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Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Crystal River Manatee Swim in Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Overview

Join River Venture’s 5-star crew and dive into the ‘OG’ swim with manatee experience with our HD photographer. Our full service, one-stop shop can guarantee manatees and more!

The ‘OG’ of Swim with Manatee:
Dive into the world of manatees with the largest and most experienced center in Crystal River and Homosassa – since 2004!

Manatee Guarantee Optional Upgrade($):
No manatees? No worries, we’ll refund you.

Tour options for any budget:
Save money or splurge, we have a tour for you.

Manatees, Dolphins & Airboats:
Combo-Tours, book for the manatee and stay with the dolphins

Over 5000 5-star reviews online!
Need we say more? 

Your A-Team:
Expert guides, pirate captains, underwater photographers and booking wizards

Eco-Edutainment: In-classroom presentation. Learn from our passionate guides.

City: Crystal River

Sun 13 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $64.95

Make a reservation

Sun 13 Apr

Starting at $64.95

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Mask, Snorkel & Full-length Wetsuit

Bottled water

In-water Guide & Photographer

Hot Cocoa

USCG Master Captain

Introductory/instructional video offered in English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Adult pricing applies to all travelers
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wetsuits are available in all sizes from toddlers (2 years old and up) to adults up to 5X
It is advised that you have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
Please bring a towel and warm clothes to change into after your tour.
Children under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. Please call for other options.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

L1653QClisam

Mar 2025

I learned so much about the behavior of manatees. Our guide Malea even said that manatees sometimes snuggle under you. If it happens, pull your arms in and stay still. Guess what? It happened. I got manatee belly rubs and it made our WHOLE trip. Thanks to our awesome guides. I would do it again in a second.

jackiekC3484AK

Mar 2025

We recently went on a swim with the manatees tour and while the experience had some high points, overall it didn’t quite meet our expectations. Our guide Joanne was absolutely excellent—knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure everyone was well-informed throughout the trip. The captain was also great and accommodating. Unfortunately, the water was extremely murky the day we went, so visibility was very poor. There were also a lot of people out on the water, which likely contributed to the conditions. When we finally encountered a manatee, the area was already crowded with swimmers, and I was nearly run over by a group of kids who weren’t paying attention. While this isn’t the tour’s fault, it definitely impacted the experience. In the end, we only got about 30 seconds of actual manatee viewing, which made the $189 (with guarantee) price tag feel steep. I was also disappointed to learn that photos weren’t included in the price. The $40 photo package was underwhelming in quality, and I really wish I had just asked someone to take pictures with my phone instead. All that said, Joanne and the captain did their part to make the day enjoyable. With better visibility and fewer people in the water, I imagine this tour could be a much more rewarding experience.

melissabI5053ET

Mar 2025

James and Captain Chris were the best! Extremely knowledgeable about the manatees, waterways, and Florida environment while also being incredibly entertaining lol! The entire experience was great, highly recommend!

Response from Host

Mar 2025

Thank you for the kind words. Please visit us again, :)