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Private Manatee Snorkel Tour: Swim with Gentle Giants
5.0
616 Ratings
Crystal River
This exclusive snorkeling tour with manatees is only for 3 hours, but the experience it offers will stay with your team forever! Your personal USCG certified captain will set sail with your private team to discover the sanctuary and bring you face to face with these ‘quiet mammoths’!
This exclusive snorkeling tour with manatees is only for 3 hours, but the experience it offers will stay with your team forever! Your personal USCG certified captain will set sail with your private team to discover the sanctuary and bring you face to face with these ‘quiet mammoths’!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- River Ventures - Upon arrival at the tour center, guests will view a short video about manatees and review the swimming guidelines to ensure an enjoyable experience for both participants and the manatees. Participants will then be equipped with a wetsuit in preparation for the snorkeling adventure. Throughout the manatee swim tour, guides will…
- River Ventures - Upon arrival at the tour center, guests will view a short video about manatees and review the swimming guidelines to ensure an enjoyable experience for both participants and the manatees. Participants will then be equipped with a wetsuit in preparation for the snorkeling adventure. Throughout the manatee swim tour, guides will capture memorable moments both above and below the water. After returning to the tour center, guests will have the option to purchase a high-resolution picture CD featuring images from their manatee tour.
What's Included
- Expert guidance led by a professional
- Exclusive private tour experience
- Complimentary bottled water
- All necessary equipment provided
- Multilingual introductory video available (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
- Expert guidance led by a professional
- Exclusive private tour experience
- Complimentary bottled water
- All necessary equipment provided
- Multilingual introductory video available (English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish)
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- DVD (available to purchase)
- Gratuities
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- DVD (available to purchase)
Additional Information
- Price reflects 1 to 10 people
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.
- Price reflects 1 to 10 people
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.
Location
River Ventures
Southeast Kings Bay Drive
River Ventures Manatee Tour and Education Center, please arrive 15 minutes early.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(616 Ratings)
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Sharkseandg
May 20, 2026
Swimming with Manatees - Fantastic experience snorkeling with Manatees. Shaun & Melissa were really welcoming, knowledgeable and kept things friendly and relaxed. What a privilege to swim with such exceptional creatures and thanks to fabulous hosts. Really made our holiday. Thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gregandsusanh
May 15, 2026
Great tour - Great experience. Not crowded nw
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L50pushawnh
May 6, 2026
Amazing adventure. - Mike and Crystal are awesome. This is
our 2nd time. Plan to do it again on our next visit.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Coastal37256257917
Apr 30, 2026
Best Manatee Experience in Florida - Tour Guide Anna and Captain Garrett were exceptional. It was well worth the 2.5hr journey from Anna Maria to experience a fully educational and natural environment to passively observe the manatees. The youngest in our party was 8 and an avid lover of "chubby mermaids". Anna gave her great attention and helped guide her close enough that when the mama and babe came up for air she got "manatee snot" on her goggles. This was a highlight of our vacation that we will all hold in our hearts. We're very grateful for the whole staff and the efficiency of the entire operation. Could not recommend highly enough.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bevhew
Apr 19, 2026
Unforgettable Up-Close Manatee Experience - We had an absolutely wonderful experience with River Ventures! Crystal and Captain Mike were fantastic—entertaining, informative, and genuinely friendly from start to finish.
They found a manatee quickly, and we spent over an hour swimming with her. Being that close was incredible—several times she came right up and took breaths just inches from our faces. We were taught to stay still and simply observe, which made it feel respectful and even more special.
Watching her graze on seagrass nonstop was amazing. Such powerful yet calm and gentle animals—it was peaceful and unforgettable.
Easily one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. We’re already planning to come back this summer to go scalloping with them!
Highly recommend—don’t miss this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kaylacu8640pz
Apr 19, 2026
Great time for Girl Scouts - Gary and JJ were great! The girl scout troop had a wonderful time!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tiffanylm35zr
Apr 16, 2026
Six very happy customers - We had a wonderful time with our four kids on OG manatee tour. We had Crystal and Mike as our guides. The water was more murky than we expected but we had a wonderful guide who made sure we saw what we came for. We ended up seeing four manatees up close and personal and a few from the boat. We also got to experience the spring and had some fun deep diving there. Highly recommend the company they are very welcoming and organized. The guides were super knowledgeable and friendly we would for sure go back for the scallop tour in the summer! No complaints
Review provided by Tripadvisor
942chefh
Apr 2, 2026
Amazing! - Captain Wade and Guide Shawn we're amazing! They worked perfectly together and made sure we got to see the manatees. The Manatees were very active and were moving around a lot. The guys were persistent and we got to see them especially my mom who wanted to see them from the water. I really enjoyed this adventure and highly recommend to anyone who wants to swim with manatees. We will be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Raymondca871iu
Mar 25, 2026
Great day out in the aprings - Anna and Ryan were so great. Personable, knowledgeable, respectful pf the wildlife. made sure we were good! Thank you. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tourist767138
Mar 22, 2026
Exceptional experience - Must do when in the Crystal River area. Our guide, Crystal and captain, Laci were exceptional! First class operation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
