MANATEE INFORMATION

The West Indian Manatee is a large, gray-brown aquatic mammal.  Its seal-like body tapers to a flat, paddle-shaped tail.  The upper part of its body has two small forelimbs with 3 to 4 nails on each flipper.  The head and face are wrinkled, and the snout has whiskers.  Adults have been known to reach lengths of over 13 feet and weights of over 3,000 pounds.  Calves are 3 to 4 feet long at birth and weigh approximately 60 pounds. 

Manatees spend most of their time feeding and resting.  They graze for food along rivers, coastal bottoms and the water's surface.  Manatees have been known to hold their breaths for as long as 20 minutes, but they usually surface every 5 minutes to breathe.  Their minimum population is estimated to be about 3,800, however, the continuing growth of Florida's coastal areas threatens the Manatee's survival.

DAILY MANATEE TOURS

Our daily tours, at Bird's Underwater, Inc., are $ 45.00 per person and you are provided with a mask, snorkel, fins and a wetsuit.  A custom DVD of your tour is available for an additional $35.00.

Our two (2) daily scheduled tours meet each morning year round at our shop and begin at 6:15 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.  (The later tour begins at 11:00 a.m. from November 1 through March 31st).  Reservations are recommended for the early tours to ensure that space is available.  Walk-ins will be allowed only if there is available space. Later tours are limited and are available by phone reservation only. We'll take you out snorkeling to a pretty spring and drive around while looking for Manatees.  The tours are 3 - 4 hours long depending on the conditions. We do not rush you out of the water. We do not have to get back to the dock to make a deadline for another tour as each tour is properly spaced apart.  Our boats are fully enclosed for the cold winter seasons and we have a changing room and porta-potti on board.

Due to the high volume of people and boats out on the water during the afternoon hours, we recommend that if you want to swim with the Manatees, that you consider going out on our early tours.  It's difficult to have as good of a tour later in the morning as it is early in the morning at 6:15. We go out early specifically to beat the crowds. We encourage people to take the early tours, especially on the weekends, because conditions are usually better in the morning (before other boats are on the water and before the Manatees move away from the springs to feed).  Our 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. tours can be enjoyable cruises, but we don't consider them specifically Manatee swim tours.

Private Chartered Tours are also available year round.  (Please call for availability.) We can arrange private tours with flexible departure and return times for group and family events, photo shoots, and film crews

HERE IS WHY WE ARE THE BEST

We at Bird's Underwater, Inc. have a worldwide reputation for unwavering dedication to protecting the Manatees and for assuring that our interactions do not have detrimental effects on them.

Our Captains are long term employees. They are experienced and mature adults dedicated to making sure that you have a fun, safe, and informative tour.

Our Captains also GET IN the water to assist you while you are snorkeling, to assure your passive interaction with the Manatees, and to shoot an underwater video which you can view upon your return to our shop and purchase if you would like.

PRIVATE MANATEE TOURS

Due to a large number of requests for a private boat, Bird's Underwater, Inc. has set one up just for you and a few of your friends and family. We have converted one of our comfortable 24 foot pontoon boats into a private 6 passenger vessel.  The private boat is available for a flat fee of $350.00. All private tours meet at the shop at 6:15 a.m. unless you opt for a special, later time.

Our boat is spacious, open and airy in summer with a good view, and is enclosed and heated in the winter months.  The boat has a changing room and porta-potty.  Bakery donuts, breakfast bars, fresh fruit, bottled water, and juice drinks are included.

Your Captain will get in the water to help you out and shoot an underwater video of you and your family or friends.  DVDs of your tour are available for viewing after the tour and you can buy them for $35.

To speed things up, and allow for your privacy,  you can come into the dive shop no later than 4:00 p.m. the night before your trip to fill out your waivers, watch the required manatee manners video, and pick up your rental wet suits (if you do not have your own).  That way you can try them on in the comfort of your hotel room.  Suits are $15.00 to rent and are required. Mask, fins, and snorkels are included for no additional charge.

KAYAK RENTALS

Spend a morning or afternoon on the Crystal River enjoying a casual paddle around Kings Bay. Kayaking is a safe and easy activity.  Our wide "sit on top" kayaks are very stable, they are not "tippy". Kings Bay is a circle about 3 miles in diameter, compromising approximately 46 acres of marshlands, tributaries, islands, and popular swimming areas. The popular Three Sisters Springs is only about a 20 minute paddle.

Bird's Underwater, Inc. rents kayaks 7 days a week year 'round. Singles are $30.00 for a 1/2 Day.  Doubles are $40.00 for a 1/2 Day.  Kayaks are available at 9:00 a.m. and must be returned by 4:30 p.m.

DIVE CENTER SCUBA CLASSES

Bird's Underwater, Inc. has been teaching SCUBA in the Crystal River and High Springs area for over 20 years.  We have earned a world-wide reputation for safe, patient, and FUN training for divers of all levels.

Imagine how much fun it could be to actually see in person the beautiful reefs, wrecks, and cave systems that you have seen on television.  Our students come from all walks of life: from 10 year olds to people in their 70's and 80's, men and women, boys and girls.  Some are people who are just curious and want to see more under the water, others want to be marine biologists when they grow up, and some are people who fish and just want to see what their bottom finder is showing them .

We offer all levels of training from basic Open Water SCUBA Diver up through the advanced Cave Instructor and Trimix Instructor ratings, and we have been doing so for many years.  We have taught and trained students from all around the world.

