Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River
Crystal River, United States

Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim

Outty Ranking 72 5.0 · 45 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $89

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$89
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

72/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 45 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim worth booking?

Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim is a 3-hour experience in Crystal River, United States, from $89 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 5/5 rating across 45 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
72 / 100
Rating
5/5 (45)
Duration
3 hours
From
$89 per person

As the leaders in the industry we feel it is our duty to have all our activities conducted by professionals. Our Manatee snorkel tours are guided by USCG Captain as well as a licensed and insured dive professional. Our i

What you get

    About this experience

    As the leaders in the industry we feel it is our duty to have all our activities conducted by professionals. Our Manatee snorkel tours are guided by USCG Captain as well as a licensed and insured dive professional. Our in water professionals are trained as first responders, with First aid, CPR, AED administration and in-water rescue training. Captain and guides are also trained in manatee manners, through the Manatee Eco Tourism Association in coordination with United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The training allows us to lead the industry by operating the saftest tours on the water for our guest and manatees alike.

    What's included

    Included

    • Use of SCUBA equipment
    • Tea and coffee
    • Full 5mm Wetsuits
    • Heated Boats

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Crystal River

    Come to the blue house on the corner.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Come to the blue house on the corner.

    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
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

    Photos

    Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 2Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 3Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 4Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 5Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 6Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim in Crystal River, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 45 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    6 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    2 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    45 verified traveler reviews for Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    44
    4 star
    1
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    KbhMhd · February 2026

    Amazing Experience

    We booked this manatee swim for our daughter's birthday. The small group was definitely the way to go. Our guide, Bri, was very knowledgeable and made sure we followed the laws and guidelines for swimming with manatees. Our boat captain did an amazing job of manuevering around other boats and swimmers in the water. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars was due to something completely out of Bri's control. Some other tour guides did not do as good a job as Bri did in managing their groups and some groups had no regard for the other swimmers in the water. We would definitely do this again!

    via Tripadvisor

    Pete S · February 2026

    Manatees Rock

    What a fantastic and interesting day, the crew clearly love the manatees and can tell you everything about them. Highly recommend to everyone

    via Tripadvisor

    Birgit_A · February 2026

    Well organized and very...

    Well organized and very friendly and knowledgeable guides . Attentive and helpful. Offered warm coffee and chocolate after the swim.

    via Viator

    sheila_m · December 2025

    Highly recommend

    Highly recommend Paddletails with Captain Ross and Aaron, 5mm suits, warm boat, excellent manatee guide, hot cocoa, pictures and videos of your adventure! We couldn’t ask for more!

    via Viator

    Z6386MObarbarad · June 2025

    Amazing, must do experience!

    This was an amazing experience! I love manatees and it did not disappoint. Captain Ross and Captain Ryan were absolutely amazing! I would do this again.

    Response from the operator: Thank You for the great review., our goal is to be fun, friendly and informative, sound's like Captain Ryan and your diver Ross delivered that , to you. We love to share knowledge about manatees and Kings Bay. Wishing you safe travels and let us know you're back to in Crystal River we would love for you to be a repeat guest, Manatee smiles!

    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
    16
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 72

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)97
    Review evidence (18% weight)49
    Booking momentum (14% weight)42
    Value for money (12% weight)64
    Listing quality (10% weight)80
    Local standing (8% weight)61
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Crystal River.

    How much does Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim cost?

    +

    Prices start at $89 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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim take?

    +

    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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 45 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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim?

    +

    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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim?

    +

    Around 16 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?

    +

    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 Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Small Group 6 Passenger Manatee Swim.

    Pick your date