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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)

Candace G

Jun 2021

Our family of 8 went out on the 6:15 am tour with Trish and Wade and had a great time. Our grandma stayed on boat and enjoyed watching the rest of us, ages 7-49, swim with the manatees. The tour guides care very deeply about manatees and helped us understand the plight of the endangered manatee and now we are all more aware and care about them too. Even our younger ones want to do what they can to help save the manatees! It was wonderful to get to swim near them using "passive observation". We saw about a dozen manatees (which is good for June) and got to swim with 6. We also got to see and swim in the Jurassic Springs. Thanks River Ventures and we highly recommend Trish and Wade for tour guides. We had a great time swimming with and learning about manatees!

Kelli W

Jun 2021

Captain Dave and Lindsey were incredible! We found manatees within 10 minutes and were in the water with them. None of us had any snorkeling experience but they made us feel at ease and comfortable very quickly. We saw and swam next to 6 manatees. They were amazing and gentle. It was an incredible experience. I would highly recommend.

Christina T

Jun 2021

We took the manatee tour today (June 28) with Liz and Matt. We had an awesome time and swam with several manatees and babies within minutes of starting the tour. We also swam in three sisters springs. It was an outstanding experience, and yes, you CAN swim with manatees in the summer- we were told there are currently120 here that stay year round. We highly recommend it!

Response from Host

Jul 2021

We're so glad you had a great time! It is definitely a common misconception that there's no manatees here in the summer, there's just not as many! In the winter months we see hundreds frequenting the springs, but in the summer, we have about 20 manatees that stick around and we do see them out there ALMOST daily!