Manatee Adventures Crystal River
Experience a one-of-a-kind guided excursion, swimming with manatees in their own natural environment. Enjoy a snorkeling adventure, perfect for everyone including first-time snorkelers, kids, and families.
SWIMMING WITH THE MANATEES
FLORIDA’S BEST MANATEE TOURS
Including Enclosed Heated Boats for cooler weather
Swim With Manatees
Manatee Adventures provides Florida’s best customized manatee tours. We are located in Crystal River, which has the largest concentration of manatees worldwide. About 600 manatees visit the Crystal River springs each winter. During your tour, you’ll swim and snorkel with the manatees and experience their beauty up close. Our tours are perfect for people of all ages. We provide you with your wetsuit, mask, and snorkel. It’ll be a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll never forget.
Daily Guided Tours
You’ll not only get a wonderful encounter with the manatees, but also you’ll receive unsurpassed service. Our captains are extremely knowledgeable of the Crystal River and will ensure you the best manatee tour possible. Furthermore, Manatee Adventures' tours are conducted daily, year round, and include snacks and beverages.
Florida’s Nature Coast
Manatees are one of the most incredible, and elusive, creatures found on Florida’s Nature Coast. The first thing you need to know about manatees is that they like to stay warm. They spend most of the year lounging and hunting for seagrass in the Gulf of Mexico and flock to our crystal clear springs to stay toasty during the winter months.
Florida’s springs remain a constant 72 degrees year-round. This may seem cool to us, but it’s just right for manatees. And nobody knows how to locate these amazing creatures better than our expert guides.
Crystal River Sunset Boat Tour
Cruise down the Crystal River to admire the protected coastal marsh and marine estuary from the unique perspective of the water with this narrated boat tour, the only of its kind in the Crystal River. Learn about the history and ecosystem from your naturalist guide as you try to spot native wildlife. We will cruise the famous waters of Crystal River and catch a Sunset. There is a ton to see an experience. From the jaw-dropping manatees, the beautiful scenery, and of course, the clear waters. Bring along friends and family as we captain the boat for a stress-free cruise around the river. There is plenty of room for coolers! So, bring drinks and get the Party Started. There is no better get away grabbing the vibes of Crystal River than aboard this shaded cruise vessel. It will be sure to impress you.
Glimpse into Florida’s Past Eco Manatee Tour
Explore Native American mound and get a glimpse into Florida’s past. Discover parts of Crystal River with Fossil Reefs. Gaze upon parts of the river that are "Untouched by
man" pristine, wild places unaltered by human activity. See wildlife in its real Natural Environment. Don’t forget about those Manatees, Dolphins, Otters and many Bird Species. Seeing Reefs that are on land from the past are typically called fossil reefs or raised reefs. These geological formations consist of ancient coral, algae, and other organisms that grew in the ocean but were exposed on land due to falling sea levels.
Highlights
- Native American mound
- Manatees, Dolphins, Otters and many Bird Species
- Fossil Reefs geological formations
Trip Details & Pricing
$85.00 Manatee Pendant (925) Solid Sterling Silver 925
5.5 grams
1 1/2-inch length
Bail fits chain’s up to 6MM
High polished and Rhodium Plated
Made in USA (NYC)
Shipped in USA only
Or pick up during your Manatee Adventure
Silver chains available
Daily Morning and Afternoon Trips
3 Hour Swim with Manatees Tour
6:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 1:30 PM
Second boat departs 5 minutes later (6:35 AM, 10:05 AM, 1:35 PM)
Due to the time it takes to fit and don your wetsuits, we ask that you please arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled departure time to ensure that our tour will be the first into the springs.
(Reservations of at least 48 Hours in advance required).
$75.00 per Guest - Swim with Manatees
Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask and Fins Included
All the equipment you will need for a swim tour is provided. The tour is 3 hours long. Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask and Fins are Sterilized for your Protection. Free Pictures and Treasure Chest Hunt for Children! Book Now
$55 per Guest - Crystal River: Naturalist Guide Eco Wildlife Manatee Tour
1 ½ Hour Tour
8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM
Explore Native American mound and get a glimpse into Florida’s past. Discover Crystal River with Fossil Reefs. Gaze upon parts of the river that are Untouched by man. Don't forget the Manatees! Book Now
$350 Private Manatee Tour Swim/Dry
This tour is 100% private – the vessel is limited to your party maximum of 6 guests. Your party can swim or stay dry in any combination. We ask that you provide everyone’s wetsuit size just in case a guest changes their mind. Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask and Fins are Included. Free Pictures and Treasure Chest Hunt for Children! Book Now
We provide all the equipment you will need for a swim tour that is 3 hours long. Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask and Fins are Sterilized for your Protection.