Diving is exciting and fun for everyone!  SCUBA is great for the whole family. It brings a new dimension to your vacations and keeps the whole family active and together.  Whether you like drifting over pretty reefs, taking underwater pictures or video to share your adventures, spearfishing, or just keeping a life list of the fish you've seen, then SCUBA really does have something for everyone, young and old. There are primeval caverns and cenotes to explore, underwater archeological sites to visit, crystal clear spring fed rivers to drift down, and even an underwater National Park!

DISCOVER SCUBA CLASS

If you're not sure whether or not SCUBA is for you, then why not take a fun day on the water and find out?  We offer a Discover SCUBA class that is specifically just for you.  Your instructor will go over what to expect, what to do, and how to do it.  Then you'll have an exciting dive in a beautiful crystal clear spring.

Minimum age  to participate in the class is 10 years old.   The fee for Discover SCUBA is $100.00 and all equipment that will you need is included.

OPEN WATER SCUBA DIVER CLASS

OK, I'm hooked.  I know that I want to dive. So now what?  If you're ready for the adventure of going underwater, then you can register with us to become an Open Water SCUBA Diver.  Don't worry. There won't be any boring sitting in a stuffy classroom.  The academic portion and your final exam is conducted online.  You can study the materials at home or at work and at any time of the day or night for as long you want.  You can expect 6-8 hours to complete this part.  After the on-line academic work is completed, all you'll have to do is just call us and schedule your two (2) fun filled days of diving.  You'll learn some new skills, have fun, dive, and maybe even hear a few bad jokes.

Minimum age to participate in the class is 10 years old.  The fee for the Open Water SCUBA Diver Class is $275.00 and all equipment that will you need is included.  You should also expect to pay another $25.00 admission on the second of diving as you'll be doing 3 dives and we like going to nicer spots that are a distance from our shop.

You can add Nitrox to your Open Water SCUBA Diver Class for an additional $75.00.

ADVANCED ADVENTURE DIVER CLASS

Already diving?  Then move on...move up.  Our Advanced Adventure Diver Class will open a lot of doors that are closed to regular Open Water divers.  Open Water divers are recommended not to exceed 60' until they become comfortable with dives above that; then they are advised not to exceed 90'.  That might sound deep for now and many new divers do feel like they'll be doing all their dives on 30-40' reefs, but after a while, most of those divers want to expand their horizons and want to have more variety during their dives.

That's when being an Advanced Adventure Diver comes in handy. You'll now have access to the thousands of wrecks and wall dives in the 90-130' range.  As part of the course, you'll be exposed to many fun new diving adventures, such as using an underwater scooter, U/W video or photography, advanced buoyancy techniques, fish ID, underwater hunting, etc.  You get to choose 3 different things to experience out of a very long list of choices available.

Advanced Adventure Diver consists of two (2) full days of training.  The cost for the Class is $225 and does not include gear or admissions.  There is no classroom work to speak of as you'll be going out in the water to dive, dive, dive!

You can also add Computer Nitrox Diver for an additional $75.00, and at this level of diving, you really should consider doing so.  Almost all serious divers use Nitrox on dives over 50 to 60 feet.

Once you're a certified diver, we offer many further options for advanced training (Cave, Mixed Gas, and Rebreather courses) as well as diving tours to many locations in and around Crystal River, Florida.

GUIDED DIVES

BLUE GROTTO:  Super clear water fills this huge cavern with its famous air bell. Training platforms, some fish and turtles with a max depth of around 90'. $99.50 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

DEVIL'S DEN: This truly unique dive actually begins below ground.  While you are checking out the fish and all the fossils, you can also try to find the "hidden" air bell. Training platforms with a max depth of around 50'. $99.50 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

KING'S SPRING:  While murky in the summer, this spring really shines in the winter when you can see tarpon, snook, gray snapper, crevalle jack, sheepshead, and mullet all at once.  You might even decide to switch to snorkel and see a Manatee or 50! $35.00 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

GINNIE SPRINGS: Probably the clearest water you'll ever see. Dive the caverns and drift the river. Kayaking, camping, family fun!  And an immense cave system to boot. $125.00 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

MANATEE SPRINGS: A beautiful State Park with 2 dive sites about 100 yards apart.  Max depth in one is 40' and you'll hit around 70' in the other. $99.50 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

PARADISE SPRING: This is a more advanced dive and you need cavern training.  Max Depth to 99'.  Lots of fossils, including a HUGE one.  We'll see if you can find it. $99.50 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

RAINBOW RIVER: A must see.  Great for the whole family.  You can enjoy this river equally on SCUBA, snorkeling, tubing, or canoeing and kayaking. Please don't miss this one. Max depth only 23', but it's loaded with fish, turtles, and even birds that swim underwater.  $35.00 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

WEEKI WACHEE: Sorry, they don't let you dive with the mermaids.  But they do sometimes practice while you're there.  Your family will enjoy the water park, watch the shows, and yes, they can sit in the 400 seat underwater theater and watch you dive. $125.00 per person plus gear rental. Two (2) person minimum.

If you're Cave certified, we can also offer guided dives to Eagle's Nest, Diepolder, Ginnie, and all of the other famous cave systems in Florida!

NIGHTLY WATERFRONT RENTALS

Coming to Crystal River?  Why stay in an impersonal hotel when you can have a home of your own?  Our two (2) waterfront houses are priced in line with the local hotels and are even lots cheaper if you need two rooms.  We provide you with a way to have privacy and a "home away from home" setting to enjoy your stay here even more.

While you're here you can take advantage of the great golf, fishing, hiking, and of course our world famous Manatee tours.  Take a minute and check out both of our houses.  One is surely right for you and your family.

                             

 Fishbowl house in Homosassa.                            Hall's River house in Crystal River.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND DETAILS AND TO MAKE A RESERVATION.