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Manatee Swim and Wildlife Park with Upgrade Options from Orlando

4.5 (104)
Kissimmee, US
4.5 (104)
Kissimmee, US
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Free cancellation up to before the experience starts (local time)

Book Now, Pay Later - Secure your spot while staying flexible

Experience the real Florida with the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando. Dive into the crystal-clear waters and get up-close with gentle manatees as you snorkel in the rivers where they live. Don't worry if swimming isn't your thing - you can still enjoy a boat ride and spot these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. After your snorkeling adventure, explore the Homosassa State Wildlife Park, home to rescued native wildlife. Be amazed as you witness feeding sessions with park rangers and encounter bears, panthers, alligators, and even a hippo. This all-inclusive tour includes roundtrip transport from the Orlando area, a knowledgeable driver-guide, and all necessary snorkeling equipment. It's a true Florida day out that you won't want to miss!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 8 hours 30 minutes
  • Suitable for 1-10 Participants
  • Small Group Tour, Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Up-close encounter with gentle manatees
  • Explore the beauty of Crystal River
  • Snorkeling and swimming with manatees
  • Discover native wildlife at Homosassa State Park
  • Roundtrip transport from Orlando area
  • Admission into Homosassa State Park
  • Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
  • Driver/guide
  • Airboat Ride (if option selected)
  • River cruise to look for the manatees
  • Picnic Lunch (if option selected)
  • Use of snorkel equipment, mask, snorkel and fins.
  • Gratuities
  • Breakfast
  • Wetsuits must be hired - Mandatory $15 fee

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando

Come and explore the real beauty of Florida with the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride from Orlando. This unforgettable tour allows you to get up-close and personal with the gentle manatees while also discovering the stunning Crystal River and Homosassa State Wildlife Park.

What to expect?

During this 510-minute adventure, you can expect an immersive experience like no other. Begin your day with an early morning departure and bring some breakfast snacks for the journey. After a safety briefing and collecting your snorkeling gear, board the boat and head to Crystal River, where the wild manatees reside. Whether you choose to swim alongside these majestic creatures or enjoy a leisurely boat ride, you'll have the opportunity to spot and capture incredible photos of manatees in their natural habitat.

Who is this for?

This tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and adventure seekers of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or someone looking to experience the wonders of Florida for the first time, the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride is an ideal choice. Families, friends, and solo travelers can all enjoy this unique and educational journey.

Why book this?

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Crystal River and witness the endangered manatees up-close in their natural habitat. This tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to swim alongside these gentle giants, guided by certified dive masters. Not only will you have an unforgettable encounter with the manatees, but you'll also explore Homosassa State Wildlife Park, which is famous for rehabilitating injured animals. Bears, panthers, alligators, and even a hippo await you as you wander through the park. Roundtrip transport from Orlando and a knowledgeable driver-guide are also included, ensuring a seamless and informative experience.

Good to know

Before embarking on this adventure, it's important to note that wetsuit hire is available for $15 and required for swimmers. If snorkeling isn't your preference, you can still enjoy the boat ride and observe the fascinating wildlife. You'll have the option to purchase lunch from the park cafe or bring your own picnic to enjoy during your visit to Homosassa State Wildlife Park. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing and bring a sense of adventure!

Reviews

Past guests have raved about their experiences on the Crystal River Manatee Swim or Boat Ride. Many have expressed their fascination with the manatees and the opportunity to swim alongside them. Others have praised the knowledgeable guides and the chance to explore Homosassa State Wildlife Park, discovering its diverse range of wildlife. Overall, customers have praised the tour for its educational value, breathtaking scenery, and unforgettable encounters with nature.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

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.

Admission 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.

Admission 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.

Admission Included

Reviews

(104)

4.5 (104)

Dawn_J

The manatee swim and airboat ride were worth it. The wildlife park was boring, unnecessary and made the day too long.

ananya_s

This was supposed to be the hi-light of my trip to Orlando, but it was lacking in many ways. Let me begin by saying that there were just 2 manatees, so spotting them was rather difficult. At the dive shop, we were informed that due to flooding and hurricanes the previous year, the grass that had been planted in the river had died, so the manatees had moved to a different grazing ground. I don’t blame the dive shop for this (they are doing the best they can), but it’s something the listing on Viator should address. The employees at the dive shop were very nice. Our group had to wait upwards of an hour for the prior group to return (owing to there just being 2 manatees, who were not in the mood for tourists). During this time, we were offered coffee. I have to commend the captain of our boat, who had come prepared with a drone and ensured that we were able to see both manatees . The return to Orlando was nothing short of being unbearably uncomfortable. Our driver informed us that the AC has stopped working, and we had to spend over 2 hrs in a van in 85 degree weather. This was made worse by the fact that we were seated in the last row, so there was barely any air circulating. Overall, an underwhelming experience.

