Guided Semi-private Snorkel Tour (W/ Free Photos!)

There are TONS of different tours listed and most have similar reviews but I appreciated that they were 1 of 2 companies listed as Guardian Guides. There should be regulations to lessen the stress and impact of these gentle sea cows vs the need to satiate human wants, call me a hippie, mother earth, whatever. We had Capt. Jake and Celeste as our swimmer. We were the only people on the tour. One in our party was very anxious because they had never snorkeled, both crew members were very supportive and went at my friends pace and were not pushy just genuinely wanted them to enjoy the experience. The summer is not the best time to go because most of the Manatees are out in the Gulf based on what the little research I did and indeed we only saw one juvenile male; that being said we actually got to swim with him up the channel as he munched on food not caring we were there. There was a Kayaker who jumped in and scared him but he was educated (hopefully) on proper etiquette for the future. The crew took the time and seemed determined for us to have at least one Manatee experience/interaction. As we toodled in search they were very conversational and educational and seemed able to adapt to the humor/style of whatever guests they might encounter - which does not always happen. However, I wish Celeste had told us at the BEGINNING that her former job was to WRASSLE GATORS! Probably she knew I would have been like tell me every story. The boat was clean, they were quipped with all the necessities, and they included pictures in the package (which came like right after the tour). They provided a lunch spot (which was ok) recommendation. And they were honest about the creatures that lived in the channels and requested honesty if people left a review so others would not be surprised. I plan to hopefully come back In Jan/Feb time frame when there are reportedly a plethora because they are all in the channel trying to stay warm. Would recommend and return for the Capt Jake/Celeste combo!

Overall, this was a good experience but I did learn that manatee viewing is somewhat of a seasonal thing. It turns out that the best time to see the most manatees is in the cooler months of the year. We were told, on arrival, that our excursion might be a bit underwhelming because of the time of the year. Be that as it was, our guide and the boat captain did a really good job in finding one of just a handful of manatees that were believed to be in the bay. We were able to be in the water as one came to the surface a couple of times. The water was very cloudy and we were not able to see it at all once it went below the surface. We spent a good amount of time just floating in the water waiting for the few seconds that one would come up. Not a complete disappointment, but had we known in advance that this was not the ideal time, it may have changed our plans.

We had such a great experience it was off season so the water was murky and we still saw 5 manatees. Celeste our guide and Jake our captain were knowledgeable, cared about the manatees well being and our experience. Would highly recommend!

My wife and I went snorkeling with manatees with Manatees in Paradise this week. Captain Jake and Sandy (photographer) couldn't have been more friendly, helpful, and informative. We got 39 photos and 5 videos (included in the price) the same day. When they didn't come through on the first email (probably because there were so many), Jake solved the glitch in minutes. They made us feel like their most important clients.

We had a wonderful time with Jake & Sandy. We swam with manatees & also got to learn about them. We also saw a ray & they took us to a beautiful secluded spring. You can tell how much Jake & Sandy enjoy what they are doing. There were some new snorkelers in our group. Sandy was great teaching them how to snorkel.

This is our fourth tour with Manatees In Paradise! It never disappoints! Jake and Sandy were very helpful and very attentive to our needs. We appreciate that this company puts manatee care and conservation first before packing their boat with a large group and chasing a buck. The free photos are always a huge hit since they provide an in water guide with a GoPro to capture every moment so you don’t have to.

This was a great experience with very friendly and helpful people. I highly recommend this to anyone. Book it!

Captain Derek and Captain Jake at Manatees in Paradise exceeded our expectations on every level. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and completely taken care of. Their knowledge of the manatees and the Crystal River ecosystem was incredible, but what truly stood out was the genuine respect and care they show for the wildlife. They made sure we understood how to interact safely and responsibly, and you could clearly see how passionate they are about protecting these amazing animals. They were patient, kind, and so much fun to be around. We never felt rushed, and they went above and beyond to make sure we had a meaningful experience. It’s rare to find guides who balance professionalism, education, conservation, and pure joy so effortlessly. If you’re considering a manatee tour, do yourself a favor and book with Manatees in Paradise. Five stars isn’t enough — we would absolutely go again

