| Manatee Tours |
| Crystal River & King's Bay |
| The Manatees of Crystal River & King's Bay In Season (November Thru March) To Swim or Not To Swim Click Here for Info King's Bay can get somewhat crowded on weekends and Holidays but the wildlife and springs make it worthwhile. Experience Level: Beginner to Experienced $40 pp Click Here for info on Private Tours |
Citrus County is probably best known for its manatee or "seacow"
population. The waters of Citrus County are the winter home of upwards of
400 West Indian Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This accounts
for 10%-15% of the Florida population. These unique creatures are listed as
in need of protection by both state and federal governments, and Citrus
County has adopted 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 water
temperature. Although they may be found year round, when temperatures in
population. The waters of Citrus County are the winter home of upwards of
400 West Indian Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris). This accounts
for 10%-15% of the Florida population. These unique creatures are listed as
in need of protection by both state and federal governments, and Citrus
County has adopted 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 water
temperature. 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 greater numbers. During the late 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. This is the least developed and least congested area of Citrus County.
The Florida Kayak Company offers manatee tours of a different variety. We are concerned that the 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 the least intrusive means, kayaks, and are by design passive
interactions. Click Here for Manatee Viewing Guidelines Click Here for a Manatee Manners Video from
USFWS. 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.
springs and are found in greater numbers. During the late 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. This is the least developed and least congested area of Citrus County.
The Florida Kayak Company offers manatee tours of a different variety. We are concerned that the 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 the least intrusive means, kayaks, and are by design passive
interactions. Click Here for Manatee Viewing Guidelines Click Here for a Manatee Manners Video from
USFWS. 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.
| 1. Name & Phone Number 2. Number in Party 3. Date you wish to book. (Hint: You can check the calendar to see if that day is available.) |
| Clicking on the Manatee will open your e-mail client. Please include the following information: |
| DO NOT include any credit information at this stage. You will be contacted via e-mail to confirm availability and with instructions on finalizing your reservation. |
| Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company 640 Citrus Avenue Crystal River, Fl 34429 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.
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.
| You can also book at 352-795-5650 |
| 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) |