Charlotte_R

What an unforgettable day! We got picked up by the amazing Kevin early in the morning, we drove for a little over 2 hours with a nice stop in the middle. When we got to the boats we all head in and got our wetsuits, about $30USD to rent. We went out on the boat and our guides were very knowledgeable about finding the manatees, they used a drone and their local knowledge to find hot spots. The visibility isn’t great, you won’t get clear photos because the natural filtration from the grass hasn’t fully recovered yet, but the guides worked so hard to make sure we knew exactly where they were so we could catch a glimpse as they came up! They were so close to us it was great! We then headed to the state park to see manatees in the recovery spring. They were so easy to see and you could go down into the viewing tank to see them underwater. We had heaps of time here and listened to a presentation by Kate at the park talk about the manatees, this was so interesting! We got lunch boxes to enjoy at the park with a super delicious sandwich, snacks and a drink.

Eric_S

Bad pick up experience. Was told on the tour that the manatees haven’t been in the area since hurricane wiped out food 2 yrs ago. Wasted of time and money

Jennifer_S

Service was great and super friendly and knowledgeable! We had Captain Yaves and he was great, Zach was our guide in the water and he did a great job at putting us where manatees were.

Kimberly H

Preston was epic. He told a bunch of history about Florida. The Manatee swim was amazing. The Homosassa Springs Park was a nice walk. Then the best part of the trip was the Air Boat ride. I sent Preston the photos I had from yesterday and you can use them on your site. The Manatee videos and rest will be uploaded soon.

sara_r

The staff at birds underwater dive shop were so nice and knowlegable. Kayla and the captain were so nice and did their best to find us a non crowded spot. The driver of the van was so kind and accomidating. Mauricio had a very positive outlook and pleasant conversation. You could tell he loves people. He was willing to go out of his way to make our experience comfortable and amazing.

James_P

Seeing the manatees was an amazing experience. The tour guides and boat captains were so knowledgeable and helpful. The bus driver was so friendly.

Angelina_L

Do not waste your money or time on this excursion. Here's our experience. 6:45am We were picked up at our hotel - a little late but nothing terrible. 8:30am We arrived to birds underwater dive shop. We got our gear, changed, watched a 10 min video and were ready to get on the boat. 9:30 got on boat and started out to our destination. 10:00 arrived and due to terrible conditions (apparently a major storm in Oct/Nov 2023 devastated the area and now it's murky and the manatees are starving and are hard to find according to the tour guides) we searched for manatee sightings 10:15 we were in the water and swam over to see a single manatee for maybe 20 secs 10:25 we were told we had to get back in the boat as we had to head back for the next tour group. Do you see the problem here? We were only able to experience the water and even have the opportunity to see what we came for (manatees) for 10 mins. 10 ridiculously short minutes. 11:00 dropped off at dive shop / changed etc 11:30 - head for homosassa springs wildlife state park and are marooned there until 2:45pm. There is no sea world or the San Diego zoo this is a small dinky little zoo that you can look at in 30 mins. We start the return to the hotel which drops us off at about 5pm. An entire day wasted for 10 mins in the water. Is that what you want to spend your money and time on?

M Lynne T

Our guide/driver, Oscar was very good. He answered any questions and gave great advice. Our boat captain and guide for the manatee swim was excellent. My tip: take the least amount that you can on the boat trip. What you take, will get wet. The walk through Homosassa Springs is a charming animal park. The airboat ride was impressive. It’s a huge boat. Very comfortable bench seats. The driver skills were very impressive. The scenery was breath taking!! Lots of birds and alligators. We got unbelievably close to the alligators. Still at a safe distance. Marvellous fun a great way to end our adventure for the day.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-20 07:21
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