How to Encourage a Child’s Interest in Marine Life

March 10, 2018 By manatees

Fish swimming in the river If your child expresses interest in the Earth’s ocean and the life that resides in it, encouraging their interest can result in fun learning experiences for the whole family. Whether you are wondering where to swim with manatees or are looking for a child’s marine biology course, below are just some of the ways you can cater to their passion.

Children’s Ocean Science Program

The National Marine Institute in Florida offers a fantastic ocean science program for children who are interested in learning more about the ocean that covers our planet. These programs are open for elementary, middle, and high school students and can be a great way to encourage their pursuit of this topic.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

The Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is a great place to visit and is within walking distance of one of our Bird’s Underwater rental properties. You will be able to view a variety of wildlife that lives in and around the river, and it can be a fantastic educational resource for your budding scientist.

Swim with the Manatees

Swimming with manatees can be an exciting experience for the whole family and Bird’s Underwater offers the best tours in all of Citrus County. Our dive shop is located directly on the water, so there is no need for additional traveling to start your tour. When you plan your marine-themed vacation with us, you will have access to a variety of enjoyable and educational activities for your family.

Manatee Habitat & Behavior

February 21, 2018 By manatees

Manatee surfacing from the water Manatees are extraordinary creatures that are wonderfully preserved here in Citrus County, FL. As a result of the Endangered Species Act, the Florida Manatee Recovery Plan has been a huge success since its installment in 1989.

When it comes to their preferred habitat, manatees love shallow, slow-moving bodies of water such as rivers, bays, and coastal areas. They stick to these areas due to the seagrass beds and vegetation that grow for food. Manatees are a migratory species which stay located in Florida during the winter, but can then venture out as far west as Texas and as far north as Massachusetts in the summer months.

Manatees are very gentle animals and are very slow-moving. They prefer to spend their days eating, resting, and traveling. Though they are mostly herbivores, they can consume some small fish and invertebrates along with their regular diet.

Since they are mammals, they do need to come to the surface to breathe. They will usually come to the surface every three to five minutes, but when they are exerting more energy, it can be as frequent as every thirty seconds. Manatees can rest underwater for up to twenty minutes and can also swim up to 20 miles per hour if necessary.

If you are looking to swim with manatees in Citrus County, FL, Bird’s Underwater offers exceptional manatee tours. Rent one of our waterfront properties and join us for a scuba diving excursion of a lifetime!

Why Rent our Waterfront Property during Your Tour

February 6, 2018 By manatees

Hall’s River rental property When you are searching for Crystal River manatee tours, Bird’s Underwater offers the experience of a lifetime. Instead of spending half of your trip traveling from place to place, we offer a variety of amenities and conveniences that allow you to focus on having fun.

We offer two rental houses, located right on the water and conveniently located near our dive shop. They also provide easy access to a variety of other attractions such as golf, horseback riding, and are less than two hours away from Disney, Universal, Epcot, and other major attractions.

When you choose to rent one of our properties, you will be able to relax after your tour in a quite spacious home all to yourself. Both of our rentals come equipped with cable TV and high-speed internet, as well as kayaks, grills, fire pits, and microwaves.

A vacation should be relaxing and stress-free, and with our rental properties, you will not need to deal with the cramped and busy atmosphere of a hotel. Instead, it will feel as if you are going back to your home after a long day of swimming with manatees and exploring everything Citrus County has to offer.

If you are interested in renting one of our properties for your trip, contact Bird’s Underwater today at (352) 563-2763. We will help you choose which of our rentals are best suited for your group size and interests.

Tips for Safely Swimming with Manatees

January 28, 2018 By manatees

Safety Tips for Our Manatee Tours in Florida

Swimming with manatees can be an unforgettable experience. Watching these graceful creatures move around in the water can be mesmerizing, and it can be hard to forget that you are entering a wild animal’s natural habitat. As such, there are a few safety tips you can follow to ensure both your safety and the manatees’.

Passive Observation

Manatees are harmless animals, but you pose a danger to them if you do not respect their habitat. When you are on manatee tours in Florida, it is important to practice passive observation. While manatees may approach you and seem friendly, you should not approach or chase them, touch, ride, surround, poke or otherwise disturb them.

