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Go Local Manatee Tours: Eco-Friendly Crystal River Experience
5.0
671 Ratings
Crystal River
Experience unforgettable, eco-friendly manatee encounters in Crystal River, Florida with Go Local Manatee Tours. Join our small, responsible tour groups for a relaxing and educational experience.
Duration:
3 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
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1 SW 1st Pl - On our 3 hour semi private swimming with the manatee tours. We put a maximum of 6 guests to insure an intimate and educational experience. We embark our tour from Petes pier marina located in the heart of kings bay where the manatees can be located anywhere in our 600 acre bay. Once we find the manatees we then exit the boat and snorkel with the manatee. Our experienced guides lead the guests in the water throughout the entire at that time time they are taking photos and videos. All of our photos and small videos taken on the trip are included.
Please note.
This is a true wild life experience and we do not guarantee perfect conditions. As a small owner operated tour company we believe in transparency with our guests. A lot of tour companies advertise Crystal clear water and picture perfect attractions. During manatee season those are the most likely times to see manatees in or near the springs. Where the water is clearer.
During spring, summer and fall. The manatees will be eating on our grass flats where visibility can very between 1 to 6ft. There is residential population of manatees that live in our bay year round. So you can still see manatees in the off season.
What's Included
- Bottled water included
- Exclusive photo and video package
- Snorkeling equipment provided
- Defog solution available
- Wetsuits for comfort
What's Not Included
- Gratuities
- Parking (Pete’s pier charges a 5 dollar parking fee)
Additional Information
COMPLIMENTARY PICTURES INCLUDED!
Go Local Manatee Tours brings you memorable, intimate interactions with manatees in Crystal River, Florida. Our daily 6 passenger semi-private trips are structured to be minimalistic and eco-friendly, leaving no trace behind to safeguard our beloved locals (manatees). By maintaining a small tour size, we aim to decrease visitors’ impact, while simultaneously ensuring a serene and enjoyable encounter with manatees and your accompanying group. We believe in striking a balance between being eco-aware and providing an insightful and thrilling encounter.
As a locally-owned and operated enterprise, Go Local Manatee Tours places great importance on preserving the natural surroundings. Raised in Crystal River, we highly value keeping wildlife untouched and undisturbed! We advocate for responsible tourism that honors the ecosystem and prevents straining the manatees and their habitat. We’re confident that we can offer you the finest Crystal River experience, all while maintaining environmental integrity.
- Not recommended for travelers who are not comfortable at least floating in the water
Location
1 SW 1st Pl
Southwest 1st Place
When you arrive at Pete's Pier Marina, we'll meet you at the bait shop located at the end of the pier. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions. We'll also be contacting you the day before your departure to ensure everything is good to go. Can't wait for your awesome manatee tour!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(671 Ratings)
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Faraway25451607900
Jun 25, 2024
Awesome “offseason” Tour - Pete and Josh are so amazing taking us on the tour. They know the spots right on and we are not wasting one minute, we are able to see and swim with many manatees on an off season, and even a dolphin on our way back! Highly recommended even for off season.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Andrewscarol81
Jun 25, 2024
Special experience and high quality service from the staff - Me and my sister went on this trip and turned out we were the only ones which we got lucky with. We started off very strong by spotting a manatee straight away which we got in the water with and shortly its baby joined us. The pictures we got were fab. The service from Walter and Lindsey was high quality and couldn’t have asked for better staff to take us out, they were very friendly and helpful and ensured we had everything we needed. We will definitely be back again in the winter time to do this experience again
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chloe_b
Jun 25, 2024
Special experience with fab service - I went with my sister and we were the only group on the trip. The staff were so lovely and helpful (Walter and Lindsey). We had a good hour swimming with the manatee and its baby which was such a special experience. We enjoyed being on the boat and looking at the scenery. We will definitely be returning to do it all again.
Review provided by Viator
Hillary_l
Jun 24, 2024
A local gem! - Walter & Lindsey did an amazing job on our manatee tour! Our family of 5 were the only ones on the boat, which made for a great experience. They have a max of 6, which is more enjoyable (at least in my opinion). They were fun, entertaining, knowledgeable & great tour guides! We even found a baby manatee at the end of our tour along with several others. What an amazing experience. Definitely book with this local company!
Review provided by Viator
Kaya_k
Jun 24, 2024
Chubby Mermaids are Cool - Talk about flexible, this team of folks was so nice considering we arrived late (traffic delays). They never once made us feel bad and in fact were understanding. Because the group was 6 people, it was so intimate and fun. Having someone to take the photos for us was a plus too. If you run hot like me, you don't have to wear a wetsuit, but they are provided. The 3 hours is so you can locate these gentle giants and get into the water with them. We literally swam next to one we lovingly named, Big Bertha. She tickled my leg with her whiskers (please not we didn't attempt to touch her, as this is disrespectful, but she happen to touch me because I was floating there and didn't want to move to scare her or hurt her). The staff, Lindsay and Captain were very clear about proper interaction protocol. They showed us so much more than just the manatees. we swam across the waterway to see where the springs come up from the ground. Boat had a canopy so you were never in the sun, unless you wanted to be. Photos were sent before the end of day which was amazing. I would definitely do this again. Since we did this in middle of June is was harder to locate the sea elephants, I will come back in winter when they are there in droves.
Review provided by Viator
Heatherhb2936rq
Jun 23, 2024
Amazing - Thank you to Captain Walter and our guide Derek of Go Local Manatee Tours. They provided the most amazing trip. Even our skeptical teen had a great time. Water and Derek had the best interest of the manatee at all times. Instructing our family on exactly what to do and not stress these harmless creatures. We would definitely use this company again!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Passport629857
Jun 23, 2024
5-star Go Local tour!!! - Pete and Lindsey were great tour guides who have been locals to the area for a long time! We saw a male, female and baby manatee and Lindsey took awesome pictures! Pete was very knowledgeable and gave a lot of info on the history of Crystal River and manatees. We really enjoyed our experience. Choose Go Local!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Justinhl6777ka
Jun 19, 2024
Amazing once in a lifetime experience. Pete and Lindsey are both amazing and the name says it all GO LOCAL, GLAD WE DID! - Booked a last minute trip and was so happy we did! Pete and Lindsey were Amazing! Swam with several manatees, Amazing Trip, already planning our next trip. So Glad we booked with The only truly Local Tour guides that grew up in the Area and support an amazing local business who truly cares about the waterways and wildlife! Pete was a great Captain! Pete and Lindsey were both so knowledgeable not to mention Lindsey is a Manatee whisperer and so calm with us and the Manatees. Thank you so much for the unforgettable memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Debby_m
Jun 19, 2024
Awesome! - The captain and his mate were more than accommodating. They both were very knowledgeable about the area. We really enjoyed our trip
Review provided by Viator
Anzhela_y
Jun 15, 2024
Great experience! - The tour guides helped to have the best experience possible!! They were very knowledgeable and helpful!
Review provided by Viator