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Explore one of the only places on Earth where you can get up close and personal with manatees. Snorkel next to these gentle giants on this three-hour Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge tour.
About this activity
- Free cancellation
- Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
- Reserve now & pay later
- Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
- Duration 3 hours
- Check availability to see starting times.
- Live tour guide
- English
- Small group
- Limited to 10 participants
Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Captain Marty and guide Topher were both excellent! We couldn't have asked for a better experience!
Brilliant day. Megan and Tyler our guides were excellent hosts and provided a safe, clean and knowledgeable experience for my family. The changing facilities were very clean, provided with complimentary tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The swim itself was incredible and never felt we were being intrusive in the manatees environment. Great day
Itinerary
Starting location:
545 N Citrus Ave
Bus/coach
(5 minutes)
Kings Bay, Florida
Snorkeling
Bus/coach
(5 minutes)
Arrive back at:
545 N Citrus Ave
Main stop
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
Highlights
- Swim with manatees and take home memories that will last forever
- Enjoy a safe experience alongside an in-water photographer and guide
- Experience a small-group personalized tour with a maximum of 10 people
- Check out one of the tours voted in the world's top 10 “Bucket List” experiences
- No snorkeling experience required to explore the crystal clear waters
Full description
Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
Voted one of the top 10 World’s “Bucket List” Experiences in 2022, swimming with manatees is something you cannot miss while in Florida. Citrus County is revered as the manatee capital of the world, and swimming with manatees in their natural habitat is a privilege. Coming face to face with a thousand pound gentle giant is an experience unlike any other in the world!
During your introduction to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Manatee Manners" video, you'll learn all about manatees and how to behave around them. This ensures that you have a super time snorkeling with these gentle giants while not disturbing any other their natural behaviors.
After sliding into wetsuits, your guide will take you on a 5-minute van ride to the dock where you will be greeted by your Master Captain. As you hop aboard a safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessel, you will to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Offering information on ecology, history and some silly anecdotes about our area, your crew will offer the best manatee eco-tour in Crystal River, FL.
Your captain and guide are very skilled in locating manatees even in the most challenging conditions. When it's time to ease into the water, your guide will give you a snorkel lesson and help get you comfortable in the water. They will be your personal photographer and assistant every step of the way, making your manatee tour safe and memorable.
The amount of time you will spend snorkeling in the water with manatees varies greatly as these are wild animals and their behaviour changes by the day and even the hour. If they are not found in the springs areas, you will typically have time to swim into one of the springs after the manatee portion of your tour.
At the end of the tour, your guide will bring you back to the shop where you can view their pictures and videos and decide if you'd like to purchase them.
Voted one of the top 10 World’s “Bucket List” Experiences in 2022, swimming with manatees is something you cannot miss while in Florida. Citrus County is revered as the manatee capital of the world, and swimming with manatees in their natural habitat is a privilege. Coming face to face with a thousand pound gentle giant is an experience unlike any other in the world!
During your introduction to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's "Manatee Manners" video, you'll learn all about manatees and how to behave around them. This ensures that you have a super time snorkeling with these gentle giants while not disturbing any other their natural behaviors.
After sliding into wetsuits, your guide will take you on a 5-minute van ride to the dock where you will be greeted by your Master Captain. As you hop aboard a safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessel, you will to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Offering information on ecology, history and some silly anecdotes about our area, your crew will offer the best manatee eco-tour in Crystal River, FL.
Your captain and guide are very skilled in locating manatees even in the most challenging conditions. When it's time to ease into the water, your guide will give you a snorkel lesson and help get you comfortable in the water. They will be your personal photographer and assistant every step of the way, making your manatee tour safe and memorable.
The amount of time you will spend snorkeling in the water with manatees varies greatly as these are wild animals and their behaviour changes by the day and even the hour. If they are not found in the springs areas, you will typically have time to swim into one of the springs after the manatee portion of your tour.
At the end of the tour, your guide will bring you back to the shop where you can view their pictures and videos and decide if you'd like to purchase them.
Includes
- Wetsuit
- Snorkel gear
- In-water guide/photographer
- Float noodles
- Master captain
- Coast guard certified vessels
- Bottled water
- Food
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Photos and videos (available for an additional fee at the end of your tour)
Not suitable for
- Children under 3 years
Select participants and date
Meeting point
The Explorida Adventure Center is in downtown Crystal River and is easily recognizable by its Large Mural on the side of the building (Manatees and a Compass).
Open in Google MapsImportant information
What to bring
- Swimwear
- Change of clothes
- Towel
Not allowed
- Drones
- Pets (assistance dogs allowed)
- Alcohol and drugs
Know before you go
- Please remember that you are visiting manatees in their natural habitat. Manatees are usually found on every tour, but there can be no 100% guarantee because they are wild animals and Mother Nature reigns supreme
- Conditions vary day by day and tour by tour, therefore the water clarity and numbers of animals you see on any tour can never be predicted. These variable change with seasons, tides and crowds. For the best experience, join as early in the day as possible
- CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 3 ARE NOT ALLOWED ON PUBLIC TOURS AND MUST BE BOOKED ON PRIVATE TOURS.
- It is recommended that you bring contact lenses for snorkelling if you wear glasses
