The Marvelous Manatee · Our most popular tour
3 Hours · 6 Guests Per Boat Max · Shared Boat
Reserve your seats on a small boat on the Homosassa River, float quietly with wild manatees, and learn what you're seeing from a captain who has been doing this since 2000.
From$81per person
Not sure which time? They're all good. Shared means you're reserving seats. With 5 or 6 guests, compare the 3 Hour Private Boat.
From the logbook
You check in, get fitted for a wetsuit, and watch a short Manatee Manners briefing filmed with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Then it's out onto the water with your captain and up to five other guests.
Your captain picks the best spot for that day's conditions. The engine goes quiet. You slide in with a mask, a snorkel and a noodle, and float. No fins, no chasing. A curious manatee drifts up, looks you over, and decides whether to stay. Often they do.
You'll typically spend 60 to 90 minutes in the water. Then you climb out to a towel and a cup of hot cocoa (on cold days) or ice water (on warm ones), and head back with your captain answering every question on the way.
There's more to discover than manatees! Along the way, you may spot eagles, ospreys, blue herons, waterfowl, river otters, and even an occasional dolphin. On our Homosassa tours, keep an eye out for the residents of Monkey Island. Did we say monkeys? Yes, monkeys! Every trip offers something different, so keep your camera ready.
"In our 3 hour trip we spent a hour and a half with manatees!"
★★★★★ Google review
Your tour departs from our private docks at 5297 S Cherokee Way in Homosassa, a few miles south of Crystal River. Your captain chooses the best manatee water each day, and you'll get exact meeting details in your confirmation.
Wetsuit (toddler through 5X), mask, snorkel and flotation noodle
Manatee Manners briefing, filmed with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
A USCG-licensed captain and manatee educator, permitted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Hot cocoa and coffee in cooler months, ice water in warmer months
About 3 hours from check-in to return
The No Sighting Promise: a return voucher if no manatees are sighted
No parking fees. You park free at our private docks
Event Photography
Hire your own paparazzi for three hours.
$114.99 per booking
Our event photographer covers the whole trip, not just the manatees: wriggling into wetsuits, the hot chocolate, the laughs on the ride back. We don't sell manatee photos. We sell event photography, so even on a slow manatee day your trip still gets documented. Photos and video arrive the same day, so you can put the phone down and be there.
Covers up to six guests on one boat; extra boats need an additional, discounted package. Not refundable and not covered by Trip Protection. Coming back on a return voucher? You get 15% off photography for that trip. Policy →
"having a professional take care of the pictures allowed us to fully enjoy the experience"
Many manatee boats carry 10 to 20 guests. Ours carry six. That means room in the water, more time with the manatees, and a captain who can actually answer your questions. It costs a few bucks more per seat than the big boats. That's the trade, and our guests tell us it's worth it.
And don't be fooled by "semi-private." Google it and you get a shared hospital room. Yikes! We call it a shared boat: never more than six guests.
Have a larger group? We can accommodate your group with multiple boats and keep you together for the swim.
"Our boat only had 5 of us, we were told that they don't take more than 6 at a time."
★★★★★ Google review
Five or six in your group? Compare the 3 Hour PRIVATE Swim with Manatees Tour. It's often close in price, and the whole boat is yours. See the private tour →
Ages
2 and up recommended. Kids love it, and we carry toddler wetsuits.
Swimming
Not required. You float on the surface with a noodle. The swim is easy, you'll never be rushed, and staying on the boat is always fine.
Tour times
Every departure is a good one. Manatees don't own a calendar or a smartphone, and they roam all day. Pick the time that fits your day.
Water
Wild river and spring water. The springs stay about 72 degrees year-round.
Cooler months
Cold? Nah, not really! The water is 72 degrees all year. This is Florida. Bring a hoodie for the ride back, and the hot cocoa and the Sundrops of Florida will handle the rest.
Minimum
2 guests to start a boat. Solo travelers may join others.
Bring
A swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit, a towel, a change of clothes and, in the cooler months, a warm layer for the ride back.
The No Sighting Promise
Our captains find manatees on 90% of trips, all year. If yours is one of the few, you get a return voucher that never expires. It's free with trip protection, or $15 per person without.
Book your manatee tour
Every tour is a small boat with six guests or fewer. Choose a tour to see dates and times.
Private
$450 per boat, up to 6
Groups up to 24 on 4 boats
Departs 7, 10 and 1
Private, more water time
$585 per boat, up to 6
Groups up to 24 on 4 boats
Departs 8 AM and 1 PM
Private, lunch included
$999 per boat, up to 6
Groups up to 24 on 4 boats
Departs 8 AM
Not sure which one? Compare the tours
More than six in your group? Call 352-257-8687
