Swim with Manatees Crystal River Florida Adventure Tour + Airboat Ride (All-Inclusive)

Spend a day on Florida’s Nature Coast! Enjoy the ultimate encounter on a Swim with Manatees Crystal River tour from Orlando! Your day begins with a 90-minute guided pontoon boat tour of Crystal River. You’ll have a rare opportunity to snorkel and swim with manatees in their natural habitat! In the afternoon, you’ll journey into the Florida Everglades for a thrilling 30-minute airboat ride with an expert local guide. Lunch and roundtrip transportation from the Orlando, Kissimmee, and Disney areas are provided on this all-inclusive tour.

After pickup from your selected location, embark on a short 90-minute drive to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. This protected habitat is home to one of the world’s largest populations of endangered West Indian manatees. Also known as Sea Cows, these gentle giants will often greet swimmers or roll over to be tickled.

Crystal River is lucky to have a group of approximately 80 manatees that stay all year round. During colder months, an additional 300 more join them! The constant 72-degree (F) temperature of the spring-fed Crystal River and the abundance of underwater plant life make it the perfect habitat for manatees.

Swimming in an area known as a Natural Manatee Habitat is an amazing experience! When you arrive, you’ll join a team of manatee experts for a narrated pontoon boat tour where you’ll learn how this large, docile aquatic mammal is under threat from habitat loss. You can choose to snorkel-and-swim, or sit back, relax, and enjoy the natural surroundings.

Complimentary snorkeling gear is provided including a mask, snorkel, and fins. Wetsuits are mandatory and can be rented on-site for $15 each, per person (cash only). Please keep in mind wetsuit availability is limited and pricing may be subject to change. We encourage guests to bring their own wetsuit, as well as a swimsuit, towels, and a change of clothes.

Back on dry land, you’ll have a chance to change and check out the dive shop before heading to a picnic-style lunch at one of Florida’s best-kept secrets.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is famous for its efforts in rehabilitating injured animals. Here, you’ll witness an informative and entertaining manatee feeding session and explore an underwater viewing chamber for the manatees. You’ll have an opportunity to see many of Florida’s endangered animals like the state panther, and other exotic wildlife including bears, alligators, and even a hippo.

The afternoon continues with an adrenaline-fueled airboat ride! Explore acres of untouched wilderness, protected swamps, marshes, and rivers that make up the Everglades ecosystem. Along the way, you’ll hear fascinating tales about native plants, alligators, birds, and other natural wildlife from a certified US Coast Guard-approved captain.

Once your day comes to an end, and you’ve experienced Florida’s natural wonders, hop onboard the shuttle bus for a relaxing ride back to your original pickup location in Orlando.

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