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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Awesome experience
We had the best experience swimming with the Manatees. Captain Chris and tour guide/photographer, Carrie, were extremely knowledgeable and found all the good spots to swim with the Manatees. Once in a lifetime experience. Highly recommend booking this trip!
Travelmom3girlsMay 21, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Off season manatee safari
Such a wonderful experience! We were able to see manatees in the off-season and I was so pleased with the entire excursion. Great guide and boat captain! The little storefront they have at the base is super cute too.
Sapphire_SMay 19, 2026VIATOR
Adventure well worth the money!
We had an amazing time. We were able to swim with a mother and her teen aged calf. Our captain and guide kept us well entertained. Completely worth it!
X3534JRlisakMay 18, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Great experience with great crew
The crew at Explorida are professional, knowledge, and friendly. The captain and tour guide made us feel right at home. If I were going to do a manatee swim again I would 100% choose this company.
Misty KMay 16, 2026TRIPADVISOR
Floaty potato swim excursion
Awesome experience. Staff were professional, educational, respectful and comforting for those who had concerns. Will use again and future and highly reccomend.
711channingsMay 16, 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