Social Media / Reviews

John H

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

The trip was Amazing. Kevin, Liz, and Piper were all phenomenal guides and our family would love to come back! Thank you again!

John A

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Great time; everything as advertised. With the manatees immediately while they did their thing.

After plenty of time with manatees moved to snorkel dive at the spring mouth, which was great; fish, crabs and crystal clear water.

Guide Natalie was fantastic; super positive, encouraging, and helped true beginners. Made it a great experience for our whole family.

Captain Kevin also great, fun loving, knowledgeable, and clearly protective in the best of ways of the whole area to make sure all were safe and the habitat kept friendly for the true inhabitants.

Overall excellent experience, and a great way to spend the day.

Emilee P

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Best experience ever!! Our guide Mike was amazing and made the experience even better. Learned some amazing facts about manatees, took the time to explain everything. Out in the water he cared for each and every person making sure everyone was good before taking off to our spot, gave everyone time to adjust once we were in, never felt rushed.

Once we were out it was the best time I could’ve imagined but better. Seen around 10-20 manatees or so, too many to keep track of. Today was just a lucky day (also celebrated my birthday here). But he made sure to go around and get photos or videos of everyone in the group. Getting back to the boat we were welcomed with hot chocolate and tips for getting warm once we were out. So much more could be said but highly recommend Guide Mike and Santa (aka captain Kevin) :).

Maddison O

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Was an unreal experience thanks to guide James and captain kevin aka Dante clausss. They helped make the trip come to life with great conversation educating us on the life of these amazing creatures and the history of the crystal river. Water was murky but that’s more reason to come back! I went for my birthday and safe to say was one of the best! Thank you guys !!

JoJo G 

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star 2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kevin and ex-Navy Seal (!), Ed the in-water guide and photographer, were knowledgeable and amazing! The shop and transportation were professional and safe. Wetsuits clean and nice private changing booths. Did I mention the fun merchandise you can purchase too? We’ll be back! We were given hot chocolate on the boat to warm up after the multiple manatee encounters we had and we needed it! Mid-March is still very chilly in Florida in the water! We received our photos the very next day! Super happy! Use these guys and you can rest easy and enjoy the total experience!

Erik M

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

What an incredible trip. We don’t normally leave reviews, but we felt we had to this time around…. Finding the place and checking In were super smooth. Staff was incredibly helpful and happy to have us there. Once we arrived onto the boat, our guide, Joanna and Captain, Kevin, were extremely capable and knowledgeable. It was a joy to be aboard. The swimming itself was amazing, we did see manatees and they were mesmerizing. Again, could not thank Kevin and Joanna, as well as the rest of the staff enough. 10/10, will be coming back again!

kathy

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Joanna and Kevin made the perfect team for our snorkelling tour. It was definitely a bucket list item to swim with the manatee. I would definitely recommend this tour.

Lee

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

What a wonderful afternoon with Maleyah and Kevin who took us out for the day!

There were no problems finding a manatee and the cruise around was just wonderful.

Everyone else at the reception centre was incredible helpful. The equipment and instruction was great. There’s even great manatee toy section in the gift shop!

Amanda D

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

The guides, Mike and Kevin, were beyond amazing! We saw manatees that loved our guide Mike so much, that they hung out with us for the duration of the tour. Kevin provided us with hot chocolate with marshmallows for the chilly boat ride back to the dock. It was beyond amazing and I'm grateful!

Cherie K

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Very fun trip- got to see a lot of manatees, a dolphin, birds. Great guide Mike & captain Kevin! Funny & very informative !

Cr M

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

If you are ever interested in snorkeling with manatees, then river ventures are your one stop shop in Florida.

The friendly and laid-back atmosphere along with a high level of customer service, has truly set their standards apart from other guided charter tours.

Furthermore, Captain Kevin and Joanne (our tour guide) will greet you with open arms as conservationists and share their wealth of knowledge of all marine life as well as manatees.

Moreover, Joanne allowed our group to get up close and personal to witness these majestic creatures in their habitat while not disturbing their natural environment. I am an avid scuba diver, and have dove all over the world for 27 years, and I must say the visibility was crystal clear throughout our guided tour. The water was a true 73 to 75° while wearing just a small three MM dive suit.

One of the game changing equipment that is offered (aside from the traditional mask and snorkel) was Joanne had our full face snorkel masks available that allowed my wife, a more comfortable and equalizing option that she normally

would not be able to utilize. WOW!

