Crystal River: Private Manatee Swim With Guide(free Photos)

Captain Chris and Amanda were absolutely amazing! They shared their love and respect for the manatees and their natural habitat with us, which made the experience even more special. We were lucky enough to have a private tour, allowing us to get some incredible views of the manatees. We even got to see an alligator! The whole adventure was truly magical. We are so grateful to Chris and Amanda for making a dream come true. An unforgettable experience that we will cherish forever! ❤️

Absolutely amazing captain Chris and mermaid Amanda were great. Super informative and great manatee swim and the springs will come again

It was the best part of our vacation they are the best we seen so many manatees

We had our second trip with Todd Hopkins and Giggles . We loved it so much and they really help you and look after you while you are in the water . I am a retired saltwater fishing captain and I can tell if a captain is worth the cost . Definitely hire this Captain . He put us on the scallops and keeps us entertained with his humor .

Giggles and captain Chris were amazing! At the beginning of the trip we couldn’t find them but they didn’t give up and we were able to find a manatee and take pictures with it! It was amazing! Definitely recommend!

This experience was so worth it!!!! The guides were so knowledgeable and friendly. I will definitely be doing this tour again.

Absolutely wonderful experience. Giggles and Toby were incredible guides. I hope I got their names right! Would 100% recommend them. They have a little gift shop and a room where you watch the informational video first and get into your wet suits, then you go on the van about 5 min to the boat. We saw a gator and I think four manatees! It was an amazing experience.

We investigated 4-5 companies before we selected Crystal River Manatee Adventures. They were absolutely great starting with our first phone call to TJ . Their entire setup is first class, and our Captain ((Chris) and our dive assistant (Crystal Lynn) made the entire trip fun and informative. We highly recommend this entire crew!!

Captain Chris and guide Crystal Lynn were completely awesome. We spent very little time in the boat and were completely engaged with several manatees in our private tour in the water. Crystal Lynn had a wonderful ability to stay at the manatees head so we could see her at all times and know where the wonderful creature was. I was amazed at how inept I was at finding the manatee and how Crystal Lynn maneuvered herself seemingly effortlessly to help us. Both Captain Chris and Crystal Lynn were 100% focused on us having a great time. Aside from swimming with manatees which is beyond awesome, the thing I liked most about the tour was the degree of information both these professionals had. They shared all kinds of facts regarding manatees, regarding the bay, regarding the mammal migration, and gave a very great understanding of why the bay was in the shape it is today. They relate a lot of hurricane information as well and then after we swim with the manatees, we went up to the three sisters spring and swim there. The entire experience was simply wonderful. My brother arranged the trip and it called four or five other outfits when he was doing his research on who we would go with. He relays that TJ at the front desk was beyond helpful and stood Head and shoulders above all the other outfits that he called. We are so glad we booked with Crystal River Manatee adventures. We recommend them highly Fantastic experience all around. Ps before we even left the parking lot after our tour was over, likely about 100 photos were uploaded to our email for our viewing. It was the best because when I got home I could show my friends what I had done that morning. Again kudos to this wonderful team

Had an amazing time while on the tour. Thanks to tour guide crystallynn and captain chris for the amazing experience and getting us up close and personal with the manatees for 2 hours. And nice hot coacoa break.

It was a great experience. And although manatee season was over we still got the chance to see and/or swim with 10 to 12 of these great animals. Also a huge thank you to our guide Chrystal-Lynn and captain Chris who did everything to make it this a very memorable trip. Some very nice people with great knowledge about the manatees and their habitat, and with a good sense of humour. We highly recommend this company to take you on a trip! Great plus: they take 6 persons max. on their boats so they can give you all the attention.

It was a really great experience. Saw quite a few manatees and one really friendly calf who cuddled up to us. I also want to thank CrystalLynn and captain Chris for the tour. They were great!

Captain Chris and Jay gave us the perfect day! They were so knowledgeable took their time and gave me and my family the best experience. No commercial rubbish just two people passionate about the wildlife and giving us the best experience I would 1000% recommend them!

