Manatee snorkling and spring diving options

[beepbird]

Hi,
Trying to figure out where to dive after a week long work trip to Ft Lauderdale May 2-4. It is an annual trip, so I've already been to the Keys twice and done the wrecks in Ft Lauderdale. It will be the first weekend in May. Will the manatees still be in the Crystal River area? Or would Spring diving be better?

I can't leave Ft Lauderdale until after 3pm on May 1 and I fly out Sunday afternoon.

I'd love any suggestions you can give me!

Thanks!

 

[Ed Jackson1]

A couple of the operators in Crystal River let you ride the baby Manatees!

(I'm being sarcastic because some operators do harass the manatee.)

Try Birds underwater in Crystal River. They have good service and respect the wildlife.

Some Manatee stay all year at Crystal River, but in the warmer months they will be in the murky water and not in the clear spring. In the winter the clear springs are warmer so the manatee migrate to them. Birds will probably let you swim with the Manatee in the murky water first and then take you to the clear area to swim and see the other wildlife. I think you will enjoy it.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/crystal river jan-08/M0011220.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Crystal River 2007/IMAG0082copy.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Crystal River 2007/IMAG0075.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Crystal River 2007/IMAG0108copy.jpg

 

[beepbird]

Thanks Ed!

Is there enough stuff to see and dive to spend 2.5 days there?

Lindy

 

[giles45shop]

Other things that are relatively close by (~ 1 hr away) are the Rainbow River drift dive and Manatee Springs. The drift dive is a neat drift dive, the water's crystal clear, there's a small cavern (just big enough for 1 person to fit in), fairly shallow (`20 max), and the bubbly sand. You take a pontoon boat upstream from KP Hole Park (~$20) and float back down to the park. You have to have a dive flag as this is an active waterway. Boats are all at idle speed.

Manatee has the main spring (large 30' deep bowl) and a smaller sink (I think about 80' deep) that connects to the main spring several hundred feet away through a cave (not for OW divers). Park is cheap ($3 for non divers, $10 for divers) to get in, but you do have to have a buddy with you as they don't allow solo divers.

Serach for posts on either of these for more info.

John

 

[gradiver]

Spring is a transitional time of year for manatees. Today there were a few in clear water and others in murky water. I run for Sunshine River Tours; but there are other reputable operations and Bird's is certainly one of the good guys.

My favorite freshwater spring dive is Devil's Den. About 45 minutes northeast of CR. Blue Grotto is in the same area.

Capt. Mike Gray
(not the Captain Mike)

 

[Ed Jackson1]

Here is a picture from the cavern at Rainbow River.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Rainbow River June 2007/IMAG0463.jpg

2.5 days is too much for just Crystal River. I agree that doing Manatee springs, Rainbow river and Blue grotto will give you more to experience fresh water Florida.
I got kind of bored with Devils Den, but it is an unusual place. Blue grotto is right down the street and is bigger with a little more to see underewater. Devils Den is ok to walk through if they allow that.
Here's Manatee Springs.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/cave fest/IMAG0046-1.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Florida Cave Diving/IMAG0036.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Florida Cave Diving/IMAG0023.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Florida Cave Diving/IMAG0001.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Florida Cave Diving/IMAG0007-1.jpg

 

[Dr. Doug Ebersole]

Ed:

I agree entirely with your assessment of the springs. BTW, I can't get your photos to load.

Finally, not to hijack the thread but how was the diving this weekend in West Palm. I think I saw in another thread that you were planning on diving with Sandy one day and Abernethy's the other.

Doug

 

[Ed Jackson1]

Try the photos now.

The diving was good in West Palm. It was 72 degrees so we used our dry suits. Everybody laughed at first but later in the day they wanted to know where to get one.

 

[Saltwater Junky]

I like Birds' website. They don't claim to be the best, nor do they knock any other operators either. I viewed a SB advertiser's site. They were claiming to be better than the others because the owner operator claimed to advance knowledge of the Manatees where as the others do not. Now this part is laughable... they sttd they do not have a set schedule so they do nothave to rush back to the dock for the next group...you can snorkle all you wnat in the 72degree water in a 3mil suit....who'd want to stay in the water over an hour....yeah they don't have a set schedule, but i'd bet they 2-3 trips per day.

 

[sarita75]

Here is a picture from the cavern at Rainbow River.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb223/EdJackson1/Rainbow River June 2007/IMAG0463.jpg

That is a really beautiful, serene photo. Thank you for sharing it.

It was 72 degrees so we used our dry suits. Everybody laughed at first but later in the day they wanted to know where to get one.

OMG! I dove 50 degrees this weekend in a wetsuit. I would some 72 degree water! It'd be like a bath!