Avoid Splashing and Excess Noise

Making excessive noise or splashing in the water can scare manatees away from the warm water area they inhabit. This can put them in harm’s way from boat traffic or cold exposure. While snorkeling on manatee tours in Florida, you should float near them with minimal movement so as not to disturb them.

Do Not Feed the Manatees

Just like with any wild animal, you should not feed manatees. Feeding them can disrupt their natural feeding patterns. Food that is not part of their natural diet may also be harmful to them. Also, feeding manatees can alter their behavior patterns. Manatees that have lost their fear of humans may approach boats expecting foot only to be injured or killed by a propeller or tangled in fishing nets.

Dispose of Trash Properly

While on manatee tours in Florida, always respect your environment. Dispose of any trash properly, so you do not damage the manatees’ habitat with debris and pollutants. Things like plastic bags, six-pack holders, monofilament lines, fishing hooks, and other debris thrown into waterways are dangerous to both manatees and other forms of wildlife. Manatees can try to eat the trash, which can be fatal for them. Always be considerate of animals when you are out in nature.

Always remember to be respectful of wild animals when you enter their habitats and follow all of the rules your diving instructor gives you when you book a manatee tour with Birds Underwater.

Facts about Florida Manatees

January 21, 2018 By manatees

Florida manatee in the ocean Florida manatees are fantastic creatures and thanks to the state’s preservation efforts, they have recently been reclassified from an endangered species to a threatened species. One of the only places in the United States for manatee tours is Citrus County, FL and below are some useful facts about the state’s marine animal.

Manatees are herbivores, and their diet consists of primarily seagrasses and other freshwater vegetation.
The manatee population is an estimated 6,000 in the state of Florida, which is a huge step up from where they once were.
Manatees prefer warmer water and rarely spend their time in waters less than 68 degrees.
In the winter, these animals mainly stick to the Florida coastal waters but will travel as far as the Carolinas and Louisiana in the summer.
When playing, manatees have been known to body surf or barrel roll in the water.
Baby manatees, called calves, are born weighing 60-70 pounds and measuring around 3-4 feet long.
Manatees only breathe through their nose. This is because their mouths are always eating underwater.
Manatee lungs are two-thirds the length of their body.
Manatees only have molars, and as they wear down and fall out, new teeth grow in to replace them.

Plan an Educational Vacation with your Child

January 6, 2018 By manatees

Scuba diver with manatee Planning a vacation with children opens up a variety of fun travel options. If you are looking for a trip that will be both exciting and educational for your family, come swim with manatees in Citrus County, FL!

At Bird’s Underwater, we are located directly on the water and offer exciting manatee tours, scuba diving lessons, kayaking, and more for families looking for an aquatic getaway. Not only is swimming with Florida manatees a once in a lifetime experience, but it can also be a great way to teach your child about the ocean and the animals that live within it.

All of our captains hold Coast Guard Master’s licenses, and our in-water guides are dive professionals. When you choose us for a manatee tour, our staff will provide informative information on the wildlife and their habitat every step of the way. Everyone loves a relaxing beach vacation, but if you are looking for a more exciting way to spend time with the family, look to Bird’s Underwater for our manatee tours.

We understand how important a child’s education is and have a variety of manatee information at our storefront. From brochures and local maps to books for children and adults, we are always working to make sure your tour is as educational as it is exhilarating. We even offer a gold seal “Manatee Awareness” wall plaque for children after they complete our tours.

For more information on everything our manatee tours have to offer, contact Bird’s Underwater today at (352) 653-2763.

Where Can You Swim with Manatees?

December 26, 2017 By manatees

Family scuba diving with manatees Swimming with manatees can be a fantastic experience for the whole family. Whether your child expresses interest in marine life or you are looking for something new to do in the upcoming year, manatee tours are a great way to have an enjoyable and enriching vacation.

