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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

Mon 18 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $101.38

Make a reservation

Mon 18 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)

JessicaR67

Nov 2019

From start to finish, River Ventures did a great job organizing and communicating what to expect. Overall, an excellent experience. The main office is nice with bathrooms, changing areas and a cute gift shop. The staff were all very friendly and welcoming. There’s a short video and explanation of appropriate manatee behavior and then you’re off in vans to the docks for your tour. We were so fortunate to have Laura and Casey as our guides who were both fantastic! They were fun and knowledgeable and really made the tour special. It’s important to understand that these are wild animals, the tour is an opportunity to see them in areas they frequent, but there’s no guarantee you will see manatees, see them up close or interact with them. We were really fortunate that we had a cold snap the night before and a few in the preceding weeks, and there were a ton of manatees in both of the spots we stopped at. We saw babies with their mothers, and several swam right up to us while we were in the water. They are calm and gentle creatures and it was a great day. We also saw a ton of fish and other wildlife. The VIP tour included warm drinks, beer, wine, soda and snacks which was nice. They also had a small heater on the boat! Laura took awesome pictures and videos which we chose to purchase after the tour, but they were not pushy about it at all. All in all, would highly recommend River Ventures. Just be sure to research manatees and understand going in that you’re paying for the expertise, time and boat and hopefully the manatees are around!

hmh717

Nov 2019

We drove about an hour and 40 minutes each way from our hotel. The ladies in reception were welcoming and friendly. The dogs that hang out in the office were super friendly. We boarded a vehicle and drove a short ways down the road to the docks. Our captain and photographer were friendly and accommodating. They answered any and all questions. It was an amazing time. I left my snorkel masks there and called when I realized ( we were about 18 miles away). They were closed and went back to the business to get them for us. The gift shop here is great!!

Nicromanoli

Nov 2019

the captain and the guide were excellent.i was excited to swim with the manatees but as soon as we started we saw a manatee and we interacted with him. so intimate. the whole adventure was amazing and I highly recommend buying the photos. we loved and will treasure them. thanks, Jose and our captain.