When back on Captain Kevin‘s vessel he has an array of beverages and snacks awaiting you as he takes us on a VIP tour of Crystal river. If I may speak on behalf of our group, I feel that we had one of the absolute best times snorkeling with these magnificent creatures.

No matter where you are when you vacation in Florida, “River Ventures” is an absolute must stop on your travel destination. Thanks again, Kevin and Joanne!!!

Chelsea B

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a wonderful time with Captain Kev & Joanna! They did a great job finding the manatees, even on a tough (warm) day! Our guides made sure that every person in our group was able to get up close to a manatee! We even found a Mama & baby on our tour! Such a cool experience that our family of 4 won’t forget!

M C

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

I went on a snorkel with manatees outing with guide Mike and captain Kevin. Both were highly professional (punctual, gave clear instructions, led the group with good humor and without being overbearing) and very clearly wanted to give us what was promised (a swim with manatees) despite some natural challenges ( the weather and water were warm for the season so the manatees had dispersed into the bay when typically they would be congregating in a smaller area). At the same time, they respected the animals (and encouraged the group to do the same, which everyone did). And we finally are able to do what we had come for - be in the water with a manatee that went about its manatee business. I was amazed and so happy to later receive pictures and videos of not just people in the group but of the manatee, eating, coming up for air, etc. These fantastic shots allow me to relive a great time and see things that I didn’t catch at the moment. Also, the boat trip into the bay on its own would have been a wonderful experience. Kevin and Mike narrated histories, gave context to locations and people, and did so with a good sense of humor and lots of respect. The hot drinks after we got out of the water was appreciated, too. Thank you!

Drew W

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Cpt. Kevin was awesome and made the experience even better than expected. We came when it was warmer and he still made sure to give us plenty of information and "chased" the manatee trail. I would highly recommend this to any family or really just anyone that wants to have a good tour to see the sea puppies!

C S

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Malia and Kevin were friendly and knowledgeable. There were fewer manatees than I'd hoped, but that is out of anyone's control. The price was reasonable, the pictures were plentiful. I would recommend River Ventures and particularly Kevin and Malia, as they were a great team. I would go again, if I lived closer.

Danielle R

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Guide Crystal and Boat Captain Kev (aka Santa) were wonderful! Their knowledge, humor and skill in finding the manatees was so appreciated. We had an unforgettable time!

Kathy R

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

My birthday was amazing! Mike and Kevin rocked! I didn’t think I could withstand the cold but Kevin kindly made me lol. My friend got me the birthday pkg, we forgot it and came back an hour later. My friends walked in while I turned the car around, flag me down to leave and Tonya and Steph brought the cupcake and gifts to my car and sang HB❤️

I WILL BE BACK

Jaclyn C

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Wow! I can't say enough about this tour. We did the morning OG swim with manatees and it was such a smooth ride from start to finish. The short boat ride with Captain Kevin was smooth and we were even able to see dolphins on the way. When we got to the area to swim with manatees, our guide, Crystal, led us to all the incredible manatees and guided us through interacting with them safely. I cannot believe how close to got to them. What a special experience with friends and family that I will NEVER forget. Thank you, River Ventures for an unforgettable, perfect experience. Wouldn't have changed a thing. I highly recommend this tour!

K G

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Guide Crystal and Captain Kevin made the tour a great experience. Both very knowledgeable and have great humor. Juno at check in was nice and professional. Definitely got to swim with manatees and appreciate being able to buy quality photos for a fair price. Would go through this company again for manatee swimming.

Debbie L

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Had an absolutely amazing time with our guide Carlos and Captain Kevin! We saw so many manatees! One of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. Would love to come back and do it again someday. Highly recommend River Ventures. Everyone was so friendly and knowledgeable.

Christy S

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Highly recommend this trip! It was simply amazing! The air was cool but the water wasn't bad. And we had hot cocoa on the way back. Capt Kevin and Crystal made it even better! I'm ready to go again!

Melanie C

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

The dream was to swim with manatees. We got that and more at Crystal River. They were so curious of us and would initiate contact at times! Such a beautiful experience. Definitely recommend doing it early as the manatees are more willing to socialize :) We went with Boat Captain Kevin and Tour Guide Joanna who were both FANTASTIC at educating us on manatees and the local area. Highly recommend booking with both. We can't wait to visit again.

