Plan your visit
Every tour departs from our private docks at Monkey Island Riverside Resort on the Old Homosassa River, a few miles south of Crystal River.
Meet us at
Monkey Island Riverside Resort
5297 S Cherokee Way
Homosassa, FL 34448
Dock B
Before you arrive
Sign your waivers online and keep them on your phone. Put your swimsuit on at the hotel. It saves time at the dock.
When to get here
Please arrive on time or a few minutes early. Restrooms are available.
Staying in Crystal River?
Lots of our guests do. Our dock in Homosassa is a short drive south. Parking is free. Just leave enough time to park and check in before your tour.
Can't find us?
Call 352-257-8687. A real person answers.
Getting here
Homosassa sits on Florida's Gulf coast in Citrus County, about 70 miles north of Tampa and about 100 miles west of Orlando. Most guests fly into Tampa or Orlando and drive. Here's how long to allow and which roads to take.
About 70 miles · allow about 1.5 hours
Take the Veterans Expressway north onto the Suncoast Parkway (SR 589, a toll road) to its northern end, then follow US 98 and US 19 north into Homosassa. Tampa International is the closest major airport to the dock.
About 80 miles · allow about 1 hour 45 minutes
Head east on SR 60 toward Tampa, pick up the Veterans Expressway north, and follow the Suncoast Parkway route above.
About 100 miles · allow about 2 hours
Take Florida's Turnpike north (a toll road) to its end at I-75 near Wildwood, then SR 44 west through Inverness and CR 490 into Homosassa.
About 100 miles · allow about 2 hours
Take I-4 to Florida's Turnpike north, then follow the Orlando route: the Turnpike to Wildwood, SR 44 west through Inverness, and CR 490 into Homosassa.
About 95 miles · allow about 2 to 2.5 hours
Head west on SR 429 and US 441 through the Mount Dora and Leesburg area, then SR 44 west through Inverness and CR 490 into Homosassa.
About 45 to 50 miles · allow about 1.5 hours
From The Villages, take SR 44 west through Inverness, then CR 490 into Homosassa. From Ocala, head southwest on SR 200, then CR 491 and CR 490.
About 80 miles · allow about 2 hours
Head southwest through Williston to US 19, then follow US 19 south through Crystal River into Homosassa.
About 155 miles · allow about 3.5 hours
Take I-10 west and US 301 south toward Gainesville, then follow the Gainesville route: southwest through Williston to US 19 and south through Crystal River.
Driving in from Orlando the same day?
Pick a later boat. Our 10 AM and 12 PM shared tours and the 10 AM and 1 PM private tours give you time to make the drive and check in. For an 8 AM tour, plan to leave Orlando by about 5:30 a.m. Every tour time is a good one for manatees, so pick the one that fits your day.
Drive times are approximate and assume normal traffic. Allow extra time around Tampa and Orlando rush hours. The Suncoast Parkway and Florida's Turnpike are toll roads. Use 5297 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa, FL 34448 in your GPS.
Once you're here
Park in the marked lots, then look for the green Manatee & Airboat Tour Check-in sign at the marina.
Tap the map to open it full size.
Food and a place to stay are a short walk from the boat.
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
