Water activity

Orlando: Manatees Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour

4.7 / 5

42 reviews

Activity provider: City Sightseeing Orlando
Water activity

Orlando: Manatees Swim, Snorkel and Boat Day Tour

Activity provider: City Sightseeing Orlando
Likely to sell out

From US$ 149 per person

Likely to sell out

Ride a scenic boat tour on the Crystal River, home of the endangered Florida Manatee. Enjoy swimming and snorkeling with the playful manatees, and an airboat ride down the Withlacoochee River.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Pickup included
Maingate Lakeside Disney Swan Hotel Senor Frogs

Experience

Highlights
  • One-of-a-kind interaction with manatees
  • Enjoy the beautiful Florida atmosphere
  • Fly across the water on an airboat ride
  • A day tour free of predictable theme parks
Full description
Swim and snorkel with one of the sea's most gentle creatures, the endangered Florida manatee, and take an exhilarating airboat ride. Head to the picturesque Crystal River – home to the endangered “gentle giant of the sea,” the Florida manatee – where you can choose to snorkel or swim. Have a chance to interact with these beautiful creatures if you’re lucky. Have some lunch, and then enjoy a fully-narrated airboat ride. Learn more about this southern state's wildlife from the knowledgeable tour guide.
Includes
  • Round-trip transportation from select Orlando hotels
  • 30 Minute airboat ride on the Withlacoochee River
  • Guided boat cruise and snorkeling in crystal river
  • Packed breakfast and sit down lunch at local restaurant
  • Gratuities
  • Mandatory wet suit rental ($15 to be paid on-site)

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

What to bring

  • Swimwear
  • Change of clothes
  • Towel
  • Sunscreen

Know before you go

  • Don't forget your cameras, swimwear, towels, sunscreen, and cash for any souvenirs, wet suit rental, drinks, and optional photo packages
  • Crystal River is lucky to have a group of approximately 80 manatees that stay all year round. During the colder months, an additional 300 more join them. The constant 72-degree (F) temperature of the spring-fed river and abundance of underwater plant life make it the perfect habitat for the manatees.
  • The manatees in Crystal River are wild animals and, as such, you are not guaranteed interaction. However, your expert tour guides will do everything they can to make this happen.
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 42 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.6/5
  • Service
    4.3/5
  • Organization
    4.3/5

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This was amazing!! First time to Florida on our honeymoon and we just showed up with our tickets and paid for parking and they took care of the rest! We had Luiz as a guide and he was knowledgeable and funny and made the trip great! Our manatee instructors were Gina and Andrew and they were fabulous! We saw lots of manatees (at least 10) and got to swim with them! The only suggestion I have is to bring some $5’s, $10’s, $20’s for tips! And a warm change of clothes if it’s chilly! Our trip was about 8.5 hours total (8am-4:30pm) but time varies I think! Would definitely do it again!!!

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March 29, 2023

If you are debating doing this. Don’t!!! Absolutely amazing experience. The dive shop crew knew exactly where to look For manatees and it was an amazing experience to be that close. We got to see a big matured one then a baby and it’s mama. Oh it was stunning to see and be apart of the baby being so content in its environment. We were lucky the water was clearer where the baby and it’s mama was. We also saw a sting ray and lots of different types of fish. And then don’t even get me started on the airboat ride!!!! JUST WOW!!!! We only saw one little crocodile but it was awesome to be gliding along the Everglades. And so thrilling. I will say breakfast isn’t fresh on the bus but the lunch was amazing. The cheeseburger was fresh and meaty and I be never seen fries like that in my life. But they were delicious!!!

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March 29, 2023

All very professional but also friendly. Fantastic experience, most amazing birthday present for me, would recommend this trip to all people who love and respect our wildlife. Saw a mother and baby which was the high light and having the guide take pictures makes it a memory to treasure. Don’t mind that there are few facilities for changing but it Would be nice to have more than one toilet there.

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March 29, 2023

Product ID: 9545