On our long road trip home from Miami, we stopped in northwest Florida to swim with the manatees. With a professional background in conservation, I wanted to make sure our experience was as sustainable as possible, so we booked with Manatees in Paradise, one of only two Guardian Guide certified ecotourism providers in Crystal River. We booked well in advance and did not think much about the weather while we were in Miami, so it was a surprise to arrive to a real cold snap. The forecast called for temperatures in the 30s and 40s during our morning swim. I expected to be uncomfortable, even after reading reassuring cold-weather reviews of Manatees in Paraides on Tripadvisor. Jake met us at the dock and took us to the boat, where Sandy was waiting. Because of the weather, we had the boat to ourselves. They were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and easygoing from the start. They reminded us that cold weather actually brings more manatees into the springs for warmth, which made us feel much better about the forecast. The cabin heater was running, and our wetsuits were ready when we arrived. We brought our own towels and a lightweight blanket for in between swims. Our first stop at Hunter Springs Park was crystal clear. Getting into the water felt no worse than jumping into an unheated pool. Even with other snorkelers nearby, we each had our own manatee to quietly observe as it rested on the bottom and surfaced occasionally to breathe. It was an intimate and peaceful encounter. We then moved on to Three Sisters Spring. The water there was murkier and more crowded, but it proved to be the perfect place to see manatees moving between open water and the protected sanctuary zones. Sandy positioned us along a quiet boundary area and coordinated with another captain who alerted us when manatees were approaching. Because visibility was limited, you had to be within a few feet to see them clearly, but we were in exactly the right spot. As we floated still with our faces in the water, manatees glided past and even beneath us. Each of us saw five or six at close range. The experience was completely magical, and the cold quickly became irrelevant. Jake and Sandy clearly love what they do and take their stewardship seriously. We felt safe, informed, and deeply respectful of the animals throughout the tour. I highly recommend Manatees in Paradise for an unforgettable and responsible wildlife experience.

Amazing experience! We saw so many manatees in peaceful early morning waters. Our guide and captain Sandy and Jake were so welcoming and knowledgeable. They made us feel very at ease and made the experience super memorable with beautiful photographs. Would definitely recommend!

We had a fantastic time on this trip. Jake and Casey were very knowledgable with a clear passion for what they do. Friendly down to earth guys and good fun to be with too. The highlight was swimming with a mother manatee and her calf. Such a special experience we’ll never forget. Highly recommend this tour.

We had a fantastic three hours out on Crystal River with Jake and Casey, who were friendly, informative and went out of their way to provide an unforgettable experience. We quickly found two manatee and were able to snorkel alongside them. Unfortunately this part of the river was murky and though we would have been content with the experience provided, having had no expectations at all of being able to swim so close them, Casey suggested we move to one of the springs to try to have more visibility and wow, visibility we got! We spotted a hue array of wildlife and fish here including turtles and mullet and were also lucky enough to be able to have another experience with a mama manatee and her cub. Would highly recommend this company for their personal approach to providing these tours

We booked with Manatees in paradise for our honeymoon and were not disappointed! We went out with Casey and Jake and they were friendly, knowledgeable and very caring about the environment the manatees are in. We were lucky enough to see one of the manatees despite it not really being the season for them and it was amazing being able to float so closely to her. They even took lots of photos of us with the manatee and the local wildlife for us to take home. 11/10, would recommend to anyone!

This was a fabulous tour. Although it was the off-season, meaning that there were few manatees in the river, we were able to spend a good half-hour swimming along with a manatee as he grazed his way along the edge of the boat channel. After saying farewell to the manatee, we also visited the springs, which were interesting. The boat pilot and guide were both friendly and knowledgeable, and the photos that our guide took and shared (included in the tour price) were much better than the photos I was able to take with my underwater camera. Our tour size was much smaller than most, if not all, of the other boats we saw in the river. I would definitely book this tour again, although I would probably come back in the late winter or early spring when the manatee-to-tourist ratio is higher.

Jake & Casey were great guides, knowledgeable, interesting, kind and funny! Our semi-private became private as we filled the boat with just our group (US/Brits & French)! They went the extra mile to make sure we had a good time and it was wonderful to be able to swim with these amazing creatures. Thank you.

Fantastic guides and day on the water. We had Jacob and Tiffany and they knew exactly where the manatees were, even though it was not manatee season. We had the boat to ourselves which was wonderful. The tour was very informative and we swam in 3 Sisters springs also. Wet suits, mask and snorkels are provided, which you need! We brought our own snorkel gear just for our preference. I understand why this tour company is so highly rated, they deserve it!

