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Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

5 (758)

Crystal River, US

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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

Highlights

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

Included

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)

Not included

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.

About this product

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

Meeting point & End point

Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.

River Ventures, 498 SE Kings Bay Dr, Crystal River, FL 34429, US

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.

Additional information

Not recommended for participants with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Adult pricing applies to all travelers
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wetsuits are available in sizes from toddlers (2 years old and up) to adults up to 5X
It is advised that you have your swimsuit on underneath your clothes for a quicker check-in
Please bring a towel and a plastic bag to hold your belongings
Children Under 3 years old are not allowed on this tour. Please call for other options.
Post COVID-19 Policy- We are mindful to thoroughly clean water vehicles between visitors.

Reviews

(758)

5 (758)

Escape28609196131

We had the best guides! Kelly and Crosby made sure we had the best experience. The manatee was so friendly and touches us frequently. I didn't want to leave.

884riverr

This tour was amazing! Saw the most beautiful mom and baby manatee plus a couple other swimming around. I got to see the baby within inches of its face! We had guides Mike and Mike and they were amazing. Super knowledgeable and fun to get to know! I would recommend going with a smaller party if possible for better viewing and overall experience. The extra cost is worn it! Be prepared for cold waters but the wet suits help a lot and they keep you afloat so it’s fine for those who can’t swim as well. Mike took tons of pictures and videos that I cannot wait to see! Overall definitely recommend!

Rebecca B

We had an amazing trip out on the water today! Crosby (our guide) and Troy (boat driver) honestly made our trip! We saw some manatees and saw a beautiful spring. Couldn’t say enough about Crosby though! We will be back and requesting him and Troy again!

Susannah_P

Overall, this was a great experience with friendly, professional, knowledgeable staff. Communication prior to trip, including weather conditions and realistic expectations helped me prepare. The educational instructions prior to swim were helpful and informative. While the visibility conditions were not ideal on the day of my swim, the guide and captain were still able to provide a good experience swimming with a manatee.

Departure726875

We had Captain Troy and Carlos was our guide. What a fantastic tour!! We saw a dolphin within 5 minutes of being in the boat. Captain Troy had found a manatee within a few minutes- do yourself a favor and make sure you ask for Captain Troy because he is the “Manatee Whisperer” and we were constantly swimming among the manatees, In fact, I was highly impressed that he helped other boats find manatees so others could experience swimming with them. This impressed me that River Ventures had someone like this on their team and we will be clients any- and very time we are in the area. Carlos explained everything SO well and made sure we did the right thing while swimming amongst them. Carlos is a newer guide and he did a super job in making our day, one will will never forget! Carlos also captured over 200 plus photos of our remarkable experience. Carlos and Capt Troy are super knowledgeable and I would HIGHLY recommend them. They also informed us that they do a scallop hunt and we will be back to partake in that hunt! This is a bucket list MUST DO and with Captain Troy and Carlos it will be the experience of a lifetime!

dennisnR2250PO

We had a great time with Captain Ryan and our guide Storm. They were both very knowledgeable and friendly. We were able to find manatees to swim with and even saw a dolphin in the bay. Great experience!!

Marina_A

We saw a lot of manatees even though the manatee season was over. Our tour guide Nataly and the captain were very attentive and friendly and took good care of us. The photos unfortunately weren't that good .- We were able to use only one photo - the group photo at the start of the tour, and one video of a manatee.

Flyer05855762475

Had an amazing experience swimming with Manatees our captain was Troy and in water guide was Carlos they gave us a warm welcome and were very informative and made us feel at ease and nothing was too much trouble.

Getaway00896767096

What can I say but wow…. What an incredible experience myself and my family will remember for the rest of our lives. Capt Kelly is so incredible and our Guide Dave (the bosses fiancé) had us laughing non stop from the time we arrived to we departed almost 4 hours later. Capt Kelly was a great spotter for manatees taking us away from where large groups of other tours were assembling for a more intimate/private experience. Dave was so knowledgeable and knew exactly how to behave around and respect our underwater friends passing the knowledge and care to myself and family and thus truly immersing us in this experience. The staff and crew shuttling us to the docks were friendly and amazing in every way. GIVE THESE PEOPLE YOUR MONEY!!!! You won’t regret a thing. Definitely recommend the VIP tour!

Mark_W

Michael and Captain Tanner are a Delight. Funny, Knowledgeable and great People to be around. As middle aged People it was an easy and fantastic experience. Thank you Guys. PS. The Check in was very easy and great People at the Front desk.

Collected by Evendo & our supplier partners

2024-06-16 11:50