Swim with Manatees in their Natural Habitat in the Crystal River Springs!

Crystal River, home of the West Indian Manatee, is one of the most popular freshwater dives in the world. Divers from around the world have enjoyed the fresh water springs unique to this part of Florida, the ideal spot to swim with manatees. The springs flow from underground and boil to the surface pumping millions of gallons of water daily, generating a force that opened caverns that vent in the floor of the river. The water is pure and temperature is a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit, creating ideal DIVING conditions year round.

Crystal River is the “winter home” of the largest concentration of manatee’s in North America (up to 350 in the winter time). In their book: Manatees, On Location, Kathy and Tara Darling describe Crystal River as follows:

“Each winter hundreds of giant gray mammals migrate from the Gulf of Mexico up Florida’s Crystal River to the warmth of its hot, fresh water springs. The massing of the manatees is a world-class wildlife spectacle… While some locations were interesting study sites, none even came close to Crystal River as a photo location… in this pocket wilderness only a few yards from the edge of town, the wild manatees allow humans to swim among them to observe or photograph eating, playing and even mating behaviors."

We work together with Local, State and Federal Governments and Specialized Fish, Game & Wildlife Organizations to consistently maintain the best quality for the area Manatee Tour Program. There are many restrictions that apply to our dive area. We ask that you abide by all Federal Enforced Manatee Protection Programs. Awareness Instruction is conducted in all our Tour Programs.

The Diving Experience in the Crystal River, Rainbow River and King’s Bay area is World Famous and every year many people from all over the world visit with us to SWIM WITH THE MANATEES! We are very proud to be a senior member of this professional dive community.

The most popular dive site is King’s Springs, which is just a few hundred yards from the Plantation Dive Shop. The spring is 75 feet across and drops straight down 30 feet to two entrances of a cavern which extends to a depth of 60 feet. Sunlight filters through the water creating breathtaking sights, which are ideal for beautiful photographs of the paradise of rocks, caves, fish and vegetation. This channel is a frequent place to view dolphins, who like to hunt the smaller fish that live here. You can never predict what you’ll see here. Take a look at our photo gallery for a closer look at the underwater world of Crystal River. Plus, after a long day on the water, relax and unwind at our affiliate first-class resort, the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa.