Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Crystal River, USA
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Paddle through Florida's pristine springs in a clear kayak for a unique view
- Enjoy a small-group tour and benefit from personalization from a local guide
- Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the springs during the right season
- Choose between a scenic tour or a manatee-focused experience
What's Included
- Use of Kayak
- Paddles and Life Jackets
- Parking Fees
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Kings Bay Park268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Meet for your Crystal River small-group clear kayak tour in the designated meeting location in Kings Bay Park on the day and time you’ve booked for this experience. A lifejacket, as well as kayak and paddle rental are included to make this a fun, stress-free time on the water.
Crystal River is known as being a natural habitat for manatees. Follow your guide on your kayak in search of manatees above and below the water. Your guide also provides commentary about the Florida-area ecosystem as you go, and they also know the best places that are most likely to have a manatee or two hanging out. Other wildlife you might see include dolphins, turtles, birds, and fish.
After your kayaking tour in Crystal River, your group makes their way back on land to the same spot you launched and met at.
Crystal River is known as being a natural habitat for manatees. Follow your guide on your kayak in search of manatees above and below the water. Your guide also provides commentary about the Florida-area ecosystem as you go, and they also know the best places that are most likely to have a manatee or two hanging out. Other wildlife you might see include dolphins, turtles, birds, and fish.
After your kayaking tour in Crystal River, your group makes their way back on land to the same spot you launched and met at.
Crystal River (Pass By)
1
Three Sisters Springs
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 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
Rain_B
It was a fun afternoon. Our guide was very informative. Most of us had not kayaked before and he gave great instructions. We hope we would see Manatees, but didn't. We did see an alligator and turtles. We will be back during the time Manatees migrate to Crystal River.
Reviews
4.8
based on 1,984 reviews
Cam_E, Mar 2026
Learned a lot, it was fun.
New experience for us. Would recommend.
Plan on doing it again.
If was colder weather which helps see more manatees.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for the 5-stars! We're so stoked you had an awesome new experience and got to learn a lot from your tour. We can't wait to welcome you back!!
Alice_R, Feb 2026
Kayaks are very uncomfortable. Boat seat is put on flor of very small boat. It’s like kayaking in a bathtub
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Hi Alice! Thank you for the valuable feedback. We always want to be improving the experience for our guests and have been upgrading our equipment to reflect that. However, the nature of the clear kayaks is that they are on the larger side. We hope to have you back in the future as we improve their comfortability!
Franny_N, Feb 2026
Guide Storm and Captain Ryan led an amazing tour! It was a busy holiday weekend and they tried to make sure we were still seeing plenty of manatees, but respectfully. They were super knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and the entire tour from check in to finish was ran smoothly. Would absolutely do this again!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for the sweet review! We are so proud to have absolutely incredible guides like Ryan that know how to make every tour memorable and fun! We hope to welcome you back out on the water again soon!!
Diane_S, Feb 2026
Crosby our guide was great kayaks were very stable. Had a great time. Recommend it highly. Only issue was hard to hear guide at times.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hi Diane! Thanks for the kind review and helpful feedback! We are so glad you joined us.
Aileen_S, Jan 2026
Fantastic tour our guide Dimitri was very informative and such a help
I have knee replacements and have trouble getting up and down but Dimitri was amazing and settled me in the kayak with no problem
He then led us to the springs feeding us with loads of interesting information
The manatees were all around us at the springs some sleeping some feeding and a few swimming right under us
One decided we were I it’s way and gave me a good soaking all fun
At the end Dimitri got me out of the kayak with charm like I was no bother at all such a gentleman
I really enjoyed this and will remember it forever
Don’t forget the sun cream as even in January I got a little sun/ wind burn
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for this detailed review! We are so proud to be able to provide the most outstanding care to our guests with our incredible guides like Dmitry. We are so happy you had a great experience with him!! We hope to see you out on the water again soon!!
TABITHA_R, Jan 2026
Dmitri our guide was phenomenal! Despite the super cold weather, and limited sun, we still saw manatees! He was very knowlegable about the area, manatees and we learned so much while having a lot of fun! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
We are stoked that you had such an amazing time with Dmitry despite the cold weather! Luckily, the colder it is, the better it is to spot manatees! Thank you for the review and we hope to paddle with you again soon!!
