Manatees at Three Sisters Springs

Season rules at Three Sisters Springs

The springs are closed to all watercraft from November 15 through March 31. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can also close the springs to swimmers on any day manatees crowd in (a cold-morning closure), so tours may not enter even in season. The refuge boardwalk stays open.

Official window

Nov 15 – Mar 31

In the water

Legal with a licensed operator

Park hours

8:30 AM – 4 PM (boardwalk)

Where to see them

• The refuge boardwalk, reached by trolley from the Three Sisters Springs Center in downtown Crystal River (no public parking at the springs).
• From the water with a licensed Crystal River tour operator, outside any posted closure.

Best time

Cold mornings and high tides from December through February. Check for a same-day closure before buying a tour if seeing Three Sisters itself matters to you; operators visit other parts of Kings Bay when it is closed.

Common questions

Is there a manatee count for Three Sisters Springs?

Not a published daily one. The refuge posts closures when numbers are high, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission runs periodic aerial surveys of Kings Bay. This page shows the season status and the live visitor reports for Kings Bay.

Can you swim in Three Sisters Springs during manatee season?

Only with a licensed operator, and only when the refuge has not closed the springs for the day. Watercraft are banned from November 15 through March 31. The boardwalk is open daily.

How much is the boardwalk?

Admission is sold at the Three Sisters Springs Center downtown and includes the trolley; adult day passes run about $15 in manatee season and less in summer. Trolleys run every 30 minutes from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Other manatee springs

• Blue Spring
• Homosassa Springs
• Crystal River
• All manatee springs
• Compare Crystal River tours
• Where to swim with manatees