F
Nice Family Adventure
Easy To Find @ Pete’s Pier , Relaxing boat ride & an informative guide ( Mike ) filled us in with interesting local history , wildlife / fishing info , Thanks Much , we will be back
Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $44 / person
- Location
- Crystal River, United States
- Rating
- 4.9 / 5 · 159 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 20
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- River Ventures
- Meeting point
- Check-in at Pete’s Pier Gift Shop. Please arrive 15 minutes early and plan to pay for parking at Pete’s Pier before your tour begins.
Description
With so much wildlife to enjoy, the Nature Coast beckons you to explore! Our Eco-tour will enlighten the wildlife enthusiast, amateur photographer, birdwatcher and every individual in between! Grab your binoculars and join us for an eco-journey to take in the sparkling springs and the calming river. Kings Bay is the second largest spring system in Florida, which is fed by dozens of fresh water springs spitting out more than 280 million gallons of fresh water daily! The bay serves as the head waters for the Crystal River and is extremely unique and incredibly important to each animal species that depend on it for survival. Wading birds, waterfowl, black crowned night herons, wood storks, bald eagles, brown and white pelicans, osprey, red-tailed hawks, and of course the endangered manatee are just some of many animals that depend on this ecosystem to sustain themselves! Your Captain and Mother Nature will team up to ensure the most unforgettable, awe-inspiring time possible!
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:15 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult
- $44
In demand: 30 of the next 120 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Our Master Captain will cruise around the wildlife refuge and point out various birds, mammals, springs and shar information about the area.
What's included
Included
Water
Not included
Gratuities
Parking
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.9
159 reviews
How it compares in Crystal River
- No. 32 by number of reviews among 127 tours in Crystal River
- Starting price $44 is 41% below the typical $75 for tours of similar length in Crystal River
Excurgo comparison of 127 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour take?
Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour lasts about 1h 30min. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour cost?
Prices start at $44 per person for this Crystal River experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:30 PM, and 2:15 PM.
Does Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour sell out?
It can: 30 of the next 120 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Check-in at Pete’s Pier Gift Shop. Please arrive 15 minutes early and plan to pay for parking at Pete’s Pier before your tour begins. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 20 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.9 out of 5 across 159 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by River Ventures.
Reviews(159)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
8
Manatee Sights
Fantastic experience made even better by the tour guide and pontoon captain!
T
Saw a dolphin feeding!
Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging! Did get to see a manatee and a dolphin feeding on the mullet fish!!! Great time!!
5
Amazing
Nat & Garrett were amazing. They made everything easy to understand and walked us through the entire process. Amazing experience.
S
Manatees
Great experience! Garrett made sure we saw all kinds of wildlife!
3
Crystal River Manatee cruise
Garrett was awesome, did a wonderful job and we very knowledgeable.
M
A fun adventure with our granddaughter
Really fun! We had manatee swimming right by us.
2
River Ventures Amazing Tour!
Had an amazing time! Our guide was so knowledgeable and answered all our questions about manatees and other wildlife in the area. We got to see a few manatees up close, see beautiful views, and enjoy the nice weather. Would go again!
A
Saw some Manatees
Our guide Brian was very knowledgeable and answered all questions we had. We went on Sunday 6 Sep, Labor day weekend. Unfortunately it was very busy on the water. Lot of boats and people. We did see some manatees, not as many as we hoped for. However, we did had fun. The next time I will do the swimming tour.
9
Great tour
The sightseeing trip was great. We were hoping to see some manatees and it was wonderful that they cooperated! We stopped at the gift shop after, it was a nice little gift shop. We highly recommend this tour if you are in the area.
Compare similar tours in Crystal River
- Lowest price: Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour — $44
- Best rated: 3 Hour Small Group All Inclusive Manatee Swim with free Photo pkg — 5.0 (2,016 reviews)
- Shortest: Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour — 1h 30min
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal River Manatee Viewing & Sightseeing Boat Tour | 1h 30min | 4.9 (159) | $44 | |
 Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.9 (1,236) | $51 | View |
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 The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer | 3 hours | 4.9 (2,655) | $76 | View |
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 Crystal River Clear Kayak Tour: Three Sisters Springs & Manatees | 2 hours | 4.8 (2,153) | $99 | View |
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from$44
4.9(159) Free cancellation