Jean_M, Jan 2026
Good experience kayaking to a few of the springs. Saw a lot of manatees (cold front came through) and everything worked well. Departure point very convenient and easy to find. Would recommend combining this with the walking tour with of three sisters springs.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your review, Jean! We are so excited that you got to see lots of manatees and found the location to be convenient! Checking out the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs as an additional activity before or after a tour is a great recommendation! We hope to welcome you back to Crystal River soon!!
Tracy_C, Jan 2026
The guide was great! Personable, knowledgeable and accommodating. We did see manatees but the water was not as clear as the website showed. Not sure it was worth the price but still glad we did it.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re happy to hear you enjoyed your guide and found them personable, knowledgeable, and accommodating. We’re also glad you were able to see manatees during your tour!
Water clarity can vary day to day due to weather and natural conditions, and we appreciate your understanding. I've switched some of our photos around too. Your feedback is valuable to us, and we’re grateful you chose to paddle with us!
Ralph_G, Jan 2026
Great experience! Weather was great, and the guide was great!
Clear kayaks made the trip extra special!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much Ralph, we're glad you enjoyed it!
Kathleen_B, Dec 2025
Amazing to see up close, but there was silt and other things floating making some of them had to see. We were not supposed to touch them, but they would rub against you, or float up under you, lifting you up, not out of the water, but you felt yourself rising up. Took a little time to get used to putting your face in the water, and breathing through the tube, but you were in long enough time to feel comfortable if it's your first time. You can hear people and your guide talking to you, warning me that one was coming very close, so close I was looking into its eye.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
So glad you had the chance to see the manatees up close — they really are gentle giants! Thanks for being respectful around them and for embracing the experience. Floating up with a manatee underneath is something you never forget!
Allison_D, Dec 2025
Had a great tour w/ Crosby he was awesome great personality. We saw alot of manatees. Definitely a bucket list trip.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thanks for paddling with us! So happy you got to check manatees off the bucket list — and with Crosby leading the way! He’s one of a kind. Appreciate the awesome review!
Linda_P, Dec 2025
Do t book through Viator/trip advisor. Had a terrible experience with them as we were booked in different place than stated on our confirmation.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We're so sorry for the confusion with your booking location — that definitely shouldn't have happened. Unfortunately, third-party platforms like Viator sometimes miscommunicate those details, which is why we always recommend booking directly through our website. We'd love to make it up to you next time you're in the area!
Ricardo_R, Dec 2025
The tour is excellent. The Kayak is very easy to ride, stable, and safe. The guide was great, and we got to see the manatees up close, even passing below the glass kayak. The guide also took some fantastic pictures of us and shared them with us at the end of the tour.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
We’re thrilled to hear you had such a smooth and fun experience on the water! Those moments with manatees swimming underneath are truly unforgettable. Thanks for the kind words about your guide and for joining us!
Donna_M, Nov 2025
Not as long or far as expected , but saw manatees and had a great experience with friends! Would recommend!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for your review and feedback! We are so pleased you had a great experience and got to see some manatees!! We appreciate the recommendation and hope to have you join us again!
Anna_K, Nov 2025
We booked through Viator and the tour company confirmed. When we arrived there was no record. Ruined our day!
Judy_M, Nov 2025
I chose wrong date, still waiting to hear back from your company. Send numerous emails and talked to 2 separate folks. Still no call back. 9314349803
Earl_F, Nov 2025
Loved the experience! Guide (Cam) was friendly and Informative. Great kayaking and had a manatee swim under our clear bottom kayak. So awesome!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We are so happy to hear you loved your tour with Cam and that you had some awesome experiences with the manatees!! We hope to have you join us again soon!
Maria_M, Nov 2025
Great experience kayaking in the Crystal River . Crosby is a fantastic guide- highly recommended ! Clear instructions from the guide and great sightings of the manatees
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We appreciate your review and are thrilled you had a great time! Thank you for highlighting Crosby's hard efforts—we'll be sure to pass on your
compliments! We look forward to paddling with you again soon!!
Robert_S, Nov 2025
Yas was a great guide very knowledgeable and informative. The manatees were amazing. We saw quite a young ones and a very small baby.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We are so glad you had a 5-star day with Yas and that he got to share his vast knowledge with you!! Even more wonderful that you got to see manatees before the start of manatee season! We hope to paddle with you again soon!!
Jeffrey_P, Sep 2025
So fun and beautiful and our guide was funny, helpful, knowledgeable, and kind. And we got to see a manatee. The color of the sister springs was the most beautiful!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
We are stoked to hear that you had a fun time at Crystal River with our awesome guides! How exciting to have also gotten the chance to see a manatee outside of manatee season!! We hope to see you back out on the water with us soon!