Kaitlyn J

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We took the whole family in the afternoon on a chilly day. Our guide, Crystal was informative and friendly on our tour. She made the most effort to find manatees for us to see. Captain Kevin was also knowledgeable and kind telling us about wildlife along the way and extra fun facts about Manatees. We even saw dolphins in the bay catching fish while we were out on tour. At the end of our swim they offered us all hot chocolate. The hospitality at River Ventures was top notch and the family had a great time. Thank you River ventures!

luv2travel

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a great time swimming with the manatees. Captain Kevin and guide Crystal did a fabulous job with our trip. Everyone was very nice and professional. I would highly recommend this tour.

Margaret W

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Crystal (guide) and Captain Kevin were great! They rolled out the red carpet for us and ensured our party (including two 7-yr-olds) got up close to the manatees and followed the rules.

Scenic661 contribution

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

The entire process from booking to being in the water was easy to maneuver. The hardest part of the day was putting on a wetsuit, although that was a nice component with the water being more chilly during the winter months. Our guide Crystal and Captain Kevin were helpful, personable, and knowledgeable. We were able to see plenty of manatees, even with the weather being a bit warmer than usual. The photo cocoa on the ride back to the shop was the perfectly cherry on top!

Navigate2025  Manatee Tour / Five Stary

Great experience. Carlos and Captain Kevin were great guides and very knowledgeable. The Manatee encounter was amazing. And educational experience as well. Highly recommend this company.

Ann K

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Amazing! Didn’t research much which company to go with, so this was a gamble-and we won! Our guide was kind and knowledgeable about the manatees. Both our guide and our captain were easy going, patient, and helpful. The equipment was clean and well cared for. Our team worked hard to get us a good experience with the creatures! I’ll be requesting this crew again. We had Carlos and Capt. Kevin. Ask for them!

Berenice L

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Capt Kevin (I think that was his name), Malia and Natalie were absolutely amazing! Had a great time! All the staff were friendly and very knowledgeable. I definitely would come back!

Alison R

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This was a totally fantastic experience entirely! River Ventures team looked after us so beautifully to ensure a great time. Carlos was our guide and Captain Kevin was in charge of the boat. They were fantastic in caring for us and clearly are passionate about the Manatee population and welfare. Ours was a 6.30am start and we were greeted warmly with hot drinks, and an introduction to manatee behaviour and habitat. We got kitted out for wetsuits, snorkels, masks and off to the dock, very nearby, The boat was really comfortable with protective sides so that the little heater inside warmed it up, and there were hot drinks and snacks available. I had hired a boat coat which was super helpful to me as I feel the cold. We cruised about the little springs inlet in the early dawn light with mist on the water, beautiful, looking for manatees. Found one, went down the ladder into the water with our noodle to help float, and spent a lovely time with the manatee in the water, close by and with him nudging us all and nosing around. Magical! I feel the cold badly so I left the water first to warm up having had my wonderful interaction and very very happy to meet his ancient creature! Thanks Carlos and Kevin!

ravel13181246540

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This has been a dream of mine since I was in elementary school so to do this in my 30's is amazing. With our boat captain Kevin and Mike guiding us to the manatees it was a dream come true. So thank you again both

Denise A

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This is a must do!! It was amazing and fun to see these beautiful, huge creatures up close. We definitely were privileged with several manatees and even a calf. The manatees were friendly creatures. Kevin and Crystal were very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful!! Thank you for the awe-some adventure!!!!

Cara S

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

What a great tour! Kevin and Sheila were wonderful, knowledgeable and so friendly! Don’t hesitate to go on the manatee tour!

Ben H

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Eddie and captain Kev were amazing. My daughter got cold and Eddie took her to the boat where Kev made her hot chocolate, got her a snack and turned on a heater. They took us straight to a manatee and it was an amazing experience. We were the ones from Nebraska with the couple from Green Bay. Had a great time and I'd recommend this to anyone

Hillary H

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Couldn’t recommend River Ventures enough for their manatee tours- big thanks to Ed and Kevin this morning! They made sure to stress the importance on how to treat these amazing creatures which was a huge green flag and incredibly important for me when I was researching/booking. Manatee season is officially over, however this morning we were blessed with a huge momma and 2 babies next to her pretty much the entire time we were out there. Ed and Kevin were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, professional and also had a great sense of humour. They love these animals and it shows. I can promise that I will be back next time I visit Florida. Thanks again, my new friends!

Phillip J

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a wonderful time with River Ventures. Capt. Kevin and Makayla were great and patient with our young one and with the rest of our group. We recommend these guys if you want to have a good hang with some manatees.

