Swim with the manatees at Plantation Resort on Crystal River
Plantation Resort on Crystal River along Florida’s Nature Coast provides a bucket-list-worth opportunity to swim with the manatees at the only location in North America where it’s legal to interact with “sea cows” in the wild.
During “manatee season” – which usually runs from Nov. 15 through March 31– hundreds of the slow-moving mammals make their way from the cooler waters of the Gulf of Mexico to Crystal River’s network of springs, where the water temperature is a constant 72°F.
To celebrate the manatees’ return, the eco-friendly Plantation Resort on Crystal River has created a new one-night Swim with the Manatees package (starting at $298 for two guests + taxes and fees) that includes the unique opportunity to snorkel with hundreds of West Indian Manatees as they play, eat, and socialize with one another.
Manatee Snorkeling Tour
Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop at the resort offers the area’s premier manatee tours featuring semi-dry masks, snorkels, and wet suits that allow maximum buoyancy and body heat retention (no flotation devices are needed). All manatee tour boats are enclosed and include hot chocolate and coffee, warming boat coats, and towel service.
Upon return from their tour, guests have access to a hot shower facility and changing rooms. High-quality photos and videos are available for purchase after the tour.
Manatee tours are offered year-round at the Plantation Adventure Center & Dive Shop, but guests are more likely to see more animals in winter when they seek out the warmer waters of Florida’s second-largest spring system.
The Plantation Resort on Crystal River Swim with the Manatees Package Includes:
- One-night accommodations in a garden-view room
- Manatee snorkeling tour for two from the Plantation Adventure Center, with all equipment provided
- Welcome bag with plush manatee toy, fun facts, and manatee interaction guidelines
The $298 package rate is for Sunday-Thursday stays (call for weekend pricing). Water view, patio rooms, Junior suites, and golf villas are available for an additional charge. Additional discounted nights are also available for an additional charge. Rates are subject to availability.
