Crystal River Manatee Tours: The 15 Best Swims

Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide! - From Fun 2 Dive to the springs

Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

1.Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,782 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76Top choice

At Fun 2 Dive in Crystal River, you’ll board a scenic boat with a licensed captain and an in-water guide, then float and snorkel near wild manatees. The three-hour outing includes a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and swim noodle, with groups capped at 12. Guides such as Neal, Storm, and Zachary have helped guests stay calm, learn manatee etiquette, and make the most of close encounters.

“Cold but good a lot of manatees and our guides were simply amazing! Bucket list event and will tell everyone”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

2.The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,539 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Meet at River Ventures in Crystal River for a roughly three-hour manatee outing with a captain and in-water guide. You’ll get a wetsuit, mask and snorkel, learn the wildlife rules, then cruise Kings Bay and nearby springs to look for manatees. A guide takes photos, available to buy separately. Crew assignments vary; recent trips have included guides such as Piper, Maleah and Natalie.

“Awesome experience, Nat & Capt. Rob was a blast to be with. They will make sure you see the manatees!!”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

3.Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,300 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Take a three-hour manatee swim from Crystal River through Kings Bay aboard a Coast Guard-certified boat. Your captain looks for manatees, while an in-water guide helps you snorkel safely and takes photos you can buy afterward. Wetsuit, snorkel gear, bottled water and float noodles are included. Small-group capacity is listed as 10 in one place and 11 in another.

“Explorida is very close to the manatees, ~10 min at idle. The water was murky at first. But as I got nearer to the springs, it cleared up. Well worth the $$. The picture package is only $35 for all downloads. The only negative is that Google Maps initially directed me to the wrong outfitter. If Viator had given me the business's name, it would have been no problem.”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

4.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Launch from Kings Bay Park for a two-hour, small-group clear kayak tour capped at 10 people. From April 1 to November 14, paddle to Three Sisters Springs and swim when conditions allow. From November 15 to March 31, focus on finding manatees without getting in the water. Guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, and Cami share local wildlife knowledge.

“Very enjoyable. Cami was friendly and very knowledgeable about local wildlife. She made sure we saw multiple manatees”

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3-Hour Experiences, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

5.3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,692 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

From Pete’s Pier, a local captain and in-water guide take a group of up to six into Crystal River’s Kings Bay to look for wild manatees. You get a wetsuit and snorkel gear, clear instructions on respectful wildlife viewing, and included photos and short videos. Sightings and water visibility vary by season and conditions.

“We had a wonderful experience! We saw so many manatees close up. It was exciting to see so many. Our guides were incredible. They told us everything we needed to know how to safely swim with the manatees. It was great to have the pictures of us with the manatees!!!”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

6.Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Meet at 226 NE 5th St in Crystal River, suit up in a provided wetsuit, and take a guided boat trip to look for manatees near the freshwater springs. Groups are capped at six. Your guide supervises you in the water and can take photos and videos when asked. Guides such as Crystal, Celeste, and Captain Mike have led trips, though the crew may vary.

“Absolutely amazing, guide was knowledgeable and make it an unforgettable day! The small group experience is the wa to go.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise

7.Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise

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

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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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River, VIP

Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

8.Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,023 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

At River Ventures in Crystal River, a Coast Guard-certified captain and in-water guide brief you on passive manatee interaction, fit you with a wetsuit and snorkel gear, then take a group of up to six by covered pontoon into the wildlife refuge. Look for manatees, birds, and fish. Sightings are not guaranteed; winter cold often brings more manatees to the springs.

“Mike and our captain did a wonderful job finding manatees for us to snorkel with. We honestly swam with them the entire time. I can't say enough good things about my experience. Nice facility. Good wet suits. Amazing photos with the manatees.”

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Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Orlando Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cocoa Beach

Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

9.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Explore Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands on a guided kayak trip of about two and a half hours, with a group capped at 10. Guides such as James, Ian, and Susie share local ecology and take photos for you. Paddle through mangrove tunnels and open water while watching for manatees, dolphins, and birds. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.

“It was so serene and our guide Ian was the best. He was very patient and helpful. We loved our time on the water.”

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Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach

10.Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 836 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59

Spend about two hours kayaking Cocoa Beach’s calm waterways with a guide, looking for dolphins, manatees, and birds while threading through mangrove tunnels. Kayaks, paddling instruction, and a choice of single or tandem boats are included. Groups are limited to 11, and guides such as Erin, Holly, Jordyn, and Makayla have led trips.

“Fun, guide seemed knowledgeable. We left timely and enjoyed it very much. We got to see the dolphins which was cool but didn't see any manatee's.”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

All-Inclusive Small Group Manatee Swim with Free Photos

11.All-Inclusive Small Group Manatee Swim with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 810 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Set out from Nature’s Discovery in Crystal River for a roughly three-hour snorkel in Kings Bay. Your crew provides a wetsuit, gear, an in-water guide, and photos, with no more than six people on the boat. Guides such as Mandy, Evan, Grace, and Jake have led trips, though the crew may vary. Manatee sightings and water clarity depend on conditions.

“We all loved this tour! Grace and Evan were INCREDIBLE! and so wonderful to our kids and all of us. We highly recommend this experience”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Small group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

12.Small group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $98

In Crystal River, a captain takes a group of up to six into Kings Bay, where an in-water guide helps you snorkel near manatees using passive observation. Wetsuit, mask, snorkel, towels, and hot drinks are included. Manatee numbers vary with weather and season, and photos are available to buy afterward.

“Amazing experience! Michelle and Ryan highly recommended!!! I would do it again in a heartbeat! No issues, valued knowledge and very very skilled.”

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Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

13.Clear Kayak Manatee Ecotour of Crystal River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 691 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about two hours paddling tandem clear kayaks through Crystal River with a local guide. Look below the hull for manatees, turtles, fish, and other wildlife, while learning about the area’s ecosystem. The group is capped at 10, and guides such as Jess, Kyle, RJ, and Cypress have earned praise for their relaxed, engaging approach. Wildlife sightings and water clarity vary.

“Look at the web site and watch the videos Do what they suggest and it will be great. The Tour guides were great. !”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

Plantation’s Kings Bay Scenic Cruise

14.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 Manatee Tours, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River: Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

15.Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

From River Ventures, take a covered pontoon boat into Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge for a three-hour manatee snorkel. You’ll get a 25-minute briefing, mask, snorkel and wetsuit, then enter the water with an in-water guide and photographer. Crew members vary; past trips have included Captain Melissa and guide Natalie, as well as guides James and Carlos.