Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Crystal River, USA
- 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Overview
What's Included
- USCG Licensed Captain
- Bottled Water
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Explorida - Manatee Swim Tours545 N Citrus Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428, USA
Explorida Adventure Center - 545 North Citrus Ave, Crystal River FL 34428 We kindly ask guests to arrive at least twenty minutes prior to the start of your scheduled tour time. We will be leaving our location five minutes before your scheduled tour time.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
Explorida - Manatee Swim Tours
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Most travelers can participate
- You will meet at our gift shop, where your tour driver will shuttle you to the Marina
- Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
- This is a wildlife encounter, and due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, conditions vary daily. If you have any questions, feel free to call
- In order to maintain operational efficiency, we require a minimum of three guests per boat to operate. Guests may purchase additional tickets if the capacity is not met, which will be reimbursed if another group joins.
- Trip Advisor is a third party booking system designed to reserve tours with Explorida Adventure Center. Visit our website for more information and to connect with Explorida directly.
- This activity is not accessible for guests with mobility limitations
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Brendan_C
Captain GQ was excellent. He was entertaining and engaged all the land lover passengers. We saw many manatee’s, alligators and turtles. We highly recommend this trip. Also, the tiki bar is on the pier and you can grab a cold beverage upon return.
Reviews
4.9
based on 1,196 reviews
Barbara_W, Apr 2026
Guide was very knowledgeable and interesting.
Saw manatees and other wildlife
A fantastic tour to take
Brendan_C, Apr 2026
Captain GQ was excellent. He was entertaining and engaged all the land lover passengers. We saw many manatee’s, alligators and turtles. We highly recommend this trip. Also, the tiki bar is on the pier and you can grab a cold beverage upon return.
Theresa_K, Apr 2026
Relaxing cruise and able to see quite a few manatee, birds, and dolphins. Informed guide who was able to answer our questions.
Selina_U, Apr 2026
The experience was well worth the time and investment. Chris was considerate of his guests and we got more than was expected.
sandysettle1, Apr 2026
The boat captain, GQ, was exceptionally knowledgable about the best areas to see the manatees and was even spot on with restaurant recommendation!
Judith_S, Apr 2026
When showing the pictures on the tour we saw clear waters with beautiful white sand & many manatees.. we only seen a few in dark cloudy water.. our tour guide on the other hand was very informative on the manatees
Richard_A, Apr 2026
Great tour. Very informative. Enjoyed watching the Manatees. Tour operator was very knowledgeable on the Manatees.
Goswin_B, Mar 2026
Guide was Great! Knowledgeable and Professional
Downside no Manetees! 2 Snouts!
End of March they are gone!
Will go back next January or February
Luke_h, Mar 2026
Fun, friendly, informative, they know how to find manatees Captain GQ was great!………..,…………………………………..
Theresa_D, Mar 2026
The boat driver was very knowledgeable.
He answered lots of questions.
We saw about eight manatees on our tour, including one baby.
The boat driver was very good at picking out where the manatees were swimming.
Martin_A, Mar 2026
The food, the people and the wildlife! The weather was perfect and so was the great fun you’ll have in this magical city.
John_M, Mar 2026
Our trip was a boat ride only. No swimming with the Manatees. It was still a fantastic trip. Next time we'll more than likely try the swim trip.
Rachael_F, Mar 2026
Really nice time! Our tour guide, Gavin, was very knowledgeable. We got to see a mama and baby manatee up close. They swam close to the surface and right under the boat. Would definitely recommend.
Kandy_M, Mar 2026
This was such an amazing experience! Captain Dom was great! Full of knowledge about all the wild life we saw! We saw so many manatees, fish and different birds! We couldn’t have asked for a better experience today!
Charles_G, Mar 2026
A great experience all around. Our Captain was fun, knowledgeable and engaging! We saw lots of manatees, turtles and alligators. I'd highly recommend this experience!
Carolyn_C, Mar 2026
The whole staff was great. GQ our boat captain was awesome, we saw manatee and a dolphin (which is highly unusual ion fresh water). Definitely a great experience.
DL_B, Mar 2026
Seeing manatee is hit or miss from the boat. We saw 2 far away, just noses and one up close. it was fabulous. Got great pictures. Seemed people on the swimming excursion were able to see better. Captain GQ was great, knowledgeable, answered all questions, had a good sense of humor.
Emily_R, Mar 2026
Are captain was very knowledgeable about the area, manatees and habitat.
Unfortunately we only briefly saw 2 manatees that came to the surface but that was because the warmer water's have pushed them into to open water and feeding grounds.
Would definitely do again during higher population.
Jane_B, Mar 2026
The tour started on time and Kelly was very knowledgeable about the area and the manatees. It would be best to go earlier in the year (February) as the waters were getting too warm and most of the manatees have moved on. We did see a couple of manatee heads, but hard to see the body.
Kelly_M, Mar 2026
Had a great time with Captain Gavin. Very knowledgeable. Only saw one manatee as it was tagged. But the ride was enjoyable nonetheless.
Michael_M, Mar 2026
Better to do in cooler weather when the Manatees gather around the springs. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff.
Nancy_C, Mar 2026
The excursion was wonderful and exciting. Captain Chris was very kind and extremely educational to the area. He answered all questions, cares and concerns. Booking through viator was very easy.
Bonnie_L, Mar 2026
Very nice but don’t go expecting to see lots of manatees. We saw probably 10 and that was nice. I would do it again
Don_S, Mar 2026
Great time on board and captain knew where to go to see manatees and was also very knowledgeable about the ecosystem of Crystal river!
JefferyT_G, Mar 2026
Our tour was great. DQ was very informative, patient with everyone, let us ask questions and very personable. We saw many manatees, turtles, alligators and birds.
Gregory_M, Mar 2026
Chris the captain was very knowledgeable and made the experience a lot of fun. An hour and a half went by so fast. We ran late and couldn’t make the boat on time so I called and they were able to get us on the next boat.
Martha_J, Mar 2026
It’s a great trip for seniors & others alike! We went in late Feb & saw lots of manatees!! Our guide was so knowledgeable & made the trip so fun! Our grandkids & kids are coming in 2weeks & so excited!
Lance_G, Mar 2026
The manatee river trip was a nice easy way ti see the manatees and view the larger crystal river area also. Really enjoyed our tour with Don, learned some interesting facts about the manatees in the area, saw a bunch of them, abd checked out some other sights along the way.
Great way to spend the morning.
Jack_F, Mar 2026
Very experienced guides, nice boats, small sized groups allowing free movement for viewing. Large area but not as many animals as I was hoping to see.
Richard_H, Feb 2026
Wonderful experience with an experienced crew. We saw lots of Manatees and other wildlife up close. The boat’s captain gave us pertinent information.
From $45.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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Current
Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise
1,196
1 hour 30 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$45.00
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