I would like to introduce a special activity called "Swim With Manatee" in Crystal River, FL to you. If you have four days break, I strongly recommend you to come to Crystal River where has warm weather, beautiful view, and nice people.
How to get to Crystal River
First, Take the airplane to Tampa International Airport. Take the shuttle and get off at the car rent center or the bus stop. It takes two dollars to take the bus or you can pay 4.5 dollars for a day pass.
Second, take bus or uber to the city center to take greyhound to Crystal River. It takes about two hours from Tampa City center to Crystal River and it costs about 20 dollars.
Book a Trip
https://www.greyhound.com/en/
Live in Crystal River
I will give Five stars to Plantation on Crystal River!! I booked a double bed room which cost 125 per night. It's very neat and clean. The hotel offered almost all the activities you can do in the Crystal River or you can rent the free bikes.
Book a room
https://www.plantationoncrystalriver.com/rooms-and-suites2.htm
Live in Tampa near the airport
I would like to recommend La Quinta Inn to whom has early or late flight in Tampa. The location is perfect, either you can walk nor take uber to arrive the hotel. I booked double bed room which is clean and neat.
The breakfast is included. They offered simple bread, toast, and coffee in the morning. When you chech in, you can book a free shuttle bus to the airport. Remember to pay tips for the driver.
Shopping mall : WESTSHORE PLAZA
If you want to buy something, there is a shopping mall called Westshore plaza near the hotel. It takes about thirty minutes walk or uber to get there.
Adventure Center
I really like the Adventure Center in the Plantation on Crystal River which offered many water activities.
RENT A KAYAK 20$ FOR TWO HOURS
SWIM WITH MANATEE 75$ FOR THREE HOURS
Book a tour https://plantationoncrystalriver.rezdy.com/139038/snorkel-with-manatees-tour
SWIM WITH MANATEE
Thanks Selean's suggestion, I booked the SWIM WITH MANATEE tour which is amazing and I really loved that. If you want to see more MANATEE, you can book the first one which starts at 7:00. As for me, the second one ( 10:30 )is the best time for me due to the water temperature. the last tour is on 13:45.
If you booked a tour, they offered almost everything. all you have to do is arriving 15 minutes before.
check in - change suit (swim suit inside) - watch 10 minutes guided video - boarding - arriving - swim with manatee - boarding - drink hot coffee or chocolate - back
passive observer
FREEZE, When a manatee near you. Manatees have a reaaly bad sight but they can feel you pretty well. Thus, when they swim toward you, please don't be panic or scared just stop and floating on the water. The manatee will think you are a big animal.
Snorkeling tours
Swimming with the manatees and exploring the greater Kings Bay estuary and springs is extremely popular. Manatee tour experiences are best done by snorkeling while wearing wet suits, making the interaction as silent as possible. This way the manatees are more inclined to approach and get close. We maintain new suits and snorkel gear, all included in our manatee tours, as well as full-service facilities for changing. Your in-water guide will be taking videos and pictures of your manatee experience, which will be available for purchase at the dive shop. All our tour boats are fully enclosed in the winter time to protect you from the wind and cold. We provide coffee, hot chocolate, water and dry towels on every tour.
OTHER PLACES IN TAMPA
ART MUSEUM
TAMPA UNIVERSITY