Private Tour
All-Inclusive Small Group Manatee Swim with Free Photos
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Our owner-operated tours specialize in small group family-oriented excursions!!
All necessary gear is included for your convenience!
Enjoy your manatee snorkeling experience and receive FREE PHOTOS at the end of your adventure. We include everything necessary so that you can immerse yourself in the beauty of these wild manatees worry-free!
This tour operates with a maximum of 6 passengers, ensuring as private of an experience possible for you and your loved ones! Our tour guides have 20+ years of experience working in the water with guests of all ages from around the world and specialize in family-oriented groups to give you the highest quality experience swimming with these wild manatees! Snorkel up-close and personal with these incredible sea cows and marvel at their size and grace.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
THIS EXPERIENCE CAN ONLY ACCOMODATE 6 PERSONS MAX!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Our signature activity! Hop aboard our small passenger vessel for an intimate snorkel with the Florida Manatee! We take you through scenic King's Bay in Crystal River, Florida in search of the wild Florida Manatees. We specialize in small group and private manatee snorkeling tours. Upon arrival, you will be introduced to your in-water tour guide who will lead you to your boat and take photos every step of the way! During the boat ride out, our in-water guide and captain educate guests on the proper way to snorkel with the protected wildlife and ensure a fun and safe experience for all ages! Once we find a manatee in our 600-acre Bay, we exit the boat and snorkel with the manatee. Our guide leads guests to the manatees and takes in-water photos throughout the entire tour. Indulge in up-close encounters as you glide gracefully alongside one of nature's most impressive, yet gentle animals. The manatees' size and sweet demeanor make for an unforgettable snorkeling experience that is fit for snorkelers of all experience levels. Remember, this is a true wildlife adventure and conditions vary day-to-day but our crew will do everything they can to give you the experience of a lifetime!
What‘s Included
Use of snorkeling equipment ($10 value!)
In-Water Tour Guide
and hot chocolate on cold days
Wetsuits ($15 value!)
Parking ($10 value!)
Photo Package taken by In-water Guide ($50+ value!)
Admission to Pete's Pier ($5 value Per Person!)
Gratuity for captain and guide
Towels and bathing suits
Options
Guided Manatee Swim
5 Star Service: The absolute best Master Captains and Crew in Crystal River!
Reviews
856 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Manatee semi private
Magnhild D,Apr 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thank you for a wonderful experience! We will highly recommend manatee tour with Nature Discovery. You gave us an unforgettable day!
10/10
633reganr,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very fun and cute experience!! There weren’t a lot of manatees due to the time of year, but we saw a few and got to swim with one very closely for over an hour. Our tour guides Kya and Jake were really knowledgeable and kind + photos turned out nicely! Thanks guys!
Bucket List✔️
Lorie H,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Small locally owned company. They went out of their way to make it memorable. Even when we had a hiccup, they made it right
Nature’s Discovery Manatee Swim
Cyndi H,Apr 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Guides are exceptionally personable ask for Hina & Jake. Very knowledgeable regarding area and wildlife, and other activities to do in the area. Best places to eat. You do not feel rushed always asking if you have questions . Thank you Hina & Jake for a wonderful experience!
An Absolute Must Do!
Kathleen P,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00There aren’t enough positive words to describe our amazing experience today with Nature’s Discovery! Most other companies cancelled due to wind conditions, but our amazing captain Jack and guide/grade A photographer Kaya were determined to bring this amazing experience to us. To say they succeeded is a gross understatement. They were both friendly, kind, and knowledgeable. Not only did we see manatees, we swam and got up close and personal with these amazing creatures! We saw a total of four and spent quality time with them in the water. Jake helped spot them from the boat and Kaya made sure both my husband and I were able to enjoy every second we had, despite choppy water and partly cloudy skies. If I could give them a thousand stars, that wouldn’t be enough to express my gratitude for them for giving this emotional, heart warming experience. We will be back next year and we will request Jake and Kaya because I can’t imagine that anyone else could do a better job than they did today. Thank you for everything!
Wonderful experience - thank you Nature's Discovery!
daneZ6444CB,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Did we get to see and swim with a manatee? YES. Was it an incredible experience? YES. Was the tour operator awesome? YES. Was the experience it exactly what we were expecting? NO. From the pictures, descriptions and reviews, we imagined the tour would take us on a boat up river to some remote, ideal location with crystal clear water away from civilization - to where the wild things are. This is not exactly what happened. We boarded a ~20 ft pontoon boat with capacity to seat 6 and motored less than a mile from the dock into some canals surrounded by houses, boat docks and boats. We were literally just off the banks of the neighbors’ back yards. Alas, this is where 3 manatees happened to be hanging out on this particular morning in late March- dragging themselves across the mucky bottom in about 4-7 feet of water, furiously munching on grass. In fact they were going at it so hard, visibility was only a few feet because of all the sediment they stirred up. You couldn’t see a manatee until you were literally on top of them. Still, our guide Mya was great at being an in-water beacon so we knew where the manatee went when it swam out of view. We definitely were not alone, either. Multiple other tour operators with groups of up to 12 people, crowded around the few manatees that happened to be there that morning At least 6 other boats packed in a small manmade inlet but thankfully Mya and Captain Chris did their best to keep us away from the masses. Our 7am tour did not last the 3 hours as advertised. I wasn’t keeping track of time on the water but we were back at the headquarters and out of our wetsuits by 9:20. Honestly this was fine by me. Even with the wetsuit, the 72 deg water felt cold because we were encouraged to float calmly and still, moving as little as possible so as not to disturb the manatees. I just wish the our guides would have discussed with us the fact that we were heading back early. Loved the FREE photos. Our guide used a go-pro, then upload the photos upon return and sent us a link to Google Album. It was awesome getting to enjoy time with the manatees and NOT have to worry about getting good shots. All in all, this was an incredible opportunity - to see these giant, gentle beasts up close and personal in their natural habitat is something I will never forget. I liked Nature’s Discovery and would definitely recommend them. There are literally dozens of tour companies but this one is small and locally owned. One suggestion - book a semi private tour. It’s only another $10 or so per person and it gets you on a smaller boat with a max of 6 people.
Face to face with a manatee
sandrok595,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I am still impressed with the animals and the staff was very nice! Evan and Hudson were super dedicated and helpful!
Wonderful small group experience!
robinbH6852QP,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Evan and Jaden did a great job. We were a small group of 6 and spent 30+ min. in the water with 2 manatee. They shared great information about the manatee and their behaviors. The fee was similar to other businesses, but having a small group and free photos of the adventure was great. It was a wonderful experience and highly recommend Nature's Discovery Manatee Tours.
Great experience
chrisbQ2576UH,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kaya & Jake were awesome. We came all the way from San Diego to see some Manatees and the experience did not disappoint! Can’t wait to come back.
Exciting to see the manatees up close. The captain and photo person were very nice.
Escape37683123822,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00An explanation on spoiling for the first time would have been helpful but other than that the experience was great
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