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Thoroughly Enjoyed Our Trip - Go Local Manatee Tours

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Crystal River    
• Crystal River - Things to Do    
• Go Local Manatee Tours

Thoroughly Enjoyed Our Trip

We had a great time ! We enjoyed our trip and the hosts of our tour. We came to Crystal River from Orlando which was nearly a 2 hour drive. The I4 was packed with traffic and we were upward of 30 minutes late for our trip. They were extremely nice and flexible and we truly appreciated the courtesy extended to us for our travel. We had amazing weather and made the sun over the river and the experience that much more beautiful. Thank you guys and continued blessings over your business.

Had an absolutely amazing time with this group! Attention to detail, knowledgeable, and every effort to make the experience enjoyable. Will definitely recommend to friends and family that visit the area!!

Wonderful crew, and extremely knowledgeable. I feel the best part was that the owner and crew were local and grew up around that water. Derek and Lindsey, hopefully I'm right with her name, was absolutely amazing! We will definitely be back with the rest of the family someday. My only regret was I did not tip! Uhhg! I was completely distracted and was excited about the whole venture! I will make up for it next time!

What a fantastic team! The private boat allowed our small group a truly personal experience, totally tailored for us throughout as if we were being hosted by friends. Late in the season we still had great weather and they found manatees quickly. Derick took amazing photos so no distractions for us. 110% experience.

Amazing experience!!! We picked Florida for a quick spring break vacation in hopes of seeing Manatees. We picked the small group tour in hopes we'd get more personalized attention and have a smaller group with better chances to hopefully see some manatees and we couldn't be happier with our choice of "3 hour small group all inclusive manatee swim with photos" by Go Local Manatees Tour. Our boat captain, Pete, and our in-water guide, Lindsay, were amazing. They shared a lot of interesting information about manatees and the springs as we were boating out to try and find a good place to see some manatees. They knew where to look and were great at spotting them. They coached us on how to interact with them in non-intrusive ways and we probably spent around two hours snorkeling within touching distance of these amazing animals. (Don't worry, we didn't. ;) ) Lindsay took a ton of great photos of the manatees, and us near them, so we'll have some great ways to remember the trip and how amazing this was. They showed us where the fresh water comes in and gave great, personalized attention, including when Pete showed our son some additional tips. Each trip will be different due to the constantly changing conditions with the water, manatees, weather and such, but this was a great choice and we'd highly recommend this amazing experience with Go Local Manatees Tour with Pete and Lindsay. ENJOY!

I saw the manatees when I was very young and apparently they are just as fascinating today as 40 years ago! 😁. I took my 5 kids (19, 17, 15, 13, 13) because I was looking for an active and unique activity for spring break. This did not disappoint!! Every one of them loved it!! Not only did the guides find a resting manatee for us to see, we also saw a small heard swimming around and got to see a natural spring and diving bird which was extra cool. The pictures were abundant and will capture these wonderful memories! I couldn’t recommend this company more!

Manatee Tour and Dive

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MANATEE TOUR AND DIVE (Crystal River) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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Manatees Galore! - Go Local Manatee Tours

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Crystal River    
• Crystal River - Places to Visit    
• Go Local Manatee Tours

Manatees Galore!

Did a quick google search and found Go Local. Wasn’t sure what to expect but boy did I hit the jackpot for this trip! The staff of Walter and Lindsey were friendly, knowledgeable and took us, within a short 5-10 boat ride, to our first encounter with the manatees. Given it’s not truly manatee season, wasn’t sure what to expect. We saw one, then two then countless manatees on this trip. Their ability to locate these animals in the off season was second-to-none! So much so, the other tour boats were following us as Walter and Lindsey kept us swimming with these amazing animals for 2 1/2 straight!!! If you’re going to want to actually see, and swim with these creatures, I wouldn’t book any other guides - GoLocal Manatee Tours is simply amazing! Book them today!