Jay and captain Chris took out our great people had a fun time

This was an amazing experience! Animal safety was number one and we were able to swim close to multiple manatees and witness a calf and mother in the wild. Our guide and boat captain were both fantastic and made the experience safe and amazing for all of our party.

amazing experience! todd and crystal were so funny and sweet!

Captain Todd and the crew were fantastic! Very friendly and knowledgeable. Would absolutely recommend!

What an absolutely amazing experience! Mermaid Amanda and Captain Chris were amazing guides and were such fun to be around. They both have a world of knowledge about the area, its history, and of course, the beautiful manatees. Both made sure we had the best opportunities for sightings, and we definitely got up close viewing time with these beautiful animals. This is an incredible adventure.

As a native Floridian, things like this are often overlooked as tourist attractions. Despite that, I am unbelievably glad my family and I came out today to spend it with Todd, Jay and the manatees! What an absolutely wonderful time we had with the two of them! So many laughs, interesting facts, and some incredible experiences with one of my favorite animals. The springs were so beautiful and something I would have never found on my own. Overall, I cannot wait to come back and do this again, 10/10 recommend!

It was really fun and the guides are so nice and fun to talk to! The springs where really pretty and the water is so clear.

The staff was amazing, knowledgeable and friendly. The hot chocolate was the perfect refresher between swimming with the manatees and the crystal river.

The people running this and working here are so funny and they know what they are doing. They find manatees so fast and provide everything you need to have a good time. Tip them they are great! Me and my family had a five star time.

It was so fun to see manatees with my family, and a great experience. The trip-advisors were supper friendly and funny, and they made the experience better.

Omg!! One more bucket list ✔️!! Our guide crystal Lynn was amazing and so fun!!! Amazing experience!!! 2 👍 highly recommend this company, tour once in a lifetime adventure with the cubby 🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️🧜🏻‍♀️

I had an amazing time! I saw lots of manatees and even a calf! 10/10 recommend

10/10 experience! Captain Todd and Jaye our guide were amazing! Even with warmer weather the heated boat was so appreciated. They got to manatees before all the other boats and crowds allowing us an opportunity of a lifetime. Both the captain and guide we kind and genuine while interacting with us and my two kids. Came from Michigan and we will be back for a scallop drive!

Giggles our guide and Capt. Chris were awesome. They were great at helping us find and view the manatees, and a ton of fun on the boat! We had an unbelievable trip!

My husband and I did the private tour in late March. Our mermaid, Amanda and our Captain, Todd were PHENOMENAL. They did such a great job for two middle aged land lovers who had never snorkeled before. They were very patient and helped us figure out our great and managed to get us up close with some manatee. The time we spent at the Three Sisters Springs was great and absolutely beautiful. Having the private tour, all the photos and videos were just of us and was well worth the expense. We will come again, even earlier in the season to see even more sweet potatoes of the sea!

Giggles was the best guide. Very knowledgeable about the manatees and made our experience most memorable. Captain Chris was awesome. The boat was heated and hot chocolate and coffee ready when we returned from the cool spring waters.

Amazing experience with Chris and Amanda. The hospitality, welcoming and service is beyond amazing.

Amazing manatee tour! Our guide was super friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience fun and relaxing. They took us to multiple spots, and we got to see several manatees—such a memorable experience. Highly recommend!

Very professionally run tour. Many companies to choose from, you will not regret choosing this company.

We had a great time! Captain Chris and Pippy were our guides and they were so fun!! Super fun and lighthearted experience saw a bunch of manatees. Would definitely recommend, especially with the heated boat. Hospitality, process and humor was 10/10!!! Capt Chris makes a mean manatee mocha;)

Captain Colt and Guide Leah “Giggles” of Crystal River Manatee Adventures were total professionals and made my wife’s 50th Birthday wish come true. After days of bad weather and a severe storm less than 12 hours prior, Colt and Leah prepared us in the case the Manatees weren’t cooperating or the water was too murky. However, due to their patience, Leah was able to fulfill my wife’s dreams and get her an up close and personal experience with a cow and calf. Colt really showed his professionalism through his patience when other captains were trying to encroach on our experience. Colt and Leah are the very best! Thank you so much!!!

