Gulf Coast Expeditions - Crystal River, Florida

Tisha A.

I did a lot of research prior to choosing a charter. I honestly believe this company is the very best! I was so impressed with them. Liz and Jade knew our names immediately, were so easy to talk to and answered all of our questions. It was a warm day, so we didn’t see many manatees, but even one made me happy. We did get to swim in three sisters spring, which was a surprise bonus. Your group size is small, which I loved.

Amanda S.

Captain and crew were very knowledgeable and friendly. The river was crowded - we were here at the busiest time of year - but they found us good spots to float over the manatees and made sure we all behaved properly for the manatees' comfort and also so the manatees might approach. Several manatees swam right underneath us, and one of them brushed up against my toe and another up to my daughter's hand. They were so sweet. Giant parkas and coffee and cocoa kept us warm on the way back.

Kathy H.

We had an amazing time. Our guides took us to King's Bay into a secluded area. There were no other boats around and we had the manatees all to ourselves. Our daughter spent the entire 2 hours in the water, coming out at the end declaring, "I want to move here and become a guide!"

We highly recommend Gulf Coast Expeditions. They prepared us for our dive, answered all our questions and made our day an experience to remember.

Sasha V.

We had the best time! Captain Ron was fantastic, and our guide Aubrey was so kind and attentive. I’m not a big swimmer, but the water was mostly shallow, and the crew was incredibly supportive and helped me navigate my fears as a first-time diver/snorkeler. 😊

We saw about five manatees, and some were so close—it was amazing! Everyone gets a noodle, so you float more than swim really, which makes it a more newbie-friendly experience. The hot cocoa was great, and for those prone to getting cold, the provided jackets were a lifesaver. We swam in 75-degree weather on Dec 31st, and while the water was chilly at first, you adjust in about 10 mins. But when you get out of the water however, the wind hits you, so definitely BRING WARM CLOTHES!!!

One small TIP for the crew and future travelers: make sure your diving suit fits very snugly. If it’s too loose, water circulates inside, and you’ll feel colder much faster (as I learned). It was a minor issue though and it didn't cause much trouble for me. I’m so glad I chose this company! Highly recommend booking your next experience with them.

Judit B.

We had such an unforgettable experience at Gulf Coast Expeditions. We took the early morning tour at 6:30 and were lucky to find manatees quickly. The girls were super friendly and knowledgeable. We would 100% go with them again.

Karen K.

What a great experience swimming with the manatees today! the team at Gulf Coast Expeditions thought of everything and were tuned into our needs as individuals. I felt comfortable and well taken care of at all times. And we saw and experienced lots of manatee, which is what we came for! Success!

Esther V. D. V.

Had the best experience swimming with manatees! Ron and Aubrey took great care of us and showed us a great manatee spot. Ron pointed to the manatees from the boat, while Aubrey took some amazing pictures. Great experience!

Janas B.

Our group of 6 loved our private excursion with Captain Ron and Aubrey. Highly quality equipment, sweet mama and baby manatees and Aubrey’s professional and patient guiding made the day. Captain Ron is equal parts educational and humorous. He and Aubrey clearly put the safety of the manatees and their guests first. We’ll be back! Oh! And Aubrey’s photos are spectacular! Leave it to her and enjoy your time with the manatees. ❤️