Small-group manatee swim limited to 6 guests, with gear included and daily departures
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3 hours
Up to 6 people
Mask, snorkel, wetsuit
Swim alongside manatees on a semi-private snorkel tour limited to six guests. Gear is included, and tours run daily year-round. Start times: 7:00 AM, 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 1:30 PM.
Guests traveling with a child under 3 or with a pet, including service animals, must book a private tour. All guests wear a provided wetsuit and use a pool noodle to stay floating on the surface per permit rules. Camera flashes and long selfie sticks are not allowed in the refuge.
Full refund with at least 48 hours’ advance notice. No refunds for short-notice cancellations. Rescheduling is offered if availability allows.
Crystal River, Fl
The crew here consistently delivers memorable manatee encounters, with guides like Eli, Storm, Crystallynn, and Zach earning special praise for their knowledge and personable approach. Reviewers rave about how staff go the extra mile—whether it's helping nervous swimmers feel comfortable, seeking out different spots when conditions aren't ideal, or making sure even boat-only observers have an incredible time. The thoughtful touches stand out: hot chocolate waiting after cold swims, warm water poured on the deck for freezing feet, and reasonably priced photo packages that let you stay present in the moment. The manatee viewing itself lives up to the hype. Visitors report close-up encounters with these gentle giants, including curious babies swimming right up to faces and multiple animals surrounding swimmers at once. Winter timing seems key for optimal sightings, with some reviewers spotting dozens of manatees in crystal-clear water. The operation runs smoothly from start to finish—easy online booking, waivers handled in advance, clean facilities, and guides who tailor experiences to different comfort levels. Solo travelers, families with young kids, and multi-generational groups all report feeling welcomed and well cared for.
We normally don’t do any tours around here since we live nearby, but with my dad in town we decided to go and Im so glad we did. We got to see manatees up close and personal including a pregnant mama. Such a cool experience and we learned so many things we never knew. Brody and Alyssa were amazing and made the whole tour even better. Definitely worth it.
Britta Weeks-Hansen
April 6, 2026
We normally don’t do any tours around here since we live nearby, but with my dad in town we decided to go and Im so glad we did. We got to see manatees up close and personal including a pregnant mama. Such a cool experience and we learned so many things we never knew. Brody and Alyssa were amazing and made the whole tour even better. Definitely worth it.
Britta Weeks-Hansen
April 6, 2026