The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife preserve in Crystal River, Florida. It is also an increasingly popular spot for folks who want to get a good experience with nature and mingle with the West Indian Manatee.

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge may be small, with only 46 acres worth of land area, it is, however, packed with a lot of things to do and experience. The site is composed of 20 islands, all of which are critically important habitat of the 25% of the endangered Florida manatees.

If you’re interested in seeing the manatees, come and visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge during the months of December to March. They migrate to the area around this time, to escape the cold waters of the other parts of the country. The site is only accessible by boat, though, so plan your visit ahead.