Jeremy M

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Our family of five plus two grands had a wonderful time! Captain Kev and our guide James were amazing. Their knowledge and clear love for the river and manatees just pours out of them. It was an awesome experience!!

Teala 

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Wow, what an incredible experience. Our guide Eddie, and our captain Kevin were both funny, kind, and personable. Eddie made sure all of the tour participants were able to have a chance to see manatee. I have a painful autoimmune disease and had some trouble keeping up and swimming and he pulled me directly towards the manatee to get a close look and make me feel like I was part of the experience. We were provided with hot beverages on the way back and got tons of information about the area, local flora and fauna, and even got the chance to see an alligator on the way back! Overall an amazing experience that was well worth the money, with the hospitality of our guides being the highlight of it all. Thank you Eddie and Kevin!

Shyanne D

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kevin was awesome! Definitely would recommend this tour.

Allison M

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

I had a great experience with guide Mike and captain Kevin this morning at River Ventures. These two were entertaining and knowledgeable! Mike got my group some amazing interactions with manatees and Kevin was kind enough to make us hot chocolate when we got back on the boat. I am happy with how the manatees are treated here and would definitely recommend this business to anyone looking for the perfect manatee encounter!

Violet

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Amazing experience, great captain (Kevin) and tour guide (Joanna). Many manatee interactions and lots of boops to your face. 10/10 would highly recommend it. Thanks again.

Richard N

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Maleah was fantastic. Fun, informative and attentive. The whole group at check in was a well oiled machine…Capt. Kevin was great .. he was also very informative and thorough . All in ALL A MUST!!!

Amanda D

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This experience was once in a lifetime. Our guides, Mike and Kevin were phenomenal. The manatees liked our guide so much that they hung out with our group for the majority of our swim. Kevin provided us with hot chocolate with marshmallows for our wind-chilled boat ride back to the dock. I am forever grateful for this amazing experience with River Ventures!

L D

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kev and Joanna were AMAZING ~ knowledgeable, attentive, and funny!! It was warm, so the manatees moved on from Crystal River, but they still were able to find manatees in 3 different locations and coach us how float near them to see them up close respectfully. We even saw a mama and baby. Would highly recommend!!!

Caitlyn 

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Mike and Captain Kevin were the best! Go early in the morning for the best chance to see manatees. Bring a waterproof bag to get good pictures of the manatees on your phone

Erica M

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a great time on our swim with the manatees! Captain Kevin and James as our guide were a fun duo! We felt safe and cared for and genuinely had a great time. We got to see a baby manatee nursing. And a dolphin! We were nervous about going in January in the cold. We took the 9:45 heated tour and the sun was shining, so it wasn’t too bad. I don’t think the heater was even turned on, and we felt ok in 50s. The manatees were sleepy and precious. Probably saw at least 30 manatees and many babies. A very professional crew and considerate of other tour groups. They were very accommodating to me being 7 months pregnant. We will definitely book with them again!

Jaclyn C

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Wow! I can't say enough about this tour. We did the morning OG swim with manatees and it was such a smooth ride from start to finish. The short boat ride with Captain Kevin was smooth and we were even able to see dolphins on the way. When we got to the area to swim with manatees, our guide, Crystal, led us to all the incredible manatees and guided us through interacting with them safely. I cannot believe how close to got to them. What a special experience with friends and family that I will NEVER forget. Thank you, River Ventures for an unforgettable, perfect experience. Wouldn't have changed a thing. I highly recommend this tour!

Pamela 

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This was our fourth visit to Florida in the last five years to swim with the manatees with River Ventures. Our guide, Mike, and our Captain Kevin were both just wonderful. They took great care of us and we had an incredible time. We froze our butts off, but had a blast doing it. I can't recommend this tour company enough. We have never had a bad experience with them, and will continue to book with them in the future.

Brittany B

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Our guide Sheila and our boat captain Kevin were excellent and made our trip amazing! All the staff were honest and upfront about the weather being not great and how they would give us a refund depending on how long we could be out on the water safely. Luckily we were able to stay out the full time and see 3 very friendly manatees. We had a male baby manatee that was very very active and wanted to interact with us!

Even though they are operating a little differently due to hurricane damage, everything was great and we had a wonderful time and want to come back in the future! Sheila took some awesome photos of us and the manatees and Kevin helped us back onto the boat and made us hot coco on this cold morning.

River ventures is unique in that they have prescription snorkel masks, which was perfect for me since I don't like to wear contacts. Also, I was concerned about finding a wetsuit that fit me as a 5"5 women who weighs 260lbs. Sheila helped me pick out a wetsuit and it ended up being an 1XL. They have suits up to 5XL so there truly is a wetsuit that will fit most people!

