Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer
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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
4.9/5
Based on 2,445 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer worth booking?
Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer is a 3-hour experience in Crystal River, United States, from $77 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 2,445 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (2,445)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $77 per person
Our Manatee Swim tour at Explorida was Voted Trip Advisors 2022 "Top Ten Bucket List Experience in THE WORLD!" Swimming with the manatees is a once in a lifetime experience so do it right! Dont cram into a small dive sho
What you get
About this experience
Our Manatee Swim tour at Explorida was Voted Trip Advisors 2022 "Top Ten Bucket List Experience in THE WORLD!" Swimming with the manatees is a once in a lifetime experience so do it right! Dont cram into a small dive shop. Spread out and enjoy plenty of space at Explorida! The Explorida Adventure Center offers a large, top notch facility that is climate controlled with indoor changing rooms for your privacy. Our boats are U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified, which means they are allowed to carry more than 6 passengers, have all necessary safety equipment, and are in tip top shape. Dont get stuck on a clunker! Book with Explorida! We are dedicated to the customer experience and will not disappoint! Let us prove it!
What's included
Included
- Safe USCG Certified Boats
- Bottled water
- In-Water Gude/Photographer
- Wetsuit
- Snorkel Gear
- Float Noodles Provided
Not included
- Photos and videos available for an additional fee at the end of your tour.
What you'll see and do
Hop aboard one of our safe, comfortable, and clean US Coast Guard certified vessels where you will join your Master Captain to embark on your journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. Our master captains are trained to find manatees on your manatee tour, even in the offseason, and will deliver the best manatee tour in Crystal River, FL—every time. You will be paired with one of our expert in-water guides who will be with you every step of the way to assist in making your manatee tour safe and memorable. Your in-water guide will also serve as your professional photographer to capture your manatee swim memories, and those photos will be available for purchase upon arrival back to our facility. For this tour, all required gear is included at no additional charge.
180 minutes here · Admission included
You can swim with manatees in Citrus County, Florida. Swimming with the manatees is a privilege that is unique to Citrus County, which is why the small county has earned its world famous title of the ‘Manatee Capital of the World’. Nowhere else in the world can you legally swim with the manatees in their natural habitat, as you can do with us! When looking for things to do in Florida, add swimming with the manatees to the top of your list, and let Explorida be your guide!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Crystal River
The Explorida Adventure Center is the first Building on the left when turning west on to N. Citrus Avenue from Highway 19.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
The Explorida Adventure Center is the first Building on the left when turning west on to N. Citrus Avenue from Highway 19.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 11 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Explorida
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Level One Snorkel Experience Recommended
- Infants are still considered to take up a seat on a USCG Inspected Vessel. You must pay full price for an infant.
- Children Under The Age Of 3 & Pets/Service Animals Are Only Permitted On Private Tours
- This is a wildlife encounter, and due to the unpredictability of Mother Nature, conditions vary daily. If you have any questions, feel free to call
- In order to maintain operational efficiency, we require a minimum of three guests per boat to operate. Guests may purchase additional tickets if the capacity is not met, which will be reimbursed if another group joins.
- Trip Advisor is a third party booking system designed to reserve tours with Explorida Adventure Center. Visit our website for more information and to connect with Explorida directly.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,435 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
3 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
2,435 verified traveler reviews for Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great Experience
Super fun trip with my granddaughter! Madison our guide was kind, helpful and knowledgeable. We did see only one manatee, but that’s ok. The water was cool which made the wet suits great. Three sisters was beautiful. We purchased the photos for $30 something and downloading them was a challenge. The photos were just ok. All in all a great experience. Will we definitely take more grandkids.
via Tripadvisor
Experience of a lifetime!
Such an amazing experience! Our boat Captain Walter and guide Topher were so incredibly kind, helpful, knowledgeable and wonderful. Experience of a life time and highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great trip!
Our trip with GQ as captain and Maddie our in water guide and photographer was fabulous. We were celebrating a birthday and in my opinion, the birthday girls opinion and the other six women would give it a five star rating!
via Tripadvisor
An amazing experience with a fantastic company
The great service from Explorida started before we had even booked our trip. We had a few questions which were answered promptly and the company came across as so friendly in the email We booked a private experience for 4 of us at 8:45 on. August 19. From the moment we arrived every member of staff was friendly, welcoming and made the whole experience amazing. We knew that we may not get to see Manatees as it was the off season but Captain Gavin and Keri our guide were so amazing. We had an amazing swim in the cool springs and then they were constantly checking with other boats to try and find manatees. We found 1 which we were able to watch from the boat as it was in deep water, and then we saw another 2 but they swam away too quickly from us. We would have been happy with this, the 3 hour experience was amazing, calm and with beautiful scenery BUT they both found us another manatee who we could swim with It was amazing - they are beautiful creatures, and Explorida are so careful to ensure that it is an ethical encounter with the manatees well being the number 1 priority (as it should be) All 4 of us had an amazing experience and just want to thank Gavin and Keri again, who extended our tour slightly so we could experience the swim. The facilities in the shop were great, and the pictures Keri took captured this experience brilliantly. If you are thinking about doing a swim with the manatees, just book with Explorida, you will not be disappointed
via Tripadvisor
Great tours with great staff
Maddy and Captain Walter were fantastic. Three sister Springs is stunning. We did get to see a manatee. It was really cool seeing them in the natural habitat.
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
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 856
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Crystal River.
How much does Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer cost?
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Prices start at $77 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 Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer 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 Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 2,445 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Crystal River, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer?
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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 Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer 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 Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer?
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Around 856 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 Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer 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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