had an incredible time scalloping today with Captain John and first mate Jake! From the moment we got on the boat, they were friendly, knowledgeable, and made the entire trip fun and stress-free. If it hadn't been for Captain John and Jake, we definitely wouldn't have come home with enough scallops to enjoy. They worked incredibly hard to help us find them and made sure everyone had a successful trip. What really stood out was how amazing they were with our two kids, ages 4 and 9. They were patient, encouraging, and took the time to make sure both of them felt included and had a great experience. Our kids had an absolute blast, and that made the day even more special for our family. If you're looking for a scalloping charter with a hardworking crew that genuinely cares about giving you a great experience, we can't recommend Captain John and Jake enough. Thank you both for making this such a memorable family adventure—we'll definitely be back!
Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise
+2 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Price from
- $40 / person
- Location
- Crystal River, United States
- Rating
- 5.0 / 5 · 6 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- 1–12 pax
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Manatee Swim Center
- Meeting point
- Come to the blue house on the corner.
Description
Visit the home of the manatee here in Crystal River, while staying high and dry on our exceptional tour boat. This boat is covered, warm, and comfortable to ensure your comfort while you enjoy the views of the wildlife refuge. There is a chance to see our world-famous manatee and many other species of wildlife such as river otters, turtles, osprey, and so much more. This is not a swim tour.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 1:00 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 1+)
- $40
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 4.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Parking Fees
Not included
Sunscreen
Gratuity
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
6 reviews
How it compares in Crystal River
- Starting price $40 is 47% below the typical $75 for tours of similar length in Crystal River
Excurgo comparison of 128 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Wheelchair accessible
- 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 Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise take?
Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise lasts about 1h 30min.
How much does Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise cost?
Prices start at $40 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 Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 1:00 PM.
Can I cancel Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise 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 Come to the blue house on the corner. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 6 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Manatee Swim Center.
Reviews(6)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
12/10 highly recommend
S
Sunset
They will learn alot about the history of crystal river. The boat and the captain made the ride comfortable and safe
6
Very worth while cruise
Captain GQ was a fun & knowledgeable guide. We saw many manatees while he filled us in with interesting facts of the manatees & the the surrounding area. His sense of humor was right on.
S
We had a very good time
My wife myself, my sister-in-law and her husband from France that we're visiting us here in Homosassa went on the guided pontoon tour with Ryan last initial B was our tour guide. We had a blast. Ryan was as if he was a best friend taking us on a boat ride. He was extremely professional and friendly. We talked the whole way and we had such a great time we would recommend the tour to anyone and especially with Ryan being the guide.
J
Full of wildlife surprises
We went on an amazing Sunset cruise with Manatee Swim Center. The Captain was great and we saw a dolphin, an Osprey and even watched an Alligator trapper remove a huge Alligator from the cove. It was an appreciation cruise for our volunteers at Save Crystal River. Then we had amazing food at Waterfront Social!
Operator response
Thank you, for your glowing review. We are thrilled you enjoyed our Scenic Cruise and hospitality. Captain Mark is a plethora of knowledge about Kings Bay. Awesome you got to watch a trapper remove an alligator from the cove and a beautiful Osprey. We can not wait to welcome you back soon and thank everyone from us for volunteering with Save Crystal River!
K
Great wildlife/Eco Tour
Capt Phillip was awesome! We saw manatees and learned a lot about the area. A really enjoyable trip, relaxing and informative.
Compare similar tours in Crystal River
- Lowest price: Plantation's Kings Bay Scenic Cruise — $25
- Best rated: Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise — 4.9 (1,236 reviews)
- Shortest: Plantation's Kings Bay Scenic Cruise — 1 hour
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings Bay Crystal River Eco Cruise | 1h 30min | 5.0 (6) | $40 | |
 Plantation's Kings Bay Scenic Cruise | 1 hour | 4.7 (714) | $25 | View |
 Kings Bay Eco Tours | 1h 30min | 5.0 (142) | $55 | View |
 King's Bay Sunset Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.8 (93) | $39 | View |
 Plantation's Kings Bay Sunset Cruise | 1h–1h 15min | 4.8 (77) | $35 | View |
 Kings Bay Manatee Watching Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.8 (67) | $35 | View |
 Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise | 1h 30min | 4.9 (1,236) | $51 | View |
from$40
5.0(6) Free cancellation