Overall such a cool experience and we will be back!!

Ronald S

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Our guide Carlos and Capt Kev brought us in wild waters Face to Face with Manatees weighing over 1,000 pounds. Our guide, Carlos, seemed to have drawn the affection of a large female Manatee, which gave us a lot of up close interaction with this incredible gentle, giant. We also saw a baby manatee pup search for its Mom by communicating with audible squeaks to see him find her and begin to nurse. I highly recommend River Ventures as a Manatee encounter outfitter. Carlos and Capt. Kev were knowledgeable and worked really hard to make sure we had a great time. Thanks to the whole crew who made our visit a special memory.

Ben C

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

If you're seeking an unparalleled Crystal River experience, look no further! Kevin and Joanna will make your Swim with Manatee adventure truly magical. Kevin and Joanna's expertise and passion shines! Their knowledge of manatees and the ecosystem is impressive. Safety and comfort were top priority.

Randy A

2025  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Guide Natalie and captain Kevin were awesome, very informative, very passionate and made sure we had a great time seeing numerous Manatee. Would definitely recommend River Ventures and they most definitely will see us again.

Lisa B

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had the most incredible manatee snorkel trip with Leah & Kev. They were knowledgeable, patient, and made the whole experience so much fun. We will absolutely be back and will definitely be requesting to go out with this dynamic duo again! I can’t thank you two enough for what was an experience of a lifetime for me.

Rachel T

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

I’m not too much of an animal person but that was the best experience I’ve ever had!! Ask for Kev and Leah!!

Richa P

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This was such a fun experience! Kevin and Lea were great tour guides, they explained everything about manatees and the protection of them.

Brandi W

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Amazing. Eco friendly. Kevin and John are so friendly and knowledgeable. Highly recommended.

Brooklyn H

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

I had an amazing time with Kevin and Leah, and was able to see the manatees up close and personal. It was an amazing experience!!

Sarah M

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had an amazing time! Best experience by far swimming with the manatees! Kevin and Leah were both very knowledgeable and awesome guides!

sara m.

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Kevin and Leah are absolutely fantastic and beyond knowledgeable! Very kind and found a handful of manatees! VERY happy with this tour and]

Amanda C

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This tour was outstanding! We booked the VIP tour and it ended up just being our family of 4! Captain Kev and our tour guide Leah we're both amazing! The other tours I saw out there were huge groups and quite loud. Ours was small and intimate with the manatees, which was worth the extra cost of the VIP tour. Thank you Leah and Kev for making our first time swimming with the manatees unforgettable!

Susan A

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Capt Kev and Leah were absolutely wonderful! We are at the tail end of season, and they did find some manatees!!! Learned lots about the area, springs, etc, as was our first trip to Crystal Springs! Thanks!!!

Sunitha

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Great tour! Leah and captain Kev were devoted to finding a manatee despite the bad weather and we did! Was fun and exciting.

Joey C

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Had a great time, great experience. Leah and Captain Kev are exceptional and should be requested by name... They will not disappoint! Leah was so good with my 10 year old who was struggling with his face mask and snorkel. She took him right to where the Manatee were heading, and before he knew it they were snuggling with him. He loved it! Will definitely visit Kev and Leah on our next trip. Thanks!

cyndee c

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Leah and Kevin were fantastic! They shared their vast knowledge with us and their love of the manatees is very obvious. We were blessed to have them as our guides.

Angelina K

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

My two daughters and I had a great time on our adventure. Kev was a funny and knowledgeable captain while Leah was awesome at explaining all the rules, expectations, and was great at locating the manatees for us to swim near.

I would highly recommend this company for your manatee swimming adventure. Be sure to ask for Kevin and Leah, you won't regret it!

Amy C

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Amazing morning on the river with the manatees! Captain Kevin and our guides, Leah and Bill, were super friendly and exceptionally knowledgeable about manatees - not just where to find them but also how to treat them. While we were at the tail end of the season and only saw two, it was well worth it. Plus, the lessons they taught our 10yo son about respecting nature were priceless. Can’t wait to come back and adventure with Crystal River Watersports again!

Donna K

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Very much enjoyed our trip.

Leah and Kev, were terrific in providing a mini education on the manatees, and the surrounding area. And thoroughly enjoyed our swim. Thank you!

