Snorkelling Crystal River
The Activity People » Snorkelling venues Near Citrus County Citrus County » Snorkelling Crystal River
informationvenue Details
- Packages start from $54.95
$ Prices
From $54.95
'The OG' Swim with Manatee Tour - Endangered Encounter - Crystal River
Join River Venture’s 5-star crew and dive into the ‘OG’ swim with manatee experience with our HD photographer and guide. Our full service, one-stop shop can guarantee manatees and more on this 3-hour adventure!
Why book with River Ventures?
The ‘OG’ of Swim with Manatee: Dive into the world of manatees with the largest and most experienced center in Crystal River and Homosassa – since 2004! Manatee Guarantee Optional Upgrade($): No manatees? No worries, we’ll refund you. Tour options for any budget: Save money or splurge, we have a tour for you. Manatees, Dolphins & Airboats: Combo-Tours, book for the manatee and stay with the dolphins Over 5000 5-star reviews online! Need we say more? Your A-Team: Expert guides, pirate captains, underwater photographers and booking wizards Eco-Edutainment: In-classroom presentation. Learn from our passionate guides.
What’s Included
In – water Guide & Photographer
USCG Master Captain
Mask & Snorkel
Full length Wetsuit
Coffee & Hot Cocoa
Bottled Water
Duration
3 Hour Tour
Meet-up
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour time
Location: 498 SE Kings Bay Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429
What to Expect
Meet and greet the most experienced Crew in town at River Ventures Tour Center
Learn about USFWS Manatee Encounter Rules and get fitted for a wetsuit in a classroom setting
Board coast guard boat with full isinglass enclosure during winter
Cruise Kings Bay, Three Sisters Springs and more while searching for manatees
Swim with Manatee while Guide captures your experience with top-of-the-line HD action camera
Return to Tour Center, sip on coffee and hot cocoa while shopping for souvenirs /photos
Important Policies
Minimum of 3 people to operate, if the minimum is not met, you will be offered a different tour time.
Minimum Age to Participate in ‘OG’ Tour is 3 Years old, please book a private manatee tour to bring younger passengers.
Dogs are not allowed on ‘OG’ Tour, please book a private manatee tour to bring your furry friend.
Expectations & Tour Conditions
Colder Weather = More manatees
Warmer Weather = Less manatees
We prioritize both the satisfaction of our customers and the safety of the Crystal River manatees. It is crucial to maintain realistic expectations when engaging in encounters with wild manatees since we cannot control their behavior or migration patterns. Typically, colder weather attracts a greater number of manatees, while warmer weather results in fewer sightings and more time spent searching for these gentle giants. Each trip is distinct, offering a unique experience for every individual. For detailed information on current conditions, we encourage you to visit our conditions page or contact us directly for more details.
THREE SISTERS SPRINGS is managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service who reserves the right to close the area to swimmers at any time. During cold spells when the animals are thermoregulating in the spring area, it will be closed to avoid harassment and ensure the animals can rest. We May or may not be able to access this one-acre spring (part of the 600-acre refuge area) and that is something we cannot predict from day to day.
The Manatee Guarantee
River Ventures is now offering an optional manatee guarantee upgrade! With our Manatee Guarantee, we eliminate the risk from your tour by assuring you'll have the opportunity to swim with manatees. In the event that you are unable to swim with manatees during your tour and you have chosen the optional upgrade prior to your tour, River Ventures will provide you with a full refund! The guarantee does not cover situations where a guest is unable or unwilling to participate in the activity or fails to adhere to instructions and rules provided by the River Ventures crew.
Additional Information
Natural Encounters
Join us for the original Manatee Swim Tour in Crystal River, FL. Our guided swim and snorkel manatee tours in Crystal River, FL are designed to provide a respectful and non-intrusive encounter with the Florida manatees. Our guides will help you follow the strict guidelines set by USFWS to ensure the well-being of the West Indian Manatee in their natural habitat throughout your swim with the manatee tour.
All-inclusive Tours
Meet us at River Ventures' full-service tour center, where your certified in-water guide and photographer will provide essential information on proper manatee manners in a classroom setting and help fit you for a wetsuit. Once ready, you'll join our USCG Master Captain on our covered pontoon boats and explore the world of manatees in the Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Crystal River, FL.
Experienced Crew
On the boat, our experienced crew will share their knowledge of manatee behavior and conservation efforts, adding depth to your Florida manatee encounter. As you submerge into the natural springs of Crystal River, FL, prepare for an unforgettable swim with the manatee experience. But it doesn't end there—be sure to keep your eyes peeled for a variety of wildlife while enjoying your boat tour of King's Bay that may include Three Sisters Springs, a designated manatee sanctuary during manatee season, Hunter Springs Park, and other local springs. Starting with manatee encounters and ending with birds, fish, turtles, and maybe even a dolphin, this tour showcases the richness of our unique ecosystem which is home to the Crystal River manatee.
Bucket List Experience
Join us today for the best swim and snorkel with manatee experience in Crystal River, FL. Our commitment to small group sizes ensures an intimate and personalized adventure for every participant. Book your manatee swim tour today and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Restrictions
- people Group Size: From 1 Up To 40
From $144.00
The Ultimate Voyage - Scallop hunt and Manatee Snorkel - 6 Hour VIP Adventure - Crystal River
This epic tour starts with manatee education and wetsuit fitting with your experienced guide before joining your coast guard certified captain on board our luxury pontoon. Cruise around King's Bay National Wildlife Refuge while looking for a manatee or two to kick off this awesome day of adventure. Once you've had your fill of snorkeling with manatees, we head out to the shallow grass beds in the Gulf of Mexico to hunt the delicious SCALLOP ! With the direction of our Captain and guide, the scallops may not jump in your bag, but the harvest will go as smoothly as possible. Having a phenomenal Captain can make all the difference, and this VIP tour will be staffed by ONLY THE BEST! Your guides will assist in the harvesting of your catch, identifying wildlife all around while keeping your safety in mind at all times. They will go above and beyond what is expected serving snacks and beverages including beer and wine!
