Snorkeling with Manatees in Crystal River: Swim with Sea Cows

Slip into a wetsuit and swim face-to-face with manatees in their own habitat

Snorkeling with manatees in Crystal River pairs you with a professional in-water guide and US Coast Guard certified captain for a 3.5-hour adventure in Florida's spring-fed waters. All equipment (wetsuit, mask, fins and snorkel) is provided, and the boat is covered for weather. Arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time. Hot chocolate is served on cold days. A guide films the excursion and makes it available on flash drive to purchase afterward.

The experience

The day starts at American Pro Diving Center in Crystal River, where you'll check in, gear up in a wetsuit sized for anyone from toddlers to adults, and get a briefing on how to behave around manatees. A short boat ride takes you to the spring-fed waters where the manatees gather: waters calm enough that seasickness is never an issue. Whether you snorkel in the water or ride in the boat, the in-water guide keeps the experience safe and fun for both you and the animals.

Once in the water, you're swimming with these gentle giants in their own space, not watching from a distance. The professional guide stays with you throughout, and the US Coast Guard certified captain runs the boat. If you're not a strong swimmer or prefer to stay dry, you can ride in the boat and still see the manatees up close. Wetsuits come in all sizes (the center stocks them from 2 years old through 5X), so cold water isn't a barrier.

After you return to the dock, you head back to the center to change into dry clothes, return your gear and watch the day's footage on the big screen. The guide can sell you a flash drive of your trip to take home. The whole experience runs about 3.5 hours from arrival to departure.

What’s included

• Full snorkel gear (3mm wetsuit in all sizes, mask, fins and snorkel).
• professional in-water guide.
• US Coast Guard certified captain.
• covered boat.
• hot chocolate on cold days.
• use of the center's facilities to change and watch your footage on the big screen.

Information

Lasts 3h 30m, runs every day at 07:00, 10:30 and 14:00, from US$ 65 per person, with live guides in 7 languages, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:00, 10:30 and 14:00

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Danish, Dutch and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to18h before

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by American Pro Diving Center

Is this one for you?You snorkel in the water yourself with the guide alongside you, not watch from a boat. This suits anyone who wants to be in the manatee's world rather than observing from a distance. It works for families with young children (from age 2) and non-swimmers too, since boat riding is an option if you prefer to stay dry.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Danish and Dutch.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I snorkel with manatees if I'm not a confident swimmer?

Yes. The snorkel activity is for both swimmers and riders. If you're uncomfortable in the water, you can stay in the boat and still see the manatees. The in-water guide and US Coast Guard captain keep everyone safe, and wetsuits are provided in all sizes.

What do I need to bring or wear for the manatee snorkel?

Wear your swimsuit underneath your clothes for quicker check-in, and bring a towel. All snorkel gear is included: wetsuit, mask, fins and snorkel. Arrive 30 minutes before your reserved time so the staff can fit you properly and run through the manatee behavior briefing.

Are manatees dangerous, and how close do you actually get to them?

Manatees are gentle giants and not aggressive. The in-water guide teaches you how to behave around them so the experience is safe and respectful for both you and the animals. You swim alongside them in the water, not in an enclosed tank or from a distance.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The boats are covered, so rain doesn't stop the tour. On cold days, hot chocolate is served. The spring-fed waters of Crystal River stay calm year-round, so seasickness is not a concern.

Do you film the snorkel, and can I get a copy?

Yes, the guide videos the excursion while you're in the water. After the tour, you can purchase the footage on a flash drive to take home.