Kim D

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We went searching for manatees with Kevin and Leah. They were knowledgeable and helpful the whole trip. Leah took extra time to get my son comfortable in the water and make sure he had a great experience. We will definitely be back.

Teresa K

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Leah and Kev were wonderful. We took a group out the swim with the manatees and they made sure we did. Thank you for a wonderful day.

Jimmy T

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Kevin, Ived, and John were friendly, knowledgeable and funny for the whole trip. My family saw lots of manatees and had a bunch of fun and once of life experience.

Julie L

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Snorkel with the manatee One of the best experiences. A must! Leah and Kev were wonderful guides. The manatee were amazing. I got a kiss and hug from one of them. Highly recommend. They even gave us hot chocolate for the boat ride in.

E H

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

leah and kevin were great during the manatee tour!!! taught us so much about the wildlife in the area and made us hot cocoa afterwards! definitely will be going back to swim with the manatee again! (:

Veronica C

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Kevin & Leah are a great duo! They were knowledgeable, fun and provided us a great experience. Highly recommend it!

Sandra S

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Staro

We had an amazing time seeing dozens of manatee today. Dakota and Kevin were awesome. Safety is a number 1 priority and they were very knowledgeable and funny. We highly recommend this awesome trip

Miriam V

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kevin and Dakota were amazing and so funny. They made sure we had the perfect manatee experience!

Lynn 

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a great 3 hr boat/pontoon ride yesterday. Kev was an excellent captain and educator for the tour. Full of great info about the river, fishing, environment, & the area. Experienced & able to navigate a low tide & some congested areas very well. We recommend him highly! PS, & thank you son for letting him work vs fish! 😉)

Jaime T

2024  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This company isn’t in it for just money and tourism but are dedicated to the wellbeing of the ecosystem and the manatees! Captain Kev volunteers and is a wealth of knowledge about the manatees and area and Dakota was INCREDIBLE with our 8 yo daughter. He was so reassuring and calm with her and swam her on his back until she got her confidence. I couldn’t say enough positive things about these two guides they went above and beyond and are just genuinely good people who love the water and manatees. These guys made the difference between a good trip and a great trip! Definitely planning to come back and scallop!

Family S

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Must Do Event!  Great time with friendly manatees and our hosts, Capt Kev and Lauren. The water was a little murkier tgan at other times of tge year. But that made it all the more surprising when a manatee swam under you to check you out. Very cool way to spend a day. Overall a well deserved 5-star experience.

Althea J

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Kevin and Lauren were awesome!! We had a great time and saw some amazing creatures.

Mayra D

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Orville &  Kev are amazing. They made sure we all had a great time. Will definitely return. We greatly appreciated them being good stewards of our planet.

Suzanne S

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Super fun day on the water for the entire family.  A unique experience, safe and enjoyable for all ages.  Kev and Orville were great guides and made our day perfect.  Highly recommend it!

Renee Downey

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had such a great experience.  We were up close and personal with the manatee.  It felt like National Geographic in real life.  Definitely a great experience.  Kevin and Heather were knowledgeable and friendly guides.

John D

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

So great. Do this tour! The manatees we swam with were awesome. It was very cool to be so close to them. And while we tried to give them space, the manatees were curious abut us and came up to investigate us. It was especially cool as a baby manatee was part of our trip and that little guy was really inquisitive. He (she?) would sneak up under us and visit with us. We went in summer so the water is not as clear as some of the videos, but the experience was amazing and 100 out of 100 would recommend it and do it again. The dynamic duo of Capt. Kevin and Lauren made it a great day.

Bonnie B

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kevin & our in-water guide Dakota went the extra nautical mile for our group! They not only made a promise & kept it, they worked wonderfully together and went out of their way to help and comfort any of us that needed it. Value, service & delivery complete 😍 HIGHLY Recommend!

Molly A

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

What a fantastic experience floating with the manatees and listening to them chew grass on the bottom! Keven and Dakota were awesome guides and they were very respectful of the wildlife while also providing a fun and engaging experience for us. Would absolutely do this again!

David M

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Absolutely fantastic scalloping charter! So much fun that we could have done it all day. Both Captain Kevin and Lauren, our in-water guide were spectacular and made for an overall truly unforgettable experience. One of those experiences that you kind of hate to recommend because you want to keep it off everyone else's radar. :-)

Jaycie C

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We thoroughly enjoyed our manatee swim with Lauren and Kevin.  It was so nice to be up close with a manatee.  They were both very knowledgeable and informative.  We will be back !

