Guides

Plan Crystal River properly

Planning guides for the decisions that shape your day in Crystal River: how to get here, what the rules allow, and which way into the water.

Aerial view of Kings Bay's water, islands and waterfront homes

Crystal River from Orlando and Tampa: Driving, Day Tours and Where to Start

How to get to Crystal River from Orlando, Tampa and Gainesville, where the manatee tours, kayak launches and Three Sisters Springs actually start, and how to plan the day.

Clear turquoise spring water edged with trees and rocks at Three Sisters Springs

Three Sisters Springs and the Manatee Rules: Tickets, Sanctuaries and the Season

How to visit Three Sisters Springs by boardwalk or by water, the seven Kings Bay sanctuaries and their November 15 to March 31 closures, no-entry areas, and the Manatee Manners rules.

Snorkelers floating at the surface above a manatee

Swim with Manatees in Crystal River: Snorkel Tours, Boat Tours and Kayaks Compared

How the Crystal River manatee swim works, what tours cost and include, private and semi-private boats, stay-dry viewing cruises, clear kayaks and self-guided rentals, and the rules in the water.