Top Crystal River activities
Top Crystal River landmarks
Beyond Crystal River
Crystal River trip ideas
Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour
Badge of ExcellenceCrystal River, USA
Likely to Sell Out
From $101.38
Select Date and Travelers
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
- 3 hours
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Swim with the manatees on a half-day pontoon boat tour of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, a marine refuge designed to protect the threatened Florida manatee. Learn about the fascinating marine mammals on a tour designed for spotting manatees without disturbing them or disrupting their habitat, and explore a scenic Florida ecosystem. This small-group experience is limited to six people for personalized service, and all equipment, entrance fees, water and hot drinks, and snacks are included.
- See native wildlife in their natural environment
- Family friendly
- Fully narrated tour
- Choose to dive in and swim with manatees if you spot them
What's Included
- Use of equipment (mask, snorkel gear and wet suit)
- Beverages (bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and adult)
- Professional guide
- Gratuities
- Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
- Photo DVD (available to purchase)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- River Ventures498 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA
Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Make your way to a departure point in Crystal River, where you’ll meet a Coast Guard Certified Master Captain who will share your itinerary, as well as guidelines for snorkeling with the manatees.
Suit up in a wetsuit, then board a covered pontoon boat for the trip into Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. During the winter months, the pontoon boat cabin will be fully-enclosed and heated, and drinks will be available throughout the cruise.
Manatees aren’t the only thing to see in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, so as you cruise the Crystal River, watch for birds, fish, and other wildlife. If manatees are spotted, slip into the water with your snorkeling gear to see what’s beneath the surface. While sighting the wild animals can’t be guaranteed, the best chance to see them is in colder weather, when they cluster in the reserve’s warmer, sheltered water.
An underwater photographer will join you throughout the tour, and if desired, you’ll have the option to purchase DVDs or digital photographs of your experience. This tour concludes at the original departure point in Crystal River.
Suit up in a wetsuit, then board a covered pontoon boat for the trip into Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. During the winter months, the pontoon boat cabin will be fully-enclosed and heated, and drinks will be available throughout the cruise.
Manatees aren’t the only thing to see in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, so as you cruise the Crystal River, watch for birds, fish, and other wildlife. If manatees are spotted, slip into the water with your snorkeling gear to see what’s beneath the surface. While sighting the wild animals can’t be guaranteed, the best chance to see them is in colder weather, when they cluster in the reserve’s warmer, sheltered water.
An underwater photographer will join you throughout the tour, and if desired, you’ll have the option to purchase DVDs or digital photographs of your experience. This tour concludes at the original departure point in Crystal River.
River Ventures
Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Please bring a towel and a plastic bag to hold your belongings
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
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
See more
Featured review
Lisa_G
Capt Mike and Liz were amazing. Highly recommend. Very informative, courteous and not gimmicky as some tour operators get with the funny quips. Very enjoyable trip. Would recommend and definitely request these two again.
Reviews
5.0
753 reviews
Marina_A, Apr 2024
We saw a lot of manatees even though the manatee season was over. Our tour guide Nataly and the captain were very attentive and friendly and took good care of us. The photos unfortunately weren't that good .- We were able to use only one photo - the group photo at the start of the tour, and one video of a manatee.
Mark_W, Apr 2024
Michael and Captain Tanner are a Delight. Funny, Knowledgeable and great People to be around. As middle aged People it was an easy and fantastic experience. Thank you Guys. PS. The Check in was very easy and great People at the Front desk.
Jenna_P, Apr 2024
The whole experience was great ! I can’t wait to bring my four grandchildren. Natalie and Kelly were great- knowledgable, helpful and so nice. Wonderful time - the manatees are magical!
Les_H, Mar 2024
Snorkeling with the manatees and watching them eat, surface to catch a breath and then submerging again to forage for food.
Aleen_G, Mar 2024
Best of three tours we did. Guides made sure we saw manatees in clear water, making for a great experience
Rita_B, Mar 2024
I would like to see my pictures from the trip
I still haven’t received them
Enjoyed our trip very much
But would love our pictures
Kristine_W, Mar 2024
Captain Wade was terrific. Our in water guide Trisha was incredible. Just loved all of it. Manatees were amazing. Loved the dogs in the office too🥰
kelly_h, Mar 2024
Sheila and Troy were a great team. It didn't take long to find a manatee. Sheila was able to get some great pics-especially when the manatee came right up beside me for a breath. See pic. It's body was so large that it actually brushed me when it came up-and she caught it on film. WOW! This is my second time doing this. Last time I used a different company, but River Ventures was by far much better. I loved the VIP tour because there were only 6 people total. It made for a great experience and not too crowded like the last time I went. The pic package was only 39$ and well worth it. I highly recommend River Ventures
Rachel_O, Mar 2024
This tour was the highlight of our trip to Florida! We chose the 6:00am VIP tour and after a brief intro and change into wet suits, our group of 6 was out on the water with guides Marisa and Troy just as the sun was rising. We saw almost 2 dozen manatees, many swimming just beside or beneath us. Our guides made this such a great experience for us. Marisa’s knowledge and care for these beautiful creatures is impressive and admirable. The techniques she taught us allowed us to have an amazing experience. It was quite cold for me despite the wetsuit, but River Ventures was prepared to warm us up with heaters and cocoa. Their kindness was very much appreciated. I have and will continue to recommend this exact tour to all our friends and family. Don’t spend any more time debating - book it!
Kathleen_F, Feb 2024
We had a great time on the Manatee Snorkel Tour. We couldn’t have been more at home with Mike and Tanner and we were fortunate to see so many manatees.
This was absolutely the best part of our Crystal River vacation!
...
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour
753
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$101.38
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Water Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Cruises & Sailing
- Outdoor Activities
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Crystal River
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Florida
- Water Tours - Florida
- Half-day Tours - Florida
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Gainesville
- Water Tours - Gainesville
- Half-day Tours - Gainesville
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Clearwater
- Water Tours - Clearwater
- Half-day Tours - Clearwater
© 1997-2024 Viator, Inc.