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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

5 (748)
Crystal River, US
5 (748)
Crystal River, US
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Adult (3-99)
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Experience the ultimate luxury on our Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour. We have a secret...you don't have to break the bank to enjoy a high-end adventure! Our new heated (during winter) luxury pontoon is designed to enhance your manatee-watching experience and provide a more personal touch. Join our US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides as they take you into the serene waters of Crystal River's Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the 600-acre spring-fed refuge and snorkel with these gentle giants. We provide all the equipment, fees, snacks, and beverages, so you can focus on creating unforgettable memories. From the moment you step aboard our pontoon to the captivating manatee encounters and the viewing of your captain's photos, this tour offers a truly immersive experience. Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to connect with nature in a truly extraordinary way.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 3 hours
  • Suitable for 1-6 Participants
  • Small Group Tour, Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Luxury pontoon with heated snorkeling experience
  • Coast Guard certified captains and guides
  • Viewing and snorkeling with endangered manatees
  • All-inclusive package with equipment, snacks, and beverages
  • Educational classroom session and Captain's photos
  • Professional guide
  • Use of equipment (mask, snorkel gear and wet suit)
  • Introductory/instructional video offered in English, French, German, Japanese, or Spanish
  • Beverages (bottled water, coffee, hot chocolate, tea and adult)
  • Gratuities
  • Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Photo DVD (available to purchase)
  • Towel and swimsuit

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More about this experience

Introduction

Discover the hidden gem of Crystal River's Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge with the Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour. This unique and luxurious experience offers you the opportunity to observe and snorkel with the majestic West Indian Manatee in their natural habitat. With a heated luxury pontoon to keep you warm during the winter months, this tour promises to provide an unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants.

What to expect?

During this 180-minute tour, you can expect an immersive and educational experience. A Coast Guard Certified Master Captain will guide you every step of the way, ensuring your safety and providing valuable insights about the manatees and the surrounding ecosystem. Starting from the full-service tour facility, you will be briefed on the animals and receive snorkeling tips tailored to maximize your enjoyment. Then, suit up and board the covered pontoon, ready to enter the manatee's enchanting world. The rich estuary of Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge will mesmerize you as you encounter diverse marine life and witness the grace of these magnificent creatures up close.

Who is this for?

The Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour is perfect for nature enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, and adventure seekers of all ages. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, this tour offers an immersive experience suitable for everyone. Families, couples, and groups of friends can all enjoy the thrill of snorkeling with the gentle giants of Crystal River. The tour ensures a safe and comfortable environment for participants, making it accessible to those with varying levels of experience in the water.

Why book this?

This exclusive tour stands out from the rest, offering a combination of luxury, comfort, and an intimate experience with manatees. The heated luxury pontoon allows you to enjoy the snorkeling adventure even during the winter months, ensuring your comfort throughout the tour. The Coast Guard Certified Master Captain provides expert guidance, ensuring your safety while imparting fascinating knowledge about the manatees and their habitat. Additionally, the all-inclusive nature of this tour, with equipment, fees, snacks, and beverages provided, allows you to fully immerse yourself in the experience without any worries or additional costs.

Good to know

When embarking on this tour, remember to arrive 15 minutes prior to the departure time at the River Ventures tour facility. Your journey will last approximately 180 minutes, giving you ample time to explore the intriguing world of the manatees. At the end of the tour, you can view the captain's photos back at the facility and visit their unique gift shop. The knowledgeable staff will also provide recommendations for other local attractions and restaurants, making your visit to Crystal River a truly memorable one.

Reviews

Customers who have experienced the Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour have expressed overwhelming satisfaction and awe-inspiring memories. They praised the knowledgeable staff and the smooth organization of the tour, making them feel safe and comfortable throughout the excursion. The close interaction with the manatees left a lasting impression, describing it as a breathtaking and humbling experience. Reviewers highly recommend this exclusive tour to anyone seeking an unforgettable encounter with these gentle giants in the picturesque setting of Crystal River's Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

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

River Ventures

Embark on your journey with a Coast Guard Certified Master Captain who will be your in water chaperon, educator and photographer. Your tour will run four hours from start to finish and everything you will need is included for one price. You will begin at our full-service tour facility, where you will be educated about the animals in a classroom type setting and receive tips for your snorkel tour to make the most of your day. You will be taught the in’s and out’s of ‘passive interaction’ as this ensures that the animals enjoy the experience as much as we do! You will then be suited up and transported to the dock, where a Coast Guard certified covered pontoon will be waiting for you. This rich estuary will amaze…..birds, fish and wildlife abound! Submerge yourself in the manatee’s world! Finish your adventure by viewing your Captain’s photos back at our facility and be sure to visit our one-of-a-kind gift shop! Our well-informed staff will direct to other local attractions, restaurants and answer of your questions before you are on your way.

