three sisters springs

The water access to the actual spring was closed when we visited in Dec 2014, but there were plenty of manatees just outside the roped off area. We experienced the park from a water perspective (amazing) and the trails and viewing areas we could see in the park look well maintained.

A short bus ride to the boardwalk around the spring. Unless there are manatees, it would not be worth going. On this day, however, there were hundreds. Evidently, the cooler the weather, the more the manatees try and crowd into the spring. These are not captive animals. They are free to come and go as they please, so there are no guarantees!

This is an absolutely beautiful spring, closed to public access except for a tour bus or kayaking in. I was privileged to take the bus tour in on one day, and the next day rented a kayak from A Crystal River Kayak Company, which was also an excellent experience. I can't recommend this highly enough!

Once the temperature in the Gulf reaches 68 F, the manatees leave the springs to go where their food is. We saw none today. The water is pretty clear, but not crystal clear any more. You can't enter the springs from the boardwalk--you have to put a kayak in elsewhere then dock the kayak near the springs and swim in. The guides try hard to keep you entertained, but waiting for the next van to take you back through the gate makes for a long hour.

We didn't get to see but a shadow of one single manatee on our visit which was disappointing after driving a few hrs to see them. It got a bit warm so the manatee are not in the springs when it's warm. Just a few days before there were over 400 in the area the guide had told us. The boardwalk itself was way smaller than expected which you are shuttled to. A maybe 3 min drive. They drop you off for an hr. But if there are no manatee to look at you can walk and see everything in about 20 min. The springs are beautiful so we made the best of it.

Swimming with the manatees was incredible. I did a tour and went back the next day on my own on a kayak. I'm very glad this is a protected area where we can safely interact with the beautiful manatees.

We had rented a boat to tak us to snorkle with the manatees but the area was so full of manatees we could not go to the Three Sister Springs except to view them from the boardwalk. The waters are so clear and the manatees so friendly. The boat took us to another area and we did get to swim with them. WE all fell in love!

the views and crystal clear waters of these springs are amazing this time of year. the main area was closed the day we visited due to the fact there were over 450 manatees within the confined area !! amazing

We went on the broadwalk to see the manatees and we saw plenty!!It is the good way to see manatees for those who don't want to get in the water!

Three Sisters are three springs separated by a small canal from the main river channel. One must snorkel into the Springs along the same channel that the manatees use to get there. Once inside the Springs you can not help but be amazed by the clarity of the water and the amazing site of the manatees. The water is so clear you can look down 30 feet and see the bottom and in between are the manatees and their young. What an amazing site. The friendly manatees will swim up to you so that you can pet them or get a photo. But there are some that will ruin it for everyone by attempting to ride the manatee. This is their winter home and come to rest so please do not go after them they will come to you. For those not wanting to get wet a boardwalk has been built around the Springs where you will also get an excellent view of the manatees. Manatee season is from Nov-Mar when the Gulf waters are cold. The Springs are a constant 72 year round. As all the manatees do not leave the area in the summer you still might spot one if you visit out of season.

This is a great stop when the Manatees are seeking the warm refuge of Florida springs in the winter months. The new walkway provides great Manatee viewingwithout the need to get in the water. Its a great way to introduce young ones to the joys of Manatee watching. It can get a bit crowded with visitors during high season.

The spring is crystal clear, Enjoyed seeing all the manatees in here. The boardwalk allows great viewing if you don't want to swim or kayak with them

Really enjoyed walking the boardwalk around the springs and seeing lots of manatees. The water was the clearest, most beautiful blue I have ever seen. Can't imagine anyone not appreciating this place.

They do close it when the manatees get thick, but I really hope they consider excluding the kayaks from the spring itself. Swimmers can be bad enough, and I also thing they should nix the pool noodles, but the boats take up too much space.

We had snorkeled with the manatee but had not been able to go into Three Sisters Springs as there were so MANY manatee that the Fish and Game people had closed off Three Sisters Springs (this closure has been happening off and on this season). The only way we would have seen Three Sisters was by going to the boardwalk through the area. We visited with my mother-in-law, and our family really enjoyed seeing the manatee and the area. There are rangers who are very helpful and happy to educate you about the area and the manatee. This area is so beautiful and pristine--it is an outing not to be missed!