3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Go Local Manatee Tours offers unforgettable, up-close, and personal manatee encounters in Crystal River, Florida. Our daily small 6-passenger semi-private tours prioritize responsible tourism and minimize the impact on the manatees and their environments. As the only tour company in Crystal River owned and operated by staff raised here locally, we bring an unparalleled depth of knowledge and passion for the area, ensuring our guests receive an authentic and enriching experience. Moreover, being owner-operated means we are personally invested in every tour, guaranteeing a high level of personalized service and education, ensuring to maintain an equal balance of tourism and protection to our hometown. Additionally, we are proud to be the only tour company that offers our guests complimentary photo packages, allowing them to cherish their memories without any extra cost. This unique combination of local expertise, personal dedication, and added value truly makes our tours one-of-a-kind.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
No professional cameras or photographers with out prior consent from operator.
Not recommended for travelers who are not comfortable at least floating in the water
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
On our 3-hour semi-private swim with the manatees tour, we take a maximum of 6 guests to ensure an intimate and educational experience. We depart from Pete’s Pier Marina in the heart of Kings Bay, where manatees can be found throughout the 600-acre bay. Once located, guests enter the water to snorkel alongside them while our experienced guides remain in the water the entire time, leading the group and capturing photos and short videos. All photos and small video clips from your trip are included at no additional cost. Please note: This is a true wildlife experience, and conditions are never guaranteed. Large winter aggregations are driven by strong cold fronts, when manatees gather near the springs where water is typically clearer. During warmer stretches (highs in the 70s for several days), manatees often feed on the grass flats where visibility may range from 1–6 feet. A resident population lives here year-round, so sightings are still possible outside peak winter conditions. Cold fronts, not the calendar, bring large numbers into the springs. Clear water photos online are not daily conditions. We provide an authentic, respectful wildlife experience based on nature.
What‘s Included
Bottled water
wetsuits
defog
Use of Snorkelling equipment
photo and video package.
Gratuities
Parking (Pete's pier charges a 10 dollar parking fee)
towels
Options
3 hour small group all inclusive manatee swim with free photo package !
Duration: 3 hours Photo and video packages
Reviews
1,906 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A good time
wendydJ7765DB,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time. It rained the whole trip it that didn't stop us from having fun.
Bucket list experience exceeded expectations
H4397KLkarenm,May 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Using a locally guided trip has its benefits. Josh & Jennifer know how to read the water and the Manatees. Our experience included 5 different mamma & baby groups and a few attentive males. Jennifer ensured each of us had a great up close experience in the water with the Manatees.
A trip not to be missed!
Rhgscuba,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stephanie & Tom were great, giving us a very enjoyable tour/snorkel with manatee/ boat ride.
Unforgettable experience
Alice G,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was an awesome experience. We had really good time hanging out with many manatees. My husband got a little hug which is very rate from one of them!! Our guides took care of us very well too. We are not good swimmers so had to rely on Derrick. I hope I got his name right. I recommend this small group tour. We will be back for sure and use their service again!
Fabulous manatee adventure!
Marcia I,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had Pete and Cornell as our captain and guide. They were very knowledgeable and safety conscious. We learned a lot about the manatees and will always use Go Local because it’s keeps the benefits in the community. We had the most wonderful day and made unforgettable memories. Thank you Pete and Cornell! Marcia and Joanne
Great trip!!
inhim4life,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Peter was amazing through the whole process!! Josh and Jessica were phenomenal with their knowledge. We were able to truly enjoy our time with them and the manatee’s!!
Terrible Conditions, Beautiful Experience
Coastal11534422397,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tldr: Nothing about the conditions were ideal, but Go Local pulled through and gave us an amazing experience and memories to last a lifetime. The day we went was the warmest day of the week after a cold snap, which means most of the manatees leave the Springs. We brought kids ages 4,3, and 1. Manatees do not like things like noise and splashing. Visability thay day was 3 feet. Captain Josh and Natalie still managed to help us get close to 5 manatees including a mama and baby. We had never done anything like this before and were a little nervous, but they totally put us at ease. We have wonderful pictures (included!!) And I would seriously consider planning another vacation around seeing the manatees with this operator. Bonus, they are the only locally owned operators! Book with them and support the community!
Unforgettable Experience
Teresa T,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The experience was well explained. We were told in detail what to expect and how we should Interact with the manatee we encounter. Our guide and captain Pete embraced all the guests on board even one we had with us that had never been on a boat!!! Cornell was our water guide and photographer. We were in the water within minutes and snorkeling with the manatee. The experience was unmatched for me as far as the interaction. We than were taken to sister springs, a beautiful spring oasis 💜. We were able to snorkel in the beautiful CLEAR springs. Of course our trusted guide and photographer was right with us every float of the way. Back aboard the boat 2 manatee ( momma and baby)were seen and again we were given the opportunity to get back in the water. I chose to go and of course my trusted guide came along. This was a experience that I will continue to give me wonderful memories!! Also age is not a obstacle go enjoy yourself and let Pete and Cornell bring you on a adventure you won't forget 😉
Great morning with manatees!
dvrabel320,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Go Local is one of few locally-based manatee-tour companies, and their dedication to their work and the manatees shows! Small tour - six of us total. Our in-water guide and captain were knowledgable and took us to several spots where we were able to see several of these awesome animals!
Go Local Manatee tour guides
Sherry D,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain John and Derek were amazing! Our group was only 4 people, including us, and they did a fantastic job of not only finding manatees, but working with us to make us feel comfortable, and explaining everything to us before we even got in the water with the manatee. Snorkeling alongside the manatee was a bucket list item for me, and it was unbelievable.! I can’t wait to see the pictures that Derek took!! I would highly recommend Go Local to anyone as a tour guide. They are the last private, local born and raised manatee tour group out there, and their knowledge of the area shows it. You won’t regret choosing them!
From US$85.00
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Operated by Go Local Manatee Tours