River.
It's right on the river, but you should go with the shop.
It would be a long swim if you didn't.

 

[Manuel Sam]

There's was a place in Crystal River - I think it was in the back of the Best Western - where you could rent an aluminum motor skiff. After watching a video about the rules of swimming with manatees, you are given a map and you can pretty much do it on your own. When we went in 2008, we found the best spring with the clearest waters to be one called Three Sisters. There was also a huge school of juvenile Grey Snappers in there. The viz on all the other areas was pretty much pea soup. I suppose that the advantage of going with one of the snorkeling outfits is that it takes the guesswork out of where to go - they'll know where the better spots are on that day.

 

[h2oSkier]

We did the tour with Bird's Underwater Manatee Tours Florida Manatee Swims Swimming With Manatee Florida a couple weeks ago and I'd recommend them without hesitation. Despite the fact we were there during their busiest week of the year everything was handled quickly and professionally.

They have early departures which get you out to the sites before the crowds. I have to admit I wasn't excited about the early wake-up call but we were the first boat on site and had a terrific experience. It would not have been nearly as enjoyable with the crowds building as we finished.

 

[Amphibious]

dove with lots in the Haulover Canal near Titusville...

 

[j yaeger]

aqua vision
wayne white 362 613 1982
diver for over 40 yrs and a great entertainer!!!!
knows the manatees

 

[nidankempo]

I second American Pro Dive in Crystal River. I did the snorkeling thing with the Manatees and when to do 2 more dives with them this past October. Had so much fun planning another trip in May

 

[azchipka]

There's was a place in Crystal River - I think it was in the back of the Best Western - where you could rent an aluminum motor skiff. After watching a video about the rules of swimming with manatees, you are given a map and you can pretty much do it on your own. When we went in 2008, we found the best spring with the clearest waters to be one called Three Sisters. There was also a huge school of juvenile Grey Snappers in there. The viz on all the other areas was pretty much pea soup. I suppose that the advantage of going with one of the snorkeling outfits is that it takes the guesswork out of where to go - they'll know where the better spots are on that day.

Its called the Port Marina

 

[voyager29]

Hi all,

I will be in Florida the first week of March and wondered if anyone could recommend the best options for snorkeling with manatee and some good snorkel spots.

Thanks!

I recommend Nature Coast Manatee Tours google it there website has tons of information about the activity. They only do small groups of 6 persons the Captian is very very friendly they have a guest book with lots of posts from customer experiences!