Avoid This Florida Tourist Trap And Instead Snorkel With Manatees In Gorgeous Crystal Waters

With over 130 million visitors a year, Florida is one of the US' top draws, and for good reason. The Sunshine State not only boasts plenty of theme parks and warm weather, but also white sand beaches, pine forests, and out-of-the-way islands such as this pristine panhandle paradise. While the cities in Florida certainly deliver their own charms, more and more people are realizing that it's also a terrific destination when it comes to nature, as seen in this lush national forest brimming with wildlife.

The creatures that call Florida home make it an attractive destination, and there are whole theme parks — such as Discovery Cove in Orlando — dedicated to delivering guests up-close wildlife encounters. Operated by SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, Discovery Cove offers guests the chance to swim with dolphins and sharks, snorkel with tropical fish, as well as hand feed manta rays and exotic birds. It also operates on a reservation system that books up months ahead of time, and has garnered rave reviews online. 

All is not perfect in paradise, however. In recent years, Discovery Cove has come under criticism for its treatment of the marine creatures that are its main draw, and there have also been issues with overcrowding and safety. There's a good argument to be made that Discovery Cove is nothing more than an overpriced tourist trap. In fact, why waste your money at an ethically-iffy manufactured reserve, when you could just head to actual nature and swim alongside manatees — Florida's most iconic creature?

Situated just over an hour-and-a-half from Orlando on Florida's west coast, Crystal River is a place whose clear, sparkling spring waters truly live up to its name. The area is renowned for not only its lush forests and mangroves, but also what goes on underneath the water. Crystal River is home to a large population of manatees, whose numbers swell between 500 and 1000 in the winter months, when they come around to rest in the warm water.

This, of course, draws visitors keen to swim alongside these gentle giants in their natural habitat which (for those with their own boat) can be done for free, or on fully-outfitted snorkeling tours for less than $100. Compare that with Discovery Cove, where the price of swimming with a dolphin in a man-made lagoon tops $300 in the high season. Not only is Crystal River a much more authentic experience in a truly natural environment, but it's also much easier on the wallet.

For those wishing to take in these majestic creatures without getting wet, there are also boat tours available. The peak time for experiencing the manatees is in the winter months, though a population of around 100 stays in Crystal River year-round, which means you can witness these "sea cows" at any time. Mid-morning through mid-afternoon offers the best visibility conditions, and the manatees tend to congregate around somewhat remote freshwater springs, which require a boat and are off limits between November 15 and March 31, when they are declared a sanctuary zone. 

Manatees are slow-moving, tranquil creatures that pose no risk to humans, so it's perfectly safe for both adults and kids to swim with them. They are also an endangered species protected under both the Federal Endangered Species Act and the Federal Endangered Marine Mammals Act, which affords them special protections. 

That means harming a manatee in any way is illegal under federal law, which includes forms of harassment, such as chasing them, which can cause undue stress. Because of this, swimmers are instructed to carefully follow "manatee etiquette" before getting into the water.

Manatees are inquisitive creatures, so if one approaches you while beneath the surface, it's fine to take a photo (if you have an underwater camera) and even gently touch it. However, disturbing them at all is strictly prohibited. Just float in the crystal-clear water and let them do their thing. For more of Florida's amazing wildlife, check out the only place in the world to see both wild alligators and crocodiles.