Manatee Madness · Grandma and Grandpa love this tour
6 Hours · Private, Up to 6 Per Boat · Groups Up to 24 · Dockside Lunch Included
A private day on the water for up to six guests: time in the water with wild manatees, lunch at the dock with your captain and crew, and the rest of the day exploring the springs and wildlife of Old Florida. Everything is included, so you just show up.
$999per boat, up to 6 · groups up to 24
Dietary needs? Tell us when you book.
From the logbook
First: the manatees. Suit up, learn Manatee Manners, and head out. Your captain takes you to the best manatee water of the day, and you float for as long as the encounter lasts.
Midday: lunch at the dock, on us. Warm up, dry off, and sit down with your captain and crew at a riverside restaurant for a fresh-cooked meal. Save room for the hush puppies. Prefer to stay on the water? Take it to go and eat on the boat.
Afternoon: the river. Springs, mangrove islands, the monkeys of Monkey Island, dolphins, otters, eagles, and more time with manatees if they're in the mood. It's your boat, so it's your call.
You can expect to be back at the dock around 2:30 to 3 PM.
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.
Your tour departs from our private docks at 5297 S Cherokee Way in Homosassa, a few miles south of Crystal River. Six hours gives your captain the freedom to take you to the best manatee water of the day and show you springs and wildlife most visitors never see. You'll get exact meeting details in your confirmation.
The whole boat for up to 6 guests, for 6 hours, and no one else comes aboard
A USCG-licensed captain and manatee educator, all day, permitted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Wetsuits (toddler through 5X), masks, snorkels, noodles, towels and sunscreen
Drinks and snacks, plus hot cocoa, coffee and tea
Dockside lunch with your captain and crew
Manatee Manners briefing, filmed with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The No Sighting Promise: a return voucher if no manatees are sighted
No parking fees. You park free at our private docks
More than six? We can take up to 24 guests on four boats that travel to the same area, so you swim together. Call us to book a larger group.
Event Photography
Hire your own paparazzi for the whole day.
$199.99 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. A full day of photos and video, delivered the same day.
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 →
Anniversaries, milestone birthdays, family reunions, a grandparent's gift to the grandkids, and anyone who has come a long way and wants the whole river, not just a slice of it.
"Crossed the swim with manatees off my bucket list."
★★★★★ Google review
Ages
2 and up recommended.
Swimming
Not required. The swim is easy, you'll never be rushed, and staying on the boat is always fine.
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.
Hotel checkout
You may need to check out before the tour. We run on the manatees' schedule, and we'll keep you out as long as the day is good.
Dietary needs
Tell us when you book.
Dogs
Welcome on private charters.
Group of 7 to 24?
We run up to four boats, six guests each, to the same manatee area, so your whole group swims together. Call 352-257-8687 to book.
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