We provide you with everything you need….just bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, a sandwich and a smile and we will gladly take care of the rest! Relax and enjoy this taste of the Nature Coast the way that only River Ventures can serve it.
Included in your Ultimate Voyage Package:
* 6 hours of adventure on our fast, luxury pontoon ‘The Voyager’
*Manatee education
*Mask, snorkel and wetsuit (for manatee portion)
*Fins, scallop net and license to harvest scallops
*Captain and in-water guide to assist with scallop catch and manatee manners
*Photographer to record the adventure (purchase of photo package additional)
*Snacks and beverages, as well as beer and wine
*Runs daily with a minimum of 3 passengers; a max of 6
This tour DEPARTS from River Ventures - Crystal River 498 SE Kings Bay Dr.
ATTENTION: This Gulf adventure is recommended for STRONG SWIMMERS, the condition in the ocean can vary greatly and change quickly. The Gulf can get choppy and you may be scalloping in water anywhere from 4 feet to 10 feet in depth (depending on tides and local of scallops). It is strongly advised not to bring children under 5. You are ultimately responsible for your child while out scalloping and if you choose to bring a child, include them in your total passenger count.
SCALLOP TOURS ARE DONE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO WHERE CONDITIONS ARE VARIABLE. THE BEST SCALLOPING CONDITIONS ARE ON SUNNY DAYS AT LOW TIDES…BEST CHANCES AT AVOIDING AFTERNOON STORMS WILL BE ON THE EARLY MORNING DEPARTURES. RAINFALL, WINDS, TIDES, MOON CYCLES AND SUNLIGHT ALL HAVE SIGNIFIGANT EFFECTS ON VISIBILITY AND ROUGH WATERS CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOME TO ENDURE. KEEP IN MIND WHILE BOOKING YOUR SCALLOP TOURS THAT WE CAN NOT CONTROL MOTHER NATURE, PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.
What to Expect From your Scallop Adventure.....
This is a HUNT! We snorkel at the top of the water and when you spot a scallop you must dive down to
retrieve it and put it in your bag. Being a strong swimmer is a good idea, and taking small children out to
scallop is not recommended. WE DO NOT ALLOW INFANTS ON OUR SCALLOP BOATS.
Ideal conditions would be clear shallow water, but during higher tides water can be 10 to 12 foot deep.This can be much more difficult to manage. NO ONE REACHES LIMIT EVERY SINGLE DAY AND IF YOU WANT THE CHEAPEST, MOST PRACTICAL WAY TO ACQUIRE SCALLOPS, THEN THE SEAFOOD SECTION AT THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE MAY BE THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU. IF YOU WANT GOOD TIMES AND ADVENTURE, THEN COME SEE US!
Your Captain will demonstrate how to clean the scallops, but will not clean them for you. They will have suggestions of where you can go to find someone who will clean them for you if you prefer. Most people choose to do it themselves, it is truly part of the experience! Your car will be waiting for you when you return, so your group is free to go about your day at your own pace.
Restrictions
- people Group Size: From 1 Up To 6
From $650.00
Manatees and More - Family Fun Day Tour (5 hr) - Crystal River
If you are visiting Florida hoping to enjoy all the water activities we have to offer, then this is the tour for you!
Slow cruise in the manatee zone ? Check! Option to snorkel with our endangered friends? Check! Diving into a freshwater spring? Check! Island hopping for a picnic or salt water snorkel ? Check!
Laughing and bonding with your friends and family during a day filled with adventure?
Check, check, check!!
Let us customize a tour that can deliver you memories and fun for your entire family or group!
Envision your ultimate day, and let River Ventures handle the details!
Let the kids unplug and the adults unwind, there is something so special about spending a day together in fresh air and sunshine! There is no other tour quite like this in Citrus County and no other tour Company does it quite like River Ventures. Have no doubt when booking, everyone in your group will have an awesome time!
Departs daily, approx 5 hours from start to finish
Your choice of activities: snorkeling with manatees, springs exploration, island hopping or a combination of all 3!
Six person covered pontoon with a Master Captain at the helm
We welcome adults and children of all sizes, but moderate physical ability is needed to disembark onto the islands and into the springs!
Bottled water provided, parking and gear included in price!
Please call to book within 48 hours of tour date.
***PLEASE BE ADVISED OF CURRENT TOUR CONDITIONS***
Remember that once the weather starts to get warm in March, manatee begin their migration away from the springs and become more elusive. It is very important in the warm seasons to have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS about how many animals you will see, under what conditions and how long it may take to find them. The COLD weather brings them to the area to enjoy our fresh water springs, but once the Gulf temps begin to warm, the manatee become more difficult to find and tend to be located closer to food sources where the water is not always clear. Also, spring brings hundreds of people to the area hoping for a glimpse of these amazing animals…COME EARLY MORNING if you hope to avoid the crowds. We add tours later in the day as capacity demands, but conditions deteriorate as the day goes on. If you are hoping to see dozens of manatee in clear spring water, than a springtime visit may disappoint. If you need more details about what to expect when visiting us in spring or summer, please visit our conditions page or call us anytime! We are always honest about conditions and encourage our visitors to do their research!
Restrictions
- people Group Size: From 1 Up To 6
today Check Availability
comment Latest Reviews
No Reviews Available.
directions Location
Address:
- Crystal River
- Florida
Maps and directions used on our website are for guide purposes only. Please use the directions supplied with your booking confirmation when making travel arrangements.
Also at this location
Venue Ref: 1011628-280