Swim with Manatees in Crystal River

Encounter the gentle manatees and glide through the crystal-clear waters of Crystal River. In addition, you'll have the opportunity to observe distinctive Florida wildlife, including the red lynx, alligator, black bear, and puma.

Swim with Manatees in Crystal River



Your adventure begins with a morning pickup from Orlando, as we journey towards the picturesque Crystal River. The ride to the river dock takes approximately two hours.



Crystal River serves as a habitat for a large population of manatees, especially during the winter season. These friendly aquatic mammals are drawn to the river's consistently warm waters, primarily due to the natural hot springs that nourish it.



Once we arrive at the river, we'll set sail on a boat expedition to locate the manatees. You can choose to immerse yourself in the water to swim with them or stay on the deck to soak up the sun while enjoying the lush tropical scenery.



These serene creatures glide effortlessly next to humans, and they may even allow you to gently stroke their bellies! It's fascinating to think that these amazing animals inspired the lore of mermaids, as sailors once mistook the green algae adorning them for a woman's hair.



After our time on the water, we'll disembark and enjoy some leisure time for lunch at Homosassa State Park. This wildlife sanctuary offers a chance to see endangered species native to Florida and beyond, including cougars, alligators, hippos, and black bears.



Within Homosassa, you will also have the opportunity to visit the underwater manatee viewing area, where you can observe these magnificent creatures as they navigate their natural habitat.



In the afternoon, we will make our way back to Orlando, with an estimated arrival time around 4 pm.

Tour Options



When you book, you can select from the following tour packages:

Swim with manatees: follow the outlined itinerary for this experience.Swim with manatees + Hovercraft experience + Lunch: for those seeking an enhanced adventure, this package includes a delightful picnic lunch immersed in nature after the swim, followed by an exhilarating hovercraft ride to add extra excitement to your day.

Children under 3 years old



The tour is complimentary for children under 3 years old, and no reservation is required for them.

Pick Up Points and Times



Various pickup locations are available in the Orlando, Disney, and Kissimmee areas. During the booking process, you can choose the most convenient time and the nearest hotel or pickup point to your location.

Manatee sightings



Manatees are frequently spotted in Crystal River; however, their visibility can vary due to several conditions, so we cannot guarantee the exact number of individuals you will encounter.