Crystal River Kayak Company & Dive Center Frequently Asked Questions

Seven days a week, 8 AM to 4 PM, year-round, closed only Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Heavy rain and thunderstorms can close us early, so call (352) 795-2255 if the weather looks rough.

Kayak rental guests must arrive by 1:30 PM at the latest. All rental paddlecraft are due back at the dock by 3:30 PM, and self-launch guests need to be off the lot by 4 PM when the gate locks. For guided tours, dive trips, and courses, follow the arrival instructions in your confirmation or call if the timing is unclear.

1420 SE US Hwy 19 in Crystal River, in the big Quonset hut. The shop, dive center, and kayak launch share one property.

For manatees, manatee season runs November 15 through March 31, with the coldest snaps bringing the most animals into the springs. For quiet water and easy swimming access, the warmer months are underrated. There is no bad season here, just different ones.

Yes, on-site. Daily spaces are limited, which is one reason reservations matter.

Pets are welcome only on sit-on-top kayak rentals and canoes. They are not permitted on any guided tour because of wildlife-sanctuary access limits.

Dogs are not permitted in the water at Three Sisters Springs.

Crystal River has manatees year-round, with the largest numbers from roughly November through March, when cold Gulf water brings them into the warm springs. Sightings vary because manatees are wildlife, but Crystal River offers an extraordinary opportunity to share the water with them in every season.

November 15 through March 31. That is when the springs hold the most manatees and when special access rules apply around Three Sisters Springs.

When conditions allow. Swimming inside Three Sisters closes when the Crystal River water-temperature reading drops below about 62.7°F (17°C), because that is when manatees most need the warm springs left undisturbed. Outside closures, you can get in the water. Check the live conditions on our home page or call before you come if swimming is the goal.

During manatee season, paddlecraft stay at the edge of Three Sisters rather than entering the spring run, giving the manatees inside protected space to rest. You can paddle to the area and enjoy it from the edge. Outside the season, paddlecraft may enter the run when access is open.

A short U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service video on passive observation. Everyone in your group watches it before going out. Watch it before you arrive and your check-in gets faster.

Passive observation protects the animals and creates better encounters. Give manatees space, remain calm, and let them choose whether to approach. The best experience is one that stays comfortable for both you and the manatee.

Yes. Reservations are required, although we may accommodate a same-day walk-in when paddlecraft and launch capacity allow. A boat is not guaranteed without a reservation, so book before you arrive.

About ten minutes from our dock, on sheltered canal water, year-round. We are the closest launch to the springs and the only outfitter on the canals.

We rent single, double, and triple kayaks plus paddleboards. Clear-bottom kayaks are available during manatee season, November 15 through March 31, as a three-hour rental. Canoes are reserved by phone.

When Three Sisters is open for swimming, guests with standard sit-on-top rentals may get into the water. Swimming is not permitted from clear-bottom kayaks or canoes.

Yes. Self-launches are $15 per vessel, booked online, limited daily.

Want to get in the water with mask, snorkel, and wetsuit? The Manatee & Eco Swim Tour. Want a guided paddle that stays dry? The Kings Bay Tour. Want to see into the water without swimming? The Clear Kayak Tour. Want the evening light? The Sunset Tour. Still torn? Call us and describe your group; matching people to trips is the job.

All four kayak tours travel through the Three Sisters area, but the exact stop depends on the tour and current access. The Kings Bay Tour includes a stop when the springs are open. Clear Kayak and Sunset Tour access is guided by the group, timing, and conditions. The Manatee & Eco Swim Tour uses the Three Sisters area and swims outside the spring run when interior access is closed.

Manatees are wildlife, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. Manatee season offers the best odds, and every encounter happens on the animal’s terms. Our guides focus on the best responsible experience the day’s conditions can provide.

Our full-service Dive Center is a NAUI Pro Gold Center and DAN member facility offering certification courses, guided freshwater dives, SCUBA refreshers, equipment support, and a GI Bill® exam-fee reimbursement pathway.

The region's best freshwater springs: Devil's Den and Blue Grotto (about 50 minutes), Rainbow River (about 30), Ginnie Springs and Paradise Springs (about an hour). The springs hold 72°F year-round.

Yes, from a one-day Discover SCUBA intro through full Open Water certification and beyond, in small private courses scheduled around you.

Eligible Veterans, service members, and qualified survivors or dependents may seek reimbursement for approved NAUI certification and license exam fees through qualifying GI Bill® benefits. Crystal River Kayak Company is the only nearby NAUI VA Testing Center, and our dive team provides the applicable testing documents and printed submission instructions.

By phone or email, not online, so we can match the dive or course to your experience. Call (352) 795-2255.

Kayak rentals and tours book online through our booking system. Dive tours and certifications book by phone or email.

Cancel at least 48 hours before your reservation start time, by email or phone.

Yes, completed electronically through the link in your booking confirmation. Do it ahead of time and check-in is quick.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms can close us early or affect tours. If the forecast looks questionable, call ahead and our crew will explain the current plan for your reservation.