If you are wondering where to swim with manatees, Citrus County, Florida is the only place in the United States that you can legally swim with these creatures. Florida manatees were at one time an endangered species, but the species has been thriving since preservation efforts began around 1975. Now the Florida manatee population has grown to over 6,000 animals and has been reclassified from an endangered to a threatened species by the federal Endangered Species Act.

At Bird’s Underwater, we offer a unique experience where you can swim and snorkel with manatees at our location in Crystal River. All of our guides are in-water professionals and will provide adequate instructions for how to snorkel and interact with these magnificent animals.

We have two conveniently located waterfront properties for rent for you to relax in when you are not making memories in the water. Book your tour today for the whole family to swim with manatees in Florida! You can reach us at (352) 563-2763 or send us an email through our contact page.

Spend Time with the Family on the Clear Crystal River

December 16, 2017 By manatees

Scuba diving family If you’re looking for a great way to spend some time with the family, why not plan a trip to swim with manatees in Citrus County, FL? Bird’s Underwater offers a fantastic manatee swimming experience that is exciting for people of all ages. Citrus County is the only place in the United States where you can swim with manatees, and we work hard to ensure your experience with Bird’s is the best you’ll ever have.

We offer a variety of family-fun activities, from manatee tours to scuba diving lessons that everyone from the kids to the grandparents can enjoy. We also provide vacation home and kayak rentals, so you can spend the day scuba diving or relaxing on the porch of a waterfront home. There’s a variety of additional lodging and food options available for an extraordinary family vacation. Whether you’re escaping the winter months or are looking for an out-of-town getaway, sunny Crystal River is the perfect place to book your trip.

Bird’s Underwater provides a variety of activities, including scalloping tours, where you and your family can hunt for dinner in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, offshore of Crystal River, Florida. Grandparents can take the children fishing while the parents enjoy a relaxing day kayaking on the open waters. We guarantee you’ll come home with memories that will last a lifetime!

To book your trip to swim with manatees in Citrus County, Florida, give us a call today at (352) 563-2763.

Escape the Cold Weather and Visit Florida for Manatee Tours

December 6, 2017 By manatees

Close-up of manatee profile With the colder months moving into many parts of the country, northern residents may find themselves wishing for the warm, summer weather to return. Instead of riding out the harsh winter, escape the ice and snow for a vacation full of sunny beaches and tranquil, clear waters. Bird’s Underwater offers everything you could need for your trip, from rental waterfront vacation properties to an exciting day of swimming with manatees.

Swim with Manatees in Crystal River, Florida

If you’ve been wondering where to swim with manatees with your family, Bird’s Underwater offers the most unforgettable experience in all of Citrus County. We offer tours year-round, so you can get away from the cold and bring some summer fun to your family’s holiday season. We also provide group and military discounts so you can bring just the kids or the entire extended family!

We are located directly on King’s Bay, so your group won’t have to waste time traveling to and from the marina for your tour. All of our Captains hold Coast Guard Master’s licenses, and in-water guides are dive professionals, most holding Dive Master credentials! We promise you and your family will be in good hands while on one of our guided tours.

Skip the cold weather this season and visit Crystal River, Florida for the family adventure of a lifetime! Contact Bird’s Underwater by calling (352) 563-2763 and book your manatee tour today.

SAVE CRYSTAL RIVER TO BEGIN PILOT PROJECT TO RESTORE KINGS BAY

October 14, 2015 By manatees

Sept. 13, 2015

Save Crystal River to begin pilot project to restore Kings Bay

Crystal River, Fla. – Sept. 13, 2015 – Save Crystal River (SCR) is poised to take the first step in an historic project to remove noxious algae from Kings Bay and restore the waterway’s natural habitat.

The event is historic because it is the first time a non-profit group, or any private sector group for that matter, has gotten the go-ahead plus major funding from the state, in this case $1.6 million, for a plan to begin restoration of the imperiled waters.

SCR, a small group of residents and business people, is confident the pilot project can show how the bay can be reclaimed after being held hostage for over a decade by the invasive algae Lyngbya.

