# ManateeSwimCrystalRiver.com - swimming with manatees in Crystal River, Florida: tours compared

> Independent guide to swimming and snorkeling with wild manatees in Kings Bay, Crystal River (Citrus County, Florida):
> guided snorkel tours, clear kayak tours, manatee viewing cruises, day trips from Orlando, the winter manatee season,
> the refuge rules, live ratings, from-prices and what each tour includes.
> Not affiliated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the City of Crystal River, Viator or any tour operator.

Site: https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com
Language: en (also fr, de, es, it). Currency: USD. Country: United States.

## Verified facts

- Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. where people can legally swim with wild manatees in their natural habitat.
- Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS), established 1983 to protect the Florida manatee; Kings Bay is fed by
  many springs that hold about 72 F (22 C) all year.
- Manatee season: 15 November to 31 March. Seven warm-water sanctuaries are roped off and closed to all activity then.
- On cold days in season the refuge can close Three Sisters Springs to in-water access; the boardwalk stays open.
- Paddle craft may enter Three Sisters Springs from 1 April to 14 November only.
- Three Sisters Springs boardwalk (City of Crystal River): Three Sisters Springs Center, 917 Three Sisters Springs Trail;
  open daily 8:30-16:30, last entry 15:30; adult ticket $20 winter, $12.50 summer, children 6-15 $7.50 (subject to change; federal pass holders $5 off); shuttle included.
- Rules: passive observation; do not chase, poke, ride, feed or give water to manatees, or separate a mother and calf;
  every visitor should watch the refuge's Manatee Manners video before recreation in Kings Bay.
- Around 300 manatees gathered at Three Sisters Springs on cold mornings in late December 2025 and January 2026.
- Crystal River is about 90 miles from Orlando and about 80 miles from Tampa by road.

## Bookable tours listed on this site

All booking links go to Viator.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD at the last build and move.

- 3-Hour Manatee Swim Tour with In-Water Guide (Fun 2 Dive, 135 NE 3rd St, Crystal River) - from $76 per person, 3 hours, rated 4.9 from 3,104 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Manatee-Snorkeling-Tours/d22318-104184P1
- The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour by River Ventures (River Ventures, 498 SE Kings Bay Dr) - from $76 per person, 3 hours, rated 4.9 from 2,676 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Crystal-River-Manatee-Swim/d22318-7336P2
- Small-Group Manatee Swim with Photo & Video Package (Pete's Pier Marina, 1 SW 1st Pl) - from $95 per person, 3 hours, rated 5.0 from 2,034 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Semi-Private-Manatee-Swim/d22318-341130P1
- Small-Group Manatee Snorkel with Gulf Coast Expeditions (226 NE 5th St, Crystal River) - from $79 per person, 3 hours, rated 5.0 from 1,400 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Swim-with-manatees/d22318-44460P1
- Clear Kayak Tour of Three Sisters Springs & Manatees (Kings Bay Park, 268 NW 3rd St) - from $89 per person, 2 hours, rated 4.8 from 2,174 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Clear-Kayak-Manatee-Season-Tours/d22318-123201P1
- Crystal River Manatee Viewing Cruise (Explorida, 545 N Citrus Ave) - from $51 per person, 1.5 hours, rated 4.9 from 1,237 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Manatee-Viewing-Cruise/d22318-120344P5
- Small-Group Manatee Snorkel on a Heated Pontoon (Salty Siren, 439 NE 1st Terrace) - from $90 per person, 3 hours, rated 5.0 from 632 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Small-Group-Manatee-Snorkel-Tour-with-In-Water-Guide-and-Photographer/d22318-358698P1
- Private Manatee Swim for up to 6 with Photos (403 NE 2nd St, Crystal River) - from $500 per group, 3 hours, rated 5.0 from 164 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Crystal-River/Swim-with-Manatees-Private-Tour-with-in-water-guide-photographer/d22318-435202P4
- Manatee Snorkel Day from Orlando with Homosassa Springs (Hotel pickup in Orlando) - from $169 per person, 8.5 hours, rated 4.7 from 292 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Orlando/Crystal-River-Manatee-Swim-from-Orlando/d663-3170P40

## Guide pages on this site

- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/crystal-river-manatee-tours/ - What it costs to swim with manatees in Crystal River in 2026: swim tours from $76, what the price includes, tips, photos, parking and our picks.
- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/best-time-to-swim-with-manatees/ - The best time to swim with manatees in Crystal River: the 15 November to 31 March season, cold fronts, the best hour of the day and what summer really offers.
- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/three-sisters-springs/ - Three Sisters Springs in 2026: boardwalk tickets ($20 winter, $12.50 summer), hours, the shuttle, how to swim or paddle in, and the cold-day closures.
- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/can-you-touch-manatees/ - Can you touch manatees in Crystal River? No: the passive observation rules, what is illegal, the sanctuaries, fins, sunscreen and what to do if one touches you.
- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/swim-with-manatees-from-orlando/ - Swim with manatees from Orlando or Tampa: drive times, routes, the $169 Gray Line day trip with Homosassa Springs, and why Blue Spring is viewing only.
- https://manateeswimcrystalriver.com/guides/swim-with-manatees-kids/ - Swimming with manatees with kids in Crystal River: minimum ages by tour, child wetsuits and noodles, staying warm in winter, and options for kids who stay dry.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- Manatee sightings are never guaranteed; in summer (April to October) tours often find only one to three manatees.
- You should not touch manatees: the refuge asks for passive observation, and harassment is illegal under federal and state law.
- Three Sisters Springs is not always open to swimmers in winter: the refuge closes it on very cold days.
- Tour prices do not include tips; the photo package is extra on most tours.

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage. Prices, seasons and closures change; verify close to your travel date.