The 15 Best Boat Tours around Orlando

Crystal River: Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat - Cold weather, wetsuits, and getting comfortable

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

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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Riverboat Sunset Cruise in St Cloud

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

3.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)

4.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)

5.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

6.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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Crystal River: Semi-Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat

7.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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Cocoa Beach: Sunset Cruise

8.Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 88 reviews · 1h 30m · from $47

Board at Sunset Waterfront Bar & Grill for a 90-minute cruise through Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands and the Banana River. The captain and skipper play music, point out wildlife, and take you toward sunset views. Dolphins and manatees are possible, not guaranteed. Drinks are sold onboard, but coolers are not allowed.

“Lovely cruise with a beautiful sunset. Saw a variety of birds and a dolphin as well.”

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90 Minute Florida Everglades Boat Eco Tour

9.90 Minute Florida Everglades Boat Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 86 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Take a 90-minute pontoon cruise from Kissimmee on Lake Toho, with a captain pointing out alligators, turtles, snakes, birds, and wetland plants. Captain Chris is often associated with the tour and shares local wildlife and habitat facts. Bottled water is included, departures come at different times, and groups are limited to 18.

“Chris the tour guide was excellent. He had great knowledge on alligators. He took us to spots where we were able to spot them out uo and close.”

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Plantation’s Kings Bay Sunset Cruise

10.Plantation’s Kings Bay Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $35Lowest price on this list

Cruise Kings Bay from Plantation Adventure Center with a USCG-licensed captain pointing out the springs, local ecology, and wildlife. Manatees, dolphins, birds, and other animals may appear, but sightings are never guaranteed. The covered boat allows drinks and snacks. Captains Mark, Ryan, and Kyle have led past trips, though your crew may differ.

“The guide and driver of the boat were both very cool and fun. The guide was very knowledgeable about all of the conservation efforts going on in Crystal Springs and we got to see several areas and lots of wildlife.”

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Kennedy Space Center with Airboat Ride Swamp Boat

11.Kennedy Space Center with Airboat Ride Swamp Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 72 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $225

Leave Orlando at 8:00 am for about five and a half hours at Kennedy Space Center, including Atlantis, the Saturn V Center, and the shuttle launch simulator. Then take a 30-minute airboat ride on the St. Johns River. Guides such as Brad, Bob, Angelina, and Mitch have helped guests plan their time and share spaceflight stories.

“Great day. Good communication on times and meet points. Excellent recommendations from guide who also provided insight into space travel history on the way”

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King’s Bay Sunset Cruise

12.King’s Bay Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Depart from Paddletail Waterfront Lodge’s private docks for a roughly 90-minute Kings Bay cruise. Your captain spends about an hour looking for manatees and other local wildlife, sharing stories about the bay, then takes a slow route back as the sun sets. Captains Glenn, Phil, Mark, Andrew, Chaz, Guy Morgan, and Tom have led trips.

“Captain was knowledgeable about the area and pointed out several highlights as we drove around the bay. Made it fun and safe for all ages!”

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VIP Private Boat Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photograper

13.VIP Private Boat Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photograper

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Meet your in-water guide and photographer at Salty Siren Tours, learn how to observe manatees without disturbing them, then travel by boat to their habitat for a private snorkel outing. The three-hour tour costs $550 for up to six people and includes wetsuits, snorkel gear, snacks, drinks, a heated cabin, restroom, and underwater photos.

“Guide, store personnel, and Captains- top notch and down to earth. I really enjoyed the extra efforts taken to give us the type of trip we wanted. We saw babies, babies feeding, giants, and teens...very cool!! We visited the free refuge, kayaked, and then went on swim- it really brought the whole experience together.”

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Crystal River: Private Manatee Boat Tour

14.Private Manatee Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews

Set out with Go Local Manatee Tours on a 90-minute private cruise around Crystal River and Kings Bay. Your local captain and guide look for wild manatees and point out birds, turtles, alligators, and local history along the way. The boat is reserved for your group of up to six, and bottled water is included.

“What an amazing experience this was!!! Pete and Stephanie took such great care of us on our tour ranging from my 12 year old kids to my 78 year old mom. We all had close encounters with the sweet manatees of Crystal River. Pete and SteRead more”

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Private 2-Hour Day Sailing Experience

15.Private 2-Hour Day Sailing Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $89

Leave Orlando’s theme-park routine behind for a private, two-hour sail on Lake Fairview aboard a 25-foot keel sailboat. Captain Dan can show you sailing basics and let you take the helm, or handle the boat while you relax. The outing starts at 10:00 am, includes bottled water, and returns to its meeting point.

“First time sailing and we were not disappointed. Dan was very personable and knowledgeable. We even learned a few things about sailing. Had know idea it was so much work but Dan seems to enjoy it. Thanks to him for starting this business!!”

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