Snorkel with wild manatees in a small group, with photos and video included
4 hours
Up to 6 people
Gear, snacks, photos/video
Snorkel with wild manatees in their natural habitat on a guided, educational tour in Kings Bay Animal Refuge. Learn manatee-friendly practices, then head onto the water with a small group and get photos and video from your guide.
Group size is limited to 6 guests per boat. You must watch the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manatee Manners video and attend a mandatory snorkeling briefing before entering the water. Manatees are wild animals, so sightings and interactions depend on animal behavior.
No refunds. Cancel at least 5 days before departure to receive a voucher valid up to 1 year. If canceled within 4 days, no refunds or vouchers. A $75 rebooking fee applies per each 6 guests in your party. If the operator cancels due to weather, mechanical, or unsafe conditions, your deposit stays active for rebooking or voucher.
Arrive 15 minutes before your start time. Plan about 40–45 minutes at the shop for check-in and required prep, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Manatee Manners video, an eco walkthrough, a mandatory snorkeling briefing, and wetsuit fitting before you shuttle to the dock.
Wear a swimsuit or swim trunks under your wetsuit. Bring towels, dry clothes for after, something on your feet for the walk to the dock (flip flops or water shoes), and a bag for wet items. Consider polarized sunglasses and a hat. In cooler weather, bring warm layers to put on after you get out of the water.
Yes. Your tour includes sanitized wetsuits plus a mask and snorkel. Wetsuits are required, and you will not be permitted to enter the water without one. You may use your own snorkel gear if you prefer.
308 Southeast US Highway 19 Crystal River, FL US 34429
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Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is the headline here, and guides like Aubrey, Emmitt, Ken, Hannah, Jeff, and Captain Carlos come up again and again as the reason people leave happy. They're described as knowledgeable, fun, and genuinely passionate about the manatees and the local ecosystem. All snorkel gear and wetsuits are included, which makes showing up easy. A couple of reviewers noted that water visibility can be a real wildcard, particularly on warmer days when the water gets murky. One reviewer actually came back a second time on a cooler day and saw close to 100 manatees, so timing your visit during cooler months seems to make a noticeable difference in the experience. With a strong rating across nearly a thousand reviews and a solid crew of guides earning repeat praise, this outfit clearly delivers for most people. If you're flexible about when you go and set realistic expectations around visibility conditions, the odds of having a memorable, worthwhile trip are pretty high.
Today we got to experience swimming with manatees and it was a great experience. If you think you’re going to like it, I promise you will love it. The team did a great job finding them and allowing us to swim with them. It was a great experience even though the water wasn’t so clear but we still saw plenty of manatees. Aubrey and Aiden did a great job with the tour. Thank to both of them we got a great experience.
shay sa
May 19, 2026
Today we got to experience swimming with manatees and it was a great experience. If you think you’re going to like it, I promise you will love it. The team did a great job finding them and allowing us to swim with them. It was a great experience even though the water wasn’t so clear but we still saw plenty of manatees. Aubrey and Aiden did a great job with the tour. Thank to both of them we got a great experience.
shay sa
May 19, 2026