15 Photo Shoots near Orlando Worth the Drive

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

Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

2.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 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

3.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, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

All-Inclusive Small Group Manatee Swim with Free Photos

4.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

5.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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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

6.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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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

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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Private Manatee Swim for up to 6 with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

8.Private Manatee Swim for up to 6 with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 317 reviews

Visit Kings Bay with your private group of up to six, guided by an in-water divemaster who can take photos and videos of your manatee encounter. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, towels, hot drinks, and a heated changing area are provided. Manatee sightings vary with weather and season, so come ready for a wildlife experience, not a guarantee.

“It was a fun experience. Misty and Memphis were great! It was later in the season, so not many Manatee's to see, but Misty and Memphis made sure we saw the Manatee's that were there. We got great pictures of a mother and baby. In adRead more”

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

3 Hour Manatee Swim – Small Group w/complimentary photos!

9.3 Hour Manatee Swim – Small Group w/complimentary photos!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

From SeaDaddys Adventures in Crystal River, you’ll get a manatee-safety briefing, a fitted wetsuit and snorkel gear, then head by boat into Kings Bay with a captain, an in-water guide and photographer. The tour runs about three hours, including roughly one hour of preparation. Manatees roam freely, so sightings and water clarity can vary.

“Our tour guide & captain were great! They were very knowledgeable about the manatees & where to take us to see them. We were educated well on how to be around the manatees as well as knowledgeable about the manatees & other marine life. I would definitely do this again!”

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Crystal River: VIP Manatee Swim w/ In-water Photographer

10.VIP Manatee Swim w/ In-water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 184 reviews · 3 hours · from $119

Spend three hours with a Coast Guard-certified captain and in-water educator in Crystal River’s King’s Bay Wildlife Refuge. You’ll get a classroom-style briefing, wetsuit and snorkel gear, then head out on a covered pontoon limited to six people. Guides such as Mike, Sarah, and Natalie have led trips, with underwater photos available for an extra fee.

“They made the best of a limited manatee situation. Still got a good experience and cool pictures!”

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

Classic Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour with Free Photos

11.Classic Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour with Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

Board the Manatee Duchess for a three-hour search through Crystal River’s King’s Bay Manatee Refuge. Nature’s Discovery supplies wetsuits, snorkel gear, noodles, parking, and underwater photos. In-water guides such as Hudson, Caleb, and Stephen help you float quietly near manatees, with sightings varying by day and season.

“Had the best time with my husband and son a few weeks ago. My husband felt abit ill so sat it out whilst still watching from the boat, but my son and I had a fantastic time. Taylor ensured we got the best experience, all whilst taken photos and filming our experience. We saw lots of manatees and came face to face with and swam along with them… we even got to watch a nursing mum and baby. We saw lots of turtles too and fish. Would highly recommend this company.”

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Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Orlando Boat Tours, Photography Sessions, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

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

12.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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Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Orlando Boat Tours, Photography Sessions, Private, Tour Reviews, Tours in Crystal River

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

13.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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Crystal River Manatee Tours, Orlando Kayak Tours, Photography Sessions, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River: Three Sisters Manatee Clear Kayak Tour Free Photos

14.Three Sisters Manatee Clear Kayak Tour Free Photos

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Paddle Kings Bay in a clear kayak with a local guide on this two-hour, small-group tour. In manatee season, November 15 through March 31, the route reaches the edge of Three Sisters Springs. Life jackets, dry bags, equipment, and a free photo package are included. Guides such as Kyle, Kaitlyn, and Lillie lead tours for up to 10 people.

“We were going to be late due to traffic and they were very accommodating to us. They even called me to see where we were at.”

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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

15.Guided Manatee Snorkeling Tour with Photos

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $65Lowest price on this list

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.