Manatee Adventure: Explore Crystal River & Homosassa Park

Experience the real Florida with a Crystal River Manatee Swim. Get up-close with gentle manatees and explore the beauty of Crystal River and Homosassa State Wildlife Park.

Duration: 8 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - The boat will drive into the wildlife refuge where you will hope to see wild manatees on the river. You will be on the boat at least 90 mins.
  • Homosassa River - We will visit the State Park at Homosassa. You will walk around the State Park and see the animals and view the manatees in the underwater…
What's Included
  • Airboat Ride on Tuesday and Thursday tours
  • Admission into Homosassa State Park
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
  • Driver/guide
  • Picnic Lunch
  • River cruise to look for the manatees
  • Use of snorkel equipment, mask, snorkel and fins
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Wetsuits must be hired - Mandatory $15 fee
  • Breakfast
  • Airboat Ride on Saturdays - tour is priced lower
  • Half Day does not include Homosassa State Park or Airboat Ride
Additional Information

Come and enjoy the real Florida! Get up-close with the gentle manatee and see the beauty of Crystal River as you explore the Homosassa State Wildlife Park.
The tour heads up to Crystal River where you can snorkel or swim in the rivers where wild manatees live. It’s an early morning departure, so bring breakfast snacks to eat during the journey….

Location
Charley's Steak House
Parkway Boulevard
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.7
(186 Ratings)
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1 star
Natasha
May 3, 2025
Fantastic day out - Fantastic day out. We attended on Saturday when the airboat tour is not included (so price is cheaper) and still had an absolutely fantastic fun filled full day. Kevin was extremely helpful, approachable and so knowledgeable- really interesting history/facts! Really worth it! We were able to snorkel and see the manatees and really enjoyed the visit afterwards to the state park.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sarah_w
May 3, 2025
This was a unique and fun... - This was a unique and fun experience. I would recommend this to others, but would recommend coming in the winter so you have a better chance of seeing manatees. Our guide, Carmen, was great. She was very friendly and full of fun facts.
Review provided by Viator
Holly
May 1, 2025
Carmen was really accommodating and helpful informative and considerate. She is very knowledgeable and gave useful tips - Excellent trip and well proportioned Would highly recommend. Carmen was very helpful informative and helped with looking after us
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z1540sgellab
May 1, 2025
Manatee experience - Carmen was such a great host! Making sure we were all comfortable and giving so much knowledge. Thanks for such a great day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
35countries
Apr 29, 2025
Manatees are the best - A great excursion to see more of Florida in an easy, comfortable way. The manatee swim was the highlight of the day, fascinating animals and so cool to be in the water next to them. The wildlife park is big with a variety of animals and the airboat was so much fun. If you’re all Disney-d out I highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michelle_k
Apr 27, 2025
Wonderful experience. - Exactly as described. Professionally and knowledgeable staff at all sites. Picked up on time. Manatee experience wonderful even though water was a bit murky due to time of the year. Park was great, saw lots of cool animals. Airboat ride was awesome, saw lots of alligators and other wildlife. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Gresilda_c
Apr 25, 2025
Great fun tour - It was great I had a good time our driver is also good..At swim with manatee I had a great time it's my 1st time to do snorkell and to think I don't how to swim but I manage to do it see a lot of fishes and manatee and captain with a guide so nice that they encourage me to do it & teach me how to.I had fun at airboat tour too...it's awesome.
Review provided by Viator
563flynnb
Apr 22, 2025
Worth every penny. - Shawna was our driver - pick up on time, lovely vehicle, contact 48hrs prior. First stop from Avanti on I-Drive after 2hrs was the Manatee snorkel. $15 hire for wetsuits, fair pricing on gifts in shop, Kayla was informative and friendly, Micheal driver strong and silent and bith did a great job. Up close (face to face) with a mom and calf and 5 swimmers. After this the park with a sold lunch, sweet ice tea, sun roll, crisps and cookies. Park doing well to recover after hurricane, I think going there for 1hr is enough and then having lunch would suffice (2hrs not needed). Drive was fun, Shawna was chatty and engaged us all. We then went to the Airboat, cute shop with lots to buy, airboat was better than expected and ride was longer. Captain Pip was informative, personable and the fast ride was great fun. Educational, beautiful locations, fun and worth the cost. Shawna took us to a fresh juice shop/gift shop on the return and we did not feel rushed at all. Return was coming on for 6pm so it is a long day, but feels like 3 trips in one. Tipped at diving place and Shawna, felt bad for Captain PiP as due to splashing/speed left the bags in the bus and he did deserve a tip. At the dive place ask for your free certificate (got for kids), take sunscreen and water. Bus has charging ports and a neck pillow may help with the naps on the bus which are needed! Thanks Shawna for all the restaurant and park tips also. Nashville’s loss is Florida’s gain!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
P3047olconnorh
Apr 15, 2025
Once in a lifetime trip. - This was a once in a lifetime trip! Our excursion was led by Kevin who honestly was the best host we have ever had for anything. He was kind, informative and very trust worthy. As a couple from the UK it was an amazing experience to be able to swim with Manatees. We would have paid full price just for that, but included was an air boat ride seeing Alligators, amongst other wildlife, and entry to a Nature reserve. Well worth the money in every way.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
259vickij
Apr 30, 2025
Fun, lots to do - The water was a little cloudy making it difficult to see the manatee. The airboat ride was super fun she we saw many alligators in the wild. We also enjoyed holding the back alligator- although I felt sorry for him with his mouth taped shut. Shawna was okay
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $159
up to 10 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).