Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
4.5
About
Come have an opportunity to see the great West Indian Manatee in the crystal clear springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge!
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Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
78 within 5 kms
Attractions
28 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- Sue HPensacola, Florida6 contributionsAn aboundance of ManteesWonderful trip to Crystal River. I spent the President's day weekend. At three sister springs, I walked past the far springs and 75 -100 feet past that there were over 100 manatees. Super lucky to see this. You can only get in the water entering the water, so next time I will book one of these tours. I did the Explorida boat trip and left city hall to three sisters springs. Both were fantastic!Visited February 2023Written 5 March 2023
- CalimpichAiken, South Carolina14 contributionsInteresting animalsThis park is kind of like a natural zoo, with native animals in natural settings. We listened to a lecture on manatees which was informative, and we saw the feeding of three manatees. It was fun to see them so close. There were shady paths between the sections of animals, and there were signs to identify the animals. I enjoyed this park very much.Visited April 2023Written 9 April 2023
- Fam_o_5_plus_1Wisconsin2,200 contributionsGreat visitWe stopped here since the three sisters springs was closed for refurbishment. It was a neat walk, and we had a good time looking at all of the animals. It was nice to know that the animals here were only there due to injuries and an inability to live in the wild. The manatee area was neat. Definitely would recommend to anyone in the area.Visited October 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 November 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
332 reviews
Excellent
223
Very good
83
Average
17
Poor
2
Terrible
7
Fam_o_5_plus_1
Wisconsin2,200 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
We stopped here since the three sisters springs was closed for refurbishment. It was a neat walk, and we had a good time looking at all of the animals. It was nice to know that the animals here were only there due to injuries and an inability to live in the wild. The manatee area was neat. Definitely would recommend to anyone in the area.
Written 4 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calimpich
Aiken, SC14 contributions
Apr 2023
This park is kind of like a natural zoo, with native animals in natural settings. We listened to a lecture on manatees which was informative, and we saw the feeding of three manatees. It was fun to see them so close. There were shady paths between the sections of animals, and there were signs to identify the animals.
I enjoyed this park very much.
I enjoyed this park very much.
Written 9 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuperDave
Brandon, Canada120 contributions
Feb 2023
Refuge animals need to be penned while they are treated and recover, but wild birds fly in for the food and company.
Written 8 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue H
Pensacola, FL6 contributions
Feb 2023
Wonderful trip to Crystal River. I spent the President's day weekend. At three sister springs, I walked past the far springs and 75 -100 feet past that there were over 100 manatees. Super lucky to see this.
You can only get in the water entering the water, so next time I will book one of these tours.
I did the Explorida boat trip and left city hall to three sisters springs. Both were fantastic!
You can only get in the water entering the water, so next time I will book one of these tours.
I did the Explorida boat trip and left city hall to three sisters springs. Both were fantastic!
Written 5 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa
2 contributions
Feb 2023
Nice trails to walk around. Glass bottom boats were so much better than I expected. We even saw a monkey which was our goal
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tricia Wolfe
Phoenix, United States13 contributions
Feb 2023
We enjoyed visiting this refuge. There are many native animals and such a nice size refuge and all enclosures are neat for the animals.
Written 26 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dunn45
Draper, UT1,212 contributions
Dec 2022
There were dozens of manatees present when we were there. We drove about one hour and 45 minutes from Dunedin. Worth the drive.
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Starviagera
Florida2,115 contributions
Nov 2022
The picture doesn't belong to this place. This is a conservation center all about the manatees. It has a river in the back where sometimes you can see manatees. But it is not a spring, and it doesn't look anything like the picture. In the back across the river there was an eagle nest and mother and father were watching their young fly around. We did see a very very large manatee while there.
Written 5 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChristieP
Terrell, TX5,877 contributions
Aug 2022
Swimming here was like being in an aquarium. The water was so clear and calm that everyone was able to see and have a great time exploring. I hear in the winter there are hundreds of manatees, so I will have to come back!
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Megin
4 contributions
May 2022
This place was super neat! I am glad we found it and decided to stop! Educational in regards to the manatees in captivity and neat to see a hippo!
Written 30 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald M
Trenton, Canada3 contributions
What are the walking trails like. We have an individual that likes walking but can only do flat trails and trips easily
Donald M
Trenton, Canada3 contributions
What are the walking trails like. We have an individual that likes walking but can only do flat trails and trips easily
dana s
Chickamauga, GA8 contributions
Can you still see the Manatees in Mid April?
Henslee W
Cartersville, GA9 contributions
I believe that other answer is correct, - yes there are usually manatees there, and many other places, but definitely better in the winter. The amount of manatees in Crystal River is directly proportional to the temperature. The colder it is the more manatees go to the consistent 70+ degree underwater spring outlets. You can call any of the guide shops, they will be happy to give you information. I also like Fort De Soto kayaking for the warmer months, although the water is not as clear.
Sarah143690
Selby, UK2 contributions
Hi please can you tell me where you go to catch the pontoon to the refuge ?
Thanks
Sara
Roadtriper4fun
Washington DC, DC4 contributions
There are two entrances to the place. One is right at the refuge and the other is on US98. If you accidentally get to the entrance at the refuge....your entrance fee still covers the pontoon ride. So you could park buy the ticket and then ride the pontoon down and back.
maria kest
Kenner, LA
Do you give military discount?
jestersusa2018
Wiltshire, UK91 contributions
Not sure
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Frequently Asked Questions about Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:
- The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer (From ₹ 5,828.20)
- Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer (From ₹ 5,828.20)
- Small group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer (From ₹ 8,206.97)
- Morning Swim and Snorkel with Manatees-Guided Crystal River Tour (From ₹ 5,591.57)
- Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando (From ₹ 8,247.79)
- Hotels near Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:
- (0.05 km) 175.00 per night for August!
- (0.16 km) The Port Hotel and Marina
- (0.31 km) Three Sisters Springs W/River and Gulf access and floating dock steps from unit!
- (0.31 km) Near Three Sister Springs Waterfront 2 Bdrm Condo - inc 2 Kayaks
- (1.39 km) Hampton Inn Crystal River
- Restaurants near Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:
- (0.14 km) Waterfront Social
- (0.50 km) West 82 Bar and Grill
- (0.96 km) Grannie's Restaurant
- (1.15 km) Thai Phoon
- (1.59 km) Vintage on 5th
- Attractions near Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:
- (0.05 km) Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
- (0.14 km) The Port Marina and Manatee Tours
- (0.14 km) Dive Center of the Port Hotel and Marina
- (0.14 km) Manatee Swim Center
- (0.61 km) Plantation Adventure Center