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Crystal River Outdoor sports

Our most recommended Crystal River Outdoor sports

Crystal River: Pontoon Boat Cruise and Swim with Manatees

1. Crystal River: Pontoon Boat Cruise and Swim with Manatees

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.

Crystal River Small Group Swim with Manatee Tour

2. Crystal River Small Group Swim with Manatee Tour

Swim with manatees in the spring-fed King’s Bay Wildlife Refuge in Crystal River, home to the world’s largest population of the endangered creatures during the winter. Encounter these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Benefit from the services of a Coast Guard certified captain and in-water educator and photographer. Learn about the animals in a classroom-type setting and get tips to make the most of your day. Hear about passive interaction to make sure that the animals enjoy the experience just as much as you do! Then, suit up and board a covered pontoon boat to immerse yourself in the manatees' world. Be treated like royalty aboard the boat and see the wildlife refuge in style. Return to the facility at the end of your adventure and visit the one-of-a-kind gift shop! Hear about other local attractions and restaurants, and get answers to any questions you may have before you depart.

Orlando: Manatee Encounter, Snorkeling, and Airboat Ride

3. Orlando: Manatee Encounter, Snorkeling, and Airboat Ride

Snorkel thorugh marine life in the Crystal Rive on this day trip from Orlando. Ride in a comfortable and airconditioned bus to Homosassa Springs State Park for a guided visit. Find out about manatees and go for an airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River. In the morning, head out to the beautiful Crystal River area to start your snorkeling adventure. Explore the river and admire unique wildlife in its natural habitat. Learn about the magnificent manatee and have the opportunity to see them up close. Next is a guided visit to the Homosassa Springs State Park. Discover local wildlife, including the endangered Florida panther, black bears, red wolves, bobcats, alligators, and more. Learn about the park’s manatee rehabilitation program and stop at an underwater observatory built over the mouth of a spring. Enjoy a packed lunch before heading to the Withlacoochee River, to end your day with an exciting airboat ride. Ride through this area which is another natural haven, where you can see more local wildlife. Feel the thrill of skimming over the water with an exhilarating trip in a flat-bottomed boat.

Orlando: Manatees Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour

4. Orlando: Manatees Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour

Swim and snorkel with one of the sea's most gentle creatures, the endangered Florida manatee, and take an exhilarating airboat ride. Head to the picturesque Crystal River – home to the endangered “gentle giant of the sea,” the Florida manatee – where you can choose to snorkel or swim. Have a chance to interact with these beautiful creatures if you’re lucky. Have some lunch, and then enjoy a fully-narrated airboat ride. Learn more about this southern state's wildlife from the knowledgeable tour guide.

Orlando: Swim with Manatees and Homosassa State Park Visit

5. Orlando: Swim with Manatees and Homosassa State Park Visit

The gentle manatees of the Crystal River await your arrival on this delightful day-long tour where you can swim with these curious creatures. Your day will begin with complimentary pickup from one of the key meeting points in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and Disney. You will then be whisked away to the picturesque Crystal River. Crystal River is home to the curious and endangered manatee. Also known as Sea Cows, these creatures are most definitely the gentle giants of the marine world. Here you have the chance to snorkel or swim in the clear blue waters. Manatees are curious creatures and will often come to greet those who choose to snorkel or swim. They may even roll over to be tickled! Those who prefer to stay above water may wish to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. After lunch at your own expense, you will visit the beautiful Homosassa State Park, one of Florida’s best kept secrets. There, enjoy the chance to see many of Florida’s endangered species, such as the state panther, and watch the manatees again from an underwater viewing chamber. Fun, relaxed and light-hearted, this day-long tour and swim with the manatees is the perfect tour choice for the whole family!

Other Sightseeing Options in Crystal River

Want to discover all there is to do in Crystal River? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about Crystal River

Such a great experience! We went late January and saw so many manatees. It was definitely chilly and I wish I would have brought water shoes but when you have manatees all around you, you don't really think about being cold. I brought my underwater camera and got some great manatees shots, but I also bought the photo package that was offered because I forgot to take pictures of us with the manatees. The photos they take on their GoPro are about the same quality as I got on my Nikon. The boat we were on was covered and had a little space heater, which was very much appreciated after getting out of the water. I kind of wish we had done the 6:30 am tour instead of the 9:45 one, because there were a ton of other groups in the water with us and I imagine there wouldn't be as many if we went earlier. The large amount of people scared the manatees away eventually and by the end of our time in the water we had a much harder time finding manatees. Sarah was a great guide!

This was a great day. Swimming with manatees was amazing. Homosassa Park was interesting. The airboat ride was brilliant. The packed lunch was better than some I have had. Well worth doing

Absolutely a life time experience. Dave and Kelly were wonderful and made the day amazing. We highly recommend this while visitng. Thank you! The Bixlers

Despite the not-so-favorable weather conditions (high winds, choppy water), Troy and Paige did a great job maneuvering the boat so we could see manatees.

Everything was great from start to finish. Manatees where cute and fat.