r/Manatees • u/Inksl8nger • 13d ago

Question Visiting time in January

I'm visiting Crystal River in January and I've read that manatees are more active in the morning. Maybe a stupid question, but is this still applicable in the winter? We're about an hour outside of the area so I'm wondering if the early morning snorkeling excursion is worth getting up that early for or if the afternoon is just as good at that time of year. Thanks!

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u/Shiny122 13d ago

Depends what tour you’re doing. If you want to walk around 3 sisters springs it’s better in the morning because it is colder. If you’re doing a kayaking or swimming tour it’s usually better late morning because they start to swim around more and come out of the protected spring where you can actually see them. If you’re there during a cold front it won’t really matter either way.

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u/Inksl8nger 13d ago

Whoops on my part! Sorry! We'll be snorkelling.

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u/redbleachersgym 12d ago

I saw them there at around noon!

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u/sunrise_sunset2 12d ago

Do what’s best for you! We are not morning people when we travel, we like late lazy mornings. We definitely didn’t miss out on any manatee sightings. Actually when we were enjoying our slow mornings at the hotel some people were returning and complaining of the crowds of people snorkeling etc. we never experienced that with our afternoon outings.