Swim with Manatees in Crystal River

Meet friendly manatees and swim alongside them in the sparkling waters of Crystal River. You'll discover characteristic Florida animals like the red lynx, alligator, black bear, and puma.

Swim with Manatees in Crystal River

Pickup will be from Orlando in the morning, followed by a bus journey to Crystal River lasting around two hours.

Crystal River is home to numerous manatees, particularly in winter. These gentle giants are drawn to the river's warm waters from the natural hot springs.

Upon arrival, embark on a boat trip in search of manatees. You may dive into the water and swim with them, or stay on deck to enjoy the sun and surroundings.

Manatees swim peacefully alongside humans and may even allow you to stroke their bellies. They are often mistakenly linked to mermaid legends due to algae covering their bodies.

Afterward, enjoy some free time for lunch at Homosassa State Park, where you can view endangered species like cougars, alligators, and black bears. Access to the underwater manatee observation point will provide an opportunity to see manatees in their natural habitat.

In the afternoon, we will return to Orlando, with an estimated arrival around 4 pm.

Tour Options

When booking, you can choose between:

Swim with manatees: Follow the itinerary described above.Swim with manatees + Hovercraft ride + Lunch: After swimming, enjoy a picnic lunch and a hovercraft ride.

Children under 3 years old

The tour is free for children under 3 years of age, with no reservation needed.

Pick Up Points and Times

Pickup is available from various points in the Orlando, Disney, and Kissimmee areas. You can select the pickup time and location nearest to your accommodation when reserving.

Manatee sightings

Manatees are common in Crystal River, but their presence varies, and we cannot guarantee the number of sightings.