Top 15 Boat Trips & Cruises near Orlando

Crystal River: Manatee Viewing Cruise - Cruising through Kings Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,133 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) Top choice

Cruise Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge from a Coast Guard-certified boat, looking for wild manatees, birds, turtles, and sometimes dolphins. Your captain shares facts about manatee behavior as the boat visits likely viewing areas. The 90-minute tour starts at Explorida’s shop, then shuttles you to Pete’s Pier. It stays dry, carries up to 12 people, and runs in changing wildlife and weather conditions.

“Beautiful experience, seeing tons of manatees and the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. Can’t wait to come back!”

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Plantation’s Kings Bay Scenic Cruise

2.Plantation’s Kings Bay Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 684 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25Lowest price on this list

Take a one-hour covered cruise through Kings Bay with a captain who points out local wildlife and shares the area’s history. Manatees, dolphins, otters, turtles, birds, and fish may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed. Captains and crew have included Morgan, Glen, Phillip, and Laura. The boat holds up to 40 people and returns to Plantation Adventure Center.

“Great ride on the boat. And information on Crystal River..very friendly tour guide with lots of information.”

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Crystal River: Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat

3.Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74

Spend about three hours with a captain and in-water guide on a semi-private Crystal River manatee tour for up to six people. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, towels, and a heated boat are provided. Guides such as Amanda, Leah, and Captain Chris have helped make the outing comfortable and fun, while hot chocolate and coffee are waiting when you return to the boat.

“Giggles and capt Chris was fantastic guides. We had the best excursion yet! Swimming with the manatees was so special and highly recommend to any age!!”

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See Crystal River – Mantee & Wildlife Viewing Cruise

4.See Crystal River – Mantee & Wildlife Viewing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 349 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $42

Take a 90-minute covered-boat cruise through Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge with a USCG-licensed captain and guide. Groups are capped at 16, and captains such as Marty, Brodie, and Aiden share stories about manatees, the springs, and local wildlife. Sightings vary with conditions, and water clarity can be murky.

“Manatees were magnificent. Could see them interact with each other. Lots of visitors but Aiden, our guide, was so patient navigating and answering questions.”

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Riverboat Sunset Cruise in St Cloud

5.Riverboat Sunset Cruise in St Cloud

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 252 reviews · from $50

Board Toho Riverboat Adventures in St. Cloud for a 90-minute sunset cruise on East Lake Toho with a USCG Master Captain and crew. Expect lake views from a covered deck, music, board games, an onboard restroom, and snacks and drinks for purchase. The boat is wheelchair and powerchair accessible.

“The boat was quaint and quiet so we could enjoy the scenery. Captain was personable and friendly. Not really snacks but some candy bars were available.”

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Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Transfers

6.Port Canaveral Cruise Terminal Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 218 reviews · from $31

Book a one-way shared shuttle between Orlando Airport or a nearby airport hotel and Port Canaveral. Expect an air-conditioned ride of about 45 to 60 minutes after other passengers are collected. The shuttle can carry groups of up to 20, but pickup details and timing deserve careful attention.

“Everything was great, the driver was very helpful with everything. The service was amazing from the pick up to the drop off”

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Crystal River: Manatee Viewing Cruise

7.Manatee Viewing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 204 reviews · 1h 30m · from $35

Cruise a 600-acre bay in Crystal River with an Explorida captain aboard a US Coast Guard-certified boat. Look for wild manatees, birds, turtles, and sometimes dolphins while hearing about Kings Bay and its wildlife. Captains including Chris, John, Gavin, and Kelly have led trips here, though your guide is assigned on the day.

“it was a great day with Kelly, our guide. It was a nice day on the water. We didn't see a lot of manatees but did get pretty close to one. The season ended in March so we were happy to see one up close.”

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Sunset Catamaran Sail in Cocoa Beach

8.Sunset Catamaran Sail in Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 176 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $56

Set sail for about two hours from Merritt Island through the Banana River Lagoon and Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands. You’ll get sunset views, a chance to spot dolphins, manatees, turtles, and coastal birds, and a crew that may include captains Andrew, Kris, or Don. Soda and water are included; bring snacks and check the alcohol arrangements before departure.

“So wonderful! It was a beautiful night! Our tour guides/captains were phenomenal- so sweet and friendly and funny, and really informative and knowledgeable about the beautiful area!! Highly recommend this tour!”

