Cruise the Homosassa River and snorkel with manatees, with dockside breakfast and lunch
6 hours
Up to 6 people
Wetsuit, snorkel gear, meals
Spend 6 hours on a private charter designed for water lovers, cruising the Homosassa River and heading to the springs for a passive in-water manatee experience. Your crew suits you up, shares snorkel or float tips, and includes dockside meals with your captain.
The meeting location is listed as Florida Cracker Riverside Resort in the tour description and Monkey Island Riverside Resort marina picnic tables in the booking notes; confirm the exact meeting point with Greetwell before booking.
With Trip Protection: cancel/reschedule up to 72 hours prior for a full refund minus trip protection cost and associated fees. Same-day cancellations forfeit reservation. No-shows not eligible. If operator cancels due to weather safety or other conditions, you get full credit/gift card or reschedule (no refunds stated).
Arrive 15–20 minutes before your reservation time so you can check in, do prep work, get a safety briefing, and try on your gear.
Bring your bathing suit and towel, sunscreen and a hat, and a camera. The operator also suggests bringing a small cooler with snacks (and in winter, warm clothes like hoodies, a warm hat, and socks for after the swim and the boat ride back).
No. The tour includes wetsuits, masks, and snorkels. Hot cocoa is included in cooler months.
Homosassa Florida
Guides like Captain Cephas, Captain Yves, and Charissa are a big reason this experience earns such glowing reviews. Knowledgeable, personable, and clearly passionate about manatees, they put real effort into finding the animals and making sure everyone in the group gets quality time in the water. Families with young kids, travelers with physical limitations, and even guests visiting late in the season have all walked away with memorable encounters. The manatees themselves do most of the heavy lifting, of course. Reviewers describe close-up, face-to-face moments with these curious, gentle creatures, sometimes lasting close to an hour. Underwater photos taken by the crew are a standout bonus, giving guests something to take home beyond just the memory. One thing worth noting is that sightings are more reliable in winter when manatees congregate in the warm spring waters. Late spring and summer visits can still be rewarding, but manage your expectations accordingly. Overall, this tour consistently delivers a genuine, well-run wildlife experience that feels far from touristy.
WOW, what an amazing experience! We received a friendly welcome from two dive instructors who explained everything we needed to know. "Please don't make any sudden movements" when the manatee swims towards you. These animals aren't aggressive; they're peaceful creatures that live in this river. They even let you pet them. We saw several swimming right in front of us, under us, and beside us. The two dive instructors took photos of us in and under the water as we swam alongside the manatees. Unforgettable, fantastic photos that we were able to view on their website the next day. We were there on November 26th. Thank you so much!
Heike D.
April 28, 2026
WOW, what an amazing experience! We received a friendly welcome from two dive instructors who explained everything we needed to know. "Please don't make any sudden movements" when the manatee swims towards you. These animals aren't aggressive; they're peaceful creatures that live in this river. They even let you pet them. We saw several swimming right in front of us, under us, and beside us. The two dive instructors took photos of us in and under the water as we swam alongside the manatees. Unforgettable, fantastic photos that we were able to view on their website the next day. We were there on November 26th. Thank you so much!
Heike D.
April 28, 2026