Water activity

Crystal River: Pontoon Boat Cruise and Swim with Manatees

Activity provider: River Ventures USA
Water activity

Crystal River: Pontoon Boat Cruise and Swim with Manatees

Activity provider: River Ventures USA
Likely to sell out

From US$ 81.58 per person

Likely to sell out

Swim and snorkel with amazing manatees at a stunning wildlife refuge in Crystal River. Explore the natural springs aboard a covered pontoon boat and get up close to the friendly sea cows.

About this ticket

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Instructor
English
Small group
Limited to 10 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Snorkel with manatees in a 600-acre wildlife refuge
  • Benefit from the services of a captain and instructor certified by the Coast Guard
  • Explore the natural springs aboard a covered pontoon boat
Full description

Get back to nature and discover the home of the world’s largest population of endangered manatees in the winter on a pontoon boat tour to Three Sisters Springs. Get the chance to interact with the curious, gentle giants in their natural habitat.  Learn all about the animals in a classroom-type setting and get tips for your snorkel tour to make the most of your day. Hear about "passive interaction" that ensures that the animals enjoy the experience just as much as you do.

Then, journey to the estuary with a Coast Guard captain aboard a covered pontoon boat. Get your snorkeling gear on, marvel at the wildlife around you, and get up close to the sea cows as they move slowly through the water. Head back to base camp to visit the one-of-a-kind gift shop and purchase unique souvenirs. Get tips on what to do in the Kings Bay area, along with directions from the well-informed staff to other local attractions and restaurants.

Includes
  • Mask
  • Snorkel
  • Wetsuit
  • Bottled water
  • Parking
  • Bathing suit and towel
  • Picture package
  • Tips
Not suitable for
  • Children under 3 years

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet at River Ventures tour center.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Towel

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • Children under 3 are allowed on a private tour
  • Children under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Very young children must be calm and quiet in order to not scare the animals
  • Children should be comfortable in the water and parents should stay close at all times for their safety
  • Wetsuits are available in all sizes and there are snorkel vests and flotation noodles if kids need assistance staying at the surface without swimming
  •  It is important to have realistic expectations for a wild animal encounter. In the cooler weather, the animals migrate to the area and congregate in the warm springs. When the weather warms they can move about. These are wild animals and their migration cannot be controlled. Early mornings are the best time to find the animals and the best chance of seeing them is near the springs. Cold weather means many manatees, and warmer weather means fewer manatees
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 369 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.9/5
  • Value for money
    4.6/5
  • Safety
    4.9/5

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Star rating:

Everything was great on the tour! The meeting point is easy to find. We got there and everything was fine, we just had to wait for our time slot. The guide was super nice (Shana Banana) and so was the captain of the boat. Everything went well on our tour! No complaints

January 13, 2023

We had a very good experience with our guide Shana. It was truly an amazing experience. The only downside is the number of people per boat (around 10) who gather around the animals, grow but in the end, everyone got back on the boat so we were able to enjoy the experience more.

January 10, 2023

Great crew and great experience. Marissa is a woman who is passionate about nature and gave us a lot of information, showed very positive energy and showed us the manatee. There were only 5 of us. Brilliant! The organizer provides information about nature, offers a photo service, has a small shop and toilets and changing rooms are also available.

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August 28, 2022

Product ID: 68311