Family Day Tour Sightseeing Manatees and Other Sealife in Crystal River
Take the Chance to Snorkel with Manatees and Explore Freshwater Springs or Go Island Hopping for a Picnic
FL
people
6 participants
hours
- • All Day Family Boat Trip On Crystal River
- • 5 Hour Snorkel And Sightseeing Tour
- • Choose Activities To Create The Perfect Day
Why We Love This Unique Experience
Florida Experience Gifts: Whether you fancy cruising alongside manatees, hopping between islands, or splashing in a freshwater spring, you can create your perfect vacation experience with a fully personalized all day trip in stunning Citrus County.
As soon as you step aboard the six person, covered pontoon, your Master Captain will help you to make the absolute most of your day. You can choose to concentrate on one activity, or combine a little of all three on offer depending entirely on your group's choice. You could spend some time getting closer to Florida's iconic manatees, or dive into the refreshing waters of one of Crystal River's springs, or even visit a few of the area's islands to enjoy a picnic, it's up to you. Whatever your water experience or local knowledge, your Captain will be able to direct you to the best locations. All snorkeling gear is also included so all you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy a day of fun.
An all day boat trip on the turquoise waters of Crystal Rivers makes an unforgettable experience gift for families.
Check Availability & Book
Experience Overview:
Family Day Tour Sightseeing Manatees And Other Sealife In Crystal RiverIf you are visiting Florida hoping to enjoy all the water activities we have to offer, then this is the tour for you!
- Slow cruise in the manatee zone? Check!
- Option to snorkel with our endangered friends? Check!
- Diving into a freshwater spring? Check!
- Island hopping for a picnic or salt water snorkel? Check!
Laughing and bonding with your friends and family during a day filled with adventure?
Check, check, check!!
Let us customize a tour that can deliver you memories and fun for your entire family or group!
Let the kids unplug and the adults unwind, there is something so special about spending a day together in fresh air and sunshine! There is no other tour quite like this in Citrus County and no other tour Company does it quite like River Ventures. Have no doubt when booking, everyone in your group will have an awesome time!
Your choice of activities: snorkeling with manatees, springs exploration, island hopping or a combination of all 3!
Six person covered pontoon with a Master Captain at the helm
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Details & Important Info
Additional Experience Details & Important Information
***PLEASE BE ADVISED OF CURRENT TOUR CONDITIONS***
Remember that once the weather starts to get warm in March, manatee begin their migration away from the springs and become more elusive. It is very important in the warm seasons to have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS about how many animals you will see, under what conditions and how long it may take to find them. The COLD weather brings them to the area to enjoy our fresh water springs, but once the Gulf temps begin to warm, the manatee become more difficult to find and tend to be located closer to food sources where the water is not always clear. Also, spring brings hundreds of people to the area hoping for a glimpse of these amazing animals…COME EARLY MORNING if you hope to avoid the crowds. We add tours later in the day as capacity demands, but conditions deteriorate as the day goes on. If you are hoping to see dozens of manatee in clear spring water, than a springtime visit may disappoint. We are always honest about conditions and encourage our visitors to do their research!
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 optional 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 if your family is interested in the manatee portion of the tour. 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...
Bottled water provided, parking and gear included in price!
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.
We welcome adults and children of all sizes, but moderate physical ability is needed to disembark onto the islands and into the springs!
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-0702-0011
Google Business Profile: River Ventures
Manatee and Sealife Tour in Crystal River
FL
people
6 participants
hours
- • All Day Family Boat Trip On Crystal River
- • 5 Hour Snorkel And Sightseeing Tour
- • Choose Activities To Create The Perfect Day
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