Swim with Manatees at Crystal River plus Everglades Airboat Adventure

Orlando, United States of America

On this tour from Orlando, take a narrated boat cruise on the Crystal River to snorkel and swim with manatees -- the gentle giants of the Florida Everglades. Then, take an exhilarating airboat tour on the Homosassa River and visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park to watch a manatee-feeding session and see other animals including bears, panthers and alligators. You'll enjoy a day out on the water getting to know Florida's local wildlife. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Your day starts in Orlando with an all-you-can-eat breakfast. Then, it's off to join a team of manatee experts for a narrated boat cruise on the picturesque Crystal River, home to one of the world's largest populations of endangered West Indian manatees. Learn how this large, harmless aquatic mammal is under threat due to loss of habitat.

With your provided mask and snorkel, you are encouraged to go for a swim with the manatees while under the guidance of certified dive masters.

After your cruise, enjoy a picnic-style lunch overlooking this beautiful sanctuary. Your adventure continues in the afternoon with a 45-minute airboat tour on the Homosassa River. During your airboat ride, keep your eyes peeled for manatees and dolphins, as well as a host of other wildlife.

To end your day, visit Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, famous throughout Florida for its efforts in rehabilitating injured animals. You'll see more manatees during an informative and entertaining feeding session with a park ranger. You may also spot bears, panthers, alligators and even a hippo as you explore the rest of the park. Afterward, you'll be taken back to Orlando.

Please note: Manatee season is from October to March. Sightings are very common, however as the animals are wild, no guarantee can be made.

USD $113.00

Review by:   Cornelia M,    June 2018
So, this is not...jump in the water and there are manatees...one must look for them, find them...and then proceed cautiously and carefully so as not to disturb them in their natural habitat...do not touch them says the guide...what to do if one little one is so curious about these 'new friends' it snuggles up and 'tastes' your diving mask...what graceful and totally amazing creatures. Thanks a million for allowing us to experience this part of the Everglades - it was an amazing experience. Together with the fun of the air-boat ride we had a wonderful day away form the rides and other experiences of Orlando.

Review by:   Kerri G,    April 2018
It was a cool wet day, but once we were in our wetsuit and in the water this didn't spoil the day. At first the water was murky but the guides know exactly where to look and quickly found a manatee grazing along the bottom. They slowly rise about every 3 minutes to breathe and it was amazing to float beside these magnificent creatures. Shortly after the guide took us to the truly beautiful crystal springs where the water was warm and as clear as any swimming pool and another Manatee to swim with. Finished with a walk through a wildlife park to see more Manatees and local wildlife. Great experience.

Review by:   Twinkie,    February 2018
We had a great time and saw a lot of Manatee- it was the end of winter/early spring- the Manatee had migrated from the West Coast to spend thee winter in the warmer Florida waters, so there were hundreds! The water is not cold so don your wetsuit and mask and jump in! The airboat ride was excellent and we saw many alligators. We also dropped into a zoo for rescued animals.

Review by:   ccannon2010,    February 2018
The Crystal River trip was awesome! It was a jam-packed, long day, but well worth it. Our driver was very knowledgeable about Florida and was very friendly and entertaining. The snorkeling portion of the trip was awesome. While only a few manatees swam outside the protected area, it was very cool to see the ones that did swim by and to see the others surface to get air. The captain and snorkel guide answered many questions and it was obvious that they take protecting the manatees seriously. They also took us to another location where we snorkeled over a spring and saw many varieties of fish. After the snorkel trip, we went to a wildlife state park and then took an airboat ride and saw alligators on the river banks. We were provided with a very nice breakfast and lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Review by:   Melissa B,    January 2018
We saw so many Manatees! Amazing creatures and great Everglades Airboat tour, too! So glad we did this while vacationing in Florida!

Review by:   David R,    December 2017
Very well run trip - and essential given the lack of customer around when we reached both venues. Nice swim with wild manatees and strict but admirable enforcement of keeping your distance! Airboat tour was OK but almost nothing to see - try Orlando Wetlands Park if you want to see alligators - and the usual showboating pilot. Wildlife caged area was pleasant and almost the only way to see many of these animals. Breakfast and lunch were more than adequate!

Review by:   Deborah N,    October 2017
This was an amazing experience. It was the high point of my vacation. Kate and Austin were terrific. Kate captained our boat and Austin led us in the water. I would do it all again. Madelyn was the tour leader. She was funny and knowledgeable about each part of the tour. A great overall experience..

