Semi Private Manatee Swim Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

As the leaders in the industry we feel it is our duty to have all our tours conducted by professionals. Our Manatee snorkel tours are guided by USCG Captain as well as a licensed and insured dive professional. Our in water professionals are trained as first responders, with First aid, CPR, AED administration and in-water rescue training. Captain and guides are also trained in manatee manners, through the Manatee Eco Tourism Association in coordination with United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The training allows us to lead the industry by operating the saftest tours on the water for our guest and manatees alike.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Join us as we explore the Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge to find and swim alongside the gentle giants. As you embark on your journey, your Captain and In-Water Guide will teach you everything you need to know about interacting with these gentle creatures. In addition to learning manatee facts and their behavioral patterns, our captains are extremely knowledgeable about the Crystal River and Florida’s manatees, so they’ll be able to answer any questions you may have. Our tours include: full wet suits, mask, snorkel, water and towel service. All of our tours leave from our onsite private docks, with heated changing facility and hot showers.

What‘s Included

Use of Snorkelling equipment

Coffee and/or Tea

Smaller Boat with Heat

5 MM Henderson Wetsuit

Options

Semi Private Manatee Swim Tour

Reviews

5.00

217 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

217

William's Manatee Crew!
Wander828683,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
All I have to say is, this is something everyone needs to experience. My family and I had an amazing time with the Paddletail crew, Aaron and John were so incredibly kind, funny and very knowledgeable. Dani, with booking our tour, helped my husband and made everything so easy. The gift shop to the stay at the hotel was great, easy, convenient and everyone was so nice! Such a fun area to visit and we definitely plan on going back for another visit. Thanks to each and every one of you for all the fun.
EEEEEPIC!!!!!!
Blueangel1212,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was by FAR the best part of our trip!!!!! We went all the way to Key West and NOTHING compares to this EPIC adventure!!!! Captain Ross and Captain Jake could not have been more amazing was the two of them that took it over the top!!!! We are praying we get to bring the rest of our kids and grand kids next year for them to experience!!!!!! Wow just wow THANK YALL!!!!!!
Amazing experience!
S839QWdonnaw,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Swimming with the manatees has been on my bucket list forever and my husband and I finally made it happen for my 60th birthday gift. I absolutely adore manatees and doing this tour was one of the best days of my life! Captain Glenn and our guide Captain Jake made the experience even more memorable by sharing their experiences and knowledge about the manatees and other native wildlife and their obvious love of what they do shone through. They truly care about the environment and conservation, which makes the experience even better. I was a bit nervous to start since this was my first time ever just snorkeling but I felt very prepared and safe - particularly since Captain Jake stayed with me to help me get the best out of this experience. They were truly wonderful and helped us to make this day a truly magical experience!
Swim with the Manatees
mahryah2021,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I left 20° freezing Cape Cod weather yesterday on a whim, solely to swim with Manatees and warm my bones enough to feel my toes. 🤣 Hopped on a plane to Fla and today ended up on the Padletail Waterfront Adventures. Amazing experience! 100% worth it. Highly reccomend. From the minute the door bell jingle on the gift shop door to the Manatee Mochaa on way back in, absolutely every person employed here was nothing but warm, friendly, helpful and informative. Kristen was just the right amount of high energy, where you know she loves her job, but not so over the top it's obviously an act. Steve was an excellent captain, great humor, and no one spilled a drop of hot coco on the ride home. There are so many places to choose from, and it can be overwhelming, I am so happy with this tour company. I didnt feel like just another cattle being herded. I felt like I went out with a family friend, who takes amazing underwater photos. 🤩 Look forward to bringing the whole family next time.
MOST AMAZING EXPERIENCE EVER! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
shelbyw903,,Dec 9, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What an amazing experience! Manatees are my favorite animal and I wanted to swim with them for years. We were going to make the trip to Crystal River when we were on our honeymoon 6 years ago, but ended up not making the drive up from Clearwater.. WHAT A MISTAKE! Make the drive if you are in Clearwater or anywhere in Florida for that matter. Soo worth it! John helped us navigate through the waters to have such an amazing experience with the manatees. He knew his stuff for sure. He was the absolute BEST with my 4 year old daughter who is just quite the wild spirit. I was nervous how all that was going to go down with her, but it went so well. We all loved it. John & Taylor were so very accommodating to our group. This experience was the highlight of our trip out of Disney World, Clearwater, and Crystal River. Crystal River is a beautiful town itself and a lot slower paced. It was very nice to relax and not be swarmed by all the hustle and bustle. Save the floaty potatoes!
Experience of a Lifetime
C9989GOlaurad,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful experience with Captain Aaron and Guide Danny! Was up close and personal with multiple manatee's while respecting their space and ensuring not to make them feel threatened. Lifetime full of memories!
Manatee swim
arthurlC4037GJ,,Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Another great experience and knowledge. Our 2nd time with capt Glen and our 1st with Sara. They are a great team. This time was swimming with manatees. Sara made sure we had an amazing adventure and came back with knowledge as well.
Go with a semi private tour you won’t regret it!
488abbyw,,Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Incredible tour! They have everything you need to enjoy the day. We were worried about being cold but found their provided wet suits very comfortable. They have the boat covered from the wind. Hot drinks onboard and warm private showers back at the shop. We forgot towels and they had those for us too. I can’t say enough about the staff, they have in-depth knowledge of the area and manatees behavior. It was a perfect day. Memories were made.
Manatee swim
jonit753,,Nov 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Our guide, Kristen, Did a great job of finding manatee and taking pictures and videos of us. She was very knowledgeable about what we were seeing. Captain Jake did a fantastic job of showing us around the bay and also was very knowledgeable about the area.
Swimming with the manatees
238kateym,,Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
The manatee tour was awesome. They were so professional and informative. They gave us hot chocolate and towels on the boat. They took lots of pictures.