IF YOU GO . . . Tampa International is the closest airport.
Crystal River is a two-hour drive north of Tampa.
Bird's Underwater is a local provider offering manatee snorkel tours. The viewing area at Tampa Electric's Big Bend Power Plant in Apollo Beach is open late November through early April. Admission and parking are free. Drysuits, which allow divers to wear warm clothing under the suit, were provided for us to combat the cool water, but the half-ton manatees were comfortable. They had come in from the open ocean to escape the winter storms that chill the water.