PATRICIA_K, Jul 2025
For some reason the people never did show up when we were there 15 minutes earlier as requested. When we called they said they did not know where the tour leader was. They did offer us a refund which I have not received as yet. However the kisosk next to them allowed us to rent a paddleboard and a kayak so we did have fun. Hope the tour guide is ok but do want the refund as we received no service thank you
Jessica_P, Jul 2025
super fun. not too hard. springs were AMAZING. yas our tour guide was super nice and answered any questions we had and gave us great information about the area and the springs.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review, we are delighted that you had such a great experience with Yas and the springs! He is great at answering any and all questions!! We hope to have you back out on the water with us soon!
Grazyna_S, Jul 2025
Make sure the guide doesn’t leave you behind. Watch your dry bag with car keys when the kayak gets submerged under water.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Hi again,
I really appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. I wanted to gently clarify that your guide, Yassiel, did not leave the group intentionally. He was just around the bend helping other guests and responded immediately once alerted. The weather turned quickly, which unfortunately caused water to come into your kayak, but it sounds like you handled things with strength under pressure.
I know this experience was unsettling, and that’s the last thing we ever want. We’d love the chance to reconnect, not only to address your concerns but to ensure you feel heard and supported. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Warm regards,
Austin
Daniela_O, Jul 2025
Had a great experience! Our tour guide Crosby was the best monotone storyteller i’ve ever met! We had so much fun and enjoyed the tour!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Haha!! This made me laugh in the best way. Crosby’s dry humor sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? He’s got a style all his own, and I’m so glad you enjoyed the ride! Thanks for paddling with us and making it fun on both ends.
AlexSaveliv, Jun 2025
We went there to see manatee but didn’t see any…
But still enjoyed the bay and the river.
Our guide Yasie was very friendly and entertaining - thank you!
Alex.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thanks for keeping such a great attitude! Wildlife can definitely be unpredictable, but I’m really glad you still enjoyed the bay, river, and had a good time with Yas. He's got a great way of making any day on the water feel fun and laid-back. Appreciate you joining us, Alex!
Crystal_O, Jun 2025
Awesome experience with my family. Knowledge guide and very easy to work with. Our guide took the time to give us the history with beautiful location we kayaked. .
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for choosing us for your family outing! I’m glad your guide made the experience both fun and informative! There’s so much history and hidden beauty in these waters, and we love sharing it with curious paddlers. Hope we get to see your crew again on a future trip!
Lindsay_T, Apr 2025
This experience was fun! My friend and I traveled off season but we did see some manatees! We saw a baby and mom manatee as well! It’s a pretty and scenic experience!
Response from Host, May 2025
Manatee season or not—you got to see a mama and baby?! That’s incredible! So happy you had fun out there and thanks for trusting us for your off-season adventure. Come back anytime!
Rain_B, Apr 2025
It was a fun afternoon. Our guide was very informative. Most of us had not kayaked before and he gave great instructions. We hope we would see Manatees, but didn't. We did see an alligator and turtles. We will be back during the time Manatees migrate to Crystal River.
Response from Host, May 2025
Love that you still had fun even without the manatees showing up—we like to say the alligators and turtles are trying to keep things interesting 😉. Thanks for paddling with us, and we’d love to have you back when the manatees return!
Janis_G, Mar 2025
Very enjoyable. Cami was friendly and very knowledgeable about local wildlife. She made sure we saw multiple manatees
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you had an enjoyable time on the water with Cami. She’s an incredible guide, and it’s great to know she helped you spot multiple manatees! We appreciate you joining us and hope to see you for another adventure soon!
Ahmed_R, Mar 2025
It was bad experience on Viator side. I called to book with them and they told me it is only one hour away from Orlando airport. Turned out to be two hours. I requested a refund they said they will need to talk to the tour operator and I heard nothing back. So they are just snatching your money any way they can
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Hi Ahmed,
We’re so sorry to hear about your experience with Viator. While we don’t have control over their booking system or policies, we want to assure you that we have escalated this issue on your behalf and are actively pushing them to make things right. Viator is the one that holds the funds, and we are doing everything we can to ensure they process your refund properly since this was their mistake.
We completely understand how frustrating this must be, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. Please know that we are advocating for you and will continue to follow up with Viator until this is resolved. If you have any further concerns or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us directly—we’re happy to help however we can.
Best,
Austin
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