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Dolphin Adventure Sail in Cocoa Beach

9.Dolphin Adventure Sail in Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 165 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend about two hours aboard a catamaran on Cocoa Beach’s sheltered waterways, watching for dolphins, manatees and coastal birds. The group is capped at six, and crew members such as Captain Andrew, Captain Bryan and first mate Speedy have led trips. Soda and bottled water are included, but plan to bring your own snacks.

“Had a great time. Staff was friendly and helpful as well as informative. Saw dolphins and manatees. The boat was clean and drinks were plentiful.”

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Guided Two Hour Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon

10.Guided Two Hour Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Cruise the Banana River and Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge on a small-group, two-hour wildlife tour from Merritt Island. A captain such as CJ, Jayne, Jack or Barry may point out dolphins, manatees, birds and other local wildlife while sharing details about the lagoon and nearby space launch sites. Choose a morning or afternoon departure.

“We saw so many wonderful things in the trip! Manatees and dolphins and birds of all kinds… CPT CJ was hysterical and very knowledgeable about everything in the area! Seeing the space launching sites was really incredible! Thank you CJ.”

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Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat (Free Photos)

11.Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat (Free Photos)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 124 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $84

From Crystal River, join a small group of up to six for a roughly three-hour manatee outing with a captain and in-water guide. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, towels, hot drinks, and a full photo package are included. Crew members have included Captain Todd, Captain Chris, Amanda, Leah, and Morgan. In colder months, the enclosed boat is heated.

“This is the company to pick for this!!!! The heated enclosed boat is NEEDED!!! Amanda is very passionate and knows so much about manatees beyond basic knowledge; and colt also has a ton of guide experience and stories to share. They have clean facilities including a hot shower after, 3mm clean wetsuits, everything felt so clean the boat etc. So glad we went with this company the other groups looked miserably cold. Cute gift shop. Bring clothes to put on after you get out of water. 10/10 experience. Also get the tickets with the photo package!”

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Crystal River: Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat(Free Photos)

12.Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat(Free Photos)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

You and up to five companions get a private three-hour Crystal River manatee trip with a captain and in-water guide. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, towels, hot drinks, water, and a photo package are included. The enclosed boat is heated in colder months. Captains and guides have included Todd, Leah, Morgan, Chris, Amanda, Mike, and Sean.

“Excellent guide and boat captain. It was off season and later in the day, but we still had an amazing experience and got some great photos. Highly recommend this tour and would most definitely love to do it again!”

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Pontoon Pub Crawl, 5 Lakeside Pubs and Restaurants Visit by Boat

13.Pontoon Pub Crawl, 5 Lakeside Pubs and Restaurants Visit by Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $90

Spend about three hours cruising Winter Haven’s Chain of Lakes and stopping at five lakeside pubs and restaurants. Captain Dave often leads, with Captain Scott also named as a guide. Expect local stories, wildlife sightings that may include alligators, and time to buy food and drinks at the stops. The boat holds up to eight people.

“Capt Dave was very knowledgeable about the area. The pubs and bars were very eclectic, however, very fun.”

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Tour of Lakes Escape by Personal Catamaran

14.Tour of Lakes Escape by Personal Catamaran

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 97 reviews · from $95

Take the helm of a personal catamaran on Clermont’s chain of lakes, with a guide leading the route and chatting over a two-way radio. Expect open water, narrow rivers, cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, and stories about local wildlife and the community. Nate and Richard are among the guides. Boats are beginner-friendly, but drivers must be 18 or older with a valid license.

“We had the best time! Nate was a great guide! Being out on the lakes and waterways was a new experience to us. Seeing the vegetation, beautiful trees, and birds was awesome! My husband and I are already planning on going back with friends and family. Highly recommend!”

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Crystal River: Semi-Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat

15.Semi-Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 91 reviews · 3 hours · from $74

Join an English-speaking guide and USCG Master Captain for a three-hour manatee swim in Crystal River’s Kings Bay. Boats carry no more than six people, and wetsuits, masks, snorkels, coffee and hot chocolate are included. Guides such as Todd, Amanda, Leah and Chris have led outings, but staffing varies. Bring swimwear and a towel.

“This activity exceeded expectations. Captain Todd and Leah were fantastic and knowledgeable. The tour group is small and the heated boat and hot chocolate was a nice touch coming out of the springs. We saw lots of manatees and my son said it was his favorite part of our trip.”

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