This is the second time we've gone to the river with Manatees in Paradise; they are the best! My girlfriend has herniated discs and was having trouble seeing the manatees in the water. Derek took her BY THE HAND and led her to where she could see the manatees. He also took a great picture of us with a manatee in the background. I highly recommend this company.

We cannot say enough positive things about jn water guide Tiffany and captain Jake! First class, amazing with our nine year old. So knowledgeable and accommodating. This is by far the best tour to go on. It’s small, personable..and again just so good with our youngest. Tiffany swam with her the whole time. We can’t wait to go back!

This was such an amazing experience! We got very lucky and saw probably a dozen manatees (and lots of fish)!! A couple mama/baby pairs and several singletons. The water was cold, but the wetsuits made a huge difference. We also got plenty of great photos afterward. I took my own photos using a waterproof phone case, but the ones sent over were much, much better. Casey and Jake were fantastic guides! They were clearly knowledgeable and passionate about the manatees, and they were also personable and each had a good sense of humor. They also gave us a great restaurant recommendation, where we got the best food of our week-long trip. Another point worth considering--we passed several other manatee swimming tours who take out many more people at once, but this kind of semi-private tour with a smaller number of people at one time is much better. The water is crystal clear--UNTIL people kick up the sediment on the bottom, and it's much easier to limit the amount of sand and sediment that is kicked up with a smaller group. We initially stopped near another tour group but couldn't see anything. I assumed the water was just that cloudy, but when we actually stopped, where there were fewer swimmers in a larger space, the water really was crystal clear.

Amazing, small group manatee tour! We chose manatees in paradise for their environmental stewardship and dedication to teaching the public about these majestic, endangered creatures. Casey and Jessie were wonderful guides whose dedication to protecting the manatees and enthusiasm to share their knowledge was conveyed throughout the tour. Our in water guide, Casey took photos of our trip and guided the group on how to safely interact with the manatees without encroaching on their space. Getting up close to the manatees and seeing them in their natural habitat was a humbling experience and a dream come true. Thankyou Casey and Jessie for an amazing experience!

Derek and Jake picked us up at Paddle Tail Lodge dock. My 10 year old granddaughter and 8 year old grandson were excited! Jake got the boat under way and we headed off to find the manatee! The ride was beautiful. The day was not too cold and was very sunny. Went to 3 Sisters Springs. Jake and Derek got the boat secured then got us all in our wetsuits and ready for the water. We went on tour with this same business last year. Jake remembered that my grandson got very cold in the water and brought 2 wetsuits for him to wear! Amazing! We remembered that Jake really loves pizza svd brought him a slice! We had great interaction w/ several manatee and saw a turtle, several crabs, plenty of fish and birds. It was a great trip! Manatees in Paradise is the best!♥️

There were many companies to choose from, but we're thrilled we went with Manatees in Paradise. The team was incredibly knowledgeable, and the small group snorkeling experience was a lot of fun. We were also delighted with the fantastic photos and videos of the manatees taken by the team. We would definitely return!

JUST BOOK IT!!! 10 outta 10! I spent days researching companies. We couldn’t have been more thrilled with the owners and guides, Jake and Casey. They have the nicest boat we saw on the water, the guides are super knowledgeable and small group size. Swimming with the manatees with this company was all we dreamed of and more! While other companies had large groups in a circle around one manatee, we were actually swimming around with them. Epic beyond belief!

Was such an amazing experience!!! I went with my Daughter. We stayed at King's Bay Lodge in the main part of Crystal River right on the water. It's a nice & cute hotel. Decorated very aquatic themed. Boat access if you have a boat. You can watch the sunset. There is a pool that is basically part of the bay/river which is so cool!!! It's close to a gas station, restaurants and an ice cream place, all within walking distance. We did the Swim with Manatees at Fun 2 Dive. Everyone there was so nice. And we got a lot of cool info about the Manatees and the area. We saw like about 10 manatees. They were so close. They are HUGE. The Tipsy Tarpon is a nice restaurant on the water with good food. We got treats at Guyer's Ice Cream & Donuts. Their ice cream is so good!!! You can see dolphins at Fort Island Gulf Beach. Was such a fun time. And everything is really close so you don’t have to go far.