Small group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Just like our regular tours, you can swim alongside manatees for even longer. Only 6 people per vessel allows for a more personal experience The price includes all equipment, full 5mm wet suits, mask, snorkel, towel service, hot chocolate, coffee, hot showers, boat coats and heated changing facility.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wet-suits available in children's size 6 up to 3XL
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Crystal River offers the best location to see and interact with the Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, also known as gentle giants. Unlike other areas of Florida, the federal government allows for "passive observation" in the water between manatees and people in Kings Bay. This allows face-to-face interaction with manatees. We provide pre-tour education on passive observation and how to get the best experience during the tour. We also offer a hotel package including accommodations and breakfast with your Florida manatee tour. Swimming with the manatees and exploring the greater Kings Bay estuary and springs is extremely popular. Manatee tour experiences are best done by snorkeling while wearing wet suits, making the interaction as silent as possible. This way the manatees are more inclined to approach and get close. We maintain new suits and snorkel gear, all included in our manatee tours, as well as full-service facilities for changing. Your in-water guide will be taking videos and pictures of your manatee experience, which will be available for purchase at the dive shop. All our tour boats are fully enclosed in the winter time to protect you from the wind and cold. We provide coffee, hot chocolate, water and dry towels on every tour. Summer VS Winter Manatee tours are temperature driven. The colder it is the more manatees we see, and the closer they are to the springs. During cold days in manatee season (November 15th to March 31st) Kings Bay could have over 700 manatees. Please keep in mind that even inside manatee season we may have warm weather (summer like conditions). We see manatees in Kings Bay year round. To some this is their home and they'll stay here their whole lives. In the summer months, and anytime we have warmer weather, the temperature of the water outside the springs increments. This makes the rest of the bay more appealing to the manatees. The 20 to 40 manatees that stay here year round don't move together, so they'll spread out in the 630 acres of Kings Bay. This is a wildlife experience determined by weather, tides, time of the day, and the behavior of all visitors. When we have "summer like" conditions you have the opportunity to see manatees in their natural habitat, and it is important to have realistic expectations. We are always happy to answer any questions about what you could expect inside or outside manatee season.
What‘s Included
Boat Coats for cold mornings!
US Coast Guard certified captain and Professionally Insured in water guide!
Use of Full 5mm wet-suits (for extra warmth), Mask & Snorkels
Towel Service
Coffee, Hot Chocolate, bottle water
Gratuities
DVD or Flash Drive (available to purchase)
Swimsuits
Options
Morning Semi Private
Get out before the rest on our early morning semi private manatee snorkel tour! Tour times may vary on availability.
Reviews
760 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience!
Abby M,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience. It was late March, so we only saw a few manatee, but got to spend a lot of time with them up close. Great photos. Friendly. Knowledgeable and very respectful of the wildlife.
Touched by a Manatee
Deborah M,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great experience with Celeste and Dan searching and finding manatees as well as swimming at Hunter Springs. We appreciated the recommendation to visit Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Refuge.
Bucket list item complete!
32ursulaa,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time! Celeste and Cory were determined to help us see manatees (despite the possibility of many of them having gone out to feed given the water temperature) and they did! We were able to see a bunch up close. Bucket list item checked! Thank you.
It was a lot of fun! The...
JISELLE K,Mar 2, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a lot of fun! The guides, Kendra and Dan, were knowledgeable and found us manatees. They also really emphasized keeping the manatees safe and respecting them, which I really appreciated! I highly recommend plantation!!
Manatee swim
sandyjV2820BP,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great time. Very easy to do for all ages. The boat captain and the in water guide take very good care of you. Thank you to Captain Dave and Tyler. Highly recommend! You won’t be disappointed.
Outstanding Manatee snorkel tour
y3dsbc,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were on the manatee snorkeling tour. It was outstanding, Captain Dave and first mate Tyler were the best, they were attentive to your needs Tyler made sure everyone had the opportunity to see the manatees. It was full of laughs and adventure. It even included a kiss from a manatee. I would absolutely recommend them again.
Great experience on the river
X5514TEsarahb,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Captain Michelle and guide Celeste were incredible! The were very professional, kind, knowledgeable and personable. They did their best in less than ideal weather to make sure we got to see some manatees and experience some cool sights ! We learned a lot and had an awesome time, and we will definitely be coming back!
Excellent tour! Warmer...
Angela E,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour! Warmer weather, so not many manatees, but those we did see were incredible! Guides Dan and Kendra helped to make this experience exceptional! They had so much knowledge and shared tons of stories and experiences. Would do again in a heartbeat!
Fantastic staff made for a great experience
PogPokemonTrainer,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful time with Captain Michele and Divemaster Demetrius! We picked a bad time to go (too warm) and all the boats around weren’t getting manatees, but Demetrius was very easygoing and kept things interesting, and Michele scoured the whole place for them. They were very patient with us absolute beginner snorkelers too and as we struggled with wetsuits for 20mins. They were also very respectful to the manatees, making sure to not crowd them but still letting us get quite close. The photography service was a nice plus, they take them for free throughout and you look at all of them at the end and see if you want to buy them, but it’s not required. The facilities are clean and have a shower. Do note we were able to get a public tour where no one else made reservations so it was like a private tour, so this might not reflect the public tour experience. In any case, bring cash for a tip, they deserve it!!
Manatee Snorkel excursion February 14, 2026
Libby S,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Captain Dan and Dive Master Trey were amazing guides. They were so accommodating on our snorkeling trip to see manatees. Although Saturday was a touch warm they worked hard finding spots for us to snorkel with the manatees. The Plantation Adventure Center was a nice facility with bathrooms and warm showers. The wetsuits were great and provided plenty of warmth. We would definitely book this excursion again and would request Captain Dan and Dive Master Trey!
From US$98.50
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Plantation Adventure Center