Classic Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour with Free Photos
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
This amazing snorkeling experience is only available in Crystal River, Florida!
This is the only Coast Guard-certified vessel that includes free photos at the end of your adventure! Avoid $10 parking fees and $5 marina fees that get added on once you arrive. Avoid paying $50 for the photo package at the end of the trip or companies that charge extra for their snorkeling equipment and book with us at Nature's Discovery Manatee Tours!
Get remarkable up-close encounters with the magnificent Florida Manatee! Experience the "true Florida" with a snorkeling experience that your family will never forget!
Manatee Season is from November 15-March 31 but we are able to run incredible swim tours throughout the year! Children aged 3+ and Adult tickets are the same price. If you would like to bring children under 3 years old, you must book private. Call us for private tour pricing!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wetsuits fit from Child 2 to Adult 6x
THIS EXPERIENCE CAN ONLY ACCOMODATE 12 PERSONS MAX!
Not recommended for travelers with weak knees: guests must use boat ladder
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Avoid the hidden fees and book with this family owned-and-operated snorkeling adventure of a lifetime! We provide everything from the gear you'll use, parking and even free photos at the end! Up to 12 may join in on this epic excursion throughout the King's Bay Manatee Refuge. Hop aboard The Manatee Duchess and search for the incredible manatees that call our area home. Learn more about our town and wildlife during your search for manatees as your in-water guide and captain educate and instruct guests on how to conduct ourselves in the water. Manatees vary in numbers throughout the year, so sometimes it takes five minutes and sometimes over an hour to find one in our 600-acre bay. When we have found a manatee, swim alongside the graceful and impressive manatees while your in-water guide takes photos and assists guests who need any help. Guests will snorkel in a calm and quiet manner, assisted in floating by the wetsuits and swim noodles provided with your tour. Reminder: this is a natural experience and, while we are able to find manatees year-round, conditions vary day-to-day. If you have any questions about conditions or the experience feel free to contact us.
What‘s Included
Free Underwater Photo Package! (Up to $50 value!)
Small Groups
Use of Snorkeling Equipment and Wetsuits ($25 value!)
Hot chocolate on cold days
Admission to Pete's Pier ($5 value Per Person!)
Free Parking ($10 value!)
In-water guides
Gratuity for captain and guide
Towels and bathing suits
Options
Classic Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour with Free Photos
Reviews
150 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bucketlist item complete
Rachel M,,Dec 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a dream come true to swim with the manatees and John and Mandy helped make that happen. They are highly professional and know a lot of great facts about the manatees. They are the nicest people and don’t charge additional fees for parking/marina/fotos. Whereas most others do. Also they helped making some last minute reservation changes, no problem whatsoever. Being a small family owned enterprise really makes a difference here. I’d pick them again next time for sure:)
Natures Discovery ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nikkie E,,Dec 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time with Captain Jake and guide Jaden. We enjoyed a quick boat ride to the springs where we found lots of manatees. Our family consisted of two parents, our 18 year old daughter, and 8 year old twin boys. I was a little worried about the youngest, but they enjoyed it just as much as the adults! Thank you all for a core memory! 🩶🐚
December trip 2025
Global61771210054,,Dec 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wonderful trip with Jaden and Capt. Jake. Seen a bunch of manatees and they took great pictures of the trip. They were very friendly and accommodating. Definitely recommend this business.
Phenomenal experience!
G4449STbenjaming,,Dec 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely fanominal experience! We booked the 7.30am tour as we were told it would be less busy and the manatees would be more active. We weren’t disappointed, there were manatees everywhere, we got face to face multiple times! Hudson and Evan were fantastic hosts and we could not speak more highly of this business for tours!
Go! Great experience.
melaniecP1383PM,,Dec 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We chose this excursion because it had excellent reviews - and they were accurate! This a local outfit, and our family could not have been happier with our experience. Maya, Mandy, and Captain John were friendly and professional. They answered all questions, explained what to do and how to do it, and were watchful and communicative throughout. They did not rush us, and we spent around an hour (could have been more, but we got cold) in the water with the manatees. We were fortunate to see a lot of them. One came up and touched my daughter. With two guides in the water with us, one could take passengers back to the boat when they got cold. They even had hot chocoIate for us when we got back to the boat. I rarely leave reviews, but we all agreed that this experience deserves five stars.
A necessary enlightenment
deborahhT8240FK,,Dec 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00There were many outstanding moments to that my first recall were when I first swim across to where the manatees were, and I didn’t know what to expect and at first I thought it was a submerged automobile and realized it was actually a manatee. The other experience was watching my partner with a baby manatee who is so enamored with her and kept swimming around her and then I got to spend time with the baby as well.
Once in a lifetime experience
amoretteb2025,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an amazing experience! My daughter and I had the best time swimming with the beautiful manatees. Mandy, Captain John, and trainee Steven were very friendly, knowledgeable, and helped us find so many manatees. The length of the tour was perfect and the hot chocolate to help us warm up was welcomed at the end of the fun swim. The photos Mandy and Steven took were fantastic. I highly recommend this tour. It was a once in a lifetime experience and it exceeded our expectations.
Great experience!
R165XUsamuelm,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an excellent experience with Mandy and John! We went on a Monday afternoon and it was just two of us on the boat. We had a great conversation with the crew and learned so much before getting in the water. During the time in the water we saw close to thirty manatee in close proximity. It is easy to get to their office, a short drive and short boat ride to the swimming area. I would highly recommend Nature's Discovery!
Bucket List experience
deborahhF9427CG,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an amazing experience! Mandy, Mya and John were all exceptional! So kind and patient . They all took their time and made sure that we had plenty of manatee fun! 100 percent recommend this group if you want an unforgettable time!! I was even kissed several times by the giant potatoes ❤️
Baby Manatee!
Rena C,,Dec 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fabulous experience swimming with the manatees! John and Caleb were great, knowledgeable, and took good care of our group. We were never rushed and stayed a long time with the manatees. I was thrilled to see a mother baby pair. The baby swam right up to me! I liked several things about this tour company: 1.) how warm they kept the locker room while suiting up. 2.) the little dressing stalls., and 3.) how close the business location was to the actual boat launching area. The swim photos were the icing on the cake!
From US$76.95
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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