Manatee Festival in Crystal Springs, FL

Annually Crystal River Florida holds a Manatee Festival. The festival takes place in downtown Crystal River in Heritage Village and the water side area along Kings Bay. Boat tours are available and shuttles provide transport to Three Sister Springs for manatee viewing. This is the 28th annual festival.

We couldn't believe the number of visitors estimating to be 15,000. There were local and retail vendors with booths along the closed streets. There was artwork, photography, sculptures, crafts and jewelry on display plus a wide variety of wonderful food. Saturday was a Caribbean theme with Amazing Steel drums opening for The Caribbean Chillers. 

The Three Sisters Springs manatee tour is a must. We thoroughly enjoyed viewing the manatees and the clear spring water. The manatees come in from the gulf when it's cold to enjoy the warmer water that stays at 72 degrees year round. From November to April the manatee population peaks and the kayakers and swimmers enjoy these great animals. There are special roped off areas for the manatee's to swim when they tire of being around people. In Three Sisters Springs, the manatees will rest during the colder days, and on the warmer days, they will venture in and out as they feed throughout Kings Bay on the grasses which make up their diet.

Whether or not you travel to this area for the Manatee Festival, Crystal River is a must stop for RVers. There are many hiking and biking trails and kayaking opportunities.