Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Crystal River, USA
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Perfect for anyone who wants to see manatees in their natural environment
- Stay fueled: Snacks and beverages are provided
- Learn about these majestic creatures from your on-board guide
- Small group sizes ensure a personal and intimate experience
What's Included
- Use of equipment (mask, snorkel gear and wet suit)
- Beverages (bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and adult)
- Professional guide
- Introductory/instructional video offered in English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish
- Gratuities
- Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
- Photo DVD (available to purchase)
- Towel and swimsuit
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.Itinerary
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.
1
River Ventures
Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Adult pricing applies to all travelers
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wetsuits are available in sizes from toddlers (2 years old and up) to adults up to 5X
- It is advised that you have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
- Please bring a towel and a plastic bag to hold your belongings
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Children Under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. Please call for other options.
- Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Saara_R
Captain Melissa and James were wonderful guides. We got to see multiple manatees as well as learn about the colourful history of King's Bay! They were great with adults and kids and people with little snorkelling ability.
Reviews
5.0
based on 1,059 reviews
Patrick_D, Jan 2026
This was an amazing experience! Moe, our boat driver and Shelia our guide were absolutely incredible. I had no idea that we would be surrounded by so many manatees at such close proximity, it was truly breathtaking.
Steven_J, Dec 2025
This tour was perfect for seeing the animals up-close. They took us to areas that are filled with Manatees at this time of year. The boat ride was slow and gentle. The tour guide and captain (Nat and Garrett) were really personable/friendly, and they knew a lot about the local area. Not only was the tour great, but they gave us dinner recommendations, which were great as well.
Raymond_M, Nov 2025
Our captain wade and shawn were great worked hard to find us some manatees to swim with finally a mother and baby came In and the best experience we have ever had started. Water was warm the large manatee actually swam under me and lifted me up. We are senior citizens and really enjoyed the adventure. The wet suit was a little challenging
Jessica_M, Mar 2025
Mike and our captain did a wonderful job finding manatees for us to snorkel with. We honestly swam with them the entire time. I can't say enough good things about my experience. Nice facility. Good wet suits. Amazing photos with the manatees.
Laura_B, Mar 2025
Great way to spend the morning. Crew were professional, personable and knowledgeable about the area and manatees.
Raviphol_S, Mar 2025
Went out for a morning tour with Capt Melissa and James, and it was an amazing experience. It was both fun and educational. It took us a while to find a good spot to swim, but eventually managed to find one. We swam with a cute playful baby that trying to nib my head, and watched a few larger resting ones.
Saara_R, Mar 2025
Captain Melissa and James were wonderful guides. We got to see multiple manatees as well as learn about the colourful history of King's Bay! They were great with adults and kids and people with little snorkelling ability.
Keribaker316_B, Mar 2025
Captain Chris and crystal were the absolute best! So much fun, and they found the manatees! This was our second visit and we brought friends
Rosie_G, Feb 2025
We had Carlos and Captain JJ and had a blast! We went to three sisters springs & another spot and saw manatees at both locations! They provide wetsuit, goggles, snorkel, snacks, and drinks. If you’re big on good pictures and videos, I would recommend getting a water proof case and bring a phone. We wanted to be in the moment so we just bought the pic & video package. Highly recommend this experience!
djgarth, Jan 2025
Crystal was a super guide! Wonderful experience! I’d highly recommend this tour company - go when it’s cold and early morning to see the most manatees.
Laura_T, Jan 2025
One of the coolest things I’ve ever done. Loved it. Boat was comfortable. Guides were friendly and knowledgeable . I really like how they focus on not disturbing the manatees. You just float and they approach you if they want to. I really did not want to stress the animals and I felt like we did not at all.
Nadelfamily1, Dec 2024
This was a great experience. Shiela our guide & JJ our captain were amazing . Of course the shining stars were the manatees. We will definitely do this again ! River Ventures is very well organized company.
Susannah_P, May 2024
Overall, this was a great experience with friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff. Communication prior to trip, including weather conditions and realistic expectations helped me prepare. The educational instructions prior to swim were helpful and informative. While the visibility conditions were not ideal on the day of my swim, the guide and captain were still able to provide a good experience swimming with a manatee.
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!
Brian_A, Jan 2024
A must when in Tampa area, this is a lifetime memory of an amazing adventure in God’s creation the Manatees were so cool to see so close up and swimming by us and the crabs & fish just an amazing beautiful experience! Our guide was the best helping us to get used to snorkeling calming any anxiety we had at first, but quickly enjoying our journey!
Cheven_B, Dec 2023
We had a such a great time we booked a second trip for the next day. Our first outing was with Morgan and JJ and Morgan was so patient with our youngest child. The manatees were friendly and curious so it was wonderful! Our second trip was with Trish and Wade and I can't say enough about how much we loved the experience! Trish was very attentive and took lots of videos and pictures so we could focus on enjoying our time with the manatees. The VIP experience is worth it because the boat is comfortable, the group is small and intimate, and snacks and drinks are included. 100% recommend this excursion!
Hedy_T, Aug 2023
Wonderful experience with the manatees . Had the best tour guide who was very helpful and
was very knowledgeable about the manatees.
Heidi_L, Jul 2023
Shanna banana is a fantastic tour guide and Troy is an excellent captain. They both are very informative and helpful. They made sure that we found the manatee and that we had ample time with the momma and her baby. It was great we were able to see the baby nursing. What a unique experience and we made a lifelong memory! Thank you again
Nancy_W, May 2023
We had an amazing experience with River Venture. Sarah and Matt took great care of us. My mom wanted to swim with Manatees for her 85th birthday so that’s what we did.
TracyLea_D, Apr 2023
Anna our guide and Troy our captain was super great ! Not only were they caring and professional they also shared so much great info ! Wonderful tips on the area as well !
Jodi_B, Apr 2023
This was an amazing experience. Although it was later in the season there were still manatees to see and swim with. I’d recommend this adventure to anyone!
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