Dan and I visited Crystal River, Florida, for the first time and immediately fell in love with the place. Nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Crystal River is famous for its clear freshwater springs, lush vegetation, and slow, peaceful pace. It is truly one of the most magical places we’ve ever seen. But what makes it even more special is that it's one of the only places in the world where you’re allowed to swim with manatees in their natural habitat.

We went with our friend Nadia Aly, an underwater photographer and the founder of Scuba Diver Life, a company that inspires ocean lovers through breathtaking images, expeditions, and marine advocacy. Nadia is not only a passionate storyteller and conservationist, but also a fun and generous friend. We had an amazing time joining her on this adventure.

Swimming with manatees was unforgettable. These gentle giants, often called “sea cows,” are herbivorous marine mammals that belong to the order Sirenia. The species found in Florida is the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), and they can grow up to ~4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh more than ~450 kilos (1,000 pounds). Despite their size, they are peaceful, curious, and incredibly graceful in the water. They spend most of their time eating seagrass, resting, or slowly cruising through warm waters. Manatees are an important part of the ecosystem but are unfortunately listed as a threatened species, mainly due to collisions with boats, habitat loss, and human disturbance.

Crystal River is a protected sanctuary where strict rules are in place to safeguard these animals, especially during the winter months when they gather in the warm spring-fed waters to escape the cold. Visitors are required to follow guidelines like not chasing, riding, or touching manatees, and we were careful to respect all of them.

The funny part? The manatees didn’t get the memo. I got “harassed” by a big male who wouldn’t stop hugging me. It was cute, but also a bit intimidating with his sheer size and persistence. Then the next day, something even sweeter happened. A chubby baby manatee approached me, with his mom nearby keeping watch. He was completely fascinated by my hair and kept swimming up to try and nibble it. It was probably the cutest underwater moment of my life.

I love manatees so much. Their gentle nature, quirky personalities, and the way they move through the water just melt your heart. Being in their world, even for a short time, was magical, and a strong reminder of why we must protect these incredible animals and the fragile habitats they call home.

The following year, we returned to Crystal River, this time with Ben Burville, the 2015 Australasian Rolex Scholar. We couldn’t wait to show him the manatees, and he absolutely loved it. We had so much fun exploring together and learned a lot during that trip. Sharing the magic of Crystal River with friends makes the experience even more meaningful.