We had the best time on our tour! The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and so kind throughout the entire experience. The owner was just as wonderful. We have found a new found respect for Manatees and just adore those sea cows. Highly recommend!

This was such an amazing afternoon I got to swim with multiple manatees the guides or fantastic they were caring and patient and they just really made me afternoon phenomenal so I really appreciate you both

We had a great time ! We enjoyed our trip and the hosts of our tour. We came to Crystal River from Orlando which was nearly a 2 hour drive. The I4 was packed with traffic and we were upward of 30 minutes late for our trip. They were extremely nice and flexible and we truly appreciated the courtesy extended to us for our travel. We had amazing weather and made the sun over the river and the experience that much more beautiful. Thank you guys and continued blessings over your business.

Had an absolutely amazing time with this group! Attention to detail, knowledgeable, and every effort to make the experience enjoyable. Will definitely recommend to friends and family that visit the area!!

Wonderful crew, and extremely knowledgeable. I feel the best part was that the owner and crew were local and grew up around that water. Derek and Lindsey, hopefully I'm right with her name, was absolutely amazing! We will definitely be back with the rest of the family someday. My only regret was I did not tip! Uhhg! I was completely distracted and was excited about the whole venture! I will make up for it next time!

What a fantastic team! The private boat allowed our small group a truly personal experience, totally tailored for us throughout as if we were being hosted by friends. Late in the season we still had great weather and they found manatees quickly. Derick took amazing photos so no distractions for us. 110% experience.

Florida's Premier Manatee Destination! Eco and Snorkeling Tours leaving Daily!

Nature's Discovery

Crystal river manatee snorkeling & eco-tours, manatee snorkeling & eco-tours, tours operating daily.

• Most Popular

Private/Semi-Private Manatee Snorkeling Tour

A guided snorkeling adventure for the whole family offered year-round! Swim with manatees in their natural habitat in spring-fed Kings Bay. These Crystal River tours seat up to six passengers to ensure an intimate experience for your party. All gear and included! Private tours available. Photos taken by the in-water guide during the tour are available for purchase after the experience.

• Clock Approximately 3 Hours
• Users Ages 3+

Private Crystal River Eco Tours

Enjoy a private boat tour for the family and friends! We cater to private, intimate experiences. Up to six passengers are allowed on our small-passenger vessel as we cruise King’s Bay, the headwaters of the Crystal River, in search of wildlife.

• Clock 1.5 Hours

About Our Crystal River Manatee Tours

Welcome to paradise! Here at Nature’s Discovery , we take guests from all over the world on scenic boat eco-tours of the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge. Keep your eyes open as we search the headwaters — we may find a variety of wildlife, but the main event are the magnificent manatees!

We’re privileged to be able to lead daily expeditions to take guests (like you!) snorkeling with these gentle giants. Our manatee snorkel tours offer the rare opportunity to enjoy up-close interactions with one of the sweetest animals on the planet. Manatees are incredibly docile and impressively large! Our tours are perfect for all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a seasoned snorkeler or first-timer, our manatee snorkeling tours cater to all ages and no prior experience is necessary. You can find everything you need to make your manatee dreams come true right here at Nature’s Discovery.

Not in the mood for a swim? No problem! Immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of Crystal River. Discover pristine waters, lush refuge land and diverse wildlife while enjoying an eco tour appropriate for all ages and led by one of our Coast Guard Certified Master Captains. Crystal River is truly a hidden gem on Florida’s Nature Coast; we are glad that you found us!

All surfaces and gear used are thoroughly sanitized to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Welcome to paradise! Here at Nature’s Discovery, we take guests from all over the world on scenic boat eco-tours of the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge. Keep your eyes open as we search the headwaters — we may find a variety of wildlife, but the main event are the magnificent manatees!

We’re privileged to be able to lead daily expeditions to take guests (like you!) snorkeling with these gentle giants. Our manatee snorkel tours offer the rare opportunity to enjoy up-close interactions with one of the sweetest animals on the planet. You can find everything you need to make your manatee dreams come true right here at Nature’s Discovery.

