Does anyone live near Crystal River? Manatee question

[ColoradoMom!!]

Most importantly I want to express my sympathy for all that this area has gone through in the last few months. Hurricane and then a tornado? I can't imagine. And if you do live there, my next question is pretty insignificant and perhaps insensitive. I apologize in advance.

We will be in Orlando the first week of December and have one day to travel to see the manatees. I have been planning on going to Three Sisters, or perhaps Homossasa but have read that the recent events could have caused the water to become very cloudy. Maybe Blue Springs would be better and a bit closer. This is our one shot, one day, and I really would like to see what we can (I know the temperature/weather has an impact on if the manatees will come into the springs).

I posted another thread in the Orlando attractions thread about seeing manatess that gave me a lot of information, but no one really has commented on the current visibility on the west coast areas. Any locals that have some insight to share? If you had only one day in early Dec., where would you suggest? Thanks.

 

[hertamaniac]

I live somewhat local and have an investment property about 20 miles from Crystal River and know the area pretty well. If you are going to be near the spring heads, then the water will be at its clearest. Since the fishbowl at Homosassa is literally built over the spring head, it offers more clarity than downstream.

https://homosassaspringswildlife.com/

Every time I go there, they feed the manatees at the "salad bar"; it's their name for a floating boundary where the workers throw in romaine/lettuce connected to the fishbowl.

And yes, we avoided a direct strike from the hurricane earlier this year.

I have found some of my photographs to give you an idea of the layout. Close enough to the manatees for you?

 

[ColoradoMom!!]

Thank you so much for your response! Incredible pictures. Definitely close - I actually meant that Blue Springs would be a close drive - not close to the manatees. Gosh the water looks clear and gorgeous ! I read that the Oct 12th tornado caused a lot of damage and that the springs had suffered from debris etc.

Looks like Homossasa has a lot to offer. I have even been stalking all the live web cams!

 

[wabbott]

Here's a live webcam. We'll be going to Crystal River next March.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/learn/webcam-watch-manatees-swim

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Here's a live webcam. We'll be going to Crystal River next March.

https://www.floridastateparks.org/index.php/learn/webcam-watch-manatees-swim

All I see is a grainy grey window with some (very) indistinct forms moving through.