What is Three Sisters Springs?
Three Sisters Springs is a series of three shallow, interconnected springs owned by the district and the City of Crystal River and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is home to the largest concentration of manatees in Florida during manatee season and provides them with a safe, clean environment to thrive. The springs also provide a wonderful opportunity for visitors to observe and interact with these gentle giants in their natural environment. Three Sisters Springs is one of the best places to experience manatees in Crystal River.
Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife
Where is Three Sisters Springs?
Three Sisters Springs is in Crystal River, Florida, on the west coast of Florida near the Gulf of Mexico. The springs flow into the 600 acres of King's Bay, which flows down the Crystal River approximately 7 miles before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
How do I access Three Sisters Springs during the summer of 2023?
Unfortunately, there is NO ACCESS to Three Sisters Springs from April 1, 2023 - November 2023 due to a construction project on the property via water or land. Land and water access will reopen once the project is complete in November 2023.
What is the construction going on at Three Sisters Springs summer of 2023?
Three Sisters Springs is undergoing a canal stabilization project that will restore habitat and prevent erosion of the banks into the spring. The banks have been eroding for years due to manatee and human activity. The interior portion of the springs banks was stabilized in 2016. In 2023, the exterior banks of the spring will be stabilized to protect the property from further erosion. For more information, please visit https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/springs/three-sisters-springs-canal-stabilization-project
How can I see Three Sisters Springs by land?
Three Sisters Springs land access is accessible by taking a trolley from the Three Sisters Springs Center at 123 NW HWY 19 Crystal River, FL 34428. The trolley runs continuously throughout the day with several other stops throughout town. The trolley drops you off right at the boardwalk which wraps around the springs and is a quarter mile long. The property has an additional 57 acres accessible by numerous walking trails where you can see native wildlife along the way. There is no water access from the Three Sisters Springs property.
How can I see Three Sisters Springs by water?
Three Sisters Springs is reachable by water for kayaking during the summer months or swimming year-round. During the summer months (April - November), you can paddle a kayak or paddleboard into the springs or tie up to the tie line out front of the springs. However motorized vessels are not allowed.
During the winter months (November - April) only snorkeling is allowed in the middle lobe of the springs when they are open. The springs are closed by US Fish & Wildlife Services to all water access when the Gulf of Mexico water temperature drops below 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit to provide uninterrupted warm water refuge to the Florida manatees. The springs reopen when the Gulf of Mexico temperature is above 62.2 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 24 hours.
Can I swim with manatees at Three Sisters Springs?
There are many tour operators that provide quality manatee tours in Crystal River. However, only operators with a Special Use Permit issued by US Fish & Wildlife Service are allowed to enter Three Sisters Springs. A requirement of the special-use permit is that all manatee tours entering the springs are guided tours.
However, visiting Three Sisters Springs while swimming with manatees does not always make for the best tour. The best swim with the manatee tour goes where the manatee experience is the best given the current water temperatures, clarity, and manatee migration! With access to over 600 acres of waterways in Kings Bay including 80 acres of wildlife refuge, the possibilities on a manatee swim tour are endless.