Deluxe Manatee Swim Tour

Overview

Your Deluxe Manatee Swim Tour provides a unique opportunity to view Florida's Nature Coast. CRWS is a proud member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program - promoting passive observation and responsible eco tourism. Your tour will take you past a state Archaeological Park, a State Nature Preserve and to a National Wildlife Refuge. You may view up to 57 varieties of birds, river otters, deer, pigs dolphins, a variety of fish and turtles besides the opportunity to swim in the area of the gentle giants manatees.

City: Crystal River

Mon 23 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $91.10

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Sep

Starting at $91.10

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Bottled water

Tour escort/host

Driver/guide

Use of Snorkelling equipment

Live commentary on board

Local taxes

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive 30 minutes prior to tour!
Wear bathing suits for your arrival
Bring Towels & Sunscreen.
Bring clothes to put on once done swimming that may get wet, but will keep you comfortable for the return boat ride.
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
While we have always maintained a sanitary work environment, we have increased our cleaning efforts to comply with DAN recommendations fully. Divers Alert Network (DAN) – https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/news/dan-encourages-divers-and-dive-operators-to-properly-disinfect-dive-gear

What To Expect

Crystal River Watersports

The address is our marina/dive shop and here you will get ready for your boat tour and manatee swim.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (183)

Noelfielding94

Jan 2020

We visited Crystal River today with my boyfriend, his sister and mum, and our family friend. So pleased we booked our manatee tour with Crystal River Watersports. Had a wonderful day learning all about manatees and the conservation efforts in keeping these fascinating mammals safe and furthermore, snorkelling in the waters they congregate in! The trip was absolute value for money and we were treated with hot chocolates aftee our swim. Don and Captain Jim were brilliant, amusing and informative guides - thanks so much for looking after us and giving us all such an enlightening experience! So great to know you are one of the companies that actually ensure you protect the wildlife and promote eco-tourism with the tours you offer, as this is so important. Observing and passively interacting with the manatees was a truly memorable experience for us all. Thanks again for an amazing day out! Für alle Deutsche Gäste - Diese Tour würde Ich auf jeden Fall empfehlen. Es war total cool und sehr informativ! Wir haben ganz viele Seekühe gesehen und unser Guide und Kapitan waren wirklich super. Umweltschutz ist auch sehr wichtig für Crystal Water Sports.

Response from Host

Jan 2020

Thank you so very much for the wonderful review, and for choosing us at Crystal River Watersports for your tour. We are passionate about protecting our manatees, while also giving our guests the best possible experience. It is gratifying to know that you enjoyed your tour and share our concern about protecting these gentle, peaceful and wonderful animals. As part of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Stewardship program, we make it our mission to have tours that are fun, but also educational, and safe for the manatees and the environment. Our staff take numerous classes on manatee health, biology, water conservation/restoration, first aide/safety as well as participating in manatee health assessments, rescues of injured/sick manatees and 5 assisted in the recent relocation of 3 manatees that were returned to Kings Bay after being rescued and rehabilitated. Our shop also donates a portion of every tour to education, ecological preservation and rescue efforts. It is wonderful to know that our staff's continued hard work pays off in not only protecting our manatees, but also in making your trip more fun, informative and hopefully inspirational. Thank you so much for choosing us for your tour, and for the wonderful review.

Jas S

Jan 2020

I went on the deluxe manatee swim tour with my mother (almost 60) and 3 friends (we are all in all in our 20s). We had an amazing day observing these docile creatures. Jim (our captain) and Don were very knowable, funny, and friendly. Don swam out with us to see the manatees and took excellent photos which he shared with us after the trip. Jim meanwhile looked after my mother who stayed on the boat, which I was very grateful for as she had decided not to get in the water. After the initial orientation they were both very relaxed with our group as we had all clearly understood how to safely observe the manatees. I personally found this made the trip particularly enjoyable as I can become quite anxious at times. I had a truly memorable time and having the boys at Crystal River Watersports guide us was a big part of that! Thank you so much guys x

Response from Host

Jan 2020

Thank you so much for choosing Crystal River Watersports for your tour, and for writing the wonderful review. We are delighted that you entire group enjoyed the tour! You can see the manatees from the boat, and we often have groups where some people choose to not swim. Everyone can still enjoy the experience and spending some special time together on the boat ride. Passive observation is the best way to see the manatees, and is so easy! You simply float quietly, and let the manatees decide what they want to do. They are extremely gentle, and if they decide to come and investigate you- the experience is truly magical. The fact that our guests don't reach out to try and touch the manatees, means that they feel far more safe and comfortable, and are more like to approach our guests and perhaps choose to interact. We are so happy that you all had a wonderful time on your tour. Thank you!

molly8888888

Jan 2020

The deluxe manatee tour was well worth getting up early! Not only are there fewer people early morning, but the wildlife is active. We saw dolphins, numerous birds, and more manatees than I could count. Captain Jim and guide swimmer Dakota were excellent guides teaching us about the area and wildlife with some humor, prioritizing the safety and security of the manatees, and also providing numerous encounters. They were refreshingly respectful of the manatees in that encounters were on the manatees' terms. You will find many of the manatees are not shy and will come play if you are calm. Keep in mind the boat ride can be chilly to and from the springs in the winter but the water is a lovely 72 degrees when you swim. Bring a towel and a jacket you can wear over your wet swimsuit. I brought a waterproof case for my phone but found that Dakota took way better photos than I could while maneuvering around, and it is worth paying for the photos from them so you can just enjoy your time with the manatees.

Response from Host

Jan 2020

Hi Molly, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are so happy that you enjoyed your tour. There is always something beautiful and interesting to see on our tour, and it changes every day. Our early morning (7 am) tour is always great because as you mentioned the area's wildlife is most active at that time. While our guests are always welcome to bring their own cameras on the tours, our guides do take pictures that our guests can review, and purchase if they decide they like them. That allows our guests to simply enjoy the experience. The pictures are $30+ tax and come on a manatee shaped thumb drive. Thank you for choosing Crystal River Watersports for your tour!