5 (330)
Crystal River
Manatee Swim Tour: Crystal River Adventure!
180
Overview
Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With In-Water Guide/Photographer in Crystal River offers an unforgettable encounter with gentle giants. This experience provides a chance to swim and snorkel alongside manatees in their natural habitat, the beautiful Crystal River springs. With Crystal River Manatee Adventures, guests will learn fun facts about manatees while observing them up close.
Escorted to and from the dock on heated boats, the tours ensure comfort even on cooler days. The tour limits the group size to six guests, providing a personalized and intimate experience. Wetsuits, snorkels, and masks are provided for the in-water excursion, making it easy for everyone to participate.
This 3-hour adventure focuses on creating a memorable and educational experience for all. Crystal River Manatee Adventures aims to combine fun with nature, ensuring that every guest leaves with a newfound appreciation for these amazing creatures. 
Highlights
Swim with Manatees: Get up close and personal with gentle manatees in their natural habitat.
Small Group Experience: Enjoy a more personalized tour with a maximum of 6 guests per boat.
In-Water Guide: Learn about manatees from an experienced guide while in the water.
Heated Boats: Stay warm and comfortable on enclosed, heated boats.
Snorkeling Gear Provided: Wetsuits, snorkels, and masks are included for your swimming adventure.
In-Water Photographer: An in-water photographer will capture amazing photos of you and the manatees.
Sentiment Analysis
Customers loved seeing many manatees up close.
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The guides are friendly and make the tour fun.
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The boats are clean and well-equipped.
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Photographers capture great photos of the experience.
Some customers mentioned the water was murky at times.
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A few found the wetsuits uncomfortable.
The Journey
Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida, is renowned as one of the best places in the world to swim with manatees. The warm, spring-fed waters provide a critical habitat for these gentle creatures, especially during the colder months. The river is part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, established to protect the endangered Florida manatee.
Crystal River Springs
The Crystal River area is home to numerous natural springs that feed into the river. These springs maintain a consistent temperature year-round, creating a haven for manatees seeking refuge from cooler waters. The clear waters of the springs also offer excellent visibility for observing manatees and other aquatic life.
Know Before You Go
This manatee swim tour includes the use of snorkeling equipment to enhance the underwater viewing experience. It excludes personal expenses and anything not explicitly mentioned. Please note that specific pickup or drop-off locations are not provided, and participants typically meet at a designated location near Crystal River.
Hot Tip
Some customers suggest bringing an underwater camera to capture personal photos in addition to those taken by the tour photographer. Wearing a rash guard under the wetsuit can also improve comfort during the swim.
Review Summary
Customers finds this tour to be a highly memorable and well-organized experience, consistently praising the friendly and knowledgeable guides, the opportunity to swim closely with manatees, and the comfort of the heated boat on cooler days. Many highlight the professionalism, safety, and personal attention from staff, as well as the complimentary hot drinks and photo service. A few note that manatee sightings can vary by season, and some mention the physical demands of entering and exiting the water, but overall, the experience is described as fun, educational, and worth repeating.
Frequently Asked Questions
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St Petersburg
$79
Shell Key Clear Kayak Tour: See Dolphins & More!
5.0
(5673 reviews)
Duration: 120
minutes
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area lets visitors adventure through Shell Key Preserve in a 100% clear kayak! Guests can see crystal-clear water, lots of sea life, and the underwater world below. This is a kayaking adventure tour great for people who love nature and want to see wildlife.
The tour includes paddling along mangroves, enjoying white sand beaches and sandbars, and exploring a secluded beach. If the water is high, the guide will lead the group through a hidden mangrove tunnel in Shell Key Preserve near St. Pete Beach. Shell Key Preserve offers views of dolphins, manatees, pelicans, crabs, and more while enjoying the pretty mangroves and beaches. Look for manatees or pink Roseate Spoonbills in the summer. White Pelicans live on the sandbars in the winter. Dolphins swim in the clear water all year, and cormorants like to swim by the kayaks. There are chances to see wildlife, but it's not a sure thing.
