The 15 Best Snorkel Tours from Orlando

The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer - Returning to the shop

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

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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Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

2.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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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

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

4.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.

“I would recommend going as early as possible, that way the water is not riled up from other people trying to do the same as you.”

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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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Manatee Snorkel Small Group Tour

6.Manatee Snorkel Small Group Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

From downtown Crystal River, take a three-hour boat trip toward the wildlife refuge and Three Sisters Springs. Your group is capped at six, and the crew provides a wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and in-water guide. Manatees may be present year-round, though winter is their main refuge season. Photos are available to buy after the tour.

“Guide Santa and Boat Captain Gavin were knowledgeable and showed our small group a fantastic time finding and SEEING many manatees. What an experience!!! Awesome!”

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

7.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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Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center

8.Manatee Snorkel Tour from American Pro Diving Center

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 265 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

From American Pro Diving Center, take a roughly three-and-a-half-hour boat trip around Crystal River and King’s Bay, with an in-water guide and a Coast Guard-certified captain. Wetsuits, masks, fins, and snorkels are provided. Guides such as Bri, Taylor, and Ryan have helped families find manatees, including mothers with calves.

“Overall it was a wonderful experience. There were too many people at the site but that’s just the nature of that type of excursion.”

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Manatee Snorkeling Adventure Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

9.Manatee Snorkeling Adventure Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 230 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Leave Orlando around 7 a.m. for a small-group trip to Crystal River, where a boat crew guides you on a manatee search and optional snorkel. Then explore Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, with park entry and picnic lunch included. Some packages add a Withlacoochee River airboat ride. Guides have included Kevin, Oscar, Carmen, and Bill, though your guide may differ.

“What a fantastic day. Oscar our guide was superb, kept us complete informed of each step of the day. Swimming with the manatees was incredible. The wildlife in the Homosassa park was such a delight, seeing the manatees being fed was a super event. The airboat ride is not to be missed- an experience we will never forget”

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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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Crystal River: Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour

11.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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Snorkel Or Dive The Amazing Rainbow River Florida

12.Snorkel Or Dive The Amazing Rainbow River Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 116 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

From American Pro Diving Center, take a small-group boat trip to Rainbow River for guided snorkeling or scuba drift time. A Coast Guard-certified captain leads the outing, shares local river history, and keeps the boat close while you’re in the water. Austin, Mike, and Tom Markey have guided trips here.

“A very nice trip :: 5 Star snorkeling experience in one of Florida most protected waters :: our guide was very nice and safety forward.”

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Crystal River: Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour with Photos

13.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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From Orlando: Manatee Snorkel Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

14.Manatee Snorkel Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · 11 hours · from $169

Travel from select Orlando-area hotels to Crystal River for a guided pontoon trip and a chance to snorkel or swim near wild manatees. A certified boat crew provides masks, snorkels, and fins. Your day also includes a boxed lunch and Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park, where an underwater viewing chamber offers another way to watch manatees.

“Unfortunately the water is not clear due the last hurricane impacted the view however still being and amazing experience. The highlight of the tour was when a curious manatee approached, seemingly interested in our group. It gently swam around us, providing a unique and unforgettable interaction. It was a moment of pure connection with nature that I'll cherish forever.”

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Private Manatee Snorkeling Tour

15.Private Manatee Snorkeling Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend about three hours on a private Crystal River manatee outing for up to six people. You’ll get a wetsuit, snorkel gear, a US Fish and Wildlife briefing, and a guide in the water, plus snacks, drinks, and a photo package. Captain Ron and Lauren have led one reported outing, with Lauren helping a nervous child feel comfortable.

“The tour with Captain Ron and Lauren was FANTASTIC! They brought us to a perfect place where the manatees were swimming all around us. We had our 7 year old daughter who was a bit nervous about swimming with the manatees, but Lauren took great care of her and made her feel at ease. It was an amazing experience. In additional to see the manatees, Captain Ron and Lauren provided a wealth of information regarding the manatees. An extra was bonus was the photos that Lauren took of us and the manatees and then had a flash drive with the photos and videos for us at the end of the…”

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