LONG WEEKEND GETAWAY
ORLANDO IN THE US state of Florida is known as
“The Theme Park Capital of the World” with over
60 million tourists visiting its many manicured
attractions every year.
However, just 150 kilometres northwest of Orlando
is the most wonderful long weekend getaway.
Around October–November, the water temperature
drops in their summer home, the Gulf of Mexico, and
hundreds of West Indian manatees move into the
warmer waters of the Crystal River for the winter. This
area is on Central Florida’s “Nature Coast”. Although
scuba diving with the manatees is not permitted,
there are dive sites in the area, so combine a dive and
manatee trip over a long weekend from Orlando.
Crystal River is reputedly the best place in the world
to have the most magical snorkelling experience with
this gentle giant in its natural habitat.
02
02 Pretty houses and
villas line the area
around Crystal River
03 Snorkelling
gives wonderful
opportunities to get
close and personal with
the manatees
03