November 30, 2021

THREE SISTERS SPRINGS

601 Three Sisters Springs Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429

“Three Sisters Springs are located on the Crystal River, in Citrus County, Florida, United States, at 28.888725°N 82.589191°W. They are in a natural inlet on the east side of Kings Bay. They contain three spring areas that contain many sand boils and vents.” Tripadvisor

Recommended as a place to see manatees, Three Sisters Springs did not disappoint. With overnight temperatures getting down into the 30s, hundreds of manatees sought the warmth of the springs. The clear water made it easy to watch the large, fascinating, mammals. A nice boardwalk allowed for easy access to springs for watching the manatees and other sights. There were kayakers and people swimming with the manatees (in areas set aside to do so). Knowledgable volunteers are stationed around the boardwalk who are able to answer questions. Seeing so many manatees in late November I asked if the numbers would increase as the winter went along and the answer way yes. The volunteer told me that there would be times when it would look like you could walk across the spring just by stepping on the manatees backs. A rare sight was a mating pod, where one female mates with several males. Volunteers were fascinated because some had never seen this before.

One can access the springs by walking, biking, or by riding a tram from the visitors center which was several miles away. The cost of admission for an adult is $20 in the winter, $15 if you have a National Park Pass. Seniors pay $17.50, or $12.50 with the National Park Pass.