All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 14 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim worth booking?
All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim is a 3-hour experience in Crystal River, United States, from $400 per person. It scores 59 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 14 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 59 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (14)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $400 per person
Join us as we explore the Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge to find and swim alongside the gentle giants. As you embark on your journey, your Captain and In-Water Guide will teach you everything you need to know about i
What you get
About this experience
Join us as we explore the Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge to find and swim alongside the gentle giants. As you embark on your journey, your Captain and In-Water Guide will teach you everything you need to know about interacting with these gentle creatures. In addition to learning manatee facts and their behavioral patterns, our captains are extremely knowledgeable about the Crystal River and Florida’s manatees, so they’ll be able to answer any questions you may have. Our tours include: full wet suits, mask, snorkel, and coffee and hot cholate All of our tours leave from our onsite private docks, with heated changing facility and hot showers.
What's included
Included
- Tea and coffee
- Use of snorkeling equipment
- Full 5mm Wetsuits
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Crystal River
We meet in the Gift shop located on the water behind the Port Hotel.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
We meet in the Gift shop located on the water behind the Port Hotel.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Manatee Swim Center
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 14 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
14 verified traveler reviews for All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Manatee Mania
Family with college students had the BEST time. 6:30 am start time was totally worth it. Taylor and Jake were awesome and helpful and fun. And the manatees were everywhere! I compared all the vendors and really appreciated the 5 mm wetsuits, enclosed boat, coffee/hot cocoa, in-water guide (Jake) and the photos he took!
via Tripadvisor
Bri & Mark were amazing
Captain Mark and Bri were great tour guides. Swimming with manatees was the best experience! We will be back again. We can't wait for it.
Response from the operator: We are grateful that you shared your positivity about your swimming with the manatees experience. Captain Marc and Bri are passionate about their tours and love sharing their knowledge of manatees with all. We look forward to having you back in the future and can not wait to book your next excursion with us.
via Tripadvisor
Private Manatee Tour
Planned this family private tour for my 2 year old son to experience swimming with the manatees. Our expectations were achieved, it was magical. Since he is not an early riser, they were able to accommodate us at later time to go out and everything was provided with top notch equipment and crew. Jake and Andrew ensured my son got the swim of a lifetime and catered to his experience.From the time we were greeted at the door for check in with Marie, who made us feel at home and welcomed, we could not have planned a better way to bond as a family. Thank you for making him smile, we will be back!!!
Response from the operator: Putting smiles on guests faces is what we do best as well as magical experiences with our manatee tours. Captain Jake and Captain Andrew are passionate about their work and passionate about manatees. Thank you for complimenting our equipment and hospitality we want you to feel always at home with us. Come back and see us again we look forward to it!
via Tripadvisor
Personal, educational, mindful- the only tour you should be taking especially with small children!
YES- it’s worth the extra money!!! This is absolutely hands down the best manatee tour I have ever been on. The captain and diver- Andrew and Jake were super. We got out early before the big crowds of people and got an extremely personal experience. If you want an experience that is personal and educational this is for you. Jake was amazing in the water. Initially my little cousin was having a hard time relaxing and learning to just float- after some gentle coaching he did great and Jake got amazing pictures of him floating with the resting manatees. If you have small children that may be nervous or aren’t fully comfortable in the water- this is the tour for you. You can really tell that this crew and company truly care about the manatees and aren’t just trying to hustle like the bigger flashier tours. Andrew was a great driver and even maneuvered the boat into the shallows so Jake could grab a trashed pool noodle. Jake was with us the whole time, all we had to do (and all you’re supposed to do!!) is just float! Jake helped us stay near the manatees without disturbing them and instructed us when the manatees wanted to get in close- one even held my hand!! I definitely recommend getting out earlier because once the big tour crowds came in- the manatees were not as comfortable and the water got very stirred up because the bigger groups were not really following Crystal River’s rules for swimming/interacting.
via Tripadvisor
What a manatee!
What a wonderful, personalized experience! This outfit has a telephone number and works around your schedule. Mark was my captain and it is evident that he loves his job! Bri took me out to see manatees grazing, sleeping, and swimming when one youngster swam up and played with us. He pulled my hair, “kissed” me, took me in his flippers and swam with me! What an adventure!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 5
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 59
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Crystal River.
How much does All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim cost?
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Prices start at $400 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Crystal River usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Crystal River is not rushed.
Is All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 59 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 14 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Crystal River, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim?
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Around 5 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Crystal River can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Crystal River and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does All Inclusive Private Manatee Swim start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Crystal River within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Crystal River?
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Crystal River is the one place in Florida with permitted in-water manatee tours: early-morning snorkel trips into Three Sisters Springs, scalloping in summer and spring-fed kayak paddles. On Outty we rank every Crystal River experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include 3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg, Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer, Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Crystal River?
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November to March for manatee season, July to September for scalloping. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Crystal River?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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