USA · MANATEE ENCOUNTERS

The 15 Best Manatee Tours in Florida

27 tours  ·  from $59

Crystal River is the one place in the country where you may legally get in the water with wintering manatees. These 15 are priced with wetsuit hire noted, and every one runs to the passive-observation rules.

Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide! - What happens at Fun 2 Dive
Crystal River Tours, Florida Tours, Manatee Encounters, Tour Reviews, Tours

Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

1.Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,782 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76Our pick

Join Fun 2 Dive in Crystal River for a three-hour manatee swim with a maximum of 12 people. Your guide stays in the water, explains respectful manatee behavior, and takes photos. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, a scenic boat ride, and parking are included. Expect calm floating, cool water, and possible crowds near Three Sisters Springs.

“I went out to swim manatees on my birthday with a group of brave friends. It was an amazing experience! We saw so many manatees, and fish while in the water. Our group got very close to them, and there were several curious babies. I would recommend you get out and try this! The only thing was I was hoping for some good photos - but the water was so murky I didn’t think it was worth buying the photo album at the end. If you can bring your own underwater device, that might be better.”

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Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour - Alligators, birds, sharks, and the occasional crocodile
Cruises & Boat Tours, Crystal River Tours, Florida Tours, Manatee Encounters, Sightseeing Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Wildlife

Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

2.Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,590 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

From Port of the Islands Marina, you spend about 90 minutes on a covered boat among canals, mangroves, and waterfront bays. Captains such as Paul, Becky, Chris, Andi, and Glen explain the ecosystem while you look for manatees, alligators, birds, sharks, and the occasional crocodile. Boats hold up to six people.

“Captain Storm was fantastic. He gave us a lot of information and we saw many manatee and a few alligators. It was a wonderful morning.”

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The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer - The briefing matters more than it may seem
Crystal River Tours, Florida Tours, Manatee Encounters, Photo Shoots in Crystal River, Photography Sessions, Snorkeling, Snorkeling Trips in Crystal River, Tour Reviews, Tours

The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

3.The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,539 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76

River Ventures takes you through Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to search for wild manatees near Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs. You receive a wetsuit, snorkel gear, safety instruction, and an in-water guide who helps you float calmly near the animals. Guides such as Piper, Natalie, Maleah, and JJ have earned strong praise for clear instructions and warm, capable care.

“It was an amazing experience swimming with the manatees in their natural habitat. We saw lots of manatee, big and small and were able to get very close to them. Our guide and Captain, Piper and Tanner, knew the best places to take the crew for manatee viewing. Highly recommend!”

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Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach - Around the island and beneath seven bridges
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Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach

4.Dolphin and Manatee Stand Up Paddleboard Tour in Daytona Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,328 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddle through calm Daytona Beach canals, under seven bridges, around an island, and past yachts while looking for dolphins and manatees. Guides such as Brock, Dallas, Fletcher, and Spencer teach beginners on shore, then stay close on the water. The tour takes about two hours, though you should allow three.

“Fletcher is an awesome guide. He made sure to talk to everyone in the group and made sure everyone was safe! Kristen was very helpful at the store making sure we were ready for our adventure!”

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Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer - Cruising Kings Bay on a certified boat
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Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

5.Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,300 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Cruise Kings Bay on a US Coast Guard-certified boat, then snorkel with wild manatees under the care of an in-water guide and photographer. Explorida supplies wetsuits, masks, noodles, and water. The three-hour trip suits first-time snorkelers, families, and solo visitors, though photos cost extra and wildlife sightings vary.

“Captain Rhonda and guide Faith were exceptional. We saw almost a dozen manatees and the trip was totally awesome. I will definitely return with friends for this excursion. Going to do their scallop diving tour this summer.”

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Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Fort Myers - Wildlife Watching Without False Promises
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Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Fort Myers

6.Dolphin and Manatee Adventure Tour of Fort Myers

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,167 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Meet your guide in Bonita Springs for a two-hour paddleboard trip through Fort Myers waterways and mangroves. Eric and Chase help first-timers get comfortable, then point out dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, pelicans, starfish, conch, and other wildlife. You’ll also stop at a white-sand beach for shells and coastal views.

“It was a cool experience but wish we would have seen something. I know there are hit or miss but it was more of a “paddle boating” experience than it was a Manitee tour. Our guide Erik was very knowledgeable of what he was explaining to us about the animals and surrounding wildlife we just didn’t see anything unfortunately.”

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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours - Launching from Kings Bay Park
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Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

7.Crystal River Three Sisters Springs and Manatee Clear Kayak Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,830 reviews · 2 hours (approx.)

Launch from Kings Bay Park for a two-hour, small-group clear kayak tour led by guides such as Crosby, Dmitri, Yas, or Cami. From April 1 to November 14, paddle to Three Sisters Springs and swim when conditions allow. From November 15 to March 31, focus on manatees gathered in the warm spring water.

“Great experience! Weather was great, and the guide was great! Clear kayaks made the trip extra special!”

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3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg - Meeting the Manatees in Their Own Water
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3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

8.3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,692 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $99

Spend three hours with Go Local Manatee Tours in Crystal River’s Kings Bay, searching for wild manatees and snorkeling beside them when conditions allow. Groups are limited to six. Guides such as Josh, Derek, Lindsey, Walter, Christina, and Stephanie provide instruction, photos, and videos, with wetsuits, gear, water, and hot drinks included on some trips.

“Wonderful experience with the manatees!! Lindsay and Josh were excellent guides/ captain. Appreciate their knowledge, experience and helpful tips!! Do it!”

