15 Guided Tours near Orlando Worth Booking

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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2-Hour Experiences, Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Orlando Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

3.Rock Springs 2-Hour Glass Bottom Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,459 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $115

Paddle the Emerald Cut at Rock Springs Run in a clear tandem kayak, following a local guide upstream beneath a tree canopy. You’ll get basic paddling instruction, wildlife and waterway commentary, and a chance to swim or use a rope swing before returning to the launch. Guides including Jacob, Megan, Dani and David have been praised for their friendly, engaging approach.

“David, our tour guide, was absolutely brilliant—so knowledgeable, experienced, and incredibly friendly. We were a mixed group with varying levels of kayaking experience, and he made sure to check in with each family individually throughout the trip. He offered guidance and support, especially since some of us progressed through the water more quickly than others. David also gave us plenty of time to relax, explore at our own pace, and truly enjoy being out on the water. The crystal-clear water and beautiful surroundings were stunning on their own, but the real highlights were spotting a couple of raccoons and even a baby alligator—such a bonus! This was an unforgettable adventure…”

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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

4.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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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Private ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

5.Private ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 598 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

At River Ventures in Crystal River, your private group of up to 10 gets a three-hour boat outing, snorkel gear, wetsuits and an in-water guide. Expect a short wildlife briefing, time to look for manatees and photos available to buy afterward. Past crews have included guides such as Kelly, Sarah and Dave, but staff assignments vary.

“Learned so much. Great guide, Dave, and captain, JJ. Beautiful day for an outing on the water. I’d definitely recommend the excursion”

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

Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

6.Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 574 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Spend about three hours on Crystal River with a group capped at six. Salty Siren Tours provides a wetsuit, snorkel gear, a heated enclosed pontoon boat, and an in-water guide who explains passive manatee observation. Guides have included Tyler, Kim, Robin, and Jessica, with captains such as Ed and Randy. Photos and videos are available for an extra fee.

“Tyler was a fantastic tour guide and lead on this adventure! Very calm and funny - ready to help with anything that is needed - would definitely do this again!”

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Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Orlando Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Cypress Forest: Guided Nature Kayak Eco-Tour

7.Cypress Forest: Guided Nature Kayak Eco-Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · from $74

Paddle Shingle Creek, the Everglades’ headwaters, on a two-hour guided kayak tour beneath old-growth cypress trees. Your ACA-certified guide provides instruction, safety gear, water, and local nature notes. Guides such as Joshua and Ryan have shared details about the creek’s plants and wildlife. Choose a single or tandem kayak; children as young as four can ride in a tandem.

“Amazing guided tour by Josh!! The entire staff was incredibly friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The tour was personalized and we were able to really learn a lot of not only the land around us but also the creatures within. Couldn’t recommend any higher!! It’s a must do! Secret hidden gem:)”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Silver Springs Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Silver Springs: Manatees and Monkeys Clear Kayak Guided Tour

8.Silver Springs: Manatees and Monkeys Clear Kayak Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 208 reviews · 2 hours · from $80

Paddle Silver Springs State Park for about 90 minutes with a guide such as Roger, Guy, Bob, or Stevie. Choose a clear tandem kayak, clear single kayak, or paddleboard, then look for manatees, turtles, birds, alligators, and sometimes monkeys or otters. The route also passes old movie-set remnants and forested waterway. Wildlife sightings vary.

“We loved it! Monkeys are apparently pretty rare but we saw tons of manatees! Couldn’t recommend more, silver springs is an absolutely beautiful gem that also isn’t too crowded!”

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Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Wekiva River Guided Kayak Tour

9.Wekiva River Guided Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 196 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $100

Leave Sanford at 9 a.m. for a guided kayak trip on the Wekiva River, a National Wild and Scenic River. Expect roughly seven miles of paddling, a lunch break and chances to spot birds, turtles, alligators or manatees. Guides such as Greg, Sue, Jimmy and Bill share local nature and history. The route and duration can vary, so plan for a physical half-day outdoors.

“Beautiful and very meditative river tour! Sue is a great guide! Lots of wildlife, gators, birds and Turtels.”

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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Morning, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Morning Swim and Snorkel with Manatees-Guided Crystal River Tour

10.Morning Swim and Snorkel with Manatees-Guided Crystal River Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 166 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

This 3.5-hour Crystal River tour pairs a boat ride with the option to snorkel near manatees or watch from aboard. A guide covers manatee-friendly behavior before you enter the water, and a Coast Guard-certified captain handles the boat. Wetsuits and snorkel gear are included. Guides vary; Abby, Aidan, Ryan and Morgan are among those who have led tours.

“This was an amazing experience! Our guide was phenomenal she was fun and very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this to anyone.”

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2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Orlando Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cocoa Beach

Guided Two Hour Boat Tour of the Indian River Lagoon

11.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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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Guided, Orlando Snorkel Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River: Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour

12.Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 132 reviews · 3 hours · from $74

Join Manatee Tour and Dive for a three-hour Crystal River outing with an experienced captain and an in-water guide. You’ll gear up in a wetsuit, ride by golf cart to the boat, then search Kings Bay for wild manatees. Some trips also visit Three Sisters Springs. Guides such as Eric, Sandy, Andrew, and Misty have led outings, though your crew may differ.

“This trip is fantastic! With our very enthousiastic captain and tourguide it was really a great journee! Swimming with the manatees is really special. And swimming in the three sisters is beautifull with the cristal clear water. The photo’s you can buy at the end are a bit expensive but cool.”

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Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cocoa Beach

Clear Kayak Guided Kayak Tours in Titusville

13.Clear Kayak Guided Kayak Tours in Titusville

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Join Get Up And Go Kayaking for a guided clear-kayak tour in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Your guide leads a group of no more than 10 toward wildlife-viewing spots and shares information about conservation and the waterway. Kayaking equipment is included. The listed duration is about 90 minutes, though the route details also give a two-hour estimate.

“The amount of knowledge that are guide had and brought us into places in the river that I never knew existed. Had a great time.”

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

Crystal River: Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour with Photos

14.Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $65

Join Captain Al and guide Carlos’s small-group, three-hour Crystal River tour for a boat ride through local wildlife habitat and a chance to snorkel near manatees. Wetsuits and gear are provided, along with an in-water guide, free photos and video, warm drinks, and a treasure hunt for children.

“We all had fun and it was an amazing expirience. If you search for a tour, then Book this one Trust me”

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3-Hour Experiences, Guided, Orlando Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

3 Hour Guided Single Kayak Adventure

15.3 Hour Guided Single Kayak Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $50Lowest price on this list

Paddle a single kayak through Crystal River’s Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a guide who points out springs, inlets, manatees, birds, otters, and fish. The three-hour trip includes your kayak, paddle, life jacket, and whistle. Guides such as Michelle, Reggie, and Zoe have led outings, though your guide will vary. Manatee sightings depend on conditions and season.