WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 273
Florida · Couples · Two nights

Crystal River & the Manatees

Swim with manatees.

Every winter hundreds of manatees crowd into the warm springs of Kings Bay at Crystal River, the only place in the country where you can legally swim with them. Land at Crystal River Airport, stay at the Plantation on Crystal River, take an early-morning snorkel tour, walk the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs, visit Homosassa Springs, and have dinner downtown at Vintage on 5th.

WildlifeSpringsWaterfront
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Dozens of manatees gathered in a clear spring at Crystal River, seen from above
Manatees in a Crystal River spring. Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KCGC
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~344 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~2 hr 20 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Crystal River.

KCGC, Crystal River/Captain Tom Davis Field, is a non-towered airport at 9 feet with a 4,557-foot main runway, a few minutes from Kings Bay.

The FBO

Crystal Aero Group

Crystal River Airport, Crystal River, FL

352-795-6868

Glider operations within 25 nm. Morning fog in winter. No live fuel price is shown.

Florida Gulf Coast flying: daily summer thunderstorms from June to September, morning fog in winter, sea breezes, and hurricanes from June to November. About 340 nm from Myrtle Beach.

02 / Where to stay

Two waterfront resorts.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Manatee season fills up fast.

03 / Where to eat

Waterfront seafood and Old Florida.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Manatees and springs.

Go early; manatees are most active in the cool mornings.

05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Crystal River events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample manatee weekend. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KCGC, subject to weather, density altitude and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Three Sisters Springs boardwalk.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at Vintage on 5th.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    An early manatee snorkel tour.

  2. Afternoon

    Homosassa Springs.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at the resort.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Kayak Kings Bay.

  2. Before leaving

    Compute takeoff performance and allow time at the FBO.

  3. Fly home

    Summer storms build by afternoon; leave in the morning.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Lodging and a tour.

Flight

About 340 nm from Myrtle Beach: an easy morning.

Manatee rules

Passive observation only; follow the guides.

Best seasons

November to March.

Reviewed · Destination 273

Reviewed November 6, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.