the Citrus County area is the best for this, from Crystal River south a few miles to Homosassa.The Homosassa Springs State Park has several manatee viewing spots including the famous fishbowl. The swim with manatees program has been cut back to some extent, because of some nuts trying to "ride" them and otherwise harass them.You can look this up on the myflorida. com website, go to Florida state parks section and look up the Homosassa State park.Also, for more info about the area read the local paper, chronicleonline.com. It's an easy drive up the new Suncoast toll road which starts just west of the Tampa Airport , exit at the end and it's just a few miles on to Homosassa,and Crystal River.Then if you have time, go a little east of Crystal River to US41 and go north to Dunnellon, a little past the town to Rainbow Springs State park, very beautiful. If you are headed to Orlando, it's an easy drive also from Orlando Airport take the FLA Turnpike north to the end at junction of I-75 and exit SR 44 west , this will take you to Inverness and a few miles more to Crystal River.A nice day trip from either TPA/St Pete or Orlando area.