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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)

GMSnRAS

Nov 2019

We were very impressed with the River Ventures group. From the front office to the boat captains and guides, everyone was friendly, knowledgeable and very focused on customer service. They all love what they do and it really shows. We were also very happy to see that they all seem to have a passion for protecting the manatees and educating clients about the animals and their habitat. We liked the smaller boat and it had heat! A real plus for the cool mornings. Our first experience was so great we returned 2 days later and did it again! We would highly recommend this company and if we have the opportunity to return to the area, we would definitely book with them again!

Rosalind S

Nov 2019

From the moment we arrived for our 4 hour VIP experience snorkelling with manatees with River Ventures we were treated so well. Happy smiling staff who were so informative and helpful. Warm drinks and heated boat helped on a particularly chilly Crystal Waters day but that did not stop us from having an experience that I would rate as in my top ten around the world. We were taken to two sites and swam alongside and face to face with these wonderful creatures in their natural environment. We were in a party of 6, however after the first couple of hours they finished their dives and we were given the option to continue into shallower water where we both were overwhelmed with the numbers and sizes of the manatees we saw. Our thanks have to go to the experts with us. Our skipper managed to get the boat into areas of shallow waters with such skill and Matt who dived with us and photographed the experience was just fab. I would advise anyone to go and see these beautiful creatures and to use this company who gave such value for money with their expertise, friendliness and willingness to afford you an unforgettable experience.

Lee M

Nov 2019

I can’t sing the praises of river ventures enough, from the second we walked through the door to the moment we got in our car to leave, everyone we spoke to were friendly, accommodating, professional and generally fun to be around. Our guide Jose and our boats captain John were brilliant! Jose was so patient with me trying to manoeuvre myself into position next to the manatees, i found it harder than i thought i would, while trying my best to not disturb the water around them too much. Both contributed to fantastic memories that we will always look back on. The staff in the base where you initially meet were great too, offered coffees as soon as we got through the door and couldn’t have been more helpful. Also, special mention to the group of 3 that were on our tour, genuinely the nicest people we could have wished to be grouped with. If we come back to Florida, we are definitely doing this again!