Plan your visit
Some people come just for the manatees. Most come for a reason: a family vacation, a birthday, a team day out, a trip with Grandma. Here's how each one works on the river, and which tour fits.
Find your occasion
Families with kids
Kids 2 and up are welcome, we carry toddler wetsuits, and nobody has to be a strong swimmer. Everyone floats with a noodle, and staying on the boat is always fine. A private boat lets your family set the pace and take breaks whenever the little ones need one.
Three generations
No one has to swim to enjoy this. Guests can float with a noodle or watch from the boat while manatees come up to breathe nearby. The 6-hour private trip slows the whole day down: manatees, springs and wildlife, plus lunch at the dock with your captain and crew.
Birthdays and anniversaries
Book the whole boat for your people and add Event Photography. A photographer covers the whole trip, from wriggling into wetsuits to the hot cocoa on the ride back, and photos and video arrive the same day. Nobody spends the birthday holding a phone.
Couples and honeymoons
Just the two of you on a shared boat? Pay a $25 startup fee at check-in and the boat runs with only you two aboard, unless another guest books (then the fee is waived and they join you). Or book a private boat and keep the captain to yourselves.
Teams and companies
Small boats make for real conversation. For groups larger than six, we put your team on multiple boats that travel to the same area, so everyone swims together, up to 24 guests on four boats. Lunch and cold drinks are a short walk from the dock at the Monkey Bar.
Reunions and friend trips
Stay where the boat leaves. Monkey Island Riverside Resort sits right on the river, and manatee guests get 10% off their room when they book a tour with us. Swim in the morning, then pizza and cold drinks at the Monkey Bar with a view of the monkeys.
Wildlife lovers
The 4-hour private trip allows up to two hours with the manatees when conditions allow. Along the river you may also spot eagles, ospreys, blue herons, river otters and the residents of Monkey Island.
Traveling alone
Join a shared boat. It takes two guests to start a boat, and solo travelers can join others already booked, with never more than six guests aboard. You'll leave knowing your captain and probably a few new friends.
Florida vacations
Homosassa is about two hours from Orlando and about 90 minutes from Tampa, an easy day trip from a theme-park week. Pick a later boat so you aren't racing the sunrise. Every tour time is a good one for the manatees.
Bigger groups
Our boats carry six guests by design. For bigger groups, we put you on multiple boats that travel to the same area, so everyone swims together, up to 24 guests on four boats. Call and a real person will help you plan it.
Gift cards can be used for manatee tours and are available online. A good fit for birthdays, holidays and the person who has everything except a manatee story.
Small boats, six guests, captains who teach. Pick your day and we'll handle the rest.
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