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Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer - The boat ride and search for manatees
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Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

9.Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Meet guides such as Crystal, Celeste, Ron, and Mike for a three-hour Crystal River manatee outing. Your small group receives wetsuits, snorkel gear, a safety briefing, and warm drinks before entering the springs. Guides watch the animals, take photos on request, and keep the encounter calm and respectful.

“The experience was excellent!! The staff was so helpful and friendly. I would recommend them 100%. The staff was knowledgeable. They took the time to make sure that we had a wonderful experience. I would definitely book again”

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Mangroves and Manatees - Guided Kayak Eco Tour - Paddling into Tavernier Creek
Canoes & Kayaks, Eco Tours, Florida Tours, Kayak Tours in Key West, Key West Tours, Manatee Encounters, Tour Reviews, Tours

Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

10.Mangroves and Manatees – Guided Kayak Eco Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,222 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle a single or double kayak through shallow Tavernier Creek with guides such as Jack, Tony, Sarah, or Keith. You’ll receive shore-based instruction and on-water coaching, then look for manatees, turtles, rays, dolphins, birds, and fish. The pace suits beginners, though wildlife sightings and access to the inner mangrove tunnels depend on conditions and group ability.

“Our guide, Jack, was wonderful! Very knowledgeable and we learned so much about the mangroves and the local flora and fauna! We didn’t see any manatee but lots of birds and fish and iguana. We had a wonderful time!”

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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine - Paddling beside Anastasia State Park
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Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

11.Dolphin, Manatee and SeaTurtle SUP Adventure Tour of St Augustine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,219 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Choose a kayak or paddleboard for a two-hour guided trip near Anastasia State Park and the St. Augustine Lighthouse. Guides such as Ryan, Spence, Nolan, and Todd help beginners get moving while pointing out dolphins, sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife. Sightings vary with weather, season, and water conditions.

“Nice, slow kayak or paddle board experience. Lots of cool birds to see! Saw turtles pop their heads up, but manatee sightings are rare in this area. We did not see any dolphins, either. Still had a great time!”

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Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise - Searching Kings Bay for wild manatees
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Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise

12.Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,133 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)

Cruise the Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge from a dry, USCG-certified boat with a licensed captain. Your 90-minute outing begins at Explorida’s shop, then a shuttle takes you to Pete’s Pier. Captains such as GQ, Gavin, Chris, and John share facts about manatees while looking for them in canals, springs, and refuge waters. Expect birds, turtles, and a possible dolphin.

“Learned a lot about manatees. Our captain was very knowledgeable and interesting. Very educational as well as enjoyable. Saw lots of manatees.”

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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour - A small pontoon makes a real difference
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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

13.Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,023 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $108

Meet River Ventures in Crystal River for a small-group manatee tour capped at six people. After a short lesson on passive interaction, you’ll wear a supplied wetsuit and snorkel in the refuge when manatees are found. Captains such as Wade, Melissa, JJ, and Troy guide the boat, while an in-water photographer records the encounter.

“This was an amazing experience! Moe, our boat driver and Shelia our guide were absolutely incredible. I had no idea that we would be surrounded by so many manatees at such close proximity, it was truly breathtaking.”

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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking - Manatees, dolphins, and the luck factor
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Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

14.Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel, Manatee & Dolphin Kayak Tour w/Cocoa Kayaking

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 923 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

You’ll paddle Cocoa Beach’s Thousand Islands for about 2.5 hours in a single or tandem Wilderness System kayak. Guides such as James, Ian, Susie, and Michael explain the lagoon’s wildlife and plants while you search for manatees, dolphins, birds, tarpon, stingrays, and crabs. Tours cap at 10 people, and photos are emailed afterward.

“My fiancé and I had such a great time kayaking the mangrove tunnels and experiencing all the wildlife in the process!! Our guide Susie was extremely knowledgeable about all the wildlife from the different kinds of birds to the animals, fish and plants! Susie explained the environment and the different species that lived in and around the lagoon. She also talked about the impacts of things that had affected the lagoon and species as well as things that were being done to help improve the environment and species quality of living for the future. On our tour we got to see dolphins, birds, big Tarpin Fish, Crabs on the mangrove…”

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Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach - What happens during the two-hour paddle
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Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach

15.Mangrove Tunnels, Dolphins, Manatee Tour #1 Rated in Cocoa Beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 836 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Best value

Spend about two hours kayaking Cocoa Beach’s calm waterways with a small group of no more than 11 people. Choose a single or tandem kayak, learn basic paddling skills, and follow guides such as Holly, Erin, Gabby, or Jordyn through mangrove tunnels while looking for dolphins, manatees, birds, crabs, and comb jellies. Wildlife sightings vary, but the tunnels and peaceful water make the trip worthwhile.

“A great way to explore nature, be educated on your surroundings, meet other travelers and get exercise. Our guide was knowledgeable, cordial and had a great sense of humor”

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New in Manatee Encounters

★ 5.0New Smyrna Dolphin and Manatee Kayak and SUP Adventure TourFrom $65457 reviews
★ 5.0Orlando Manatee EncountersFrom $80366 reviews
★ 5.03 hours Manatee Swim Tour in FloridaFrom $74491 reviews
★ 5.0Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and PhotographerFrom $89574 reviews
★ 5.0Crystal River: Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated BoatFrom $74417 reviews
★ 4.7Crystal River: Manatee Swim Group TourFrom $69484 reviews

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