Suppose you’re heading down to Florida for a vacation and are interested in diving. In that case, winter months are a great time of year to dive into certain rivers of the Sunshine State, where your chances of seeing manatees are better than ever. Rainbow River and Crystal River are breathtaking in natural beauty and offer some of the best opportunities for diving with manatees.
Crystal River
Less than two hours from Orlando, the Crystal River empties into the Gulf of Mexico, and each winter, it fills with manatees seeking warmer waters. Snorkeling tours allow you to see these beautiful giants up close, and diving is also available here.
King’s Spring is among the most popular freshwater dive sites along the river. They can be combined with your Crystal River manatee snorkeling adventure. Even though this is a short dive, advanced certifications are recommended, or at least having a good number of open water dives under your belt due to the presence of caverns and occasional low visibility.
Rainbow River
The Rainbow River is another popular spot for river diving with manatees in Florida. With a max depth of 25 feet, Rainbow River welcomes divers and non-divers alike. This site offers morning manatee spotting tours, snorkeling, and drift diving. These calm waters stay about 72 degrees year-round and usually offer up to 100 feet of visibility.
As you drift dive down the Rainbow River, you will encounter many small caverns and bubbling springs. The river is located in Dunnellon, Florida, southwest of Ocala and about 90 minutes from Orlando. This is Florida at its most natural, with canopies of old-growth trees and a wealth of freshwater fish like bass, brim, and gar.
River diving in Florida often leads to unique finds like fossils and shark teeth. Dive fees vary from site to site, and most tour operators have rental equipment available if needed. With just a little planning, you can spend your winter vacation river diving in Florida instead of shoveling snow.
