3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

Overview

Available languages

English

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‘s Included

wetsuits

Bottled water

photo and video package.

defog

Use of Snorkelling equipment

Gratuities

Parking (Pete's pier charges a 10 dollar parking fee)

towels

What To Expect

On our 3 hour semi private swimming with the manatee tours. We put a maximum of 6 guests to insure an intimate and educational experience. We embark our tour from Petes pier marina located in the heart of kings bay where the manatees can be located anywhere in our 600 acre bay. Once we find the manatees we then exit the boat and snorkel with the manatee. Our experienced guides lead the guests in the water throughout the entire at that time time they are taking photos and videos. All of our photos and small videos taken on the trip are included. Please note. This is a true wild life experience and we do not guarantee perfect conditions. As a small owner operated tour company we believe in transparency with our guests. A lot of tour companies advertise Crystal clear water and picture perfect attractions. During manatee season those are the most likely times to see manatees in or near the springs. Where the water is clearer. During spring, summer and fall. The manatees will be eating on our grass flats where visibility can very between 1 to 6ft. There is residential population of manatees that live in our bay year round. So you can still see manatees in the off season.

Options

3 hour small group all inclusive manatee swim with free photo package !

Duration: 3 hours
Photo and video packages

Reviews

5.00

1,435 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

1433

Highly Recommend
Mara M,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
We went on 7am tour and our guides were very friendly and experienced! They informed us that this is the only locally owned tour boat in Crystal River and I highly recommend choosing them. We got lucky and saw a lot of cute manatees! :) Thank you so much for the experience
Swimming with the Manatee
Kornchanok C,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Had a very good experience the guides where kind and friendly and seeing the manatees was also amazing given the fact that we were there on what we were told the perfect day to see them and had fun seeing them and I recommend John and Lindsey for guides as they were really kind honest and friendly people :)
Can’t rate highly enough!
Jordan W,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Had THE most amazing experience on this tour. We were collected promptly from the Pier and taken out on the boat. We got to know each other and some history of the area before getting straight into the water to see the Manatees. The guides were (Walter and Krystina) were both incredibly patient as I couldn’t get the hang of the snorkel so they offered me a full-face mask which really helped and meant I could enjoy the tour. They were both also great at knowing the best places to scout out the Manatees which meant we got to see lots of activity despite the temperature not being in our favour. Most importantly for me, they respect the Manatees and don’t allow touching or getting uncomfortably close, allowing the Manatees to make their own mind up as to whether they want us to see them or not. Also the groups are small which again respects the Manatees and doesn’t overwhelm them. We saw other tour groups much rowdier and larger which was disappointing so if you care for animal welfare definitely choose this tour. The fact photos and videos were included is a massive bonus and gives us such fond memories!
Awesome experience
Megan F,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Peter and Derrick were awesome! We felt really welcomed, they were so knowledgeable about the area- they grew up here! And the manatees! You can tell they care about the manatees and everyone on their boat. It was so nice to be on a tour with just 6 of us, and Derrick did a great job in the water keeping us in the area to see the most manatees, keeping people not part of the tour out of our space, keeping us from getting hit by kayaks, and keeping others from bothering us, the manatees and not stirring up dirt on the bottoms. The heated boat and hot chocolate was a great bonus. They walked us through everything, took pictures in the water so we could just enjoy. And we sure did- what an amazing experience!! Thanks Derrick and Captain Peter!
Amazing manatee watching experience!
Departure689280,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Loved the experience!! Peter and Christina are super friendly and knowledgeable. They picked the best spot to swim and see manatee, we were surprised to see so many of them at one time and there were some baby manatees as well super worthy visit! Would definitely recommend it!
Once in a lifetime experience
Kymara,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We went on the 7am tour and there were 6 of us. Our captain and guide were very friendly and experienced! They informed us that this is the only locally owned tour boat in Crystal River and I highly recommend choosing them. We got lucky and saw a lot of cute manatees! :) Thank you so much for the experience.
Perfect activity for couples to enjoy together!
Mara F,
Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Go Local Manatee Tours gave us an unforgettable experience! The team is made up of knowledgeable, passionate locals who genuinely care about both their guests and the manatees. Our group was small, which made the entire tour feel personal and special, all while they kept the well-being of the manatees as their top priority. If you’re looking for a truly unique, up-close, and heartfelt encounter with these gentle creatures, this is absolutely the tour to choose!
Great activity !
Anita D,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
It was a wonderful, verypersonalized experience. The tour directors were local and made us feel very welcome and well attended. They took great care and effort to assure that we were able to see the Manatee close up and very safely and responsibly. They provided all necessary information as well as interesting facts. They were attentive to our safety and needs . Highly recommend!!
Highly recommend
jessicaaK2149BG,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Stephanie and Josh were absolutely amazing!! Very knowledgeable about the manatees and their environment. Stephanie scoped out the area and took amazing photos abd videos. They also served hot chocolate after swimming which was great especially for the kids. We will definitely be booking again when we come back!!
A truly magical experience
J6461FEkirstens,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Walter and Krystina are amazing tour guides! Funny and very knowledgeable and they care about the animals. We got to swim with a mother and calf for over an hour! We even witnessed the calf nursing on mom:) Other groups had 10 people trying to hang out with one manatee and probably stressing it out. Their goal is to quietly observe and that's what we did. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime magical experience and Krystina took the pictures so we didn't have to try and to that while swimming with them!