Not in the mood for a swim? No problem! We offer sightseeing tours year-round and relish the opportunity to help you experience the highlight of your trip to Florida!

Why Choose Nature’s Discovery Eco Tours?

Unparalleled expertise.

With years of experience, our team of Master Captains and certified guides possess extensive knowledge about manatees and their behavior. You can trust us to provide an informative and enjoyable experience.

Equipment Provided

Forget about the logistics – we’ve got you covered! Our all-inclusive snorkeling packages include snorkeling gear, wetsuits, bottled water, and hot chocolate during the colder months. Focus on the adventure and leave the rest to us.

Small Group Sizes

We believe in providing personalized and intimate encounters with manatees. Our tours have limited group sizes, allowing you to truly connect with these incredible creatures. Avoid the Cattle Barges and enjoy cherished experiences one-on-one swimming with wild manatees!

Eco-Friendly Approach

As nature enthusiasts, we prioritize the conservation of manatees and their environment. Our eco-friendly practices ensure insure minimal impact, allowing future generations to enjoy these amazing encounters.

Book with Confidence

Jake and Evan were awesome. They were great with instructions and making everyone comfortable. They gave a flash drive at the end with amazing pictures for us to remember which they included. Most tours charge extra for this. The best part was the experience though. They definitely know where to go and the best time. We did the early morning but SO worth it. Slowly but surely we were surrounded by the gentle giants. All very safe and it is something we will never forget! Thank you guys! We will tell everyone!

Evan and his team personalized my trip and went out of their way to make my experience perfect. They provided pictures and other unsuspected amenities to make my day memorable- truly a customer-centric mindset. This set them apart from the other companies offering manatee excursions. Most importantly, I would now consider them friends and will visit them again soon.

We went out with Evan & Jake last week and had a FABULOUS experience! There were 5 in our group (age range 16 - 80) so we were able to rent the whole boat and have a private tour. We lucked out and hit the jackpot in terms of seeing lots of manatees. We were nervous because we weren't able to go out until the 10:15 tour (due to having to drive a distance first), but Evan knew right where to take us and we saw lots of manatees - even an adult and nursing youngster! Evan drove the boat and kept my mother-in-law company (who chose not to swim). Evan shared lots of interesting information with her while Jake hopped in the water with the rest of us. He gave us lots of tips and took pictures. At the end of the tour they gave us a thumb drive with the pictures - included in the price! Evan & Jake are very personable and made it a fun tour four all 5 of us. They are clearly knowledgeable about the area and the manatees and shared lots of interesting information. Their smaller tours are definitely the way to go!

An experience we will never forget! These guys were full of information and got us up close to many different manatees including a mother and calf. They were able to find them away from other groups which was great because it can get a little crowded in places. The guide in the water (and one watching from the boat) was tremendously helpful to spot the manatees and get us right to them. The benefit of having a photographer taking photos in the water is priceless! We have these awesome pictures to look back anytime we want! To top the trip off, we found some dolphins and followed them around and watched them feeding. Recommend these guys 100%! Fyi… they were with another top rated company and went out on their own. I called the other company, they were booked, and they recommended these guys and I’m so glad they did.

This was probably one of my favorite life experiences! We got really lucky with the weather and due to a last minute cancellation, it was just 3 of us with Hina as our guide and Carlos as our captain. We were able to see around 6 manatees, including two pairs of moms with babies. Hina is really knowledgeable and told us lots of great info such as how we could tell that one of the babies was adopted by another momma manatee. She also got great photos for us! I recommend getting an early morning tour, it’s rough waking up but worth the sunrise and the experience! Hina and Carlos did a great job of making it a fantastic morning!

