Swim with the Manatees Three Hour Tour in Crystal River
Take the Unique Opportunity to Swim with the Manatees and Explore Their Natural Habitat Lead by Expert Guide
FL
people
1 participant
hours
- • Super Natural Manatee Encounter In Crystal River
- • Swim With Manatees In Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge
- • Small Group Experience With All Equipment Provided
Why We Love This Unique Experience
Naples Experience Gifts: Create magical memories on a wonderful three hour eco-adventure snorkeling alongside manatees in the calm waters of Florida's King's Bay Wildlife Refuge.
Your manatee experience begins in the classroom, where you'll learn more about these endangered gentle giants. Naturally docile and friendly, manatees love human interaction and this lesson is a great opportunity to find out how you can enjoy your experience without disturbing the manatee's environment. If you have any questions, your expert guide will be more than happy to share their manatee expertise with you. You'll then be fully kitted out with wetsuit, mask, and snorkel gear, before making your way to the covered pontoon to slip into the gorgeous turquoise waters of the King's Bay Wildlife Refuge, home to the world's largest population of manatees.
Don't worry if you've never snorkeled before, as your whole experience will be overseen by a Coast Guard Certified Master, and a very experienced In Water Chaperone. Perfect for children aged 3 and up, a manatee encounter makes an absolutely one of a kind gift experience for animal lovers and a brilliant activity for your next Crystal River vacation.
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Experience Overview:
Swim With The Manatees Three Hour Tour In Crystal RiverJoin River Venture’s 5-star crew and dive into the ‘OG’ swim with manatee experience with our HD photographer and guide. Our full service, one-stop shop can guarantee manatees and more on this 3-hour adventure!
What to Expect
- Meet and greet the most experienced Crew in town at River Ventures Tour Center
- Learn about USFWS Manatee Encounter Rules and get fitted for a wetsuit in a classroom setting
- Board coast guard boat with full isinglass enclosure during winter
- Cruise Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs and more while searching for manatees
- Swim with Manatee while Guide captures your experience with top-of-the-line HD action camera
- Return to Tour Center, sip on coffee and hot cocoa while shopping for souvenirs /photos
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FAQ
Activity FAQs
Can I ride the boat and not swim? What if I do not know how to swim?
We always welcome observers and you can often see the manatee from the boat. They sometimes come very close and give you an awesome view! We are only allowed so many passengers on the boats, so an observer does have to pay for that seat. Bring your cameras and binoculars and enjoy the surroundings of the refuge! If you are not a strong swimmer then you must use your own judgment. Are you comfortable in the water with a floatation device? Do you get anxious and upset in the water? We must remain calm and still near the animals, so ‘swimming’ is not as important as being able to relax and float!
Are the boats covered? What about bathrooms?
Our manatee boats are all fully covered with clear vinyl enclosures that can be rolled up or down depending on weather conditions. There is no bathroom on board, but we are never far from the dock and happy to make emergency stops mid tour if needed.
Do you provide us with an in-water tour guide?
Yes, we provide a US Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain AND an in water Chaperone, tour guide and photographer! We take pride in having the best Captains and guides in the business and they go above and beyond to ensure that your group has a safe, pleasant and educational experience. Our Captains are all Certified Eco-Tour guides through the Manatee Ecotourism Association in conjunction with USFW.....they do not only know how to drive a boat, but they are stewards for these animals and this eco-system, doing their best to stay abreast of all the latest in scientific research. They will ‘model’ the proper behaviour to assure that the manatee are treated with the utmost respect......this is their house, we are just the visitors! Your guide will also take photos, from the boat, underwater and all around. These photos are available at the shop after your tour....that way you do not have to worry about your own camera and it’s a great way to take these memories home with you!
Are there rules we have to follow when we Snorkel With Manatee?
Absolutely! Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and it is quite a privilege that we get to have this sort of encounter! Both the State and Federal Government oversee the protection of these animals and the guidelines get stricter every year. These laws are in place to help protect the animals and they will be enforced here in the Wildlife Refuge, people can be ticketed, fined and removed from the water if behavior is deemed inappropriate or illegal. When you arrive at the shop prior to your tour we will cover all the dos and don’ts so you are fully informed before you hit the water!
