Crystal River Manatee Adventures - Crystal River, Florida

Made I. S.

What an experience!! Went with my sister and we had the best time meeting these amazing manatees. We had Todd as our Captain and Sean as our guide / photographer in the water. They were so informative on manatees and the area answering all out curious questions. The area was beautiful and they knew where we needed to go to find manatees! Unforgettable time with awesome people! Thank you for the experience. Also highly recommended getting the photos so you can enjoy!

Shonda B.

Our group of four went out with Sean and Mike on a Sunday morning and had THE BEST TIME!!! These guys know what they are doing! They had everything we needed and more... The wetsuit and snorkel gear is included with the advertised price. We went with the option that included the pictures with it and they turned out really great! I liked that I didnt have to think about trying to take pics myself and could just enjoy the experience. We went to a couple of different places and found a good many manatees. We saw mommas with babies too - it was precious. They told us all about the manatees and the Crystal River area. If you have ever wanted to swim with the manatees go with this company they are GREAT!!! When we were done and a tad chilly from the water they closed the enclosure on the boat and provided us with hot tea/coffee/cocoa which was perfect and warmed us right up. I give five stars and two thumbs up!!
( They also have a cute little gift shop with sooooo many manatee items to choose from and at reasonable prices too!! )

Valerie W.

My dad who is a local booked a trip this past week for myself, teenage daughter, her friend, & our foreign exchange student from Italy with Captain Todd & Leah. A cold front was starting to come through & they were upfront about the manatees sensing that & already being on their way to get out of the wind.. but promised to do their best to make sure we could see at least one. Leah followed her gut on where some may be headed & she was right! They were kind, patient, funny, & knowledgeable & explained the importance of respecting the animals & their environment. We were able to swim with 5, plus see another that was tagged, “Tober”. Leah shared his story which was really cool to hear. Thank you Todd & Leah for providing us with the most amazing experience & the incredible pics & videos to share with our friends & family! I thought this was a once in a lifetime trip… But I’ll be back next year now!!

Justina F.

Crystal River Manatee Adventures – Swim with the Manatees Private Tour: A Truly Special Experience

Our family had an unforgettable time on the "Swim with the Manatees" private tour with Crystal River Manatee Adventures. From start to finish, the experience was truly top-notch, and we felt well taken care of every step of the way.

Our in-water guide, Ryan, was fantastic. He was not only incredibly knowledgeable about the manatees, but also made sure we captured some incredible moments with great photos and videos. The highlight of the trip was definitely having an up-close, personal interaction with one of the gentle manatees. It was an awe-inspiring experience that we’ll never forget.

The entire crew went above and beyond to make sure every member of our group had a memorable time. Captain Todd was a huge hit with our 5-year-old daughter, who wasn’t quite ready to get in the water. Todd kept her entertained throughout the trip, making her feel included in the adventure. Additionally, Cindy, a lovely woman from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, went out of her way to give our daughter a special kayak ride so she could see the manatees without getting in the water—what an incredibly thoughtful touch.

The boat itself was also perfect. It was heated, ensuring we stayed warm on a cooler morning, and they provided everything we needed for the swim, including wetsuits and snorkeling gear. As an extra bonus, they served us hot chocolate to warm up after our time in the water, which was a delightful treat.

Overall, this was an amazing family-friendly experience, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and intimate way to interact with manatees. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or just looking to share a special moment with loved ones, this tour offers something for everyone. Thank you to Ryan, Captain Todd, Cindy, and the entire team for making our trip so special!

ashley H.

If you want to have the best day of your life like I did, I highly suggest taking this tour with Todd & Leah! They were friendly, knowledgeable and accommodating and made sure I was safe as a first time snorkeler. I came all the way from Arizona and would come back just for this. 100/10!

Chris K.

Capt. Todd & Leah made a fun day one to remember. The trip and equipment, including the custom pontoon was perfect. We stayed comfortable and warm. We had tons of time with manatees, got great pictures and had the best adventure. THANK YOU, for doing such a fine job.

Darcy M.

I would highly recommend this tour. Captain Todd and in-water guide Leah knew where to find the manatees and kept us amused the whole time. We had a great trip with fabulous pictures to remember it by!

Shane J.

Amazing experience! Captain Todd and Leah were great. They know everything about the local waterways, wildlife, and Todd even gave us some great restaurant suggestions. You do not need to bring anything but dry clothes to change into because this company has thought of everything. They have clean, private changing areas at the shop, and on the boat they provide towels, hot chocolate, coffee AND even a heater. Big plus if you have little kids who get chilled by the water! We did the snorkeling adventure with our kids age 6 and 14 and they loved it. We saw plenty of manatees, fish, crabs even a crested cormorant diving for fish. We had so much fun we plan to return for a scalloping tour sometime. Do NOT miss out on Crystal River Manatee Adventures!