Apr 3, 2026
Absolutely incredible manatee experience! - We had an unforgettable time with Captain Joe. The small group size of max 6 people made it a very personal and intimate experience. Joe is an incredibly experienced guide who went above and beyond to make the trip unique and exceeded all our expectations. He took us straight to a manatee, and the snorkel itself was very relaxed. To top it off, we had a beautiful boat ride through the bay afterwards and even spotted two alligators! This was a great excursion and I highly recommend it to anyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 25, 2026
Thank you Captain Joe! We had a blast! - Our first visit to the area and my wife had swimming with the Manatees on her bucket list. There are so many options here but we decided to go with a private tour. Captain Joe was so welcoming and full of information. We knew that coming later in the season would be a challenge, but that didn't prevent us from finding a few options. It was absolutely great. Captain Joe even went out of his way to show it some Florida Gators that made our 9 year old's day. Private is the way to go without the crowds. Thank you Joe! We will be back.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mar 22, 2026
Captain Joe nature coast manatee adventures - Captain Joe was amazing - very friendly and informative and took his time with us to make sure our adventure was a very memorable one - loved swimming and snorkeling with the manatees
He made our trip the best it could be and we will book with him again next year
Review provided by Viator
Mar 9, 2026
Great day on the water - Great time on the water. Captain Joe was prompt, a great guide and personable. Showed us the sight and located manatee despite the fact they’ve mostly migrated out of the bay. I’m a birdwatcher and saw a lot of birds which made the trip even better. We also got to see alligators, turtles and tons of fish. Absolutely beautiful day on a comfy pontoon with a knowledgeable and friendly guide. Would book again.
Review provided by Viator
Mar 1, 2026
Unforgettable experience for three generations of family on one boat! - I had high expectations, I was incredibly excited, and this outing surpassed everything I thought it might be. I went with my wife, our 2 1/2 year-old daughter, and 80+ year-old parents and everyone had an equally great time whether swimming or not. My wife and I saw more manatees than we could count while swimming. The captain and the swim guide were outstanding. Both very knowledgeable, funny, and just great to be around for several hours. Environmental concerns were at the top of their list, which was important to me, but also not a stifling subject. They cared very much about the area and especially the manatees , and that was evident from the start.. The only concern I had with making this reservation was there were only nine reviews which was a little light compared to some of the other outings. If you were having the same concerns you need not. This was a wonderful, wonderful outing and I could not recommend this specific group enough. We were able to spot a dolphin on the way back in and my daughter hasn’t stopped talking about it. It is likely I will be talking about this outing for many years as well.
Review provided by Viator
Feb 27, 2026
Loved getting to pet the warm sea rocks! - My husband, grandparents, toddler and I did the manatee excursion and we had such an incredible experience! Our guides were extremely knowledgeable and clearly so passionate about the ecosystem and the wildlife. You could tell this isn’t just a job — it’s something they truly care about. They shared so many interesting facts about the manatees and the surrounding environment, and answered every question with enthusiasm and depth.
They were so friendly and engaging, which made the entire trip feel personal and memorable and toddler even got to enjoy a dolphin jump right next to us on the trip hope. We learned so much while still having an amazing time. Highly recommend these guys for a personal, educational and fun experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 21, 2026
Wonderful day on the water - The tour was great. We chose the private boat tour so the entire family could enjoy the day. It was perfect and fun for everyone! Captain Joe did a great job and found us the perfect spot to swim wihh the the Manatees. Wonderful Day!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 16, 2026
Recommend 100% - We had a tour with Captain Joe, and he was very knowledgeable, friendly and and took time to explain the manatee the waters. It was very patient with the tour. He took us to an area where we snorkel with adult and baby manatee. As we were returning, we saw 2 pods of dolphins, swimming and fishing. Captain Joe went out of his way to bring us closer to the pots and gave us time to observe the dolphins, which was an extra bonus. During the tour, Joe would explain the habitat, the area and was very very knowledgeable of the river. Because Joe’s boat is for a small group it’s a much more personal experience. We would highly recommend Captain Joe and his tour for anyone coming to the area that would like to see the manatees. One thing if you have an underwater camera that would be important to bring with you.
Review provided by Viator
Feb 15, 2026
Crystal River Swim and Snorkel Tour with Captain Joe (local guide) was outstanding. 100% recommendation! - Captain Joe was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and wasn’t in a rush. He took us up the river to a bay where there were a plethora of manatees. We snorkeled for quite sometime and observed multiple adult manatees and several baby manatee. Captain Joe answered the many questions we asked about the area and manatee habitat. As we were returning Captain Joe spotted 2 pods of dolphins and he circled around too let us observe them swimming and feeding. Our experience was amazing and we would highly recommend Captain Joe and his tour company to anyone, young and older as you will enjoy every minute of his tour/snorkeling/swimming. 100% recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jan 24, 2026
6 stars - Worth every penny! Jo is a local, fun and friendly guide! Great time on and off the boat
Review provided by Tripadvisor
