This is an annual pilgrimage for me for the past 20 years, and I can offer some advice. First, don't count on scuba diving with manatees. The bubbles often (not always) scare them off, as I have seen happen in King's Spring (which is a very poor dive in any case--murky, small cavern, not much to see). You are greatly reducing your odds of good encounters and interactions if you want to limit yourself to King Spring (the only place you can scuba with them in Crystal River) and scuba (a sub-optimal way to see them). More important, no op that I know of will put in King's spring with scuba at the same time they are doing their early morning manatee trips (the best time of day to see them by far). If you tried to do it by kayak, I would expect a pretty strong reaction from the dive operators and probably some intervention from the fish and wildlife service. It might even be against current regulations. There are people everywhere watching the snorkelers and divers, looking for any reason to shut it down. You must set a good example for the rest of our sakes. Also, the only place with truly clear water that is left is not King Spring but is Three Sisters Spring, and absolutely no scuba is allowed there. Everywhere else in the river is murky with algae due to phosphate pollution. it is an empty shell of what it was 20 years ago in terms of water clarity.
The desire for a "scuba selfie" is a poor motivation, some sort of trophy photo instead of one of the most enlightening encounters with intelligent marine mammals possible. Re-set your goals and you will enjoy your trip much more, as will those around you and yes, you will have lots of company who will not appreciate being jabbed with selfie sticks or anyone chasing the manatees trying to get photos. Most ops will not even allow fins on the snorkelers, which how big a concern it has become with people chasing the manatees.
The simple fact is that you get far more, better and more meaningful encounters snorkeling with them. When they are on the bottom they are sleeping and any approach is forbidden even with scuba gear at King Spring. Approach them on the bottom and a hundred set of eyes will be reporting you to the authorities. When they are active, they stay on top, no need for scuba at all. Float quietly and they will come to you and often beg for attention or play with you, as other have noted. You will have access to the clearest water for your photo if that is what you are aiming for by snorkeling at Three Sisters. You can also go to Homosassa River and snorkel there. The water is sometimes a little clearer, but even that is getting more and more polluted with algae.
You might get lucky at Weekie Wachee, but I can tell you that enforcement against diving with manatees is extremely strict once you get away from Crystal River. The mere act of being in the water close to them, let alone with scuba gear, is deemed to be "harassment". What was posted in the photos above looked great, but might get you arrested if an overzealous officer is nearby. The fines are pretty stiff.
And yes, use Birds. They will get you what you want, and tell you what you can and cannot do. Their guides are excellent. For a first time visit, getting the lay of the land from them is by far the best thing, including the current regulations (they can change from year to year). They can hook you up with lodging as well. There are several hotels in the area, and you might check airbnb or VRBO as well. But reserve ahead of time as they do fill up in peak season pretty far in advance.
By the way, the time of year you are going is right at the end of prime time. One month prior and you would be at the peak of the season. You are pretty much guaranteed of great encounters when the weather gets cold but by March it can be beginning to warm up, but can still be really great. Just not as reliable as January/early February. 5-6 days should be good and three will most likely be enough for manatees, leaving a couple days for the very interesting drift dive down Rainbow River (scuba or snorkel), and maybe a trip to a nearby cavern or two for some scuba.
Diving with intelligent marine mammals, who are free to roam but willingly choose to approach and interact with you, is one of the greatest, most uplifting, and enlightening things that can happen to you. If you are just going to chase them for a photo, you are going to lose out. By all means take your camera. But I offer this advice (I am an avid photographer as well), leave the camera behind for at least one of your dives and enjoy the gift being bestowed on you by our fellow travelers on this planet. it is a very rare privilege.
The desire for a "scuba selfie" is a poor motivation, some sort of trophy photo instead of one of the most enlightening encounters with intelligent marine mammals possible. Re-set your goals and you will enjoy your trip much more, as will those around you and yes, you will have lots of company who will not appreciate being jabbed with selfie sticks or anyone chasing the manatees trying to get photos. Most ops will not even allow fins on the snorkelers, which how big a concern it has become with people chasing the manatees.
The simple fact is that you get far more, better and more meaningful encounters snorkeling with them. When they are on the bottom they are sleeping and any approach is forbidden even with scuba gear at King Spring. Approach them on the bottom and a hundred set of eyes will be reporting you to the authorities. When they are active, they stay on top, no need for scuba at all. Float quietly and they will come to you and often beg for attention or play with you, as other have noted. You will have access to the clearest water for your photo if that is what you are aiming for by snorkeling at Three Sisters. You can also go to Homosassa River and snorkel there. The water is sometimes a little clearer, but even that is getting more and more polluted with algae.
You might get lucky at Weekie Wachee, but I can tell you that enforcement against diving with manatees is extremely strict once you get away from Crystal River. The mere act of being in the water close to them, let alone with scuba gear, is deemed to be "harassment". What was posted in the photos above looked great, but might get you arrested if an overzealous officer is nearby. The fines are pretty stiff.
And yes, use Birds. They will get you what you want, and tell you what you can and cannot do. Their guides are excellent. For a first time visit, getting the lay of the land from them is by far the best thing, including the current regulations (they can change from year to year). They can hook you up with lodging as well. There are several hotels in the area, and you might check airbnb or VRBO as well. But reserve ahead of time as they do fill up in peak season pretty far in advance.
By the way, the time of year you are going is right at the end of prime time. One month prior and you would be at the peak of the season. You are pretty much guaranteed of great encounters when the weather gets cold but by March it can be beginning to warm up, but can still be really great. Just not as reliable as January/early February. 5-6 days should be good and three will most likely be enough for manatees, leaving a couple days for the very interesting drift dive down Rainbow River (scuba or snorkel), and maybe a trip to a nearby cavern or two for some scuba.
Diving with intelligent marine mammals, who are free to roam but willingly choose to approach and interact with you, is one of the greatest, most uplifting, and enlightening things that can happen to you. If you are just going to chase them for a photo, you are going to lose out. By all means take your camera. But I offer this advice (I am an avid photographer as well), leave the camera behind for at least one of your dives and enjoy the gift being bestowed on you by our fellow travelers on this planet. it is a very rare privilege.
