The national parks of the United States on the map are scattered throughout the country, from the coast of one ocean to the coast of another.
From snow-capped mountain peaks to deep canyons, from calm lakes to raging rivers, from hot volcanoes to frigid glaciers
Today I am telling you about two national parks that are neighbors in Florida:
Crystal River and Homosassa Springs!
Crystal River VS. Homosassa Springs Chart
Crystal River National Wildlife Park | Homosassa Springs National Wildlife Park | |
---|---|---|
Location | Kings Bay | Homosassa River |
Manatee Population | Thousands | Several dozen |
Swimming with Manatees | Allowed | Not allowed |
Other Wildlife | Some birds and fish | Hippos, alligators, birds, and fish |
Boat Tours | Available | Available |
Underwater Viewing Room | Not available | Available |
Educational Programs | Available | Available |
Size | 80 acres | 210 acres |
Cost | $15 per person | $13 per person |
Accessibility | Wheelchair accessible | Wheelchair accessible |
Crystal River National Wildlife Park is the best place to see manatees.
Sea cows are warm-blooded marine animals that are extremely sensitive to warm climates and clean environments. It is for this reason that the Crystal River has become a national reserve.
Here, in a mild climate and perfectly clear water, thousands of manatees comfortably settle down for the winter.
Crystal River National Park is located in Kings Bay.
The depth of the bay is quite small, and the bay is fed by water coming from the Crystal River and warm underground sources.
The average water temperature is 72–77 degrees. This is great for warm-blooded sea cows.
Homosassa Springs National Wildlife Park
Homosassa Spring has warm water, which is perfect for West Indian manatees.
Homosassa Spring is filled with thousands of fish species.
The Homosassa Springs include nearly 30 springs.
It contains about 65 million gallons of water, and it is one of the largest springs in Florida.
These springs form the Homosassa River, which flows west for 8 miles before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
My Reviews of “Which is Better: Crystal River or Homosassa Springs?”
Crystal River
The region is known as the manatee capital of the world and is the only place in the US where you can legally swim with manatees.
While some manatees are year-round residents, most can be seen in the warm waters of Florida’s natural springs from November to March.
We took a tour in the park to look at manatees.
In general, there are a lot of companies that specialize in equipment rental and tours with manatees, dolphins, and fishing.
The only thing that needs to be clarified are the opening hours of the reserve (because it is sometimes closed for visiting) and whether there are manatees in the bay at this time. We were lucky; there were manatees, and we got there during visiting hours.
There were also a lot of sea birds, especially pelicans; they occupied a small island with an abandoned house and set up a rather smelly colony there.
As you get closer to the Three Sisters Springs, the water becomes cleaner and clearer; you can see that the bottom is very close, and manatees are becoming more common.
Usually, when you get closer to the place where manatees accumulate, it becomes overcrowded.
People swim as close as possible, but do not climb over the fences.
Some put their nose out for air.
First we looked at them from the boat, then we wanted to swim and get as close to them as possible😍 They are unrealistically cool.
The water was a bit cold, but the equipment and positive emotions covered this minus.
Homosassa Springs
The park is quite cute and compact. You can walk around and slowly inspect everything in four hours.
You can get there by boat on the river (around 20 minutes) or by wagons along the road.
You can, of course, drive your car right up to the entrance, but that’s not so interesting.
I recommend going there by water and back through the forest along the road; it’s only 15 minutes away and it’s pretty nice.
The park is one of the oldest natural attractions in Florida, located on local springs where manatees swim in winter.
Homosassa Spring is a “showcase” of the local fauna; the collection includes all the main species of local animals, and hippos also live there for company.
This place has been attracting tourists since the 1940s, when there was an observation tower and people came to see who swam here in the unrealistically turquoise water and what kind of living creatures were swarming around.
In the 1960s, it was already a resort with a zoo: there were boat rides, deck chairs, and you could swim and look at exotic animals.
Now it is also quite a popular place where you can take a walk and look at local animals. There is an educational center and a rehabilitation center for birds that have suffered from people.
Well, the highlight of the park is manatees, of course.
Periodically, several times a day, personnel arrange a show with the feeding of manatees.
The underwater world can be viewed from a special room below the water line.
Is Crystal River or Homosassa better for swimming with manatees?
Crystal River is better for swimming with manatees.
Crystal River is a place that is considered the “manatee capital”.
Here, large herbivorous mammals, quite rare in the world and even endangered, live in large numbers and love to swim in local waters.
There are special manatee recreation areas in Crystal River Park where people are not allowed to enter or swim.
We must not forget that Crystal River National Park is not an attraction but a reserve with rare animals and a conservation area. In the waters of the park, any motorboats and yachts are prohibited so as not to injure the manatees.
The bay is patrolled by volunteers and animal protection specialists from local organizations, more precisely from the Fisheries Protection Service.
Many manatees also live in the area of Homosassa, which you will pass along the road. Continuation of the road by car to the town of Silver Springs
After, go to Silver Springs, where you can visit the local park.
The first adventure thriller about the life of the adopted son of monkeys, Tarzan, was filmed on its territory.
In addition, you will have time to ride on a glass-bottom boat on the Crystal Springs River.
It was here that in 1513, the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon discovered the “fountain of youth”.
Do not miss the opportunity to see this fountain covered with myths and legends!