Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour
River Ventures
5.0
Q3453FDannag
1 day ago
Captain JJ and Malia (sorry if misspelled) were amazing! There were 4.5 of us (my almost 1-year-old) and they were very accommodating to everyone on board. Malia made sure that each of us who were in the water were able to see the manatees and told us facts about manatees and the area. They even told the best dad jokes! Definitely would go out with them again!
We will let you in on a secret! You can get the high-end experience, with an affordable price tag! Our new heated (during winter), luxury pontoon aims to amp up the manatee sighting and deliver a more personal event! Observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Crystal River’s idyllic Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides will take you into the 600 acre spring fed refuge waters for viewing and snorkeling with these slow moving wild giants. All equipment, fees, snacks and beverages are included.
Departure Point
- Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
- Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: River Ventures498 SE Kings Bay Drive, , Crystal River, FloridaEmbark 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.Duration: Not AvailableAdditional Information
- Not recommended for travelers 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.
- 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)
- Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
- Photo DVD (available to purchase)
- Towel and swimsuit
We will let you in on a secret! You can get the high-end experience, with an affordable price tag! Our new heated (during winter), luxury pontoon aims to amp up the manatee sighting and deliver a more personal event! Observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Crystal River’s idyllic Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides will take you into the 600 acre spring fed refuge waters for viewing and snorkeling with these slow moving wild giants. All equipment, fees, snacks and beverages are included.
Departure Point
- Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
- Please arrive at River Ventures 15 minutes prior to your tour departure.
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: River Ventures498 SE Kings Bay Drive, , Crystal River, FloridaEmbark 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.Duration: Not AvailableAdditional Information
- Not recommended for travelers 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.
- 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)
- Food and beverages (unless otherwise specified)
- Photo DVD (available to purchase)
- Towel and swimsuit
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and SavingsCustomer Reviews
5.0
based on Groupon 920 reviews
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Reviewed on
Q3453FDannag
Captain JJ and Malia (sorry if misspelled) were amazing! There were 4.5 of us (my almost 1-year-old) and they were very accommodating to everyone on board. Malia made sure that each of us who were in the water were able to see the manatees and told us facts about manatees and the area. They even told the best dad jokes! Definitely would go out with them again!
Eli E
First off, before we booked my wife coupled a couple times with questions. They were happy to answer all her questions and encouraged her to call back if she thought of anything else she wanted to ask. We arrived a little early, the lady at the front desk checked us in and answered any further questions we had. Everyone was extremely friendly and personable and made us feel welcome. Our Captain was JJ and our guide was Steve, both were awesome. Very eager to explain everything. The group we were with had a couple ppl that weren't very comfortable being in the water and they showed great patience, top notch ppl skills. As far as the manatees, we were lucky to find some right away and had an amazing time watching them float and swim around us. This is a place we will definitely be returning to next time we are in the area! Thank you again for amazing memories!
985luxij
It was an amazing experience! I saw 9 manatees together and we were really close. Our guide Mike was professional and experienced in finding manatees, and the boat was comfortable with sofa and snake and beverage. Highly recommended this trip! (One possible improvement is that the picture quality could be better)
L3618OAabbyg
We were lucky enough to have Natalie as our guide and Tanner as the captain and they were both AMAZING! They took us right to a spot where manatee were literally waiting for us to get off the boat. We were able to stay in that spot and we had manatee around us for the entire time we were in the water, including several babies.
We had 5 people in our private tour whose ages ranged from 8-71. Natalie was great at paying attention to everyone and making sure everyone had what they needed and were comfortable, no matter their age. When 3 of our family were ready to get out of the water, they got back on the heated boat with Tanner where they were given snacks and warm drinks. Tanner was amazing and talked to them while the rest of us stayed in the water. He was very knowledgeable about the area and the wildlife there and was so patient to talk and explain things. He even gave great recommendations on what to do with the rest of our time in the area.
Swimming with manatee was a life long dream for one person in our group. I thought it would be something fun to do, but did not expect to have such an incredible experience. I would recommend this to anyone and hope to be able to do it again myself in the future. And when I do, I will absolutely request Natalie and Tanner!!
rsW3705QK
Piper and Captain JJ provided me and my sister with the most incredible experience of a lifetime!!! As Piper talked “baby talk” to the manatees, that was our cue to be sure to look in her direction, and success! The pictures and videos she took were amazing! JJ has exquisite knowledge of the history of Three Sisters Springs/Crystal River! We were kept warm and toasty after getting out of the water, and enjoyed hot chocolate and adult beverages on the way back. We booked 3 different tours in 3 days and this experience was by far the best!!