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Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

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Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Crystal River is home to beautiful fresh water springs, a large variety of wildlife, and or course our most famous residents - West Indian Manatees. During the Summer months, the Bay holds approximately 75 to 80 resident manatees.

Each winter between 700 and 1000 manatees migrate here seeking out our three first magnitude spring systems, each with a constant temperature of 72° to 74° F (23° C). Even in the warm summer months, Crystal River has a local population of 70-100 manatees that remain here year round. Due to efforts by many local, state and federal entities, our manatee population is thriving. We feel that an in-water swim experience is an important part of this education and conservation effort. Our team of highly trained in-water guides ensure your experience with this cherished and threatened species is handled with the utmost care and respect by encouraging passive observation.

With only 6 passengers per boat you are guaranteed a special small group interaction.

Additional Info

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Please Note: Children 6 and under must be under adult passenger supervision at all times. Children six (6) and under must wear a life vest at all times when the boat is in motion.

Cancellation Policy

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

What To Expect

Crystal River is the manatee capital of the world, and we are fortunate enough to be the only place where you can have the unique experience of swimming with these gentle giants in their own natural habitat! ​Once you arrive at Salty Siren Tours the adventure begins! After checking in, you will be fitted with one of our high quality wetsuits. (All required gear is included in the cost of your charter.) From there, you'll meet your in-water guide and photographer who will discuss your upcoming manatee interaction and answer any questions you may have. After we explain passive observation and how to properly interact in the water with our precious manatees, we will transport you to our departure location in our comfortable 15 passenger van. From there you will board your immaculately clean tour vessel for the experience of a lifetime! During your trip your guide will escort you to passively observe and these majestic mammals. We also take underwater photos of your trip (which can be purchased for an additional fee) so you can share the manatee love! CANCELLATION POLICY: 50% Refund if cancelled within 7 days of travel, non-refundable if cancelled within 72 hours of travel.

What‘s Included

Bottled water

Heated Enclosed Pontoon Boat

Use of Snorkelling equipment

Wetsuit

Coffee and/or Tea

Towels, sunblock, sunglasses and hats are not included but highly encouraged.

Gratuity for Captain and Crew (15% - 20% Standard)

Options

Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

Reviews

4.99

584 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

580
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  • Great experience

    F2706HIemmah,,Feb 20, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The crew was extremely kind and knowledgable. We got to learn about manatees and were able to get up close to them. You can tell they genuinely care about these animals and this isn’t just a cash grab for them. Krystal, Kim, and Captain Ed were all so great and we ended up with some great photos.

  • Great time with the Manatees!

    W4168SJmicheller,,Feb 19, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The experience was really fantastic. Our guide Tyler and Captain Michele were terrific. I have wanted to do this for some time and finally got to get there. The group was small and we had plenty of time to stay and enjoy the manatees. I would definitely recommend this tour group for your experience.

  • Wonderful morning experience!

    rebeccahZ4468HO,,Feb 18, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    My kids and I had a wonderful time today! We have no experience with snorkeling and I am solo parenting on this trip (traveling with two kids, 12 and 14), so I knew I wanted a small group experience. We are staying at a hotel that offers manatee swim packages but they have up to 12 people on a trip. I appreciated the max group size of 6 with Salty Siren. The changing rooms are heated and there are real bathrooms directly adjacent - check if this is important to you because I saw other operators with unheated changing stalls and porta potty bathrooms. Also no fee to park outside the Salty Siren shop - some tours depart from places where you will need to pay to park. More importantly, our guide was kind, attentive, and informative. We had a wonderful morning and I was happy to support a family owned business!

  • Salty Siren

    rachelmY7199CP,,Feb 18, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    My family had a great experience with Salty Siren! They are a small family owned and run company and it is apparent that they LOVE manatees. They teach you everything you would ever want to know before getting in the water. Our guide was very attentive while we were in the water and took amazing pictures! This company has much respect for the manatees and their preservation!

  • Loved it!

    joanm131,,Feb 17, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Amazing!!! Highlight of my vacation! Swimming with manatee's has been on my bucket list a long time, and Salty Siren Tours did not disappoint!! Just be sure you are going during the right time of year and time of day, for the best experience. Winter months, early morning. The staff is great, very knowledgeable. Highly recommend.

  • Highly Recommend for manatee experiences!

    mariebG247XP,,Feb 16, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Captains Kim and Ed, as well as guide Crystal were absolutely amazing to work with! They are such genuinely nice people who love to share their passion for what they love! During our tour Captain Ed and Crystal shared with us so many facts and information about the area as well as manatees. We got to see several manatees up close and personal, and Crystal was so fantastic in the water helping guide us to maintain a safe distance from the manatees. Their energy is contagious and it felt like we knew them for longer than just the couple hours we were at the tour! Captain Kim was so fantastic to talk with and it was great hearing how she and Captain Ed came about starting this business! We will definitely come back if we’re ever back in the area!

  • Swim with the sea cows

    H192ZCdougb,,Feb 16, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    The staff were all very knowledgeable and personal. We had a great time and will definitely book again.

  • Julia

    Julia R,,Feb 14, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Such an amazing experience! They knew everything about the manatees and the area and were able to get us right up close to the manatees while keeping the manatees safe

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  • Great experience!

    ED B,,Feb 12, 2026

    - Review from Viator

    5.00

    Tyler was a fantastic tour guide and lead on this adventure! Very calm and funny - ready to help with anything that is needed - would definitely do this again!

  • AMAZING!! Literally best day of my life

    384daniellah,,Feb 8, 2026

    - Review from Tripadvisor

    5.00

    Okay y’all …. This is hands down the BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. First of all the manatees were POPPIN! We were surrounded and even had some playful youngin’s coming up to us with one munching on my hair + a sassy girl even tried to undress my husband! Captain Ed and Krystle were INCREDIBLE. Krystle was in the water with us making sure we each had the best experience ever, showing us where all the potatoes were and getting amazing pictures and videos of us when we had an interaction. She even got a big hug from a manatee — and I don’t blame them because she was awesome! Captain Ed was also absolutely wonderful — so incredibly knowledgeable and kind. And he was even taking some really awesome drone shots of us while we were swimming! It was quite cold (because that’s the best time to see these guys) and as soon as we finished up our swim we were greeted with a heated cabin and hot coffee! Five star service if you ask me! Every staff member at the Salty Siren was incredible and so kind and welcoming. The establishment itself was super clean with restrooms and changing rooms — and it was just truly the best experience. I’d do it all over again — absolutely worth every penny!

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From US$89.99

4.99
(584 reviews)
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