What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• Worth the upgrade!

  audrab970,,Jan 31, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our guide, Piper, was amazing!! She was spunky and cheerful at 6:30am. She shared her plans for the best encounters and visibility for pictures. Once in the water, she stuck to us and made sure each person in the family had many magical moments with the manatees to take home. She captured 200+ pictures, which as a mom I’m treasuring. Added bonus, our boat was flagged down as we were headed back - a turtle was found in distress. In a matter of moments, Lumpy Larry joined us on the boat to be taken to a vet - extraordinary proof River Ventures are environmentalists and animal lovers. Super nice heated boat, boat coats, and hot drinks were really appreciated after the cold swim.

  

• Best time swimming with manatees

  wandaj949,,Jan 30, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  This was the absolute BEST! Steven was the guide and Emerson was the captain. They were the best and SO much fun. 100% recommend. We will be back.

• Must do!

  yosefw352,,Jan 29, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Hands down best part of my girlfriend’s and I experience during our two week trip in Florida. The staff were very nice and passionate about their job and conservation. We did the heated boat for our tour since it is winter and there is a cold front. Everything for the trip was provided and it was a check of off on bucket list item we didn’t know we had. The Manatees were magnificent and beautiful. They could sneak up on you which was very surprising that a small car can appear out of nowhere underneath you, and we got to see many adult and calves. I loved out both our guid and boat captain made sure we got the most out of time. If you go in the winter like us the water is a little cold, even with the provided wet suit, but I would be cold all over again to just to spend a few more minutes with the gentle giants. Great staff, great tour, would highly recommend to anyone.

  

  

  

  

• Manatee Adventure

  jansY6278AC,,Jan 29, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  We had an amazing in experience with Gary as our leader and Mike as our captain! Gary made sure we got to see manatees up close and personal and Mike was the ultimate host once we returned to the boat to warm up! Having a warm environment with hot drinks was very much appreciated on a cool day. The knowledge that Gary and Mike of the manatees was incredible and we could tell how much they loved their job! Everyone staff member we met while booking the tour was kind and informative!!1! Thanks for a wonderful experience!! We would recommend this tour 100%!

• Best Day Ever - Snorkeling With Manatees

  RunsWithPugs,,Jan 28, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  I don't know where to start. This was the absolute best day. We started at the River Ventures Dive Center at 6:30AM, where we were offered coffee, tea, hot cocoa and snacks, and spent the next bit with an educational video and a wetsuit fitting. From there, we took a bus to the dock, in the most gorgeous sunrise light. let by our Guide Nat. Captain Emerson met us at the covered, heated pontoon, and our group set off through the water, for the protected manatee zone. The water was FULL of our sweet sea potatoes... in fact, it was difficult to even get off the boat because our new friends swam right up to the ladder. Nat had given excellent instructions. We immediately leaned into our pool noodles and gently followed her lead through the water. It took just moments before manatees were all around us. We stayed calm and quiet, and they either continued snoozing, or swam up to investigate us. Nat was on point with the camera, and with showing us things like the tarpon and sheepshead fish, and she was also shared little details about the manatees as we floated. Of course, with nature, there are no guarantees, and I really had no idea what to expect, but I was absolutely delighted by the interactions we had. The cold snap absolutely played into our favor, and I am so glad we showed up with our adventurous spirit. When we returned to the boat, there were more snacks, as well as hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and a variety of drinks in the cooler (water, beer, wine, soda, and white claws). We were so grateful for the boat covering and heater as we made our way back to the dock, and we had great chats with Nat, Emerson, and the other group on our tour. Was it cold? Sure. But the water felt great at 72ºF, and our wetsuits did a wonderful job of protecting us and keeping us buoyant. Our experience was incredible, from booking, to engaging with the staff with any questions we had, to the actual tour itself. The photos and videos were absolutely phenomenal, as well, and we were happy to purchase the package, as well as some gifts from the souvenir shop. We will be back for more manatee viewing, or to try one of their other tours. Thank you so much for the best day!

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

• Fun afternoon with the manatees!

  CosmicMomof3,,Jan 28, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Natalie and Emerson are excellent tour guides! Swam with many manatees and enjoyed the afternoon tour. Educational and fun.

• Incredible Time with Emerson and Natalie

  Travel28192548038,,Jan 28, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Our family of 4 had a great experience with Captain Emerson and guide Natalie. They were fantastic and helped us have an awesome time. All we had to do was float on our bellies (which was easy with the provided wetsuits) and keep our feet up and follow them. 10/10 would do again. Thanks, guys.

• VIP All the way! Memorable Manatee experience! 10+

  stephaniecB8514QO,,Jan 27, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  What a memorable experience! Our guide Shawn is patient & friendly! CPT Bryan is very knowledgeable & hospitable. Professional staff & clean facilities. Lost track of how many manatees we saw! They were everywhere! Highly recommend the VIP experience! The hot chocolate & enclosure made it more bearable in cold temperature!

• Absolutely amazing time!! 10/10

  N3852PSjennam,,Jan 27, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  It was amazing!!! I had a wonderful time and saw so many manatees! Our guide and captain, Shawn and Bryan, were amazing. They were so kind and attentive. They helped us warm up and provided us with hot chocolate and snacks (that hot chocolate was so freakin good). I didn’t know if I’d like the trip because of the cold weather but I wouldn’t t question the opportunity to go again. I had such a fun time! Every staff member was super nice, the place was super clean and well organized, everybody was incredibly knowledgeable, and we felt very accommodated. Plus their shop doggies were so cute and friendly. I would definitely come again!

  

  

• Gary and Ang rock

  Stacy S,,Jan 26, 2026

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  5.00

  Gary and Ang were a great team that got us right with the manatees within minutes. Lots of manatees and a baby! Had a blast and learned a lot

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