Crystal River: Three Sisters Clear Kayak and Snorkeling Tour
Description
Highlights • Booking includes a single clear-bottom kayak (200 lbs limit) • Sleek, lightweight design — easy to paddle (not bulky tandems) • Guided by Captain Scotty, the owner and lifelong waterman • Flexible pace with no strict time limits • Spot manatees, turtles, fish, and birds in their natural habitat • Launch from Waterfront Social, best year-round manatee viewing • Want a tandem, sit-on-top, or paddleboard instead? Vessel Choices -by request • Tandem sit-on-top kayak – not see-through • Single sit-on-top kayak -not see-through • Hard carbon fiber paddleboard • Duration: 2–3 hours (flexible, no strict cutoff) • Manatee sightings not guaranteed outside peak manatee season (Jan–Feb) • Snorkeling available, not required. we provide masks and snorkels. •Please note, this tour does not offer tandem clear bottom kayaks. If you are looking for clear kayaks that fit two people, please choose our tour titled: Crystal River: Three Sisters Springs Clear Kayak Tour
Tour Options
Itinerary
Three Sisters Springs is the crown jewel of Crystal River and one of Florida’s most iconic natural wonders. This protected spring system features crystal-clear turquoise waters surrounded by lush vegetation and is famous as a winter refuge for the gentle West Indian manatee. Guests will paddle or float through winding spring channels where the water stays a refreshing 72°F year-round. In the cooler months (November–March), the springs become a gathering place for dozens of manatees seeking warmth, offering unforgettable wildlife encounters. In warmer months, visitors enjoy the stunning clarity of the springs, perfect for spotting fish, turtles, and vibrant aquatic plants. Whether you come for manatee viewing, snorkeling, or simply to admire its beauty, Three Sisters Springs is an unmissable highlight of Crystal River.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(35)
It was great to have a guide and Laurie was great! She knew all the key sites and facts about the area. The snorkeling option was a cool addition. No manatees in the summer but a fun paddle and great views of Three Sisters Springs.
Wonderful experience kayaking to spring and swimming there - strongly recommend going as early as possible in morning before it gets crowded
My friend and I booked a 3 hour kayak tour and our wonderful guide Lena allowed us to self guide since we were early. Lena gave us excellent guidance on where to go and what to see. Highly recommend!
Thank you for the review! Come see us again!
The whole experience was incredible. It was very nice that even though we were running late, the owners and our guide accommodated us without concern. We got to see offseason manatees as well. Bucket list-check!
Thanks for leaving this review!! We’re so glad you had a nice time of the water! And how exciting that you were able to see manatees in the summertime!!!
I highly recommend Water's Edge Adventures & Lena & Scotty for your guided tour of the Crystal River & 3 Sisters Springs. Communication was excellent. We had six in our party (4 teens) and my wife and I & we opted for 3 glass bottom kayaks. Scotty & Lena told us about how our trip would unfold & helped us get our kayaks in the water & ourselves in the kayaks which was not easy as I am a paraplegic. Justin was our tour guide & I can't say enough good things about him. He was patient, funny, educational & entertaining. It was a busy day at the springs but made us feel like we were the only ones on the water. July is not manatee season but Justin had heard from another guide that there was a manatee in one of the canals. Justin patiently tracked it down. Our party was thrilled when we two. What a great time. Thanks Lena, Scotty & Justin for a great afternoon & family memories that will last forever.
The springs are incredibly beautiful! So glad we chose this tour over all the competition. We saw two manatees on our July trip! They let us stay as long as we wanted in the three springs area, and it was idyllic!
Start to finish this was a fantastic, memorable experience. Booking was easy, price was well worth it, email directions were thorough, and parking was easy. We booked the 9 am trip and were greeted with the friendly guides that were preparing a few groups for departure. A welcome surprise was the small size of our tour group. It was my family of four and one other guest, which made for a personalized and enjoyable tour. Alec was our guide and he did a wonderful job of pointing out wildlife and facts about the river, springs, and surrounding area. The tour was three hours and he paced it so well - never felt rushed or like he was in a hurry to move on to another location. It is clear that he truly enjoys his job and the river itself. Despite going out of manatee season, we were fortunate to see five manatee including two calves. The spring is a wonder! We swam in the crystal clear water for quite a while and Alec provided snorkels and goggles. A true highlight of our vacation, worth the drive from St Pete beach, and the price is really reasonable in comparison to others I saw. Highly recommend this company and the trip to Three Sisters.
Amazing experience all the way around. Loved the choice & variety of kayaks and paddleboards. In addition,our guide was amazing. He went out of his way to give us the best opportunity to see manatees.... and we DID! YAY! The time was flexible and we felt no pressure to rush back.
It was so so amazing! We went through a horrible storm during our initial time slot, and the team was so professional and ready to help us out of the water and to safety no questions asked. We felt so taken care of. We then came back when the sun cleared up and had such a lovely time at three sisters and we couldn’t have asked for a better trip. Memorable, fun, and SUCH lovely people. If you’re unsure… DO IT!!! It was awesome.
That was a really nice activity. Rebecca was an excellent guide. We were lucky to see a manatee and her calf, even though it's low season. The three sisters were a really nice spot for some snorkeling, a little crowded but manageable. Overall, a nice getaway to spend time with the family.