Gator Dredging of Clearwater has its permits and next week is scheduled to begin applying its unique removal process of the algae and dead organic material from two canals in the northeast portion of the bay. Sea and Shoreline of Ruskin, Fla., an experienced marine restoration subcontractor, will then begin replanting native vegetation. When the pilot project is successfully completed, SCR says the next step in the plan is to present the positive results to legislators to obtain subsequent funding for other areas to restore freshwater spring flow into the many canals feeding into Kings Bay. In addition, SCR will continue to work with various government entities and agencies to facilitate the cleanup of the remaining bay waters.

Gator Dredging is utilizing three crucial weapons in the project. The first is a specialized hydraulic vacuum process to remove theLyngbya and dead material on the bottom while leaving the existing natural sediment in place.

The second element is to plant a specially developed native eel grass named “Rock Star”. The grass will be protected with special cages. Rock Star was cultivated by the University of Florida specifically for this project. The plan is to replace the Lyngbya and assist Rock Star in out-competing it. Rock Star eel grass has the ability to uptake dissolved nutrients in the water faster than the Lyngbya, enabling the growth of the eel grass to substantially exceed that of the Lyngbya.

The final critical stage of the project involves maintenance and protection as specifically designed protective cages will be positioned over the newly planted grasses. The grasses will be monitored and managed to allow them to take over their area. Unlike Lyngbya, Eel grass is a natural food for manatees, ducks, turtles and many other species. The restoration of the bay’s ecology is crucial for the future of the ever-growing manatee population that winters in the bay, according to SCR. The manatee will even be able to begin to nibble some of the grass when it grows beyond the wire of the protective cages. When the restoration is complete, all the animals will have healthy, native foods again.

“We believe this project is worthy of the support of everyone in Citrus County and the great state of Florida to guarantee clean water and revive one of its gems of the Nature Coast,” said SCR President Lisa Moore. “This is the first step in beginning to solve the problem that has destroyed the natural habitats of Kings Bay. SCR and our contractors have worked very hard to demonstrate to legislators this can be done and we appreciate their confidence in the plan by funding it. We especially want to thank our state Senator Charlie Dean, for his unrelenting efforts to make this project a reality. We also want to commend the efforts and support of Representative Jimmie T. Smith and so many others for providing invaluable assistance during the process. SCR is grateful to all those who believed in this project and supported it at all levels of government and throughout the community.”

Dean said this week, “Why I am excited about is that it is one of the best examples of private/government authorized programs to develop a strategy to help the environment. Nothing’s more precious than our water.”

Dean said he thought it was one of the “best of the best” models of goal setting and cooperation he had seen between such a group and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. He said he liked the plan because it is a simple, direct focused project to remove what’s harming the bay and begin a recovery.

“I am excited for them and with them — I am a part of it. It’s the right thing to do. That’s my job.”

Smith said of SCR’s plan, “The Kings Bay restoration project is bound to be a State wide example of how community can work with the state to fix environmental issues. Bringing a clear focus on what is the right thing to do to ensure long term success and bring our waters back to what they used to be.”

The project is scheduled to begin approximately Sept. 15 and will be completed by the opening of manatee season, Nov. 15. Staging the equipment will occur first on the property leased for this project at the intersection of Bayshore Dr. and NE 2^nd Court in Crystal River and then operations will be set up in the adjacent residential canals. Water removed with the Lyngbya and debris will be cleaned and returned to the canals. The extracted material will be used as fertilizer in agriculture.

“This is citizens working with private enterprise and government to get an important environmental project accomplished,” Moore said. “This is just the kind of public/private partnership that Governor Scott has championed,” she said and noted that Scott had specifically left the project in this year’s budget demonstrating his commitment and support of critical water projects like this one.

“The vision of SCR is to recreate the healthy ecosystem, one ideal for manatees, fish, crabs, native plants, and humans. We envision a restoration of the balance of the whole environment. We believe we will be successful and this project could be a model for similar restoration projects throughout Florida.”

To find out more about SCR, visit its website at www.savecrystalriver.com and also Facebook at www.facebook.com/savecrystalriver

Media contact information:

Call Lisa Moore – 352-302-1004 or Steve Lamb at 352-302-0876 or Susan Wells at 321-543-1733