15 Tours & Day Trips near Orlando Worth Booking

Kennedy Space Center: Entry Ticket with Explore Bus Tour - The Explore bus tour brings the launch area closer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4,670 reviews · from $92Top choice

Spend one or two days at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, including the Explore Bus Tour with a space expert. The route makes photo stops near the Vehicle Assembly Building and Launch Complex 39 before reaching the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Back at the complex, explore Space Shuttle Atlantis, simulators, films, and exhibits at your own pace.

“Our family of 4 (kids age 8, 10) have a great time at KSC and especially on the Explore Tour! We learned so much about past, present, and future launches and their site and equipment. The stops to take a closer look and photos were great as well. I highly recommend this tour in addition to spending the day at KSC!”

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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

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

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

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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Lunch Experiences, Orlando Airboat Tours, Orlando Attraction Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch

3.Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,576 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $37

Head about an hour south of Orlando to Kenansville for a 30-minute or one-hour airboat ride across protected Central Florida wetlands, plus admission to Wild Florida’s wildlife park. A Coast Guard-certified captain points out animals and wetland plants. Add a barbecue lunch and alligator photo option if you want to make a longer day of it.

“More to do then I was expecting. Enjoyed viewing all the animals. Would do again and budget more time.”

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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

4.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

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

Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

6.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, Orlando Kayak Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Crystal River

Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

7.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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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

8.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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Orlando Airboat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

90 minute Everglades Airboat Tour near Orlando Florida

9.90 minute Everglades Airboat Tour near Orlando Florida

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Take a 90-minute airboat ride from Kissimmee, near Orlando, through marsh and gator nesting areas. Your captain provides live commentary as you look for alligators, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, turtles, and other birds. Captains include Andrew, Tanner, Taylor, and Logan. Tours run at multiple start times, with up to 28 people aboard.

“We had Captain Logan who was amazing. Friendly informative and funny. I highly recommend. My husband and I truly enjoyed our day.”

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Museums, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cape Canaveral

Wizard of OZ Museum tour

10.Wizard of OZ Museum tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,056 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $29Lowest price on this list

Spend about one to two hours exploring the Wizard of Oz Museum in Cape Canaveral. See more than 2,000 collectibles, rare books and original movie props, follow QR-code displays, take photos and try a family scavenger hunt. The ticket also includes projection rooms featuring Oz, Van Gogh and space imagery. Admission is $29.99; transportation is not included.

“It was such a treat for me to see all of the unique figurines as I’m a collector. It was also very interesting to learn of the original book and the characters that were not included in the movie (mice, Jack Pumpkinhead, Patchwork girl…I had no idea! This is a wonderful experience for fans of The Wizard of Oz! My friend and I had a wonderful time. Oh! The immersion experience was very cool. I highly recommend this attraction.”

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Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours, Orlando Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour

11.Cocoa Beach Dolphin and Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,052 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $47

Board a wheelchair-accessible boat at 420 W Cocoa Beach Causeway for a two-hour cruise through the Thousand Islands estuary. A certified naturalist explains the mangroves and wildlife, while the captain looks for dolphins, manatees and birds. Restrooms are onboard; soft drinks are sold separately. Wildlife sightings vary, and manatees may be scarce in cold weather.

“What an amazing 2 hour tour. Captain Rich and First Mate Diane were very perfect. They shared so much knowledge and were quick to point out the sightings and made sure everyone got to view and the pictures they wanted. Both added a little comedy to the tour as well. Diane was a doll and took pictures of us. She also had some great recommendations on places to visit. She told us about Black Point Drive and we visited that the next day. During our tour, we saw several dolphins who were putting on a great show, 3 different Manatees, one of which was eating. It was a site to…”

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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

12.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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Orlando Kayak Tours, Orlando Wildlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Orlando

Glass Bottom Kayak Eco Tour through Rainbow Springs

13.Glass Bottom Kayak Eco Tour through Rainbow Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 943 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Set out from KP Hole Park in Dunnellon for a two to two-and-a-half-hour guided paddle on Rainbow River. The clear kayaks let you watch the water below, while guides such as Andres, Sara, and Sam point out wildlife and explain the local springs. Groups are capped at 10. Expect to get wet, and bring water shoes if you plan to explore a creek.

“Had an absolute wonderful time. Our guide, Sarah, was fantastic. Such a fun experience and would 100% recommend.”

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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

14.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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Cocoa Beach Dolphin Tours, Crystal River Manatee Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Cocoa Beach

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

15.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.