Sherri S

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Absolutely one of the most wonderful experiences of my life!!

My best friend and I went with Miss Leah and Kevin. These two are the best! Very friendly, educational and great with the kids that were on board.  We loved it and are planning on another trip in December.

Sandra K

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Captain Kev and Lauren were amazing. We were in a group of 5 manatees for over an hour. Most relaxing boat ride and the most excellent adventure! Highly recommend! We will be back.

Samantha S

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This place is amazing! One of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had! The shop is so cute and the staff are incredible. Very friendly and patient! The manatees were so fun to see! If you go, ask for tour guide Dakota and Captain Kev!!

Destiny G

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

10/10 Dakota and Kev were great! Absolutely loved seeing the manatees!  

Bailey R

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Kevin and Dakota are AWESOME!

Mia H

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Fantastic! Both natural and cultural experience. Beautiful nature and guides who tell about the history and present-day challenges they face. We had a great day with Captain Kevin and "4ever young" Dakota🙏 Thank you guys.

Cassie C

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We went out on the 7:30am swim with the manatees, with Leah and Kevin and had such a wonderful experience. We were lucky enough to see about 8 manatees even in the off season and they clearly knew what they were doing. We loved learning about the area and all the wildlife along the way, and we’re very happy to learn about the practices the company follows to protect the manatees too. Highly recommend it!

Juliann T

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a great time with Kevin and Lauren! They knew where to go to see some beautiful manatees.

Ha D

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We love Captain Kev and Lauren. They have great knowledge of the manatees and other species in the environment. We even saw a dolphin. Thank you for a fun time!

Jo M

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

This was a wonderful experience! Kev took us right to the spots where the manatee were. He was full of educational information and delivered it with just the right amount of humor! Lauren was so sweet and patient. We had the best time and couldn't have asked for anything more. We ended our trip with a baby nursing with its mother. Absolutely wonderful. Hope to be able to come back one day, and very hopeful to have Kev and Lauren as our guides. Thank you for the memories!!

Rod G

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Absolutely amazing tour. Seriously, worlds better than I expected. Captain Kev and guide Lauren were perfect. Personable, knowledgeable, and dedicated. They definitely made the whole experience better. Especially Lauren. Her patience with me struggling helped a lot and made me feel less embarrassed.

Jessica Greenberg

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

My wife and I were given a Manatee tour for our wedding and it was the best gift we could have gotten. We had the best time seeing such gentle creatures. Kev and Lauren were friendly, funny, and taught us so much. We highly recommend it.

Tom D

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had the best time. Swimming with Manatees was one of the coolest experiences and was the highlight of our vacation. Kevin and Lauren were hilarious, fun and very knowledgeable. Their love and respect for the water and manatees is very apparent. Thank you for the best time!!  We will be back!

Elizabeth T

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Full disclosure, it would have been very hard for this to not be a great day, but the guys went above and beyond to make it the best day ever. Been looking forward to doing a trip like this since I was a kid, but Kevin, Orville, and the new guy were all absolutely amazing. Incredibly knowledgeable, funny, passionate about manatees and their conservation; these guys were fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to take me out and it just made a great experience even more memorable. Thank you guys for the best day ever! My inner 8 year old thanks you from the bottom of her heart!

Manuel P

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We have been very lucky to find this activity center and have done the tour with them. It has been a unique and very beautiful experience. Captain Kev and his partner, Lauren, are very attentive and charming. They shared a lot of information throughout the entire excursion. Lauren is an adorable guide. He spent a lot of time with my little daughter, taking her directly with the manatees, making my daughter really enjoy the experience. We have come from Spain and among the plans was to come to see the manatees. When we got here, we didn't know that one of the refuges where we could see them and swim with them was closed for restoration. By chance we found this site and the truth was a success. They provide you with everything you need for the activity, giving good service and having a good time. I highly recommend them.

Valerie S

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Best experience of my life!!!! I’ve wanted to do this all my life! Best tour guides ever as well. Kevin and Lauren were phenomenal!!!! Thank you all for an amazing experience ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 110% worth the money!

Pat B.

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We had a great experience with Leah and Captain Kev.

They were both very knowledgeable which was shared with us.  They made sure we were comfortable in the water. Some of the manatees seemed to know Leah personally.

So we got inches away. Do it!

Shirley H.

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

We went out with Kev and Leah and had a wonderful time. Their knowledge and love for the manatee and their jobs was incredible. They kept us entertained during the boat ride and found the manatee right away. I would highly recommend it. Really a great day thanks so much!!!

