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Morning Swim and Snorkel with Manatees-Guided Crystal River Tour

Name: Morning Swim and Snorkel with Manatees-Guided Crystal River Tour
Brand: American Pro Diving Center
SKU: 107016P1
Price: 77.11 USD
Rating: 4.5 (120 reviews)

Badge of ExcellenceCrystal River, USA

Manatee swim and snorkel Guided Crystal River Tour

3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Florida's Crystal River is home to many manatee habitats, but if you don't know where they are, chances are you won't catch sight of them. Go on this Crystal River Swim, Snorkel, and Manatee Experience that allows you to take a boat near their habitat and snorkel in the area to see both manatees and other fish and creatures that call the river home.

Travel by boat on Crystal River to see its surrounding beauty
Stop to snorkel near a manatee habitat—or choose to watch from aboard
A US Coast Guard–certified captain keeps your experience a safe one
All snorkel gear and a wet suit is provided for you for ease

What's Included

Use of equipment (mask, fins, snorkel gear and wet suit)
Beverages (hot chocolate wint)
Professional in water guide.
US Coast Guard certified captain.

Gratuities
Food and drinks.
Flash drive (available to purchase)
Five dollar marina parking fee.
Towel and swimsuit.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

821 SE US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Stroller accessible
Wetsuits are available in all sizes from toddlers (2 years old and up) to adults up to 5X
Service animals allowed
Use of full 3mm wetsuits (for extra warmth), mask, fins and snorkel
Near public transportation
Please arrive at our center 30 minutes before your reserved tour time

Please have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
Infants must sit on laps
Don’t forget your towel and a smile
Infant seats available
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Carolyn_B

Everything was so great what a fantastic staff they have. Our tour guides Austin and Rodney were fabulous. We saw manatees and a dolphin. They were both so knowledgeable and able to answer all our questions. Couldn’t have had a better time.

Reviews

4.5

120 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 120 reviews

Fair experience.

Linda_A, Apr 2024

We were all aboard after viewing the video about the rules of our swim with the manatees. However, when we got to the only spot where they were swimming, there were several other boats full of people in the same area. In order to actually see them, we had to swim up to them, crowd them and there was lots of noise. Actual time spent swimming with them was very limited-we were hurried along by our boat crew so that other boats could have viewing time. Disappointing. Could’ve gotten just as close in a kayak.

Lots of Manatees!

Janet_G, Apr 2024

Saw a lot of manatees. John was an excellent guide and Geri was a great captain. We saw manatees less than 50 yards from the dock. John did a great job direction us to the manatees and explaining what we were seeing.

Fabulous time

Carolyn_B, Apr 2024

A Florida only experience

Mark_L, Apr 2024

Being bumped by the Manatee. And that it was a mother and her calf. Given the opportunity would go again.

WOW! Amazing!

MaryMargaret_A, Apr 2024

Amazing experience! Captain and guide were great! Spent time in the water with several manatees. One of the best experiences on a vacation ever!

Fun morning with the manatees

Kelly_C, Mar 2024

Ryan and Gerry were great guides - friendly, knowledgeable and fun! The manatees were a little shy but we got to swim up close to a few. They are massive and adorable!

Wonderful adventure

Keaton_K, Mar 2024

Thank you captain John and Bruce for making this a wonderful trip. My daughter will remember this forever. Highly recommended!

Highly recommend Captains John and Bruce

Bridgit_R, Mar 2024

Captains John and Bruce were absolutely amazing. They were knowledgeable, funny, and made it enjoyable for the broad age range of all passengers

Birthday dream to swim with manatees

Joanne_H, Mar 2024

Guide very informative, answered all our questions. Was surprised we were diving right in front of houses. Thought we would be further out. Even with the murky water it was truly a wonder to see these amazing creatures up close and to be touched by them.

Would book again

Catherine_S, Mar 2024

Captain Rodney and captain Bruce were excellent- we got good guidance and smooth communication of expectations and we got the best manatee experience!

Not So Great

AMALIA_C, Mar 2024

Our guide was more interested in glib comments rather than telling us about manatees. We learned more from our cell phones after the trip than we did while on the tour. Also, the tour was listed as a three hour excursion. We were back at the dive shop in two hours, and the first 45-60 minutes of the tour was spent watching a video, getting our equipment, and driving to the boat. After all of this, we saw only two manatees in murky water. Pretty disappointing experience.

Bucket Liat

Gina_T, Mar 2024

We visited here while on a girls trip. Our guides, Captain John and Captain Bruce were informative and able to answer all of our questions. They made the excursion extra fun. We were given excellent instructions before heading out. There was copious information of what to expect -no hype, just great information. John was a great in water guide and instructor. We saw our Manatee and I checked off a bucket list item. Thanks for a great trip!

10/10 Would Recommend

Haley_G, Mar 2024

We had an awesome day with American Pro Diving. We got to swim with a manatee and hang out in the beautiful Crystal Springs! It was beautiful out on the water and the staff made it a great experience. We loved Captain Jerry and Captain Ryan, and if he wants to go on a date, all he needs to do is ask ;)

Must have been a bad day

Ruth_B, Mar 2024

We couldn’t see anything. The water was so silty. There were 2 manatees we only saw them when they came up for air. We were in front of people’s houses and not in a clear river area as shown in the pictures of the reviews from other people and pics from their web site. During our 3 hrs we were in the water for 30 min. All the staff were very friendly, knowledgeable and open to answer questions.

Never Saw a Manatee

Sheilia_G, Mar 2024

Went as a group of 10 for my son's 8th birthday. Advertisements were very misleading, as was their safety video. Water is not Crystal clear. It was very murky with low visibility. There weren't groups of manatee like the videos but rather a few here or their that the guides had to hunt for. When they finally found one, the group (20 in all) had to swim here or there to try to (maybe) catch a glimpse. My son and I never saw anything. The group of 20 was definitely too big and the foreigners in the group did not follow the guides instructions as they kept standing on the bottom and stirring up the sediment which made visibility worse and scared the manatee. To pay $650 for our group to have maybe 7 catch a glimpse of a shadow or flipper was so disappointing as it was supposed to be the highlight of our trip. Visibulity was so bad, they could not even take pictures of anything. The only reason I gave 2 stars instead of 1 was because our guide and captain tried hard to work with what the company gave them... which wasa poor area and a terrible boat that broke down on our way in. Luckily they were able to get the boat going enough to dock.

Disappointed

Jennifer_D, Mar 2024

I called the company and they said that yes there were manatees. So while that was true, It’s not at all like the pictures. The water was murky and we had to hunt for one manatee and a crowd of 20 is trying to hover around and if you weren’t right on or you wouldn’t see her. They should have been more upfront and said that the manatees viewing had really stopped being good in February. I came along way to do this.

Great time

Winton_S, Mar 2024

Seeing mom and baby manatee the 2 captains were good and informative answered all the questions that were asked

Memorable Experience

Troy_A, Mar 2024

Great staff, great experience. The staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. The experience is very cool.

Go by kayak for better viewing

David_F, Feb 2024

The guys in the boat were quite entertaining but the opportunities to see manatees was very limited and only in fifteen feet of murky water.

Experience worth going again!

Dean_W, Feb 2024

Being next to the manatees as they are swimming. Wonderful experience! Will certainly be going again with more of the family.