Top Crystal River Eco Tours

At Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, you’ll find a truly unique experience: swimming with manatees. It’s the only spot in the world where you can hang with the gentle giants in their natural habitat, though you’ll want a guide to make sure you—and the manatees—have the best experience possible. With this tour, you’ll hop aboard a certified vessel with your in-water guide, snorkeling through the “Manatee Capital of the World.”

At Manatee Paddle, we provide you with our brand new fleet of clear-bottom kayaks for an unforgettable experience. This is a summer swim tour, and includes masks and snorkels free-of-charge! Our local tour guides are there to ensure you have the best possible experience our waters have to offer. Our summer tours take you through multiple springs in our bay, most notably Three Sisters Springs! Three Sisters is a large freshwater springs area with three individual springs feeding into the swim area! Three Sisters features crystal-clear turquoise water that stays a perfect 72º during the summer. While manatees sightings are hit-or-miss during the summer, we still have manatees in the bay year-round, and there are possible chances among other wildlife. Turtles, various birds, and numerous fish species are common in the area. This guided clear-kayak tour is purely for summer recreation during the summer. We can't wait to show you everything that Crystal River has to offer!

Join us for an unforgettable guided clear-kayak tour of Crystal River! Our expert local guides provide you with the best chances to see wild manatees and other wildlife in our beautiful waterways! The maximum weight allowed for one rider is 250 lbs, and the maximum weight is 450 lbs for two riders. Includes all necessary safety equipment, as well as free parking at our shop! We can't wait to get you out on the water! Before you arrive: All participants must complete liability waivers and safety video available on our website home page. Please arrive 25 min prior to your booking time to ensure all waivers and videos are completed, as well as to receive your launch wrist bands! Keep in mind: All Clear-Kayak Tours have a 2 person minimum! We do not allow for a single-person tour, we reserve the right to cancel a booking on the morning of the booking if it doesn't meet our 2 person requirements. Important: 5 kayak max capacity, so even-numbers must be doubled up on tandem kayaks!

Our objective is to provide a serene eco-tour experience on Kings Bay Crystal River Florida, offering opportunities to observe wildlife in its natural habitat while minimizing disruption and fostering appreciation for the creatures that inhabit Kings Bay. In the winter months, up to 1000 Floridian West Indian Manatees migrate to Kings Bay Crystal River Fl to seek refuge in its 72-degree spring-fed estuary. Our vessel accommodates up to six passengers. As an owner-operator business, I have been operating as a Manatee tour captain on Kings Bay since 2018. Having previously worked with prominent companies, I sought to establish my own business, focusing on smaller groups for a more personalized experience.

Explore the pristine waters of Crystal River on a small-group clear kayak tour, offering unmatched views of the underwater world. Choose the Three Sisters springs tour for peaceful paddling, stunning spring views, and a chance to swim, or the manatee season tour to spot manatees in their natural habitat. With expert guides and 100% clear kayaks, this is the ultimate way to experience Florida’s natural beauty year-round.

Join our USCG Master Captain at Fort Island Trail Park to embark on a 90 minute tour around Kings Bay and/or The Crystal River. Explore the stunning natural beauty of The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and Kings Bay, on an intimate sightseeing eco-tour that showcases the diverse ecosystem and wildlife we have native to the area. While boating around the bay you'll have the opportunity to learn about and see The Crystal River, The Florida Manatee and many other species of wildlife that call this area their home from a true Crystal River native. This is a perfect opportunity to sit back, relax, and connect with nature. We keep our groups as a semi-private experience with a maximum of 6 guests each trip, as we find it creates a much more enjoyable and relaxed experience for everyone aboard. Our vessel is 26 feet long, fully covered, and has plenty of room for everyone aboard to get great views all around. Tours can be booked public or private and trips leave 4 times a day!

Visit the home of the manatee here in Crystal River, while staying high and dry on our exceptional tour boat. This boat is covered, warm, and comfortable to ensure your comfort while you enjoy the views of the wildlife refuge. There is a chance to see our world-famous manatee and many other species of wildlife such as river otters, turtles, osprey, and so much more. This is not a swim tour.

Hop into a completely clear kayak on the Crystal River and Three Sisters Springs where you have the chance to spot manatees, turtles, otters, and more on this small-group kayaking tour. Paddle your way around Three Sisters Spring and enjoy all the beauty of it clear, colorful water without getting wet

Spend time swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in crystal-clear waters on this small-group eco-tour from Crystal River. Head to Three Sisters Springs and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, turtles, and otters that live in these freshwater springs. Learn about the ecosystem and conservation efforts during your guided kayak and swim tour in an eco-friendly manner.

Experience unspoiled wilderness during your time in Florida when you book this clear kayak tour on the Chassahowitzka River. Join a small group and grab your gear for a gentle paddle down the river to underwater caves and connecting streams. While you paddle, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like manatees, dolphins, alligators, river otters, and several fish species.

Get to know central Florida’s endangered manatees on this swimming and snorkeling tour at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, well known as the home of the manatee. Use of a mask, snorkel gear and wetsuit, plus beverages, are included—bring your own swimsuit and towel. Photos above and below the water are taken throughout the tour and can be purchased after, if desired.

Explore Kings Bay in a relaxing way, and without getting wet, on a scenic afternoon cruise. Sail around the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and look for local wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, otters, and turtles. Enjoy commentary about the ecosystem and history of the area from your captain while you cruise.

While plenty of people come to Florida to see manatees, few get the chance to snorkel in the waters where these majestic creatures live. This private boat tour invites you to swim and snorkel near the gentle giants at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. For lasting memories, photos above and below the water are taken throughout the tour and can be purchased afterward, if desired.

Discover the waterways of Crystal River by tandem kayak with this pre-booked rental. Grab a partner and explore the area for a few hours with a provided map. Enjoy a relaxing ride through the waterways and keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife such as manatees, dolphins, birds, and even otters. Note that a launch fee of $7.50 per person applies at Pete's Pier Marina.

See Florida manatees in their natural environment on a half-day pontoon boat tour of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, a marine refuge designed to protect the threatened species. 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 is an all inclusive fishing charter that takes you through the mangroves and twisted backwater of the nature coast, as well as out into the beautiful shallow Gulf of Mexico. The diversity of wildlife and landscape will take your breath away. Come along with an experienced, native guide to maximize your adventure.

You will journey out to some of the clearest water in the world in our ALL clear kayaks with one of our amazing LOCAL guides. You will paddle to the outskirts of Three Sisters Springs as Three Sisters Springs is closed from November 15 - March 31st each year. We journey down the various crystal clear canal systems we have to offer in Crystal River. You will learn about our ecosystem and possibly spot local wildlife such as manatees, turtles, various birds, dolphins, and many species of fish. The Tour then leads out to our main bay "Kings Bay" where you will watch the Beautiful sunset of Crystal River. After this, you will be led to a different chain of Springs where you will turn on your lights and see the magnificent Clear Water Glowing through your ALL Clear Kayak. Manatee sightings are not guaranteed as they are wild animals, however, we take the best routes possible to find them. This is the NUMBER one tour in Florida for spring hunters. Don't miss out and reserve your spot today!