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Crystal River
$90
Swim with Manatees: Crystal River Photo Tour
5.0
(1423 reviews)
Duration: 180
minutes
The 3-Hour Small Group All-Inclusive Manatee Swim with Photo Package offers a magical chance to swim with gentle manatees in Crystal River, Florida. This tour, led by Go Local Manatee Tours, takes guests into the heart of Kings Bay, where manatees gather in their natural habitat. With a small group size of just 6 people, everyone gets personal attention and a better chance to connect with these amazing creatures.
Go Local Manatee Tours stands out because it's owned and run by locals who grew up in Crystal River. They know the area best and care deeply about protecting the manatees and their home. They are also the only tour company that gives guests free photos and videos of their swim. This means visitors can keep memories of their manatee encounter without paying extra. The tour guides help guests in the water while taking photos and videos.
This experience is a true wildlife adventure, and conditions can vary. Manatees are often found in clearer spring waters during the colder months. In warmer months, they may be in grass flats where the water visibility is between 1 to 6 feet. No matter the time of year, there's a chance to see these gentle giants in their natural environment.
Crystal River
$74
Swim with Manatees: Crystal River Adventure & Photos!
5.0
(2242 reviews)
Duration: 180
minutes
Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer, located in Kings Bay, Crystal River, Florida, Citrus County, Florida, offers an unforgettable adventure to swim with gentle giants in their natural habitat. This tour is perfect for nature lovers and anyone seeking a unique and ethical wildlife encounter.
What to Expect: Guests will glide through the crystal-clear waters of Kings Bay, a natural warm-water refuge for manatees. With an experienced in-water guide and photographer, participants will have the opportunity to observe and interact with these amazing creatures up close. The adventure ensures a safe and respectful environment for both humans and manatees.
The tour includes the use of safe USCG Certified Boats, bottled water, wetsuit, float noodles, snorkel gear, and an in-water guide/photographer. Note that photos and videos are available for purchase after the tour. With Explorida's commitment to customer experience, this tour promises to be a highlight of any visit to Crystal River.
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4.9
(5539 reviews)
Duration: 75
minutes
The Little Toot Dolphin Adventure at Clearwater Beach offers an exciting way to see dolphins in their natural habitat. This tour takes place aboard the Little Toot, a tug boat known for creating a wake that dolphins love to play in.
The tour provides a narrated sightseeing experience of Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico. Because the boat sits lower to the water, guests can enjoy closer dolphin sightings. Passengers are welcome to move around the boat freely, with options for seating in the sun or shade.
This experience offers a unique opportunity to witness dolphins playing in the wake of the Little Toot. It includes a guided tour of the harbor and gulf, making it a memorable adventure for all ages.
Crystal River
$89.95
Dive into Wonder: Small Group Manatee Swim Tour in Crystal River!
5.0
(788 reviews)
Duration: 180
minutes
Experience a Small Group Manatee Swim Tour in Crystal River with a knowledgeable in-water guide. Enjoy a family-friendly, intimate excursion limited to 6 people. Observe and swim alongside gentle manatees in their natural habitat. All gear provided for an unforgettable adventure. Involves Animals, Swimming, On the Water, Snorkeling, Excellent Quality
Crystal River
$79
Manatee Snorkeling Tour: Swim with Gentle Giants!
5.0
(1285 reviews)
Duration: 180
minutes
Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer, takes place in Crystal River, Florida. This unforgettable adventure allows guests to get up close and personal with gentle West Indian manatees in their natural habitat.
Led by a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain who also acts as an in-water guide, this small group tour (limited to six guests) ensures a personal and memorable experience in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will learn about the manatees, their ecosystem, and how to interact with them respectfully. The Captain swims along, ensuring guest safety and capturing high-definition photos and videos that are available for purchase after the tour.
The tour includes all necessary snorkeling equipment, such as a mask, snorkel, and wetsuit, as well as complimentary coffee or hot cocoa to keep guests warm and comfortable. This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with Florida's amazing wildlife.
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