Welcome to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge.
You are among the thousands of yearly visitors privileged to enter our natural springs, home
of the Florida manatee.
Your awareness of our rules and recommendations is essential to the protection of manatees
and their ecosystem.
It is your responsibility to learn and understand these rules prior to recreating in the Refuge.
Between November and April, Kings Bay is home to the largest aggregation
of manatees in a natural environment in the world.
To protect manatees from harm, harassment and disturbance,
the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and Manatee Sanctuaries were created in parts
of Kings Bay.
In addition, all of Kings Bay has been designated as a federal manatee protected area
with special manatee protection regulations in place year-round
The Florida manatee is protected by the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Marine
Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
Violations of these statutes may result in fines of up to $100,000 and/or 1 year in jail.
The US Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that all visitors practice passive observation
when viewing manatees.
Passive observation means calmly observing manatees from a distance
and from the surface of the water, and not initiating any contact with the manatee.
In addition to practicing passive observation, visitors should not approach manatees, particularly
those found resting.
During the winter months, manatees come to the springs to stay warm,
and spend the majority of their time resting around Kings Bay.
Undisturbed access to the springs is critical to the manatees’ survival.
Resting manatees can be found near the water’s surface, partially submerged in the water
column or laying on the water bottom.
They remain relatively still while resting, but may make some slight movements.
For example: Manatees may remain almost motionless before moving to the surface to breath, then
returning to the original resting position This means that resting manatees may be found
moving while resting and it is your responsibility not to disturb them.
Manatees are completely defenseless wild animals.
Recreating close to manatees is a privilege that comes with serious personal responsibility.
In the next few minutes, the rules that prevent manatee harassment will be shown,
followed by additional recommendations that will improve the quality of your experience.
Manatee sanctuaries provide a safe area for manatees to rest without disturbance from
humans during the cold winter months.
Manatee sanctuaries are designated by large orange and white buoys stating closed area.
All activities are prohibited inside.
Visitors must stay out of all posted manatee sanctuaries and all other posted closed areas.
The following activities or the attempt to perform any of the following activities is
prohibited throughout Kings Bay: Chasing or pursuing a manatee
Disturbing or touching a resting or feeding manatee
Diving from the surface onto a resting or feeding manatee
Cornering or surrounding a manatee Riding, holding, grabbing, or pinching a manatee
Poking, prodding, or stabbing a manatee with anything, including your hands and feet
Standing or stepping on a manatee Separating a mother and calf or separating
a manatee from a group Giving a manatee anything to eat or drink
Actively initiating contact with a belted or tagged manatee and associated gear, including
any belts, harnesses, tracking devices, or antennae
Interfering with rescue and research activities We understand that these are extensive rules
to remember; however, if you practice passive observation you won’t have to worry about
breaking any of these rules.
Responsibilities of swimmers, snorkelers, and divers in Kings Bay
There are other things you can do that will improve the quality of your experience and
reduce impacts to manatees and other visitors.
By following these simple guidelines, you will prevent manatee harassment and disturbance
while increasing your opportunity to see manatees up close.
When you are ready to get in the water, remember that you are about to enter the manatee’s
home.
Make sure there is a dive flag within 100’ of where you’ll be swimming.
Enter the water quietly and slowly to keep from scaring manatees and stirring up the
bottom.
Unnecessary splashing can disturb manatees and stir up sediment, reducing visibility
Keep your feet/fins off the bottom, especially in shallow areas, to maintain visibility.
Always keep calm, reduce splashing or excessive noise as much as possible.
When approaching the springs, swim as quietly and slowly as possible, keeping legs, arms,
hands and fin movements to a minimum and below the water’s surface to prevent splashing.
A wetsuit and snorkel gear is highly recommended, especially during the winter months.
Wetsuits provide improved buoyancy, helping keep all snorkeling activity at the surface
Snorkel gear improves your ability to see manatees, and will prevent you from accidentally
swimming over or into manatees.
Always give manatees the right of way and do not block or intercept a manatee as it
moves or surfaces to breathe.
Avoid swimming over manatees or hovering over them.
Swimming over or hovering over manatees can easily disturb them, particularly those found
resting, nursing or feeding.
Don’t approach a mating herd.
Although manatees aren’t aggressive, approaching a herd can be dangerous for swimmers.
The sound of bubbles generated by scuba gear may disturb manatees.
Avoid approaching any manatee while wearing scuba gear.
Remember, you are responsible for your children.
Make sure that they understand the rules for swimming with manatees and never leave them
unattended while in the water.
Practice passive observation.
By using this technique, the likelihood of harassing or disturbing a manatee is significantly
reduced, and manatees are more likely to approach you.
Your actions affect the behavior of other visitors around you;
so it is always best to be the example, especially when around children.
If you see an injured manatee or need to report a violation of the Kings Bay manatee regulations,
please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert
Hotline at 1 888 404-3922.
Thank you for taking the time to review these regulations and guidelines.
Please remember that Kings Bay is a community shared by manatees and people, so be respectful
of homeowners, businesses, and manatees during your visit.
The USFWS wants both: you and the manatees to have a safe experience.
With your help, we can protect this critical manatee area so it can be shared with future
generations For more information about manatee protection
within Kings Bay, visit us online at www.fws.gov/CrystalRiver