We went on the broadwalk to see the manatees and we saw plenty!!It is the good way to see manatees for those who don't want to get in the water!
The spring is crystal clear, Enjoyed seeing all the manatees in here. The boardwalk allows great viewing if you don't want to swim or kayak with them
Swimming with the manatees was incredible. I did a tour and went back the next day on my own on a kayak. I'm very glad this is a protected area where we can safely interact with the beautiful manatees.
The water access to the actual spring was closed when we visited in Dec 2014, but there were plenty of manatees just outside the roped off area. We experienced the park from a water perspective (amazing) and the trails and viewing areas we could see in the park look well maintained.
Three Sisters are three springs separated by a small canal from the main river channel. One must snorkel into the Springs along the same channel that the manatees use to get there. Once inside the Springs you can not help but be amazed by the clarity of the water and the amazing site of the manatees. The water is so clear you can look down 30 feet and see the bottom and in between are the manatees and their young. What an amazing site. The friendly manatees will swim up to you so that you can pet them or get a photo. But there are some that will ruin it for everyone by attempting to ride the manatee. This is their winter home and come to rest so please do not go after them they will come to you. For those not wanting to get wet a boardwalk has been built around the Springs where you will also get an excellent view of the manatees. Manatee season is from Nov-Mar when the Gulf waters are cold. The Springs are a constant 72 year round. As all the manatees do not leave the area in the summer you still might spot one if you visit out of season.
This is an absolutely beautiful spring, closed to public access except for a tour bus or kayaking in. I was privileged to take the bus tour in on one day, and the next day rented a kayak from A Crystal River Kayak Company, which was also an excellent experience. I can't recommend this highly enough!
the views and crystal clear waters of these springs are amazing this time of year. the main area was closed the day we visited due to the fact there were over 450 manatees within the confined area !! amazing
Once the temperature in the Gulf reaches 68 F, the manatees leave the springs to go where their food is. We saw none today. The water is pretty clear, but not crystal clear any more. You can't enter the springs from the boardwalk--you have to put a kayak in elsewhere then dock the kayak near the springs and swim in. The guides try hard to keep you entertained, but waiting for the next van to take you back through the gate makes for a long hour.
Really enjoyed walking the boardwalk around the springs and seeing lots of manatees. The water was the clearest, most beautiful blue I have ever seen. Can't imagine anyone not appreciating this place.
We had rented a boat to tak us to snorkle with the manatees but the area was so full of manatees we could not go to the Three Sister Springs except to view them from the boardwalk. The waters are so clear and the manatees so friendly. The boat took us to another area and we did get to swim with them. WE all fell in love!