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Swim With The Manatees On Florida's Nature Coast

Nature Coast Manatee Tours is located in the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs Florida area also know as Florida's Nature Coast. Crystal River and Homosassa Springs are located in Citrus County. Citrus County Florida is well known for and the only place in the world where you can legally interact with the Florida Manatee. Here at Nature Coast Manatee Tours we specialize in all private and non private manatee tours and scallop tours. Why do we choose to specialize in all private and non private tours of 6 people or less? This is because most of our guests appreciate the family oriented tours. Over the time that we have been doing manatee tours we have had our customers tell us, "boy I'm glad we chose to go with your company". The reason why customers say this is because, imagine yourself on a other tour operator's boat that has a cattle call of about 20 or more people and possibly a manatee or two around that boat. This in turn makes the experience not as enjoyable for some people. Why is this? Because some of our guests will not have that one on one manatee experience that they where looking for. This is the reason why we only book small private and non private tours. Being a private or non private tour of 6 people or less is that our guests will be guaranteed that one on one manatee experience. Before we take you out on your manatee snorkel tour we will be playing a 10 minute onboard video from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service called, "Manatee Manners". This video shows our guests the rules and guidelines on how to interact with the Florida Manatees on your tour. We are conveniently located approximately 1.5 hours from Tampa or Orlando and 1 hour from Ocala. There are three different fresh water springs in the Crystal River that are 72' all year round that we can visit during your encounter. Swimming with the manatees is one of the most unique things to do in Florida and to most, an experience of a lifetime and some family's even say better then Sea World or Disney in our guest book. If you would like please take a minute to watch our "Swim With The Manatees Video " and the "Manatee Manners" video and see just how these wild Florida Manatees come up to you and interact with you. All snorkel equipment, wet suits and beverages are included with your tour. If you are interested in one of our manatee tours with these gentle giants or other tours, please make your reservations by calling the number above. Because of the growing manatee population, we now offer manatee tours all year round! We accept Visa or Master Card.

Manatee Facts

Manatees take up residence primarily in Florida's coastal waters during winter. Some individuals migrate as far north as the Carolinas or as far west as Louisiana in summer. In recent years, a manatee traveled to New York and Rhode Island another swam up the Mississippi River! The Manatee can also 50-60 years in the wild. The manatees are also Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, manatees have been known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. They normally rest and feed often. Manatees communicate by making squeaking noises under water to demonstrate fear, stress or excitement. Calves are born weighing between 60 and 70 pounds guided by the mother the calf will remain dependent on its mother for up to two years. Citrus County, FL. is well known for its Manatee's and It is the only place in the world where you can legally interact with Florida Manatees. People all over the world travel here just to see the manatees. Manatee's are playful mammals that swim into the 72' springs to avoid the cold temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico during the winter months. Manatees have a tough leathery skin like an Elephant, and their flippers have toenails that look like flat elephant feet. For more in depth information on manatees please visit The Wonderful World of the Manatee web site! Or this miscellaneous link 'Sea cow' could give cancer clues

Manatee Tours In Homosassa

The Following Information Can be Found at Homesafe.com website.

Just outside the park, beyond the sanctuary markers which provide a buffer zone for wild manatees, is the publicly accessible area of the springs which attracts visitors from all over the world - who want to meet and swim with the gentle giants during the colder winter months. The warm spring water spills into the much colder tannic water present in the canal - forming a very noticeable thermocline between the two. A wetsuit is recommended. Follow all rules and laws associated with swimming with the manatees. This area is closely monitored by Fish and Wildlife Officials who will fine you or arrest you for harassing or harming the animals in any way. The best way to find and access this area is with an experienced guide - who will train and supervise you as to proper conduct when swimming around manatees, can provide you with snorkeling equipment, and can help make your experience an enjoyable and memorable one. The best time to visit the spring is in colder winter months, as many manatees gather here to keep warm. For more information on supporting rescue efforts or adopting a manatee please contact Save The Manatee® - visit their adopt-a-manatee website on-line at: http://www.savethemanatee.com

Scallop Tours

Because the Homosassa and Crystal River leads into the Gulf of Mexico it makes it easy to enjoy a snorkel trip to get Scallops. What's better than to snorkel in the Gulf of Mexico and collect your own Scallops to take home and cook up!

Gentle Giant

Its the middle of the winter but we feel like taking a dip. So we hop on the boat to take a little trip. As we float down the river we see the ripples along the coast line. What is that over yonder? Oh what can it be? Oh look its a Manatee. Long and gray and wide as a tree. I wonder will he eat me? No silly you say with a grin, he's as gentle as kitten licking your chin. Well come on lets hurry and take a swim. The water is frigid but we don't care, because look over there it is a pair. A mom and her calf how awesome is that. Oh look their swimming towards us. Oh my what a giant, are sure they don't bite? Just wait and you will see, they are gentle as can be. As it brushes against me I cant help but giggle, its whiskers tickle!! Its skins like an elephant but whiskers like a cat. When all of a sudden oh what a surprise, the manatee hugs me with its flippers oh my! The baby rolls over like a puppy, for you to scratch his tummy! How cute and how sweet, they really are gentle giants. It's getting kinda late and the weather much cooler I think we must go now. As we begin to swim away, the manatee reaches to us with a flipper, you turn to look and SMOOCH!!!! A manatee Kiss!!!

Written by: Rose Johnson 11-19-2008

Cancellation Policy

Due to our limited number of tours we have found it necessary to implement a cancellation policy. When you make a reservation with us it means that someone else may be turned away if they try to book that date and tour. We make a commitment to our guests when we reserve a tour on their behalf and require a commitment from our guests in return. We require seven (7) days notification if you wish to cancel a tour. We will not refund short-notice cancellations. We pre-charge all credit card reservations for the cost of the tour. this is to insure that people don't book a tour and then not show up.

Thank You.