Captain Chris and Pippy were amazing. We were able to see several manatees up close and even got to see the springs as an added bonus. The boat was warm and our guide and captain were amazing. Can’t wait to go again.

We had a wonderful experience. All the captains and guides are helpful and friendly. We saw lots of manatees. It was so much fun. It’s easy to call in and schedule a trip. No hidden fees. Heated boats are a huge plus. We will definitely be repeat customers.

TJ welcomed us as soon as we arrived and had everything set up for our 2 boat family tour. Boat 1 - Captain Ryan and Tour Guide Amanda; Boat 2 Captain Todd and Tour Guide Jay. Amanda & Jay were both very patient and brought us right into King spring where there were an abundance of manatees. What an adventure! Thank you! Then after we had our fill of manatees, we got back on the heated boat! That made a huge difference and Ryan & Todd provided us with "Manatee Mocha's" or hot chocolate. A great trip and highly recommend Crystal River Manatee Adventures for your next tour.

We are a family of 6, and rented a private heated boat, hosted by Jay and Todd. They were fabulous! They answered all of our questions, and shared great information about Manatees and their habitat. They made sure to go out of their way to make the experience special. We had opportunities to experience private, close encounters with Manatees, and it didn't disappoint. Jay also took great pictures of our family throughout the morning. Had fresh towels, nice warm heater, and tasty hot chocolate for all of us at the end of our swim. Highly, Highly recommend Jay and Todd if you're considering this tour. Don't hesitate! Thanks and definitely recommending to family and friends.

Heated boat, fantastic staff!!! FTW!!

Best Day Ever! Although the weather wasnt ideal on the day we chose to go Captian Chris and Leah aka. Giggles made it their mission to show us the best time🥰 Leah found us several Manatees to swim with, shes a manatee magnet! Such an amazing experience 💖

Leah is an absolute awesome person and passionate about her job. We loved are time with her and Captain Ryan.

Great experience, private tour was really nice. From start to finish it was a good tour. Our guide and captain were both. Informational

From the time we walked in the door we were smiling. During our manatee encounters Ryan, our divemaster was in the water assisting in anything we needed. Our boat captain was knowledgeable about the area and explained a lot to us. With just 6 people in the heated boat the time we spent with their crew was fantastic. If we ever do another manatee adventure it will be with them.

Chris and Giggles was amazing gave us a great experience! Would recommend to everyone! They are very interesting guides! Hope to come again for more experiences!

The trip exceeded our expectations. There were only six people on our swim so it was not overcrowded. Giggles and Capt Chris were the best. They were knowledgeable and personable. We swam with tons of manatee and then got a wonderful photo gallery of the day sent to us by the time we arrived home. The day was perfect. We were given all the equipment necessary, warm beverages, towels and even a hot shower when we got back before heading to great dinner recommendations from our hosts. Great experience and excellent price.

We had such a great time on this tour! Highly recommend this company. We were able to hit a few spots and it was well worth the trip

Got to swim with a momma and baby manatee all by ourselves. Took us away from the crowds. Captain Chris and our guide Ryan were hysterical and informative making for a perfect day. Gave us plenty of recommendations on what to do with the rest of our day.

Captain Chris and Ryan were the best guides we’ve ever had in any tour! They ensured we had very up close encounters with several manatees including a baby one. We got to spend as much time as we wanted with the manatees. They made sure we were in a secluded area without the masses of tourists. Wonderful day! better than we ever expected! Captain Chris & Ryan were highly entertaining!

Captain Chris and Ryan (Pippi) our guide were amazingly fun along with taking us on the thrill of a lifetime. Face to face with a baby manatee and his mommy with NONE of the hundreds of tourist groups swimming in gangs at all the other locations. Seriously, it was their goal to not only give us a laugh a minute but to make sure that we had a private experience with these glorious creatures. The baby with his mommy were not to be believed! Ryan took over 100 photos for us to remember it always. Chris made sure we knew where the best sightings were and served us a manatee mocha to warm up after. We love this place and we will be back. Even the office is sparkling clean and helpful. Don’t make the mistake of choosing any other operator. Truly