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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)

aleighpi

Dec 2019

I am so glad I chose River Ventures for a guided manatee tour in Crystal River. My kids said this was the best day of our trip to FL, and they will never forget this experience! From the moment I first called RV to book our excursion, every person I came in contact with was so helpful & professional... receptionists, educational class before the tour, shuttle driver, and of course our guides! I chose a private pontoon tour which was guided by Troy & Heidi. Both of them truly made the whole experience top notch! From the moment we boarded the pontoon, their enthusiasm, knowledge & passion for what they do made it so much fun! We learned so much about these gentle creatures. Heidi was our in-water guide and she took tons of photos & videos for us... and what sealed the deal for me was that we could purchase a usb or download of every pic / video for one price under $40. When searching TA, I did not see any other tours that offered this kind of deal on taking our experience home with us! It’s been a week since we took this tour, and we cannot stop talking about how much we enjoyed swimming with the manatees... it truly was the best day ever!! Thank you Heidi, Troy & River Ventures! We will definitely be back again someday :)

s0lidw

Dec 2019

Took a tour with my fiance, and it was incredible. Everyone at River Ventures is super cool and looking to make sure you have a great experience. We had Captain Stark and JJ as our guide, and they really made it all that much more special. They love what they do and are great at it. So happy we chose to fulfill our dream with these guys.

117joand

Dec 2019

My sister and brother were visiting for the holiday weekend and we wanted to share a new adventure - swimming with the manatees. I researched all the companies and decided on River Ventures - and they were awesome! We were trained in-depth on how to behave around the manatees, suited up in wet suits, and took a quick drive then boat ride to King's Bay. There were several manatees in the cove (morning was cold and water was warm - just what the manatees were looking for) so we got right in the water to begin our encounter. The manatees were very curious and came right up to us, checking us out and allowing us to share their water space. We even got to touch a calf who politely asked each one of us to lightly rub his back and belly. It was such a wonderful experience to observe these magnificent animals. We floated with them for an hour then decided to paddle back to the boat where we were greeted with hot chocolate/coffee and get warmed back up with hot water down the wet suit (feels like heaven!). The staff were so friendly and knowledgeable and the pictures they took ensure that my family will remember this remarkable experience for a lifetime. Thank you River Ventures!