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Small Group VIP Manatee Pontoon Tour in Crystal River

Small Group VIP Manatee Pontoon Tour in Crystal River

Overview

We will let you in on a secret! You can get the high-end experience, with an affordable price tag! Our new heated (during winter), luxury pontoon aims to amp up the manatee sighting and deliver a more personal event! Observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Crystal River’s idyllic Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides will take you into the 600 acre spring fed refuge waters for viewing and snorkeling with these slow moving wild giants. All equipment, fees, snacks and beverages are included.

City: Crystal River

Tue 19 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $101.38

Make a reservation

Tue 19 Nov

Starting at $101.38

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Professional guide

Use of equipment (mask, snorkel gear and wet suit)

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

Beverages (bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and adult)

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Adult pricing applies to all travelers
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wetsuits are available in 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 a plastic bag to hold your belongings
Children Under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. Please call for other options.
Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands

What To Expect

River Ventures

Embark on your journey with a Coast Guard Certified Master Captain who will be your in water chaperon, educator and photographer. Your tour will run four hours from start to finish and everything you will need is included for one price. You will begin at our full-service tour facility, where you will be educated about the animals in a classroom type setting and receive tips for your snorkel tour to make the most of your day. You will be taught the in’s and out’s of ‘passive interaction’ as this ensures that the animals enjoy the experience as much as we do! You will then be suited up and transported to the dock, where a Coast Guard certified covered pontoon will be waiting for you. This rich estuary will amaze…..birds, fish and wildlife abound! Submerge yourself in the manatee’s world! Finish your adventure by viewing your Captain’s photos back at our facility and be sure to visit our one-of-a-kind gift shop! Our well-informed staff will direct to other local attractions, restaurants and answer of your questions before you are on your way.

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (565)

msmccuiston

Jan 2020

This was our fourth trip using River Ventures in Crystal River. We have been pleased with the service and education provided by the staff at River Ventures. If you have never "floated" with the manatees you must share in this experience. With each trip being different, there are no guarantees how the experience with be. One year, in February we were able to swim the clear Three Sisters Springs with a clear up close viewing of the manatees. While this year, the large crowds, and very low tides kept the experience at a different level. Every trip with River Ventures has been top notch despite the conditions. A must experience for all.

shometravelnut

Jan 2020

We booked the VIP tour with another couple who are friends of ours and we were joined by one more couple for a total of 6 people on our pontoon boat. First, I want to give a huge THANK YOU to our captain, Troy and our guide, Gavin. These two work very hard to help create an amazing experience for their guests and it's obvious that they love what they do. We made about 4 different stops and had incredible manatee interactions at each one. Mom and baby nursing and the baby was very active and curious and approached us several times to just hang out or suckle on one of the girls hair. (If you have long hair, put it in braids and the young manatees seem to like to nurse on them). We saw two manatees mating, one adult scratching its back on a rock on the bottom and several others just doing manatee stuff. We probably encountered around 20-30 manatees in all and most of our interactions were in the clearer sections of the river and bay so the visibility was pretty good as well. I could go on and on about what an amazing experience this tour was, but you really should come and do it yourself, you'll be happy you did. Get the VIP tour, it's a little more, but worth it for this type of adventure. This was our second time in Crystal River and the first time was just a little later in the year around the middle of February a couple of years ago and the experience was not very good. The manatees had already left the springs and clear river water so I would recommend going earlier in the year if possible. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

amandabS2300KL

Jan 2020

Emerson and Jon P were very knowledgeable and fun! We saw so many manatees!! Heated boat and hot chocolate were a win - air was cold and the water was nice. All staff are very friendly and helpful. If you are wondering if you should purchase the pictures/videos at the end of the tour, do it! We took our own but their shots were better. Thanks to everyone!