| Manatee Tours |
| Crystal River & King's Bay |
| The Manatees of Crystal River & King's Bay In Season (October Thru April) To Swim or Not To Swim Click Here for Info Experience Level: Beginner to Experienced From $45 pp includes the use of Aardvark's equipment. Manatees are wild animals and sightings are not guaranteed. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends and make for a more relaxed experience. Please call 352-795-5650 for Reservations |
Aardvark's Florida Kayak Co., Inc is the outfitter most recommended by those who care for and about
manatees. Here are what others have to say.
Citrus County is probably best known for its manatee or "seacow" population. This is known as the
Northwest Sub-Population and accounts for 10-15% of the Florida population totals. The waters of Citrus
County are the winter home of upwards of 500 West Indian Manatees. The scientific name for the Florida
sub-species is Trichechus manatus latirostris. Summer counts are variable, but in the summer of 2009,
counts were in the low to mid 30 range. These unique creatures are listed as in need of protection by both
state and federal governments, and Citrus County and the city of Crystal River have adopted some
additional measures to further protect the species.
The animals frequent King's Bay in Crystal River and the Blue Waters area of the Homosassa
River with peak numbers occurring during cold snaps from October through March and sometimes
April.
The likelihood of encountering one of these gentle giants depends on Gulf water temperatures. Although
they may be found year round, when temperatures in the river and gulf drop below 68 F degrees, these
warm blooded marine mammals seek the warmer waters of the springs and are found in much greater
numbers. During the spring and summer our Kings Bay Tours focus on the other aspects of Kings Bay such
as the springs and the Wildlife Refuge and while we may see a manatee or two, it is by no means a
certainty. On Saturdays in May, June, and July we provide guided tours only in the Ozello area since
Kings Bay becomes congested with high speed water toys. This is the least developed and least congested
area of Citrus County. While manatees may be present, they are not the primary focus of the tours.
The Florida Kayak Company offers manatee tours of a different variety. We are concerned that just the
great number of divers seeking manatee contact is beginning to or has the potential to effect behavior
such as cow-calf bonding and imprinting on humans. A recent study by Texas A&M University focuses on
harassment issues in the context of manatee tours in Crystal River and speculates that humans entering the
water may be affecting the manatees breeding behavior and energy budgets. Sorice Report (PDF)
For this reason our manatee tours are conducted with a hands off approach. While it may not be illegal to
dive with or touch a manatee under certain circumstances, we believe that the animals need to stay wild
and as with any wild animal, the true ecotourist should look, but not touch. Please resist the temptation to
reach out and pet the animal. Our encounters occur from above via one of the least intrusive means,
kayaks, and are by design passive interactions. Click Here for Manatee Viewing Guidelines
Another excellent option and the least intrusive of all is the view the captive manatees at the Homosassa
Springs State Wildlife Park and in the winter, you may catch a glimpse of the wild herd from the
observation deck at the park.
Most times* our manatee tour guide is Matt, a wildlife biologist and marine mammal specialist with several
years of state research experience with manatees. Matt has studied the SW Florida population performing
aerial surveys, radio tracking studies, behavioral observations, and necropsies (non-human autopsy). He
was responsible for land acquisition and management of critical manatee habitat that has since become
part of the 50,000 acre Crystal River Preserve State Park. Matt has also served on the Manatee
Advisory Committee of Citrus County, and the Manatee Rescue Team. Matt is also the owner of
Aardvark's. If manatee encounters are your desire, please let us choose the best place for the meeting
based on the current conditions.
manatees. Here are what others have to say.
Citrus County is probably best known for its manatee or "seacow" population. This is known as the
Northwest Sub-Population and accounts for 10-15% of the Florida population totals. The waters of Citrus
County are the winter home of upwards of 500 West Indian Manatees. The scientific name for the Florida
sub-species is Trichechus manatus latirostris. Summer counts are variable, but in the summer of 2009,
counts were in the low to mid 30 range. These unique creatures are listed as in need of protection by both
state and federal governments, and Citrus County and the city of Crystal River have adopted some
additional measures to further protect the species.
The animals frequent King's Bay in Crystal River and the Blue Waters area of the Homosassa
River with peak numbers occurring during cold snaps from October through March and sometimes
April.