How long is the boat ride to the manatee?
There is not ‘one spot’ that we go to look for manatee and there is not ‘one area’ that we visit every day, every tour. We go where we can find animals. In the winter time, that may be a short 8 to 12 minute ride to a spring. But in the warmer weather, we may have to look for much longer. In the cold weather we have many in the area and it typically does not take long to find them, but when it gets warm patience is a requirement!
How many manatee will we see?
Please remember that manatees are an endangered species and seeing even one of these majestic beasts is a great privilege. Our tours are conducted in their natural habitat and they are free to come and go as they please. No two days are ever the same, and no two tour times are the same either. Weather, tidal influences and time of the year affect the conditions daily and it can never be predicted just how many manatees you will see. During the colder months we have a large concentration, but if there is a considerable warm spell they will become difficult to find. Because this unique eco-system is a prime manatee habitat, we have a small resident population even in the summer. We never guarantee that you will find or encounter manatee and how many you see is tough for us to predict as well.
Details & Important Info
Additional Experience Details & Important Information
Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and very young children must understand enough to be calm and quiet in order to not scare the animals away. Children should be comfortable in the water and parents should stay close at all times for safety. We have wetsuits in all sizes and provide snorkel vests and flotation noodles if kids need a bit of assistance staying at the surface without swimming.
This encounter with our endangered manatee is done on a covered pontoon and is perfect for all levels of snorkel experience. Don’t miss the boat!
- In-water Guide and Photographer included
- Photo package available at the end of your tour
- Masks, snorkels, and wetsuits included
- Bottled water included on board
- Our group pontoon boats hold up to 12 people, but average about 8
- Minimum age to participate in semi-private tour is 3 years old, please book a private boat for younger passengers
It is very important to have realistic expectations when it comes to a wild animal encounter! Every trip is different and the experience is unique for each individual. In the cooler weather the animals migrate to this area and congregate here for the protection of the warm water springs; when the weather warms they can move about going wherever they want! These are wild animals and we can not control their migration. Manatee spend their lives searching for food, mates, sleeping and playing....it is hard to predict what state they will be in when we encounter them. The early mornings tend to be the best time to find the animals and best chance of seeing them near the springs where the water tends to be more clear. Remember it is very simple, cold weather = many manatee; warmer weather=lower manatee counts and more time looking for these endangered animals. Even seeing a few manatee is a phenomenal adventure! If you need more details about what to expect when visiting us in spring or summer, please visit our conditions page or call us anytime! We are always honest about conditions and encourage our visitors to do their research!
*THREE SISTERS SPRINGS is managed by US Fish and Wildlife who reserves the right to close the area to swimmers at any time. During cold spells when the animals are thermoregulating in the spring area, it will be closed to avoid harassment and ensure the animals can rest. We MAY OR MAY NOT be able to access this one acre spring (part of the 600 acre refuge area) and that is something we can not predict from day to day. Only parties with an in-water guide will be allowed into both Three Sisters and King Spring during ‘Manatee Season’
WHAT TO BRING
Make sure that each person brings a towel and wears their bathing suit under their clothes, that way you are ready for a quick change into the wetsuits. When you arrive at the shop, you will be offered complimentary coffee, tea or cocoa then sit in for a short educational presentation and required video about the rules of the Wildlife Refuge. Bottled water is provided on the boat and all the gear you need is included in your tour price.
You are welcome to bring a bag onboard for your dry towels and clothes, but ANYTHING OF VALUE THAT YOU DO NOT WANT TO GET WET should be locked in your vehicle for safe keeping. If you are coming during the winter months, we recommend a jacket, sweatshirt or a full change of loose fitting, warm clothes for the short ride back to the dock. If you have small children coming in the cooler months, they WILL GET COLD, please prepare accordingly with towels, blankets, jackets, socks, etc…
PHOTOGRAPHY
You may bring a camera, but strobe lighting, high powered flash and ‘selfie-sticks’ are not allowed on our boats. These items can disrupt other guests’ experience, can disturb the manatee and can be considered a form of harassment. If you plan to use photos for a professional purpose, than a Special Use Permit from US Fish and Wildlife is required. Our Captains will take photos of your trip from beginning to end, these are available for purchase back at the shop after your tour on a USB or instant online access $39.00. We also have 27 exp. underwater disposable cameras available for $19.95 in our gift shop.
