Manatee Swim Tours

Crystal River - Manatee capital of the world

Join us to embark on one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime

Citrus County is revered as the manatee capital of the world, and swimming with manatees is a privilege that is uniquely ours. Get up close and personal with the Florida manatee on this three- hour, swimming with manatees tour in the federally protected waters of Florida’s Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Our Manatee swim tours offer the flexibility to book with (no more than 10) others on a group tour, or you can reserve a private manatee swim tour and keep the boat all to yourself! This tour is offered daily, year-round, so book now for your chance to meet our gentle giants and take home memories that will last forever!

The Explorida Experience

For this once in a lifetime trip – Experience Explorida!

Your manatee swim tour begins and ends at our full service facility. We start with a brief overview of the rules and manatee viewing prohibitions in our spacious, comfortable orientation area. After we gear up in our private, sizeable, climate controlled changing rooms, you will be paired with one of our expert in water guides and shuttled (just about a mile) to the boats! Here you will hop aboard our safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessels alongside your Master Captain to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. On your manatee swim tour, your in-water guide will ensure your manatee swim is safe and memorable, also serving as your professional photographer to capture your manatee swim exp. Your photos will be available for purchase (for only $32) upon arrival back to our facility.

A Step above the Rest

Intimate, Expert-Led Manatee Tours

Our facility is spacious meaning you will be comfortable. Our tours are staggered, meaning you will never be gearing up alongside all the company boats at once, keeping your experience intimate. Our group tours are limited to 10 passengers, which means our group tours are small and manageable, benefiting both our guests and the manatees. Our captains are trained to find manatees on every tour, even in the offseason, and will deliver the best manatee tour in Crystal River, FL—every time. Our facility, gear and crew is what separates us from the rest, but our passion for what we do is what makes us the best.

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Know before you go!

Crystal River has earned its designation as Manatee Capital of the world not only from our record amount of wintering manatees, but also because of our year round manatee population.

No matter the time of year, though, its important to understand that this is a wildlife tour. We are swimming with manatee in their natural habitat, where Mother Nature reigns supreme. Conditions vary daily, tour by tour, and can never be predicted.. even during manatee season. Daily conditions and the amount of manatee you will see varies with things like weather, tides, and crowds.

At Explorida, we are dedicated to transparency and will do the best to set your expectations. At the end of the day, we are dedicated to your experience and ensure we do the best to provide a safe, fun, and memorable trip!!

Book now

Come Prepared

What's Included

Wetsuit
Snorkel Gear
Coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water
USCG Master Captain
In water Guide/Photographer

What to Bring

Swimsuit
Towels
Flip Flops/Sandals
Water Shoes (optional)
Change of clothes

Other Considerations

3 hours long
Perfect for Beginner Snorkelers
Float noodles provided
Ages 3+ For Group Bookings
Optional photo package is $32 +tax (per booking)
Personal Cameras welcome

Discover our Manatee Tours

Explorida offers two distinct manatee swim tours to suit every adventurer. The Group Tour provides an economical experience, allowing your group to join others on a boat at a competitive price. This tour has an age minimum of 3+ and is limited to no more than 11 passengers keeping the group small and manageable . For those seeking a more intimate experience, the Private Tour offers a more personalized tour. This tour offers benefits like flexibility among itinerary, manatee viewing and spring locations, as well as one on one access to your own swim guide and even bigger discounts for larger groups. The private tour is offered to groups as small as less than 6 up to groups as large as 48! Either tour option ensures unforgettable memories!