Manatee Viewing Cruise: Explore Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge

Embark on a Manatee Viewing Cruise in Crystal River, FL to explore the Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge. Spot wild manatees, birds, turtles, and dolphins on this unforgettable journey!

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Pete’s Pier - Children Under The Age Of Three Are Not Permitted On Public Tours

Pete’s Pier is the Marina where you will meet your Captain to board the boat.

What's Included
  • USCG Licensed Captain
  • Bottled Water
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Parking Fees $5
Additional Information

This tour is the perfect way to stay dry and view the wild manatees of the Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Hop aboard our US Coast Guard certified vessel where you will join your Master Captain to embark on a journey into the Kings Bay refuge waters. On this tour, you and the group will join us for one of the most memorable experiences of a lifetime!

During this trip we will search for our world famous wild manatees that give Crystal River the title of “The Manatee Capital of the World.” There is also a chance to see many other species of birds, turtles, and even a dolphin every now and then so be on the lookout for the impressive variety of wildlife that calls the refuge “home”.

What to Bring
Polarized Sunglasses

IMPORTANT
For this Manatee Viewing Cruise, you will be meeting our Captain at Pete’s Pier. There is an additional $5 parking fee per vehicle at Pete’s Pier, that you are required to pay upon arrival.

Pete’s Pier
1 SW 1st Place
Crystal River, FL 34429

  • You will meet your Captain by the Bait Shop at the end of the dock just past the boat ramp. Your Captain will be wearing a bright green Explorida Shirt.
  • Children under the age of three are not permitted on public tours, only private
Location
1 SW 1st Pl
Southwest 1st Place
Pete's Pier Marina, Crystal River, Florida 34429 Your tour will be departing exactly at the scheduled reservation time chosen. If you arrive early, please wait patiently for our captain to return from their pervious tour. No child under the age of three are allowed on public tours.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(697 Ratings)
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Linda_o
Sep 25, 2024
Nice boat ride & great captain - The tour guide was informative, friendly, helpful and very friendly. We had a good time with him and enjoyed our time on the boat. We did get to see some manatees and sea turtles so that was an added bonus!!
Review provided by Viator
Radgto
Sep 25, 2024
Great viewing experience - What a beautiful day going around finding the manatees, it was off season, but love the way all the other tour guides work together, helping each other out to make sure everyone gets to see some, we had the special opportunity to get to see a momma nursing her calf
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_d
Sep 24, 2024
Excellent cruise - Gavin was an excellent guide. He was both knowledgeable and entertaining. I highly recommend this cruise.
Review provided by Viator
Gkman2019
Sep 23, 2024
Manatee viewing in Crystal River - Informative tour guide and easy spotting of manatees and other wildlife Good location and a lot of other activities around the area too
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Houdyshell1
Sep 18, 2024
A great experience viewing manatees! - Our Captain Chris was very good at navigating around Crystal River and showing us several manatees and explaining what they eat and how they survive the colder weather by gathering near the springs. He was professional and knowledgeable and answered all of our questions. It was an enjoyable and informative cruise. It was great to see these giant creatures in their natural habitat. I highly recommend using this company for viewing manatees.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ann_b
Sep 3, 2024
A wonder enlightening experience with the best Captain, Kelly !!! - Kelly’s professionalism and knowledge about all things Crystal River and Manatees and nature ! Don’t know why I’ve got to write more - how much do I have to fill in here - asdgjkljj oh greetings
Review provided by Viator
D8546gnalexh
Sep 2, 2024
. - It was amazing. The spring was so clear an the water was nice an cool. Because its off season we found 1 manatee. Was great being able to be so close to it. Would do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Spazmalz
Aug 6, 2024
Amazing manatee experience! - We had an incredible time! The staff was extremely kind and attentive, especially Avery! Captain Marty was fabulous and Faith, our dive instructor, was outstanding. I highly recommend using this company to have a amazing manatee experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shelly_b
Aug 5, 2024
Tyler was our tour guide.... - Tyler was our tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and looked hard to find us manatees. He found two sets of momma and baby to show us.
Review provided by Viator
James_a
Aug 26, 2024
Out of season, but still a nice cruise with the chance to see manatees. - The cruise was enjoyable, because the area in itself is beautiful. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable; we appreciated that she took care around the manatees and was mindful of their welfare. The viewing cruise seems much better than swimming experiences in that respect. We knew that it was not the season for many manatees, but we did see one close up. The swimming cruises seem to surround the manatees and make it impossible for other vessels to see them. The water at this time of year was also partly clear, so we could really only see an outline except when the manatees surface briefly.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 12 guests
1 Adult
October 2024
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