Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour
From$77
3 hours
Crystal River, USA
About this activity
Dive into an unforgettable adventure in Crystal River, Florida, where you'll swim alongside gentle manatees in their natural habitat. This guided tour offers a unique opportunity to connect with these magnificent creatures, with professional photographers capturing every moment. All snorkeling equipment is provided, ensuring a hassle-free experience for participants of all ages and skill levels.
Highlights
- Swim with gentle manatees in their natural habitat
- Guided tour through Crystal River's pristine waters
- Professional in-water photographer captures your experience
- All necessary snorkeling equipment provided
- Suitable for all ages and experience levels
Full description
Discover the magic of Crystal River, Florida, on a guided Manatee Swim Tour that brings you face-to-face with these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Glide through the clear waters of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, where you'll encounter manatees in their serene environment. Our experienced guides ensure a safe and educational experience, sharing insights into the manatees' behavior and the ecosystem they inhabit. To make your adventure even more memorable, we offer professional in-water photography services, capturing stunning images of your encounter. All necessary snorkeling equipment is provided, so you can focus on the experience without any worries. Whether you're a seasoned snorkeler or a first-timer, this tour is designed to be accessible and enjoyable for all ages and skill levels. Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with one of Florida's most beloved marine mammals in the heart of Crystal River.
Included / Excluded
- Guided boat tour to manatee habitats
- Snorkeling equipment rental
- In-water photographer services
- Transportation to and from Crystal River
Itinerary
1
Hop aboard one of our safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessels where you will join your Master Captain to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Our master captains are trained to find manatees on your manatee tour, even in the offseason, and will deliver the best manatee tour in Crystal River, FL—every time. You will be paired with one of our expert in-water guides who will be with you every step of the way to assist in making your manatee tour safe and memorable. Your in-water guide will also serve as your professional photographer to capture your manatee swim memories, and those photos will be available for purchase upon arrival back to our facility. For this tour, all required gear is included at no additional charge.
Duration: 3 hoursAdmission: YES
2
Pass by: You can swim with manatees in Citrus County, Florida. Swimming with the manatees is a privilege that is unique to Citrus County, which is why the small county has earned its world famous title of the ‘Manatee Capital of the World’. Nowhere else in the world can you legally swim with the manatees in their natural habitat, as you can do with us! When looking for things to do in Florida, add swimming with the manatees to the top of your list, and let Explorida be your guide!
Admission: NOT_APPLICABLE
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- Participants should be comfortable swimming in open water
- Tour operates in all weather conditions; cancellations are rare
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable swimwear and bring a towel
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure
- Parking is available at the tour departure point
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 1 days before the activity starts
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- Level One Snorkel Experience Recommended
- Infants are still considered to take up a seat on a USCG Inspected Vessel. You must pay full price for an infant.
- Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
- This is a wildlife encounter, and due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, conditions vary daily. If you have any questions, feel free to call
- In order to maintain operational efficiency, we require a minimum of three guests per boat to operate. Guests may purchase additional tickets if the capacity is not met, which will be reimbursed if another group joins.
- Trip Advisor is a third party booking system designed to reserve tours with Explorida Adventure Center. Visit our website for more information and to connect with Explorida directly.
Traveler reviews
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We love Crystal River
This was such a fun tour! We were lucky to see several manatees and our guides were great
E2843NUcourtneymJul 3, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Once-in-a-lifetime-experience
Captain Gavin & Swim Leader Grace were AWESOME! We had a terrific time. They both were very knowledgeable about the local area and manatees. The protocol was to keep the animals safe while getting a once-in- a-lifetime experience. They were great at spotting the manatee and making sure all of us were able to view it. We had extra time, and we were able to got to the Three Sister's Spring to see amazingly clear water with a variety of fish. My family highly recommends this trip.
N19390KPJul 2, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Wonderful experience for manatee viewing with Explorida
We had an amazing time with the captain and crew! They were very friendly and knowledgeable!!! We would highly recommend !
Lssmall123Jul 1, 2026TRIPADVISOR
The BEST experience!
We had the best time swimming with the manatees! Our guide Madeleine was incredibly helpful & patient. Our boat captain Kelly was equally helpful. We would recommend this to everyone!
mandyk736Jun 26, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Fun boat trip and wildlife experience!
This was a wonderful day with Topher and Gavin as our guide and captain. They were friendly and funny and persevered to find a great interaction with a manatee. We saw many birds, turtles and other wildlife along the way as well as manatees! Thanks for a great day!
etchemesJun 24, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Additional information
Level One Snorkel Experience Recommended
Infants are still considered to take up a seat on a USCG Inspected Vessel. You must pay full price for an infant.
Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
This is a wildlife encounter, and due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, conditions vary daily. If you have any questions, feel free to call