Reviews

(748)

5 (748)

805marcyr

Took a mini vacation to do something different. The VIP private ride was very enjoyable and was worth the money and time. Captain Troy and First Mate Mike were both great! The rest of the staff was all also friendly and helpful. Overall very nice, friendly, knowledgeable and fun! It was so cool to swim with the manatees! Overall wonderful experience for all of us! Pictures were also worth the package offered.

Jenna_P

The whole experience was great ! I can’t wait to bring my four grandchildren. Natalie and Kelly were great- knowledgable, helpful and so nice. Wonderful time - the manatees are magical!

marissad498

The captain and the guide Mike was amazing! It was such a fun time. We saw a good 6 or 7 manatees, and the springs were beautiful. I highly recommend.

sherrysC6854VA

Trish and Captain Wade were absolutely wonderful. Before the trip began we were shown a short 7 minute video and given detailed instructions on what to expect and how to safely interact with the gentile, giant manatees. Wade explained and fitted the mask and snorkel then put us in the perfect place to swim with the manatees. Trish was with us the entire time as we swam, giving us directions and assisting with positioning. Wade stayed on the boat and gave us information about approaching manatee. Trish took wonderful pictures and videos of our trip in and out of the water. The pictures and videos do cost an additional $41.34 and are sent to your e mail for viewing and purchasing. The boat was clean and at a pleasant temperature as the plastic sides can be closed and heater turned on. Included in the price of the trip was transportation to the dock and back, dry suit, snorkel, mask, pool noodle, hot coco, coffee and snacks. Please be sure you bring a swim suit, towels and perhaps a blanket to help warm up after the swim. The water is about 72 degrees F. We went on the 9:45 am swim. The air temperature was about 75 degrees F but did warm up as the time passed. I was pleasantly surprised at the number of manatee for the time of year. There were a number of boats, but the captains are courteous and kind with each other and allow plenty of space for each group so there is no over crowding. Over all we were exceptionally pleased with the trip. We did do the slightly more expensive tour that had heat and only up to 6 people. We chose this option for the heat and a more personalized experience. It is well worth the extra bit of money. This was my second trip with Wade and Trish. Ask for them!

zuhaillye

It was super fun. Captain Troy and Guide Crosby were phenomenal, they took us right to where the manatees were and one of my kids got to get a baby manatee surprise hug. It was truly a wonderful experience for my family. Thank you so much! Our driver Bri was an excellent driver as well! <3

G9721FYerinm

We had SUCH a great time! Crosby and Troy were the perfect guides! They were perfect hosts - attentive to our kids, knowledgeable, and respectful of the manatees. We will absolutely do this again!

C9749BEerikal

Our family of 4 went on the small group tour in the morning in March 2024 (one other couple was with us so 6 customers total). We had Liz as our guide and JJ as our captain and they were both very personable and knowledgeable. Liz did a great job of explaining everything about the manatees and their conservation, and how to act around them. Our guides were very friendly with other tour operators, communicating where some manatees had been sighted, and taking turns with groups getting close. We went down a quiet canal and observed a younger female manatee for a while. Later someone spotted a tour group with a mama and baby, but then those manatees took off so we didn't get to see them. There are also hot springs you can see underwater. We had snacks and coffee/hot chocolate and they turned a space heater on after because we were cold (remember to bring your own towels and warm clothes for after you pull down wetsuit). We had a great experience and I recommend River Ventures. It was a great value for 3 hours of a memory that will last forever.

daniellecC6419VK

Just went on out today with captain Mike and guide Carlos! It was the most magical experience. Manatees are my favorite animal and this has been a bucket list item for me to do. The team made it everything and more! Would 10000% recommendation and I will be back again! Thank you for making a dream come true!

753MikeB

We swam with the manatees with Caption Wade and Diver Master Trish. They really made it a fun and informative adventure. We had a great time and plan to come back and do it again.

tarakN6800EG

This was amazing! Dave and Troy were excellent, and we were able to see several manatees. A great time was had by all, from the kids to the grandparents!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-20 07:21