Scubareefing
Lovable, playful manatees
Fly to Tampa or Orlando, Florida. From there rent a car and drive a few hours to Crystal River.
January through March
Crystal River, Florida, USA
American Pro Diving Center (americanprodiving.com), Best Western Crystal River Resort (crystalriverresort.com), Port Hotel and Marina Dive Center (porthotelandmarina.com)
Go thereSign up to receive travel updates to Three Sisters Spring, USA.
Diving opportunities in Three Sisters Spring, USA are available.
By Chip Scarlett (Adapted from "passport to diving the world")
A divespot to witness manatees.
Who doesn't love manatees? These huge, herbivorous marine mammals weigh on average 450 kg and are related evolutionarily to elephants. Manatees generally travel 60-70 km and eat 45-50 kg of vegetation every day, but when cold fronts descend on Florida during the winter, large numbers of manatees congregate in a few warm, clear freshwater springs on Florida's west coast to avoid hypothermia. The rules for interaction are sensible and strictly enforced: no touching unless the animal approaches you. Fortunately for us, many of these gentle giants seek out human interaction, rolling over to present their abdomens for a scratch and some love - and thus guaranteeing that hearts will melt on even the coldest of days.
(Ok enough with the stories, I'm itchin' for a dive)