Three
Sisters Springs is often described as "An Environmental Jewel", a blue oasis
of clear and pristine water. Located in the heart of Crystal River, Florida,
Three Sisters Springs is a complex of three spring areas, with vents and
sand boils that help feed Kings Bay, the headwaters of Crystal River, in
Citrus County, Florida. These springs at Three Sisters also constitute one
of the most important natural warm-water refuges for the endangered Florida
manatee. The mouth of the Three Sisters Springs run is blocked by concrete
posts to prevent boat access; only snorkelers, canoe’s, and kayakers can
enter the springs, and can currently only be accessed by way of the river. A
concerted effort to raise funds to purchase Three Sisters Springs in Crystal
River for preservation as a low impact public access recreation area was
successful. The City of Crystal River and southwest Florida Water Management
District commonly known as “swiftmud” now own the property and it is managed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A boardwalk has been built around the
springs for future use to the public as a manatee viewing platform. Future
plans for the 57 acres of land that surround Three Sisters Springs will
include an environmental educational and visitor center for Crystal River
National Wildlife Refuge, interpretive kiosks, hiking, and bicycling trails
just to name a few.
In
the winter months, when we have the highest concentration of manatees, Three
Sisters Springs and the outer sanctuaries provide a safe haven for the
Florida manatees. On a cold day in January 2011, a federal biologist counted
more than 200 manatees in Three Sisters and the outer sanctuaries. Three
Sisters springs remain at a constant temperature of 72 degrees, offering an
ideal setting for a manatee get together. For those who do not venture out
in wetsuits and snorkel gear to swim with the manatees, observers will have
an opportunity to get an up close look at the manatees in the winter months
in the near future from the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs. For those of
you who would enjoy an up close and personal encounter to swim with the
manatees, River Ventures Manatee Tour Center is located just steps outside
the Three Sisters property on the Northeast corner of Kings Bay Drive and
Cutler Spur Blvd. River Ventures provides you with everything you need for
the manatee swim tour. Tide and weather conditions conducive, we will guide
you by water to snorkel up the run to visit the beautiful crystal clear
water at Three Sisters Springs.
Three
Sisters Springs is often described as "An Environmental Jewel", a blue oasis
of clear and pristine water. Located in the heart of Crystal River, Florida,
Three Sisters Springs is a complex of three spring areas, with vents and
sand boils that help feed Kings Bay, the headwaters of Crystal River, in
Citrus County, Florida. These springs at Three Sisters also constitute one
of the most important natural warm-water refuges for the endangered Florida
manatee. The mouth of the Three Sisters Springs run is blocked by concrete
posts to prevent boat access; only snorkelers, canoe’s, and kayakers can
enter the springs, and can currently only be accessed by way of the river. A
concerted effort to raise funds to purchase Three Sisters Springs in Crystal
River for preservation as a low impact public access recreation area was
successful. The City of Crystal River and southwest Florida Water Management
District commonly known as “swiftmud” now own the property and it is managed
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A boardwalk has been built around the
springs for future use to the public as a manatee viewing platform. Future
plans for the 57 acres of land that surround Three Sisters Springs will
include an environmental educational and visitor center for Crystal River
National Wildlife Refuge, interpretive kiosks, hiking, and bicycling trails
just to name a few. 
In
the winter months, when we have the highest concentration of manatees, Three
Sisters Springs and the outer sanctuaries provide a safe haven for the
Florida manatees. On a cold day in January 2011, a federal biologist counted
more than 200 manatees in Three Sisters and the outer sanctuaries. Three
Sisters springs remain at a constant temperature of 72 degrees, offering an
ideal setting for a manatee get together. For those who do not venture out
in wetsuits and snorkel gear to swim with the manatees, observers will have
an opportunity to get an up close look at the manatees in the winter months
in the near future from the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs. For those of
you who would enjoy an up close and personal encounter to swim with the
manatees, River Ventures Manatee Tour Center is located just steps outside
the Three Sisters property on the Northeast corner of Kings Bay Drive and
Cutler Spur Blvd. River Ventures provides you with everything you need for
the manatee swim tour. Tide and weather conditions conducive, we will guide
you by water to snorkel up the run to visit the beautiful crystal clear
water at Three Sisters Springs.
