Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

From $101.38 per person Lowest Price Guarantee

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 6 travelers in total.

Adult (3-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 6

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Guaranteed VIP Manatee Swim

2 Adults x $106.38

$212.76

Approx Total

$212.76

Including a Manatee Guarantee: VIP Swim with manatee tour. Eliminate the risk of not encountering a manatee. No manatees? We'll fully refund you!

Inclusions / Exclusions

Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Professional guide
Use of equipment (mask, snorkel gear and wet suit)
Introductory/instructional video offered in English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish
Beverages (bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and adult)

Gratuities
Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
Photo DVD (available to purchase)
Towel and swimsuit

Overview

We will let you in on a secret! You can get the high-end experience, with an affordable price tag! Our new heated (during winter), luxury pontoon aims to amp up the manatee sighting and deliver a more personal event! Observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Crystal River’s idyllic Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides will take you into the 600 acre spring fed refuge waters for viewing and snorkeling with these slow moving wild giants. All equipment, fees, snacks and beverages are included.

Meeting points

Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

River Ventures

Embark on your journey with a Coast Guard Certified Master Captain who will be your in water chaperon, educator and photographer. Your tour will run four hours from start to finish and everything you will need is included for one price. You will begin at our full-service tour facility, where you will be educated about the animals in a classroom type setting and receive tips for your snorkel tour to make the most of your day. You will be taught the in’s and out’s of ‘passive interaction’ as this ensures that the animals enjoy the experience as much as we do! You will then be suited up and transported to the dock, where a Coast Guard certified covered pontoon will be waiting for you. This rich estuary will amaze…..birds, fish and wildlife abound! Submerge yourself in the manatee’s world! Finish your adventure by viewing your Captain’s photos back at our facility and be sure to visit our one-of-a-kind gift shop! Our well-informed staff will direct to other local attractions, restaurants and answer of your questions before you are on your way.

Additional Info

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Adult pricing applies to all travelers
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wetsuits are available in sizes from toddlers (2 years old and up) to adults up to 5X
It is advised that you have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
Please bring a towel and a plastic bag to hold your belongings
Children Under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. Please call for other options.
Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.

Free Cancellation

February 05100% refund

February 06No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

793 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

776
4 stars

9
3 stars

5
2 stars

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2

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 776 reviews with 5 stars

Manatee Madness!

Published on Feb, 2025

Our guide Mike and our captain Alan are the best! They made the trip a blast, they helped us see so many manatee even though it has been harder recently. Mike got so many great pictures of the group and made sure we got to see so many manatees while in the water, and Alan made sure to keep watch while on the boat to make sure we didn't miss any. I would highly recommend River Ventures for your next manatee adventure!

Once in a lifetime trip!

Published on Feb, 2025

This was the most amazing trip! From the people working the front desk (so friendly even that early in the morning), to our guide Carlos(friendly and knowledgeable), and our boat captain JJ(very knowledgeable and a great scout from the boat for manatees) everything about this day was amazing. Carlos and JJ knew the best spots to possibly see the manatees. While nothing is a guarantee with viewing wildlife, they set us up for the best possible outcome. We lucked out big time with seeing an area with 10 manatees, and several other spots around there with individuals. On the way back to the boat, we lucked out and had a group of three (male, female, and baby) swim up and get a good look at us. Carlos was also vigilant about the conditions of the manatees, and called in a sick looking manatee right away. The care and consideration the crew showed, proved how much they value the well being of the manatees. We will definitely have to come back and bring the kids! The heated boat was the way to go, as the trip back would have been cold without it. They get 11/10 stars from me!

Magical day of Manatees

Published on Jan, 2025

Simply awesome! Crystal, our guide, and Joff our Captain, made us feel like true VIPs from the very beginning. The boat was very nice and had a selection of hot drinks for the chilly morning, enclosed sides and a HEATER! We were guided by Crystal to the best spots to see the magnificent manatees. It was magical! We even saw mamas and babies :) This tour was worth every penny and we will be back again!

Amazing!!!

Published on Jan, 2025

We went out with Meliah and saw lots of manatees and got hugs and kisses, she was very sweet and knowledgeable. Highly recommend!

AMAZING Experience!!!

Published on Jan, 2025

This was amazing...thoroughly enjoyed it! Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone. It's not to be missed! The manatees are gentle giants yet friendly and playful. Don't miss out...

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