Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

• The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour With In-Water Guide/Photographer

• 3-Hour Small-Group All-Inclusive Manatee Swim With Free Photo Pkg

• Small-Group Manatee Tour With In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

• Manatee Snorkel Small-Group Tour

It’s free to visit the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center and Nature Store. However, there are fees for on-water guided tours to see the park’s famous manatees; expect to pay about US$40 for a guided cruise, or upwards of $70 for a half-day swimming or snorkeling tour with the manatees.

Yes, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is definitely worth visiting, especially for nature and wildlife lovers. The star attractions here are the manatees. You can either take a cruise through the refuge to learn more about the manatees and their habitat, or take the experience up a notch by getting in the water with the gentle aquatic animals. Peak season for manatee viewing is November through April.

Per one customer who booked the Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!, "I went out to swim manatees on my birthday with a group of brave friends. It was an amazing experience! We saw so many manatees and fish while in the water. Our group got very close to them, and there were several curious babies. I would recommend you get out and try this!"

The Florida manatee is the main draw of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. There’s no guarantee that you’ll see one, but this area allows you to get as close as possible to this manatee species. Other animals in the refuge include over 100 different birds, reptiles, mammals, and amphibians.

Yes, multiple tour companies offer guided tours of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and its surroundings. The most popular are manatee-focused tours, such as kayak tours. Others include bird watching, guided hikes, wildlife viewing, and photography tours. You can also kayak and hike without a guide.

The Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you can legally swim with wild manatees. Scuba diving and snorkeling with manatees are also permitted in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge at Three Sister Springs Refuge. Some areas are prohibited from entering between November and March.

Yes, one lesser-known regulation is that all drone flights are prohibited in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Under general Florida law, it’s illegal to disturb wildlife, including alligators, manatees, sea turtles, and other protected species. Fishing in the refuge’s waters is also prohibited.

Yes, a large pavilion is available for picnickers at Three Sisters Springs near Lake Crystal. Unfortunately, the refuge has no public parking nearby beyond a few handicapped parking spaces. Bathrooms are available at the Three Sisters Springs Visitors Center and around the sanctuary.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Florida:

• Fisher Island

• Bayside Marketplace

• Little Havana

• South Beach

• Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Florida.