$45 per person Crystal River Sunset Boat Tour
Cruise the famous waters of Crystal River and catch a Sunset. There is a ton to see an experience including the jaw-dropping manatees, Eagles, Ospreys, Turtles, Alligators and Bottlenose Dolphins. Cruise the famous Crystal River Archaeological State Park River. Enjoy an entertaining and educational narration by an on-board naturalist guide. Book Now
We are located at
Pete's Pier Boat Slip 106
1 SW 1st Pl
Crystal River, Florida 34428
Also Provided
We provide bottled water and Enclosed Heated Boats. There are also blankets on the boats when the weather is cold to help keep everyone warm in the colder months and hot chocolate for everyone on the boat.
The cost for each person on the boat is $75.00 per person which covers all the equipment you will need for a swim tour that is up to 3 hours long. Wetsuit, Snorkel, Mask and Fins are Sterilized for your Protection. However, we currently recommend that you supply your own snorkel gear due to the contagious nature of the Coronavirus/COVID-19.
What to bring on Manatee Tour
We recommend that you wear a bathing suit under your wetsuit and you bring your own towels to dry off after your swim.
Our Boat
CELEBRATE KIDS
We offer a TREASURE CHEST FIND FOR ALL KIDS ABOARD participating in swim with manatees and scalloping (our exclusive offer)
SMALL TREASURE CHESTS ARE PLACED IN THE WATER DECORATED WITH BRIGHT COLORED RIBBONS FOR KIDS TO FIND. THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. KID TESTED, KID APPROVED!
We Convince Kids they have found PIRATE or Mermaid Treasure or a Gift from THE MANATEE KING HOWEVER, KIDS ARE NOT Easily fooled but we do are best to hold up the FANTASY.
Since your curious who or what is the manatee king?
The MANATEE KING is a mythical creature of our own invention. A 1000-year-old Manatee that leaves Treasure for special Adventurers to find. ONLY CAPTAIN AL AND HIS CREW KNOW WHERE THE MANATEE KING LEAVES HIS TREASURE CHESTS.
Book Your Manatee Adventure Tour Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the best time of year to see manatees in Crystal River?
A: While resident manatees live here year-round, the best time of year to visit is between November and April. The migratory population reaches its absolute peak during the coldest winter months of December, January, and February, when hundreds of manatees gather inside the warm river basins.
Q: What is the best time of day to book a manatee swim tour?
A: The early morning slots are the best times to book a tour. Morning trips offer the clearest water conditions and let you swim before Kings Bay gets crowded with daily boat traffic. Weekdays are also highly recommended over weekends to avoid the crowds.
Q: What is the water temperature, and is it ever too cold to swim with manatees?
A: The spring-fed waters in Crystal River remain a constant 72 degrees year-round, meaning it is never too cold to swim. Even if the winter air temperature drops, our guests stay warm inside thick insulating wetsuits. Additionally, Manatee Adventures provides enclosed, heated pontoon boats equipped with heavy blankets and hot chocolate for your post-swim comfort.
Q: Do your tours visit the Three Sisters Springs?
A: No, our tours do not enter Three Sisters Springs. Instead, we guide you to Hunter Springs, Jurassic Springs, and House Springs on the north side of Kings Bay. These prime springs feature the clearest water in the area and are heavily frequented by manatees.
Q: Is there a fee for parking at the marina?
A: Yes, because our slips are located within a secure, private marina at Pete's Pier, there is a $10 daily parking fee. This can be easily paid at the parking lot kiosks using cash, a mobile device, or a pay-by-phone app.
Manatee Tour Cancellation Policy
A seven (7) days notification prior to your scheduled date for all our tours is required. We make a commitment to you; we need the same commitment from you. Please arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time and be on time. This cancellation policy is to give us time to re-sell any seats left vacant and helps us keep our prices reasonable for you. If you must cancel your tour within that 7-day period, no refund will be given; however, we will give you a voucher for the tour value that will be good for 1 year after your ORIGINAL SCHEDULED TOUR DATE, so that you can reschedule
your tour.
Cancellations Due to Weather for Manatee Tours
We do not cancel MANATEE TOURS due to rain or fog, neither will affect your swim or interaction. During the height of the Manatee Season (November – March), the air temperature can drop below freezing, this is not an issue for swimming due to our warm waters maintaining a constant 72 degrees year round, and the protective wetsuit that we provide. We do not cancel for temperature variations either. We do, however, cancel if lighting is reported within the area, or if sustained winds exceed 30 mph. All our tours are performed in a protected bay where weather remains very consistent.
Scalloping & Fishing
We also offer scalloping and fishing charters. For more information, visit our sister-site: scallopadventures.com