Review by:   phuochung.svp,    September 2017
It's very good trip. My kids like the this tour very much

Review by:   Deanna S,    August 2017
Timing is everything. Our tour group went when it was low tide which made the water a bit mucky. We were still able to see some manatees. I even had a mama and her calf swim underneath me and was able to touch the length of her back as she swam by. Unfortunately, no pictures underwater as the water was too cloudy. But the experience was fun and the tour guides were fantastic! The airboat tour was fun as well. Didn't get a chance to see much wildlife. But again, the experience and the tour guide made it worthwhile. Highly recommend and look forward to doing this tour again.

Review by:   Marie R,    August 2017
This tour was the highlight of our trip. Tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We loved seeing the manatees with an experienced crew who doubled as exemplary teachers of their habitat. Everything was spot on. We would go back just for this event. Well done.

Review by:   Anna W,    July 2017
Great adventure. We stopped at a third animal park that was very good also.

Review by:   Gregory K,    June 2017
Truly amazing experience. We saw dozens of manatees in the wild, close enough to pet.

Review by:   Helga M,    June 2017
Well aware we were visiting outside manatee season, my mom and I were both thrilled that we managed to find a couple of manatees! We also really enjoyed the airboat ride and the visit to the wildlife park! All in all a very nice break from walking around theme parks :

Review by:   Lisanne M,    May 2017
I loved this excursion, they provide a very filling breakfast and lunch and the sightseeing we did was great. Even though manatee sightings are much rarer this time of the year we were lucky enough to see several. We also saw an alligator and several turtles while swimming with the manatees. Next stop Hermosassa State Park, there were many animals to see who cannot live in the wild by themselves due to injuries or human contact that has left them relying on humans. Our last stop was for an airboat ride which was also very good and we could hold a baby alligator. All in all a great day, my only criticism would be that everyone was expecting and asking for tips. This is not a cheap excursion and all the operators made it sound like they only got paid with tips. If that's true then it's a discusting business practise. I can't get used to the American way of expecting tips on top of the cost of anything you do. Maybe they should charge more and pay their operators a decent wage. I wasnt intimidated into giving tips but most did. If I'm wrong then I guess I'm not familiar with the customs but tipping for everything seems like a money grab with guilt.

Review by:   sandra m,    April 2017
The tour company were great Marleen and Denis were great fun. We had a very good day from start to finish.

Review by:   jill w,    April 2017
My overall thoughts - they knew that it was a terrible day for seeing, let alone swimming with manatees. It would have been very helpful - like a cruise ship - for them to admit it up front and issue a refund if we chose not to participate. That was not done and we wasted a morning at a Ponderosa buffet and swimming in green water after hidden manatees. Additionally, upon arriving at the location, we were greeted with a small changing room and one restroom for the entire group. We were then upsold wetsuits - 10 per suit. My family only wanted 1 and we were told that they were highly recommended for flotation. We stuck with just 1. Then, into the green water we went. There we were given swim noodles and sent into choppy green water. We swam in circles for a long time and then back on the boat. A guest spotted a nose of a manatee. Our guide said great - there it is - success - and then back to the dock. Then about 20 women stood in line for two stalls to change out of their wet swim wear in a public park restroom. Next the wildlife state park - aka a zoo. My fault as I didn't do my research - as we are not fans of zoos. We toured the zoo - picture one winged bald eagles in front of an American flag, but did see a manatee in water from a bridge that appeared like the photos in the online materials. So, clear water exists. Other tour groups were in this clear water enjoying the manatees. We were instead on a bridge watching them. Then the salvation of this trip - the air boat ride. We were at Tom and Jerry's airboat rides and had a blast. Saw gators and flew through swamps. We wish that we were given the option to ditch the buffet, swim in the muck, and zoo. We loved the airboat ride.

Review by:   Chelsey L,    March 2017
All the staff are great! Madeline was an excellent driver/tour guide..helpful, funny and informative. On the boat we had Kacey and Shellie who we also very informative and extremely helpful and patient when in the water with nervous swimmers! The airboat was driven by Art who was also fantastic.

Review by:   Linda B,    November 2016
Would have to say the most wonderful experiences ever. We had a great Captain, Brian and guide Shelly were both welcoming, fun and informative. We saw approx 6 Manatees and 1 baby calf. Three of them interacted a lot with us as they are very curious creatures. There are obviously some rules you have to obey to protect the animals which was fine. We just floated there on pool noodles and the manatees came up to us to check us out. One nibbling on a girls hair and nuzzling her. I got some great underwater footage of them playing with us. Such gentle giants. Would highly recommend this tour even if you are not a great swimmer. 10 / 10.