CHILDREN & VISITORS
Our boats are Coast Guard Certified for a certain number of passengers, so your reservation should be for the EXACT NUMBER OF PEOPLE PLANNING TO RIDE THE BOAT. This number must include children and those who choose not to swim, as well. Children must be at least 3 to go on the ‘group tour boats’, WE DO NOT TAKE INFANTS ON OUR GROUP TOUR BOATS.
Cancellations & Refunds
Reservation Changes, Cancellations & Refunds
Changes to reservations for tickets can be made until 8 days prior to the date scheduled. Reservations may be re-scheduled by the operator of the activity due to reasons such as weather, minimum participation requirements, mechanical issues or other interruptions beyond their control.
All gift certificate sales are final and not refundable. Gift certificates can only be exchanged prior to redemption.
A full list of terms of sale of tickets and certificates can be viewed here.
Organized by
River Ventures
Our story starts off in an unorthodox way…this was not about business, tourists, or dreams of grandeur.
Our Swim with Manatee adventures truly started out as a ‘Love Story’. Picture if you can, a warm spring day on the picturesque waters here in Crystal River. A family, not unlike yours, spending a memorable Holiday enjoying the sunshine and sparkling waters the Nature Coast offers to all. The daughter, a young, bright nature lover enters the springs to cool herself after hours in the sun. Soon, her mother is drawn to the water as well. It just happens to be Mother’s Day, and unbeknownst to either daughter or mother, a special gift was on the way.
First to spot the light colored shadow headed directly in their direction was the father, still onboard the boat. A dolphin? A shark? His mind reeled, but suddenly, reassuringly he knows. Of course, Crystal River is known for one thing and that is where the story gets interesting.
“Stay calm, stay calm” is what the father repeats as the figure comes closer in the water. By the time the women turn around, a gentle giant was only a few feet away and looked almost like a mermaid from the surface of the water. “Manatee” the mother, squealed in delight as the daughter reached over for the comfort of her mother’s touch. For the next few minutes, they were quiet and still, more from amazement than anything and the animal circled them both. The father reached over to offer them their snorkel gear and with one shared look they both retrieved the gear and slipped on their masks.Now imagine a world unlike our own, all blue, sodden and sprinkled with tiny fish that dart between the light and the shadows. Disappear into this place, relax and let go of any worries. Open your eyes... open your heart... and envision this experience. A Mother’s Day surprise straight from Mother Nature herself! As the women floated there, they were truly awestruck by the majestic beast that approached slowly from their right side.
With words unspoken, heads unlifted and hands clasped together at their sides, the mother and daughter shared a moment that was unlike anything they shared before. The manatee approached and clearly made eye contact with them both, then came closer to the young lady. She giggled into her snorkel and smiled with her eyes as the manatee’s fin ever so softly touched her shoulder. Their eyes locked, the daughter holding back her tears of amazement and at that moment, she fell in love with the cuddly beast. As they watched the animal swim away, they were amazed at the childlike wonder that had overcome them both in the moment. How can we bottle this feeling? How can we share this experience? With some creativity, education and perseverance we can help to ensure the future of these animals forever!
Driven by sleepless nights hearing her grandmother’s voice encourage her to follow her dreams, and remembering promises from long gone generations to make efforts to save the endangered manatee, the daughter shares her plan with her family and then the world.
River Ventures was born from this spirit and we are still enchanted
with our manatee friends daily. Family, love, awareness, the soft call
that Mother Nature whispers in our ear… binds us all to something that
is bigger than we know.
Here in Citrus County we have a
privilege that is exclusively ours, and we want to share that delight
with the world. Love of these animals is at the heart of all that we
share and when you love what you do, it shows!
Product SKU: US-0702-0015
Google Business Profile: River Ventures
Swim with the Manatees Tour in Crystal River
FL
people
1 participant
hours
- • Super Natural Manatee Encounter In Crystal River
- • Swim With Manatees In Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge
- • Small Group Experience With All Equipment Provided
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