Off to See the Manatees in Crystal River, Florida

December 8, 2023

On December 6 (Wednesday), the weather cooled off here in Florida. With the low’s dipping down to 34 degrees F, many of the manatees came into the warmer fresh water springs (72 degrees F) to stay warm.

On Tuesday (December 5), fellow RV was telling me the manatees would be heading into the warmer water from the Gulf . She had just been swimming with the manatees on Monday and the guide mentioned the manatees would be heading to the warm springs. (I personally, don’t consider 72 to 74 degrees F water to be warm.) Our RV neighbor recommended Three Sisters National Wildlife Refuge in Crystal River, Florida.

Bruce and I decided to go and see the manatees. Bruce drove the truck the 50 miles to Crystal River.

I was very glad I had looked up the Three Sisters Wildlife Refuge before we went. Pets are not allowed. (Nox got left at home.) Only handicapped parking was permitted in the refuge. Across the street from the refuge, is parking and a shuttle is provided.

We arrived and parked across the street from the refuge. We walked into the park and paid. Since we were over 55 years old, we got discount on the entrance fee. If you have a national park pass, you get an additional discount. There are additional discounts for other reasons.

The trail was gravel and very level. We walked past the central lake and the wetlands to get to the boardwalk where the manatees are visible.

As we walked up the boardwalk, we noticed an overlook. We walked over to the overlook and we could easily see into the crystal clear blue green water. Bruce counted 30 manatees right off.

We walked along the boardwalk to the Magnolia View Point. The water wasn’t as clear here, but we could still see the manatees. Close to the other bank of the river, we could see the backs of the manatees as they floated in the river.

We looped around back to the boardwalk on the Magnolia Trail. We saw a bat house and an exhibit for saving the eel grass.

Once we got back to the boardwalk, we walked to the other end of the boardwalk. A ranger was giving a lecture on the manatees. We saw a mother and baby swimming out of the spring area.

We walked back to the entrance along the Wetlands Trail.

It was well worth going to this wildlife refuge. It was amazing to see the manatees up close.