Patrice M..

2023  Manatee Tour / Five Star

Thanks a lot, we had a wonderful time with Laureen and Kevin (I hope I spelled your names correctly). The boat ride was great, Kevin is the funniest captain. Although we did not get to see many manatees, we were able to see at least one or two. I believe these guys are the best because they care about the manatees.

Haily H.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

Dakota and captain Kev were the absolute best!!

Elizabeth D

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

One of the best days of my life. Lauren & Kev were the best guides anyone could ask for. So informative & made a great team. My husband & I had an absolute blast & can't wait to do it again!!!

Martjin V.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

Great experience!  We chose Crystal River Watersports because of their eco friendly statements on the website and the small group sizes for the tours. It was everything we hoped for. We got a lot of information about preservation of the manatee population. The passion for the animals as well as attention for the guests was great. Thank you Leah and Kevin!

Sylvie R

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

I went on the tour with my husband. We had a great time. Got to see many manatees up close. Kevin and Leah were amazing. Would definitely go again. Thanks

Kelly E.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

Captain Kev was awesome!!! Very informative and kept our entire family entertained and wanting to hear and see more!

Laura K.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

Kev and Orville were the perfect fit for me and my kids. They did such a great job sharing their love of the manatees through educating us and helping us to enjoy them, up close and personal. Orville was great with my kids in the water and made sure even my 5 year old was able to experience these unique creatures. Kev was humorous, passionate, and made a great cup of cocoa! They took every opportunity to point out all the wildlife in the area. They answered all our questions and were so gracious. I would highly recommend this tour and tour company!

Jason and Pam P.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

We had an amazing adventure with the manatees. Kev and Leah are both so knowledgeable about all the wildlife and are obviously so passionate about the preservation of the manatees. Kev knew right where to go and Leah seems to attract them for the best observation of them in their natural habitat. I highly recommend spending a day with them. The memories we made today will last a lifetime!  Thanks so much for an amazing time.

Kate J..

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

I should begin by saying I have ALWAYS wanted to "swim with manatees" ever since I learned such a thing existed a few years ago. With heading back down to the Gulf side of Florida after more than five years, I knew I had to do it.

Crystal River was mentioned to me by natives and friends of mine who had done it alike, so I gladly accepted the recommendation - and I couldn't be happier or more pleased with my entire experience, start to finish.

I opted for the early tour, 7am on Friday 3/17 - I wanted to be able to do it and still have some time in my day, as it was to happen on my last full day in Florida. Pulling up at almost 7am, still pitch-dark out (and cold!), I met Captain Kev and Leah in the driveway to smiles and promises of a great tour. While I ended up in Lauren's group instead, she was positively amazing. They made sure we were warm enough (as warm as you can get on the water at 7:30 in the morning lol), and the brief boat ride it took to get us from their site to the bay flew; she had a 3D-printed version of a manatee skull and a rib - the education and knowledge she shared with us was awesome! I learned more on that boat ride than I ever knew prior; and then...time for manatees!!!

I got to see SO MANY - while they said there are more in the bay in the winter, I was COMPLETELY surrounded at one point by quite a few. The pictures and videos Lauren got were great - that $30 for the USB is money well spent! - and if anything, my biggest issue was fighting the urge TO touch them (that is a HARD no) and ensuring I didn't bump into them as I was floating past them. But I got to spin around with one, get up close and personal with several, and watch them interact with each other - being so close to them allowed me to see their playful and gentle personalities shine. Surreal, overwhelmingly awesome and magnificent - and those are just a few words to describe my time in the water with them. It was a fabulous experience and one I would gladly do again.

Kudos to Lauren, Captain Kevin and the entire Crystal River Watersports team for memories I will never forget!

Shirley H.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

We went out with Kev and Leah and had a wonderful time. Their knowledge and love for the manatee and their jobs was incredible. They kept us entertained during the boat ride and found the manatee right away. I would highly recommend it. Really a great day thanks so much!!!

James S.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

We had a great time swimming with manatees.  Something we did as a family for Spring Break.  Kevin as our captain and Lauren as our tour guide were awesome.  12 star review!

Dee M.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

We had an amazing time, our captain Kevin and guide Heather made sure we had a great time and got to interact with the manatees. I definitely recommend this tour!!!

Lisa B.

March 2023  Manatee Tour / Five Stars

My husband and I booked the VIP package to snorkel with the manatees as part of our first anniversary celebration. The whole experience was phenomenal! Captain Kevin was hilarious and