| 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 $40 pp includes the use of Aardvark's equipment. Click Here for info on Private Tours |
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 400 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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 400 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
| 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! |