The likelihood of encountering one of these gentle giants depends on Gulf water temperatures. Although
they may be found year round, when temperatures in the river and gulf drop below 68 F degrees, these
warm blooded marine mammals seek the warmer waters of the springs and are found in much greater
numbers. During the spring and summer our Kings Bay Tours focus on the other aspects of Kings Bay such
as the springs and the Wildlife Refuge and while we may see a manatee or two, it is by no means a
certainty. On Saturdays in May, June, and July we provide guided tours only in the Ozello area since
Kings Bay becomes congested with high speed water toys. This is the least developed and least congested
area of Citrus County. While manatees may be present, they are not the primary focus of the tours.
The Florida Kayak Company offers manatee tours of a different variety. We are concerned that just the
great number of divers seeking manatee contact is beginning to or has the potential to effect behavior
such as cow-calf bonding and imprinting on humans. A recent study by Texas A&M University focuses on
harassment issues in the context of manatee tours in Crystal River and speculates that humans entering the
water may be affecting the manatees breeding behavior and energy budgets. Sorice Report (PDF)
For this reason our manatee tours are conducted with a hands off approach. While it may not be illegal to
dive with or touch a manatee under certain circumstances, we believe that the animals need to stay wild
and as with any wild animal, the true ecotourist should look, but not touch. Please resist the temptation to
reach out and pet the animal. Our encounters occur from above via one of the least intrusive means,
kayaks, and are by design passive interactions. Click Here for Manatee Viewing Guidelines
Another excellent option and the least intrusive of all is the view the captive manatees at the Homosassa
Springs State Wildlife Park and in the winter, you may catch a glimpse of the wild herd from the
observation deck at the park.
Most times* our manatee tour guide is Matt, a wildlife biologist and marine mammal specialist with several
years of state research experience with manatees. Matt has studied the SW Florida population performing
aerial surveys, radio tracking studies, behavioral observations, and necropsies (non-human autopsy). He
was responsible for land acquisition and management of critical manatee habitat that has since become
part of the 50,000 acre Crystal River Preserve State Park. Matt has also served on the Manatee
Advisory Committee of Citrus County, and the Manatee Rescue Team. Matt is also the owner of
Aardvark's. If manatee encounters are your desire, please let us choose the best place for the meeting
based on the current conditions.
| Call for Reservations (Required) Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company 707 N Citrus Avenue STE A Crystal River, Fl 34428 352.795.5650 |
* Matt tries to guide as many of the manatee and other tours as he can, but sometimes circumstances dictate otherwise. Matt
partners with one or two select professional qualified guides to fill in. Brack Barker runs Wild Florida Kayak Adventures and is
a certified master naturalist and former Wildlife Officer. Susan Clemons is a 30 year Park Ranger (and Ms Aardvark), Tracy
Colsen, a videographer, manatee advocate, and kayak guide, and Steve Kingery who is an environmental advocate and spends
much of his time volunteering and pushing for a clean and restored Crystal River. All are highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals
who will provide you with an entertaining and educational adventure on Florida's Nature Coast. While we have been criticized and
even sanctioned (black balled) by some of the swim with tour operators for partnering with these advocates, we feel these voices for
the manatee need to be heard and will continue to offer them a venue to do so.
partners with one or two select professional qualified guides to fill in. Brack Barker runs Wild Florida Kayak Adventures and is
a certified master naturalist and former Wildlife Officer. Susan Clemons is a 30 year Park Ranger (and Ms Aardvark), Tracy
Colsen, a videographer, manatee advocate, and kayak guide, and Steve Kingery who is an environmental advocate and spends
much of his time volunteering and pushing for a clean and restored Crystal River. All are highly knowledgeable and skilled individuals
who will provide you with an entertaining and educational adventure on Florida's Nature Coast. While we have been criticized and
even sanctioned (black balled) by some of the swim with tour operators for partnering with these advocates, we feel these voices for
the manatee need to be heard and will continue to offer them a venue to do so.
| Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals "love" them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let them live normal lives, love them more." (Edwin Way Teale) |
| CEO's for Wild Manatees Keeping the wild in wildlife! |
| KAYAKING WITH THE AARDVARKS USED WITH PERMISSION PHOTO CREDITS DANI AND ALEX JESUDOWICH |
| Copyright ©2003 Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company All Rights Reserved |
| Tours for SMC Members Click Here |
