Crystal River: Private Manatee Swim With Guide(Free Photos)
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
We provide an amazing in water experience to swim with manatees. In this private tour on our enclosed heated boats you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kings Bay as we make our way to get up close and personal with the peaceful manatees. While you are in the water we will capture your memories for you with our in water guide/photographer leading you through your experience.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
What To Expect
Join us for a private and personalized manatee adventure. This private manatee tour is designed for guests who want a more exclusive and customized experience. You and your group will have the entire boat to yourselves along with a dedicated Captain and an In-Water Guide who will assist you throughout the tour. Enjoy a quiet, intimate encounter as you observe and passively interact with manatees in their natural environment. The boat is fully enclosed and heated during colder months for your comfort. Complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, and water are provided. All necessary gear is included, including wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and towels. This tour is approximately 3 hours from check-in to return to the dock. Tours starting at 3:30pm and beyond may only be 2 hours, depending on sunset time. The photo package is included with this tour option. For questions or additional information, please contact us by phone or email.
Options
Crystal River: Private Manatee Swim With Guide(Free Photos)
What‘s Included
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
157 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing Manatee Tour!
christianwO6824GF,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This experience was so worth it!!!! The guides were so knowledgeable and friendly. I will definitely be doing this tour again.
Incredible day
jessicarI626UR,May 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful experience. Giggles and Toby were incredible guides. I hope I got their names right! Would 100% recommend them. They have a little gift shop and a room where you watch the informational video first and get into your wet suits, then you go on the van about 5 min to the boat. We saw a gator and I think four manatees! It was an amazing experience.
First Class Manatee Trip
russg879,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We investigated 4-5 companies before we selected Crystal River Manatee Adventures. They were absolutely great starting with our first phone call to TJ . Their entire setup is first class, and our Captain ((Chris) and our dive assistant (Crystal Lynn) made the entire trip fun and informative. We highly recommend this entire crew!!
Fantastic experience all around
V9015HKcherylg,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Chris and guide Crystal Lynn were completely awesome. We spent very little time in the boat and were completely engaged with several manatees in our private tour in the water. Crystal Lynn had a wonderful ability to stay at the manatees head so we could see her at all times and know where the wonderful creature was. I was amazed at how inept I was at finding the manatee and how Crystal Lynn maneuvered herself seemingly effortlessly to help us. Both Captain Chris and Crystal Lynn were 100% focused on us having a great time. Aside from swimming with manatees which is beyond awesome, the thing I liked most about the tour was the degree of information both these professionals had. They shared all kinds of facts regarding manatees, regarding the bay, regarding the mammal migration, and gave a very great understanding of why the bay was in the shape it is today. They relate a lot of hurricane information as well and then after we swim with the manatees, we went up to the three sisters spring and swim there. The entire experience was simply wonderful. My brother arranged the trip and it called four or five other outfits when he was doing his research on who we would go with. He relays that TJ at the front desk was beyond helpful and stood Head and shoulders above all the other outfits that he called. We are so glad we booked with Crystal River Manatee adventures. We recommend them highly Fantastic experience all around. Ps before we even left the parking lot after our tour was over, likely about 100 photos were uploaded to our email for our viewing. It was the best because when I got home I could show my friends what I had done that morning. Again kudos to this wonderful team
1 for the books wpuld do it again
jasperd897,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time while on the tour. Thanks to tour guide crystallynn and captain chris for the amazing experience and getting us up close and personal with the manatees for 2 hours. And nice hot coacoa break.
Miss at your own peril!
joostd621,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great experience. And although manatee season was over we still got the chance to see and/or swim with 10 to 12 of these great animals. Also a huge thank you to our guide Chrystal-Lynn and captain Chris who did everything to make it this a very memorable trip. Some very nice people with great knowledge about the manatees and their habitat, and with a good sense of humour. We highly recommend this company to take you on a trip! Great plus: they take 6 persons max. on their boats so they can give you all the attention.
Awesomesauce
495huubd,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a really great experience. Saw quite a few manatees and one really friendly calf who cuddled up to us. I also want to thank CrystalLynn and captain Chris for the tour. They were great!
Manatee and eagle spotting!!
P7761FVkatied,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Chris and Jay gave us the perfect day! They were so knowledgeable took their time and gave me and my family the best experience. No commercial rubbish just two people passionate about the wildlife and giving us the best experience I would 1000% recommend them!
10/10
masonk11,Apr 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jay and captain Chris took out our great people had a fun time
Excellent experience
ashleyhF4572NE,Apr 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing experience! Animal safety was number one and we were able to swim close to multiple manatees and witness a calf and mother in the wild. Our guide and boat captain were both fantastic and made the experience safe and amazing for all of our party.
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Operated by Crystal River Manatee Adventures