We had a great time on our swim with the Manatees! We liked that the Nature Discovery boats take out smaller groups. Once we got to the springs, there were quite a few other boat and people, but being on a smaller tour gave us more individual attention from our guide and boat Caption. We got to see and swim along side many Manatees. They are super big, and being next to them is an amazing experience. We were provided with wet suits, masks, and snorkels. The equipment was in Excellent condition. The store front where we changed was clean, and they have a cute gift shop. I love that the guide took photos of the experience. I would definitely recommend Nature’s Discovery Manatee Tours!!

For over 20 years, I've wanted to swim with the Manatees. When you've built something up for that long, it has the potential to not live up to expectations. Thankfully for me, it was amazing. The staff made sure it was everything I'd hoped for. They were super friendly. Explained clearly both expectations and what was included. Ample pictures were taken, and a real effort was made to take multiple "$ shots". They were also dog friendly which was huge for us. I loved my experience and will definitely use them again if we ever come back to Crystal River. I really loved Hina, our guide.

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Fun2Dive-Incredible Experience - Fun 2 Dive Manatee Tours

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Crystal River    
• Crystal River - Things to Do    
• Fun 2 Dive Manatee Tours

Our guide Zac and Captain Jake were amazing! We were there in “off season” but they found us... read more

Skipper Alex and our guide Zac our guide were awesome. They made it fun very informative and found... read more

Fun2Dive-Incredible Experience

We had the most amazing experience with Fun2Dive. Our guide, Zack, and our boat captain, Brody, were just wonderful. They were both very engaging with our three kids and they spent time answering any and all of their questions. Zack and Brody gave us an experience of a lifetime-they located a mom and her calf and we were able to observe them in the springs for over an hour. We are so thankful for the experience and will definitely come back when we are back in FL.

Skipper Alex and our guide Zac our guide were awesome. They made it fun very informative and found many manatees to swim with. This is the best tour for your money also. I highly recommend.

Absolutely AMAZING experience. Very relaxed, accommodating, and knowledgeable. The Guide Storm and Captain Brody were fabulous! So patient and kind. We saw several manatees, learned soo much, they captured incredible pictures, and we made memories to last a lifetime! Highly reccomend Fun 2 Dive!! We will definitely be going back!

Neal and Captain Gavin were the best couldn’t ask for a better duo who knew everything we needed or asked about manatees. Definitely will request them again

My wife and I took the three hour tour with Captain Garret and our guide Storm. We would totally recommend the folks here, great group of people. We had a chance to swim with manatees and they did a great job locating them. We got to see about 10 manatees and you can tell both Garret and Storm are passionate about manatee awareness and conservation.

We had the private boat tour with Gabby and Captain Jason. Both were really knowledgeable about the area , the manatees and the different wildlife we encountered. Captain Jason even indulged my inner bird nerd and repositioned the boat so o could get a great shot of a bald eagle . Gabby was extremely calm and patient. We had some little ones with us that were scared and she was calm and trying to help ease their fears . She was great . We had an amazing experience!

Small Group Gulf Coast Manatee Tours and More in Crystal River, Florida

Go on a gulf coast expedition with our unique wildlife experiences!

• MOST POPULAR!

Manatee Encounter

Snorkel with the manatees with a guided tour from our U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains. Our tours are conducted daily in the beautiful Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Get up close and personal with these amazing mammals and learn about our ecosystem and their habitat. Book your manatee encounter online!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• User All Ages

Check out our Other Featured Gulf Coast Tours!

• Hour Glass 4 Hours

Private VIP Manatee Encounter

Enjoy the beauty of Crystal River, Florida and the thrill of seeing our majestic wildlife on your own private manatee tour. Our captain will give you an extended journey around King’s Bay where our in-water guide will lead you in an encounter with our Florida Manatees. Book online!

• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Summer Sunset Cruise

Enjoy an eco tour with us as we take a trip from the Crystal River National Wildlife refuge. The points of interest are adjusted seasonally to ensure you see all the Nature Coast has in store. Book your Crystal River sunset cruise online today!

