î
Itinerary î
FRIDAY Grab a hire car from Orlando Airport, punch Crystal River into the navigator and head up Florida’ s turnpike for a 1½-hour easy drive. Check into your accommodation and enjoy the afternoon canoeing, kayaking or walking and bird-watching in the Fort Island Trail Park with its white sandy beach. Have dinner at Crackers on Kings Bay for fabulous seafood and a great nautical atmosphere. www. crackersbarandgrill. com
î
SATURDAY An early start beats the crowds; if self-driving prearrange your boat pickup at 6am. Or join one of several tour companies from 7am to 1pm. Bring mask, fins and snorkel and slide in to experience a very special wildlife encounter. In the afternoon grab your dive gear and head for the Rainbow River Florida Springs Drift Dive: crystal clear spring water and over 60 metres visibility drifting over fish, turtles and other wildlife. For a dinner treat book one of the restaurants at the very luxurious Plantation on Crystal River. www. plantationoncrystalriver. com
Crystal River is reputedly the best place in the world to enjoy manatees in their natural habitat
î
SUNDAY Enjoy a second morning with the manatees followed by an afternoon dive in crystal clear water at the beautiful Blue Grotto cavern. The upper area is fine for open water qualified divers, and more experienced divers can explore the lower caverns down to 30 metres. Stroll around the lovely speciality shops and dine in one of the many food outlets in downtown Crystal River.
PRACTICALITIES
04 All kinds of water sports and activities on the rivers around Florida’ s“ Nature Coast”
05 The manatees are very gentle and inquisitive
WHEN November – April is best, with March having large groups of manatees, but this can mean snorkelling with them is restricted for their safety. There are manatees in the Crystal River all year round though.
HOW Many international flights come through Orlando; then it’ s just a 1½hour drive. Tampa and Miami are also easily driveable.
STAY / DIVE Stay
• Budget – Econo Lodge US $ 75 a night www. choicehotels. com
• Mid-range – Best Western US $ 130 a night including breakfast
• www. crystalriverresort. com
• Luxury – Plantation on Crystal River US $ 160 a night www. plantationoncrystalriver. com
Dive
• American Pro Dive Centre www. americanprodiving. com
• Crystal Lodge Dive Center www. manatee-central. com / diving
04
05
î
MONDAY If you can’ t get enough of those endearing manatees, take another morning trip. If you are into golf, there are 50 courses along the Nature Coast, or for some fascinating culture, visit the Shell Mound archaeological site near Cedar Key describing a 7,000-year history in the area before heading back down the turnpike to Orlando. SDOP
TOPSIDE Manatee snorkelling is the top attraction, with diving in the crystal waters a close second. Also try golf, paddle-boarding, kayaking, horse riding, bird and wildlife watching. Take an airboat ride to get away from the madding crowd. www. ozelloboats. com
ENTRY Visa requirements vary. The US Department of State website has a helpful wizard programme, which can help determine requirements based upon your citizenship( passport) and purpose of visit. www. travel. state. gov / content / visas / en / general / visa-wizard. html