Review by:   R N W,    November 2016
Our trip was to interact with nature and local ecology. Visiting manatees is best done in winter months when water is clear and the manatees are in the springs in great numbers seeking warm water. In summer/autumn water is still warm and murky so not such a good experience, although we did see and swim with manatees. The airboat trip was a bit short and lacking biological or ecological narration. This could be done better.

Review by:   Clifford M,    November 2016
Brilliant tour. Great knowledgeable staff. Well worth the money

Review by:   Tamara S,    October 2016
This was the best time ever! J Low well she is very informative, and helped with my daughters class assignment. We had close up encounters with the manatees. The captain took extra time with my 6 year old to help her get right up to the manatees. I highly recommend this tour.

Review by:   Meagan T,    October 2016
This was a great tour, and a great way to see the everglades and rivers of Florida. All of the tour operators were great, and Madeline was fantastic and very helpful.

Review by:   lynn c,    September 2016
amazing. had a really good view of mum and calf. the guys on the boat are so helpful and make you feel so relaxed. wonderful time

Review by:   Russell J,    August 2016
Wouldn't have bothered with breakfast too rushed or the airboat ride saw a couple of juvie gators_br/_ Or the packed lunch!!._br/_ Homossassa springs is great if you time it right, there are manatees that live around the springs all year and are fed by the park rangers at certain times of the day._br/_ Our bus left 10 minutes after a feeding session so not everyone had the opportunity to see the manatees from the underwater observation deck._br/_ The driver wasn't very good at explaining things so when we got to Crystal river to get wet suits extra 10 on top of ticket price it was a little chaotic to say the least._br/_ However, watching the information film on the coach about interacting with manatees did save a bit_br/_ of time._br/_ The boat driver and guide were both really helpful and informative and made the whole experience _br/_ enjoyable for everyone on our boat._br/_ I was quite surprised how quickly they spotted a couple of manatees and within ten minutes there _br/_ was a boatload of us in the water swiming with these huge animals._br/_ Don't be fooled by the name Crystal river, the water is quite murky, but you are in the manatees_br/_ natural environment so you can't complain too much._br/_ Swam with three manatees and watched another two over the next 45 mins._br/_ Prices in the gift shop are a little steep for what's on offer, but the dvd with pictures and film of your_br/_ swim with the manatees....priceless_br/_ For all the europeans reading this, Be prepared to be tipping all day!_br/_ breakfast, airboat captain, Homossassa springs donation, manatee skipper and guide, bus driver _br/_ along with 10 for the wesuit hire, our party of four tipped in the region of 220._br/_ Bearing in mind this is on top of the ticket price, it starts getting a bit expensive, after all, you only wanted to swim with a manatee not all that other stuff, right?_br/_ Having said that, there's no driving or navigating or toll roads or parking to worry about.

Review by:   SUETYR,    August 2016
The tour started with a hotel pick up at around 8 am followed by an all you can eat buffet breakfast at the Ponderosa Restaurant in Orlando. Our tour guide known as J Lo was very entertaining and helpful giving details about our planned activities and raised points about the local history during the bus journey. Our first stop was at Crystal River. Snorkels are available but hire of wet suits for 10 is recommended as the water is cold. As manatees are wild, sightings are not guaranteed but we managed to see some and swim with them. Manatees are protected and swimming near them is highly regulated. Also, the river is shallow in some places so visibility can be affected by silt being stirred up from the river bed. After our swim we were given a pack lunch consisting of a ham roll, crisps, biscuits and a drink to eat on the bus on the way to Homosassa State Wildlife Park. After this we travelled to Lake Panasoffkee where we enjoyed an airboat ride where bug spray is highly recommended ! We were told during the hot weather alligators tend to only be seen at night but we managed to see one guarding her nest. We started back at around 5:30 pm and it was an hour back to Orlando and subsequent hotel drop off. It is a long day but very interesting, I don't think it would be suitable for young children.

Review by:   Eric G,    August 2016
5-stars for Madeline AKA J-Lo for a great tour! Funny, friendly, informative, good driver!

Review by:   Mike C,    July 2016
This was a great day out and the only reason it does not have 5 stars is that it was 'off-season' for manatees and there are much better companies to use for the airboat ride than Tom and Jerry's. Overall it was fun and I would do it again.