• Hour Glass 5 Hours

U-Pick Scallop Trip

Spend the day on the pristine coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico hunting the Bay Scallop!  Let our U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains guide you to the fertile underwater grasslands found off of the Crystal River for this unique wildlife experience

We were voted Best of Florida, 2022 !

We are so thrilled to be considered one of the best Regional Vacation Destinations in Florida alongside Everglades National Park, The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum), Kayak Excursions – Bunche Beach, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, and Universal Orlando Resort!

Why our customers love Gulf Coast Expeditions!

Captain Ron and guide Michelle were fantastic. The small group we had offered great interaction with manatees. I was even given a nuzzle by a curious one. Hot coffee getting out of water was a great touch as well.

Thanks to captain Ron and manatee guide Michelle for an awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience! It was truly a wonderful experience. My teenage kids were even amazed at the number of manatees we were able to see and literally play with. A trip we will never forget!!

My friend and I toured with Lauren and Audrey and it was amazing. Our guides were very knowledgeable of the manatees and where to find them and they were funny too. This was an amazing experience. We would definitely do it again.

Once in a lifetime experience. Super cool knowledgable guides, and captain. This is not a cattle boat tour, it’s a small group and they take you to places that other groups don’t go so you aren’t in the water with swarms of people. Highly recommend!

Captain Ron and the whole crew were terrific. Fun, knowledgeable staff that are passionate about what they do and the manatees and their environment. Highly recommend!

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Go Local rocks! - Go Local Manatee Tours

• United States    
• Florida (FL)    
• Crystal River    
• Crystal River - Things to Do    
• Go Local Manatee Tours

Go Local rocks!

Due to the recent hurricane, the water in the Bay and river were not very clear, but that did not deter Peter and Lindsay! They worked so hard to make our experience memorable and fun nonetheless! We got to swim with multiple manatees and had a blast! The small group experience was worth it! “Go local”, you won’t regret it!

Awesome Manatee Experience - I highly recommend everyone to do a small group tour with Captain Peter @ GoLocalManateeTours.com.

Our family has the best experience with the manatees up close, thanks to Captain Peter and Lindsey. Very nice and friendly and had great knowledge of the area for navigating the channels.

This was a great experience! The guides were excellent. They are locally owned and care about the animals and the environment. They were super knowledgeable and friendly. We had a great experience despite the recent storms. 10/10 would go with this group again.

My wife and I did the Manatee tour with Captain Peter and Lindsey and had an amazing time. It ended up just being the two of us on the tour, but all their tours are designed to be small groups which was a main reason I booked with them. You can tell that Peter and Lindsey really have a love for what they are doing and respect the manatees more than anything else. The day we went out was going to be a challenging one because it was a cloudy day and the water is still a little murky from Hurricane Idalia. I think it was experience and a little luck from us, but we came across a mom and her calf that we were able to spend close to an hour hanging out with. We didn't expect the calf to be so playful, but he kept coming up to us and grabbing our hands and giving his best manatee kisses. This was truly an amazing experience and was more than what we expected. Despite the conditions, they were also able to take lots of pictures and videos, which are included in the tour. Don't search for any other tours, book with Captain Peter right now and you'll have a great time with an awesome local company.

Captain has contacted me just after the booking and warned about not ideal nature condition to provide me with a full inside on what I can expect and allowing me to reschedule my visit. I am happy that I didn't. I received a great service and the tour team did everything for us to ensure that we will get everything from our visit. With Captain's professional skills and some luck we were able to see many manatees including a baby and a mating process, despite not ideal water conditions. We also got great photos and videos. This tour happened to be private for me and my wife (although we paid the normal price for a shared one), but even if there would be other tourists, the boat is smaller than other agencies, so you will be able to get a bigger portion of manatees attention for yourself. Considering that other agencies normally asking about $35 for photos, here you will get not just great service and better conditions, but also a better price.