Manatee Swim Tour: Top-Rated Bucket List Experience
5.0
1,869 Ratings
Crystal River
Experience the thrill of swimming with manatees on our top-rated bucket list tour. Spread out and enjoy plenty of space at Explorida Adventure Center. Book now!
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Explorida - Manatee Swim Tours - Hop aboard one of our safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessels where you will join your Master Captain to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Our master captains are trained to find manatees on your manatee tour, even in the offseason, and will deliver the best manatee tour in Crystal River, FL—every time. You will be paired with one of our expert in-water guides who will be with you every step of the way to assist in making your manatee tour safe and memorable. Your in-water guide will also serve as your professional photographer to capture your manatee swim memories, and those photos will be available for purchase upon arrival back to our facility. For this tour, all required gear is included at no additional charge.
What's Included
  • Safe USCG Certified Boats
  • Complimentary bottled water
  • Included wetsuit rental
  • Float noodles provided
  • Snorkel gear available
  • Professional in-water guide and photographer
What's Not Included
  • Photos and videos available for an additional fee at the end of your tour.
Additional Information

The Manatee Swim tour at Explorida made it to Trip Advisors 2022’s ‘Top Ten Must-Do Experiences GLOBALLY!’ Don’t miss the chance to swim with the manatees – it’s an unforgettable event! Avoid the crowded dive shops. At Explorida, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. Explorida Adventure Center houses a vast, superior facility with climate control and indoor changing rooms for your comfort. Our boats are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, equipped with essential safety gear and can accommodate more than six passengers. They are in the best condition, so there’s no chance of ending up on a malfunctioning one. Choose Explorida for a wonderful experience. Our primary focus is customer satisfaction and we won’t let you down. Give us a chance to show you!

  • Level One Snorkel Experience Recommended
  • Infants are still considered to take up a seat on a USCG Inspected Vessel. You must pay full price for an infant.
Location
545 N Citrus Ave
North Citrus Avenue
The Explorida Adventure Center is the first Building on the left when turning west on to N. Citrus Avenue from Highway 19.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1869 Ratings)
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Ruth
Apr 24, 2024
Manatee swim trip - Amazing trip!! Captain Marty and Ava were fantastic! It was extra special to see the nursing baby manatee and mother. The weather was beautiful
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Hl919
Apr 22, 2024
Great Morning! - My daughter and I had a great day going on this tour with Explorida. The staff is amazing. Christian, our guide and photographer was incredible, making sure our small group of 5 had an amazing experience. Our boat captain, Tom, was also very accommodating and pleasant. They both tried very hard to spot the manatee. Keep in mind, April is not the height of the season, but there are residential manatee to suffice for a more personable tour. The water was rather murky, but still viewable and manatee also breached for us to see. We then elected to visit 3 Sisters Springs where we snorkeled and the water was "crystal clear". We saw the springs, a manatee, fish, crabs and took amazing photos. This company is fantastic to deal with and has very nice shop and accomodations for all. My daughter and I would highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tnphoto
Apr 20, 2024
Experience of a Lifetime - What a wonderful experience! Neither my wife nor I had any experience wearing a wetsuit but the staff was very kind and patient on their "how to" explanation. The tour did not feel rushed, the guides that day even doubled back near the end for one more chance to swim with another set of manatees. we had the chance to watch several sets of Moms with youngsters. While you are asked not to touch the animals they will brush against you, or softly bump into you at times. There was plenty of information about the replanting of the native underwater grasses (that the manatees feed on), as well as the laws and methods being used by the State of Florida to protect them. We booked this "excursion" because it is what my wife wanted for her 70th birthday .... she still had a goofy smile on her face days after our booking. Truly an experience of a lifetime! One suggestion would be to have a pair of water shoes with you to wear ... wet suit booties are not necessary. You can purchase water shoes across the street, at a t shirt souvenir shop, very near the tour operators building. (easy walking distance} We both highly recommend this excursion!!! Two thumbs up - 5 stars ..all the accolades!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Samanthawb5235bj
Apr 19, 2024
Amazing experience! - My boyfriend and I had the best time with Marty and Keri! The experience exceeded our expectations. The process was seamless getting us on the water and getting to see the manatees up close and personal was amazing. Could not recommend this experience enough! Would definitely go with Explorida again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wanttotravelmore84
Apr 15, 2024
Manatees worth seeing with this company! - Great experience! The staff is wonderful, and all so helpful and kind. They are open to answering any questions. Took us to a spot quickly where we easily found manatees. I felt we had plenty of time in the water as well. I’d recommend this company and would refer them to friends and family.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Cassandra
Apr 14, 2024
Worth It!!! - From the time I got there, to the time I left, I felt like everyone treated us like family. Miranda and Marti are the absolute best! I'd go back just to hang out with them! Very knowledgeable. I was nervous but they put us at ease! I can't thab them enough for the experience and will happily drive 2 hours again for any tour they both are working on! The other staff were very kind as well. The place is beautiful!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
902ariely
Apr 14, 2024
Highly recommended - Wonderful experience, very pleasant, kind and professional team, beautiful photos, we’ve seen a lot of manatees even though it was not the season and it was very enjoyable. They served hot and cold drink, very reasonable price for amazing experience!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
A9249uidavidl
Apr 13, 2024
Grand Manatee Tour - Great tour saw many manatees and had the best tour ever. If you want to see lots of manatees, momma and calf, groups of two manatees and three manatees this is the tour. Our guide (Keri), moved us one group of manatees to the next group of manatees to the next. My wife was delighted at the large number of manatees we saw and the wide variation we saw. If you want a tour that you will be wowed by the different number manatees, this is the tour for you. Also, Keri took outstanding pictures.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mistandfam
Apr 13, 2024
Amazing experience and guide! - We knew we were going to miss the large numbers of Manatee that are there from Nov thru March but were hoping to at least see one. Christian and our boat captain were amazing at finding them outside of the springs. Visibility was low but it was amazing to see them. We then went into the springs and there was 1 Manatee that had not left yet and was being watched in case it needed to be rescued. He was beautiful. The water was so clear. I was so glad we were snorkeling and not kayaking so we could see him more clearly under the water. Wet suits were great, we brought gloves which was really helpful. Cold but doable even for our kids. An experience we will always remember.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julie773
Apr 10, 2024
Amazing day! - One of the best days! Ava our guide and photographer was brilliant. We managed to spot a manatee quite quickly and we spent loads of time with it. Also managed to spend some time in the deeper water which was great to see the other fish in the water. Manatees are my favourite and to be able to be so close to these gentle giants was a wonderful experience! Thank you x
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 11 guests
1 Adult
May 2024
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