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Manatee Swim Tour with Photographer
5.0
2,361 Ratings
Crystal River
Experience the thrill of swimming with manatees on our top-rated bucket list tour. Spread out and enjoy plenty of space at Explorida Adventure Center. Book now!
Experience the thrill of swimming with manatees on our top-rated bucket list tour. Spread out and enjoy plenty of space at Explorida Adventure Center. Book now!
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Explorida - Manatee Swim Tours - Climb aboard one of our secure, comfortable, and pristine US Coast Guard certified vessels to join your Master Captain on an adventure into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Our master captains are skilled in locating manatees during your tour, even in the off-season, ensuring the finest manatee tour experience in…
- Explorida - Manatee Swim Tours - Climb aboard one of our secure, comfortable, and pristine US Coast Guard certified vessels to join your Master Captain on an adventure into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Our master captains are skilled in locating manatees during your tour, even in the off-season, ensuring the finest manatee tour experience in Crystal River, FL—every time. You will be accompanied by one of our expert in-water guides who will assist you throughout the tour, ensuring a safe and unforgettable experience. Your in-water guide will also act as your professional photographer, capturing your manatee swim memories, with photos available for purchase upon your return to our facility. All necessary gear for this tour is provided at no extra cost.
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - Experience swimming with manatees in Citrus County, Florida. This unique privilege is exclusive to Citrus County, earning it the renowned title of the ‘Manatee Capital of the World’. Nowhere else globally can you legally swim with manatees in their natural environment, as you can with us! When planning activities in Florida, make sure to prioritize swimming with the manatees, and let Explorida be your guide!
What's Included
- Safe USCG Certified Boats
- Bottled water
- In-Water Guide/Photographer
- Wetsuit
- Snorkel Gear
- Float Noodles Provided
- Safe USCG Certified Boats
- Bottled water
- In-Water Guide/Photographer
- Wetsuit
- Snorkel Gear
- Float Noodles Provided
What's Not Included
- Photos and videos available for an additional fee at the end of your tour.
- Photos and videos available for an additional fee at the end of your tour.
Additional Information
Explorida’s Manatee Swim tour was honored as one of Trip Advisor’s “Top Ten Bucket List Experiences in the World” for 2022! Swimming with manatees is a unique opportunity, so make sure to do it right! Avoid cramped dive shops and enjoy the spaciousness at Explorida! The Explorida Adventure Center boasts a large, state-of-the-art facility that is…
Explorida’s Manatee Swim tour was honored as one of Trip Advisor’s “Top Ten Bucket List Experiences in the World” for 2022! Swimming with manatees is a unique opportunity, so make sure to do it right! Avoid cramped dive shops and enjoy the spaciousness at Explorida! The Explorida Adventure Center boasts a large, state-of-the-art facility that is climate-controlled, featuring indoor changing rooms for your privacy. Our boats are inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard, allowing them to carry more than six passengers, equipped with all necessary safety gear, and maintained in excellent condition. Don’t settle for less! Book with Explorida! We are committed to providing an exceptional customer experience and are eager to prove it!
- Level One Snorkel Experience Recommended
- Infants are still considered to take up a seat on a USCG Inspected Vessel. You must pay full price for an infant.
- Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
- This is a wildlife encounter, and due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, conditions vary daily. If you have any questions, feel free to call
- In order to maintain operational efficiency, we require a minimum of three guests per boat to operate. Guests may purchase additional tickets if the capacity is not met, which will be reimbursed if another group joins.
- Trip Advisor is a third party booking system designed to reserve tours with Explorida Adventure Center. Visit our website for more information and to connect with Explorida directly.
Location
545 N Citrus Ave
North Citrus Avenue
The Explorida Adventure Center is the first Building on the left when turning west on to N. Citrus Avenue from Highway 19.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(2361 Ratings)
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L5531ixdaniels
Jan 31, 2026
Super cool amazing experience - This was such an amazing experience. Go on a cold day if you can. You'll see so much more. Thanks so much to the great team who helped us see so many manatees. Truly incredible bucket list experience. Thank you, thank you
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Whaler
Jan 29, 2026
The Best Snorkel With Manatees Tour! - This is the company to use if you want to snorkel with the manatees. Professional and knowledgeable, this tour company provides clean, fresh wetsuits, float noodles, masks, and snorkels. They have an orientation video one watches before they drive you 5 minutes down the road to their boat. Once aboard the Captain knows exactly where the most manatees are at that moment, and she navigated us right there after going through a thorough safety lesson.
The in-water guide, Ben, was a manatee ‘expert’ (if you did what he told you to do, the manatees were everywhere). While everyone was floating around and observing the manatees, Ben discretely (no posing) took a slew of photos of both the passengers and the manatees we all saw. When you get back to the center, you can buy them if you like. They also have a very cute manatee gift shop. If you want to really do it right, go to this professional and fun tour company!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nitchapatr_s
Jan 26, 2026
Once in a lifetime experience - Once in a lifetime experience, I traveled solo for this trip and was a little nervous given that I had little experience with snorkeling but everything went well. All the equipment was provided for and the wet suit and pool noodle really help with buoyancy.
The water was crystal clear, and it was a warmer day relatively for Florida winter but we still see quite a few manatees some swiming by, some sleeping or munching on eel grass.
Faith, our in-water guide and photographer was amazing. She was knowledgeable and taking good care of us.
I would definitely recommend this tour to my friends and family.
Review provided by Viator
C1668cymichaeld
Jan 26, 2026
Just closed a must do on my bucket list! - I was lucky to have a playful manatee right next to me, then a few minutes later, mama and calf majestically swam directly under me only inches away.
Megan and Dom were very knowledgeable. They made us feel like we were the only people in the water with the manatees.
I will go on this adventure again with Explorida.
Thank you Megan and Dom!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Valeriegf8018ok
Jan 25, 2026
65th Birthday outing. - Had a great time with Faith our tour guide and GQ our Captain. GQ took us to a great spot and Faith made sure we saw the Manatees without scaring them off. Great experience... highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonwe8477vi
Jan 23, 2026
Manatee Swim - Unbelievable experience! Our guide and captain were fantastic, taking us around to the manatee hotspots and giving valuable knowledge of the area.
Will definitely be back!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lisakos
Jan 23, 2026
Amazing swim with the Manatees. - What an amazing experience. We were thoroughly briefed on our do’s and dont’s and given quite a bit of knowledge of the mandates. During our swim we saw many mana trees and some even decided to cozy up to us. So cool! We learned a lot about their behaviors, breeding and migration patterns. The Crystal River sanctuary is impressive. Thanks for the great time!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Woody_s
Jan 22, 2026
5 Star Experience - Fantastic experience - 5 Star. Capt Chris and Guide Topher were a fantastic team and we enjoyed a full hour on a beautiful day with 30+ Manatees
Review provided by Viator
Erin_l
Jan 20, 2026
So much fun!!! Great boat... - So much fun!!! Great boat captain and great guide. Such an amazing experience to swim around with the Manatees
Review provided by Viator
Julietravels79
Jan 19, 2026
An amazing and FUN experience! - what an incredible experience! It was sort of a crappy day weather wise but Faith and Dom made the experience that much more amazing. They were super awesome in helping us to find a spot where we could view the manatees and they also offered a lot of good information as far as environment and what we can do as humans to help save the manatees. It was such a wonderful experience, and I'm so glad that I took the chance and went. My husband, who is not a snorkeler, was able to go as an observer and loved the experience just as much. I would highly recommend this company for this tour and will hope to do it again in the future!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
