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Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando

176 Reviews 4.76 out of 5 stars Based on 176 reviews collected by Cool Orlando and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 95% of reviewers
95% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
|
Badge of Excellence |Badge of Excellence This experience is highly rated by travelers and has met our top quality standards. Orlando, USA
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from $159 per person

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Snorkeling alongside these gentle giants
Snorkeling on Crystal River with wild manatees
Manatees live naturally on the Crystal River
Manatees taking by the underwater camera
If you wish to, go snorkel on the river.

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8 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
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Overview

Come and enjoy the real Florida! Get up-close with the gentle manatee and see the beauty of Crystal River as you explore the Homosassa State Wildlife Park.

The tour heads up to Crystal River where you can snorkel or swim in the rivers where wild manatees live. It's an early morning departure, so bring breakfast snacks to eat during the journey.

Following a safety briefing and collecting your mask, snorkel & fins (wetsuit hire is $15 and required for swimmers) you board the boat. When manatees are spotted you can get into the river for great photos. If you prefer, you can opt to simply enjoy the boat ride while enjoying nature.

In the afternoon explore Homosassa State Park. The park is home to many species of rescued native wildlife.

If you purchase the Florida Adventure Tour fully inclusive option, you will also ride a Wild Airboat Ride on a river to spot the alligators and nature and enjoy a picnic lunch.

What's Included

  • Airboat Ride on Tuesday and Thursday tours
  • Admission into Homosassa State Park
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
  • Breakfast Bring your breakfast with you to enjoy on the transport vehicle if you wish.
  • Gratuities
  • Wetsuits must be hired - Mandatory $15 fee
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Meeting Location

Meeting point
End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Options & Pricing

What To Expect

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

The boat will drive into the wildlife refuge where you will hope to see wild manatees on the river. You will be on the boat at least 90 mins.
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1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Homosassa River

We will visit the State Park at Homosassa. You will walk around the State Park and see the animals and view the manatees in the underwater viewing chamber at this hospital facility for injured manatees. There is also a cafe at the park so you could purchase lunch here if you wish, or if you prefer to pack yourself a picnic they do have picnic tables you can use inside the park.
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2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Crystal River

Upon arrival at the picturesque Crystal River, you will enjoy a fabulous narrated boat tour. You will be provided masks, snorkels & fins, and encouraged to swim alongside these friendly creatures under the guidance of certified dive masters.The manatees are endangered and have come to the Florida springs year-round to find shelter and food. In the winter months the manatee population can reach several hundred and during summer, the average count is 80. They are "gentle giants" and have no teeth.After your cruise, you head to Homosassa State Wildlife Park, famous throughout Florida for the rehabilitation of injured animals. It is here you’ll have the chance to see the current manatee residents at the park during an informative and entertaining feeding session with one of the park rangers. You’ll also see bears, panthers, alligators and even a hippo as you explore the rest of the park.Roundtrip transport from the Orlando area and a knowledgeable driver-guide is also included.
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4 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Withlacoochee River

If the 'Manatee Swim, Park & Airboat' package is reserved then a 30 minute airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River will be included.
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30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • A small amount of walking is involved at your leisure through the State Park
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(8)

Q: Will I get seasick on Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando?

A: If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy. Read more Feb 2023

Cancellation Policy

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

Questions?

Our friendly customer support is here to help.
Activity code: C-3170P40

Traveler Photos

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Reviews

4.76
176 reviews

Average 4.76 out of 5 stars based on 176 traveler reviews collected by Cool Orlando and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
151
4 stars
16
3 stars
4
2 stars
2
1 star
3

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Frequently Asked Questions (8)

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Orlando customers.

Filter by:

Q: Will I get seasick on Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando?
A:

If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.

Feb 2023
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando?
A:
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is included:
  • Airboat Ride on Tuesday and Thursday tours.
  • Admission into Homosassa State Park.
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points.
  • Picnic Lunch.
  • River cruise to look for the manatees.
  • Use of snorkel equipment, mask, snorkel and fins.
  • Driver/guide.
The following is NOT included:
  • Breakfast. Bring your breakfast with you to enjoy on the transport vehicle if you wish.
  • Gratuities.
  • Wetsuits must be hired - Mandatory $15 fee.
  • Airboat Ride on Saturdays - tour is priced lower.
  • Half Day does not include Homosassa State Park or Airboat Ride.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
A:

This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

There is no minimum age for this tour, so bring your wee one along for an adventure. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando is as follows:

  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Orlando. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024

What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Airboat Ride on Tuesday and Thursday tours
  • Admission into Homosassa State Park
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
  • Picnic Lunch
  • River cruise to look for the manatees
  • Use of snorkel equipment, mask, snorkel and fins.
  • Driver/guide
  • BreakfastBring your breakfast with you to enjoy on the transport vehicle if you wish.
  • Gratuities
  • Wetsuits must be hired - Mandatory $15 fee
  • Airboat Ride on Saturdays - tour is priced lower
  • Half Day does not include Homosassa State Park or Airboat Ride

Additional Info

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • A small amount of walking is involved at your leisure through the State Park
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 13 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Lowest Price Guarantee

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

We Make It Easy!

Gather your information

Locate your Cool Orlando Booking Number and the proof of the lower price you found.

Send it to us

Email [email protected] with the documents, your name, and your home address.

We'll review

We'll review your materials and get in touch as soon as possible.

Receive your refund

If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

Refund Terms & Conditions

The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

  • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
  • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
  • Cool Orlando promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
  • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on Cool Orlando and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
  • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
  • Cool Orlando reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
  • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of Cool Orlando.

Cancellation Policy

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

Free cancellation
100% refund
No refund

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

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EDT).
  • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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