TourTruth score 9.8 out of 10
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Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour with Free Photos 3 hr
TourTruth score 9.1 out of 10
ExcellentTop 13% in Crystal River
252 reviews · Rated on 1 provider · How we score
- Crystal River
- 3 hrs
- Updated November 2, 2026
Snorkel with Florida manatees on a small-group Crystal River tour, with wetsuits, gear, in-water guides, and underwater photos included.
About this tour
Meet Florida’s gentle giants in the clear waters of Crystal River, where a guided snorkeling trip brings you close to the manatees that make this region famous. The Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour lasts three hours and keeps the group small, with a maximum of 12 guests.
Check in at the shop 15 minutes before departure, then suit up with the provided wetsuit and snorkeling equipment. In-water guides help you during the experience, while you look for manatees in their natural habitat. An underwater photo package is included, so you can take home images of your adventure without paying extra for photos. Hot chocolate is also available on cold days.
Tours run year-round, with manatee season from November 15 through March 31. Children ages 3 and older pay the adult price; children under 3 require a private booking. Bring your own bathing suit and towel, and be prepared to use a boat ladder. Book the Crystal River Manatee Swim Tour for a memorable way to experience Florida’s wildlife up close.
Highlights
- Snorkel alongside Florida manatees in Crystal River
- Take home an underwater photo package at no extra charge
- Stay warm with provided wetsuits and snorkeling gear
- Enjoy in-water guidance in a small group
What's included
Included
- Underwater photo package
- Small-group tour
- Snorkeling equipment and wetsuit
- Hot chocolate on cold days
- In-water guides
Not included
- Gratuity for the captain and guide
- Towels and bathing suits
Ratings on each provider
The ratings and review counts each booking site shows for this tour.
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View on ViatorViator
4.96 / 5 · 252 reviews
Important information
- Meet at the shop 15 minutes before departure to check in and get fitted for a wetsuit
- Maximum group size is 12 people
- Children ages 3 and older pay the same price as adults
- Children under 3 must book a private tour; contact the provider for pricing
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- Wetsuits fit from Child 2 to Adult 6X
- Guests must use a boat ladder to board
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or weak knees
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a stroller
- Manatee season runs November 15 through March 31; tours operate year-round
Frequently asked questions
When is Manatee season?
Manatee season runs from November 15 through March 31, though swim tours operate throughout the year.
Can children under 3 join?
Children under 3 must book a private tour. Contact the provider for private tour pricing.
How large is the tour group?
The tour can accommodate a maximum of 12 people.
What should I bring?
Bring your own towels and bathing suits; they are not provided.
When should I arrive?
Arrive at the shop 15 minutes before your scheduled tour to check in and get fitted for a wetsuit.
How this score is calculated
This score is based on one provider. Viator rates it 4.96 from 252 reviews. We place that rating among all Viator ratings and weight it by its review count. If the tour is found on another provider later, both ratings are combined.
How the score works and rating distribution in Crystal River
- Each provider rating is turned into a percentile: the share of that provider's ratings it beats, weighted by review counts.
- Listings on different providers are combined in proportion to their review counts.
- Tours with few reviews are pulled toward the average until more reviews come in, so a handful of perfect reviews can't top the list.
- The result is shown from 0 to 10: this tour scores 9.1. Top 13% in Crystal River means it ranks in the top 13% of tours in Crystal River by this score.
Provider rating distribution in Crystal River
How many tours in Crystal River have a provider rating at or below each value. The dashed line is this tour.
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- GetYourGuide
- Viator
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