Review by:   Christina C,    June 2016
Had a great time! Breakfast/lunch verygoid! Manatee swim was fantastic! Bus ride and guides were great/entertaining. Only thing I did not like was the constant need for tipping! We paid $120 for the trip, yet continually a tip seem to be required? The airboat driver asked for $5 (x20 people)?

Review by:   Laura P,    June 2016
Great tour! Breakfast was good, the bus was comfortable and the tour guide was friendly. Would recommend going in winter if you can as we only swam with one manatee and saw about four, but that and #39;s something that can and #39;t be helped. Overall it was a lovely experience

Review by:   andrea k,    June 2016
This tour was amazing!

Review by:   tulumbas,    May 2016
It's cool if you're ready to spend some time in wetsuit on the wind

Review by:   Alicen,    May 2016
Marvellous Tour. Great to swim with the manatees, nice zoo and great fun on the jetboat. Lunch was tasty. Only thing I really didn't need was the breakfast. It was good, but we had that provided at our hotel and it made for a late start to the day._br/_ Madeleine was a super guide and driver throughout the trip - very knowledgeaqble and personable.

Review by:   ednalang,    April 2016
This tour was one of the best tours I have ever taken . The price was great , staff very pleasant and informative. Keep up the good work ._br/_ Edna Lang

Review by:   Jean G,    December 2015
We loved swimming with manatees and the park stop was great also. The driver was nice and informative. By the time of the airboat ride it was cold and the guide told us little of interest.

Review by:   VIRGINIA S,    November 2015
Great experience!!! Swimming with Manatees was the best thing I did in my trip to Florida. These animals are awesome, loving and funny. We swam with a baby Manatee and his mum and it was a really opportunity to know about them, but it was too short! The airboat ride was great too. Breakfast and lunch were tasty. Highly recommended.

Review by:   Robert A,    November 2015
Crystal river is not Crystal clear as it shows on the photos. We did get to swim with a Manatee but we could not see it properly through the sludge.

Review by:   Elaine W,    November 2015
A great tour! Well organized and we got exactly what was promised. Madeline, our guide, was awesome. The entire trip was a success and something I would recommend to anyone. Would have liked more time on the airboat though.

Review by:   Shirley C,    November 2015
Manatees were incredible - if you can practise snorkelling before you go. Airboat trip good as well. Didn't like the wildlife park - but that was just me. Worth the money and lovely people.

Review by:   Kathrin H,    October 2015
great tour! the snorkeling was a very unique experience and we saw a lot of wildlife. The breakfast was great and the tour guide Madeleine was amazing. Totally worth the money!

Review by:   Elsie Y,    September 2015
Swim with manatees spoiled by attitude of boat captain. Obsessed with rules and regulations about swimming with manatees. Visit to homosassa park good, but a bit short amount of time. Airboat ride good. Probably will not take this trip again.

Review by:   kachinovas,    September 2015
This was worth every penny! We got to see the manitees up close and personal, the sanctuary was beautiful and the boat ride was exhilarating! Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor, which made the time in the bus go fast. Make sure to get the wetsuits!

Review by:   magictravelgenie,    July 2015
Was a great tour.

Review by:   Kristi A,    July 2015
We had a great time.

Review by:   Lisa,    June 2015
The swim with the manatees was not what I was expecting but was worth the trip. They are amazing. The guides were very helpful. The airboat ride was not as great as I had hoped for but was fun. I would defiantly do it again.

Review by:   Page H,    May 2015
Why this is a great deal...

Review by:   johnmichaelmcewan,    April 2015
Was a little disappointed with the swim to be honest. I was expecting lots of interaction however only one manatee was spotted and it didn't want anything to do with the group. Not allowed to follow them either meant only a limited viewing. _br/_ The air boat ride was fantastic and the highlight.

Review by:   Alarnie F,    April 2015
Best Day of our Vacation!!! The tour guide was great...Caption Jessie at Crystal River was awesome....the Manatees were just amazon...the state park zoo was lots of fun...and the air boat ride at Wild Bills was a blast...I would totally recommend this day trip!!!

Review by:   Jeannethomaspjnj,    April 2015
The guide for the manatees was excellent, we got close up to several. The springs were beautiful, a very peaceful place. The airboat ride was lots of fun- we saw alligators and other wildlife and enjoyed flying across the water. All in all, one of the best ways to see another side of Florida.

Review by:   larryx15,    February 2015
Not a good value time with manatees was shared with too many people maybe had 15 minutes

Review by:   Jodie G,    January 2015
Best tour ever! Fantastic combination and great customer service from every team! Amazing value too, really couldn't be better!!