Crystal Lodge Dive Center

We had a great time swimming with the manatees. Everyone who worked there is so down to earth, the prices are very reasonable and it’s a great experience. I would recommend this place to anyone!!!

This dive shop has everything you need to have an enjoyable day swimming with Manatees or spying on John Travolta’s new river front home. My fam and I did a little bit of both.
We rented a boat, snorkel gear, and watched a pretty serious orientation video about the rules and regulations when swimming with manatees. Little did they know, I’m already quite the expert, since my Daddio started taking me here 15 years ago.
The shop people are very nice. It was a little awkward at first because they kind of just eye ball you and give you whatever size wetsuit they think you’ll need. I was nervous as I was retaining a bit of water, but felt reassured when I heard the gentlemen say «Hmm, prolly a small». Score!
The next awkward moment came when I realized you’re supposed to just try on your gear right in the middle of the shop… in front of everyone… even the trucker looking guy eating his bagel and cream cheese at the side table. Nope, not me. Where’s the bathroom? Not gonna happen. I don’t care if I do have a swimsuit on underneath, those things aren’t always reliable and I’m not having a wardrobe malfuntion in front of any patrons, not to mention my Dad and brother. Nobody’s gettin’ a free show from this gal. Even though I’m sure they could have cared less. Actually, once inside the bathroom I didn’t feel much better because it was very clear that a woman had never stepped foot in there before… it looked like a tool storage shed or some sort of man ave from Ace Hardware but I guess it makes do for them.
Lastly, I asked the man in charge about my chances of being eating or mangled by anything while swimming with the manatees. I mean, I’ve done this before but I’m terrified to the max of dark water (even shadows in swimming pools or bathtubs will get me) and on the last few manatee excursions we went on, we were informed of an alligator nest near where we had been swimming all day AND I saw giant fish with dinosaur teeth another time that were following our boat– even my Mom will verify that. Anyway, the kind man assured me that the chances of me being harmed were pretty low and they’ve only had 2 shark sightings this far into their freshwater, as far as he can remember. Mmmm… not too comforted by that but I know my Dad will yell if I don’t get in the water after he paid for everything so I’ll take my chances with the sea monsters. He also let me know that those giant fish with teeth (that are WAY bigger than me) are tarpon and they «shouldn’t bother you»… gulp! And then my family and bf shooed me out as I continued to shout things about sea monsters I’d seen on MonsterQuest in this area.
We ended up having a lovely day on our boat, dancing with manatees all over the river, seeing (what I would consider) man eating fish, and me, looking like a grade goober in my snorkel gear. I would recomend this place to anyone wanting to do the same, whether you’re a first timer, old timer, or just looking for the best prices on snorkel and boat rentals.

You arrive at 8am and get your gear from the shop (to rent a wet suit, flippers and snorkel mask will run you about $ 34). You are escorted over to a boat where you are then brought over to the manatee area. The manatees are such a protected species there are all types of rules governing them; like for instance you cant follow them, they have to come to you, you cant touch them with more than one hand (otherwise its «grabbing») and you can’t yell, splash or make fast motions. I didn’t ask what the consequences for this behavior would be but I am sure it involves a hefty fine.
So anyway, then you are allowed to get in the water and swim around. This was the first time snorkeling for me and the sensation was extremely weird, it took me a little while to get used to it. Even if you don’t see or touch a manatee (BTW, I did, if only briefly. Saw a mother and a newborn. Very cool!) there is so much underwater action with tons of fish, some that come almost close enough to touch. From the time the boat leaves to the time it comes back to the dock is about 2 — 2 ½ hours.
My only gripe is that there were entirely too many people around when we went. Between the number of people, the fact that some people could not stop making a commotion and the lateness of the season, I think many of the manatees stayed away or got scared away.
But overall it was a really cool, enjoyable experience which I think everyone should do at least once. My understanding is the best time to go is between November and February.