On a recent trip to Florida, we decided to head over to Crystal River to swim with the manatees. For those of you who are not familiar with these gentle giants, manatees are large, herbivorous marine mammals. Because of their size and grazing habits, they are often called “sea cows”. With a friendly and docile nature, manatees are a favorite among wildlife devotees. A manatee tour is a perfect way how to encounter these amazing animals.
Crystal River is located on the west coast of Florida. It’s a unique and enchanting destination that offers a truly magical experience–swimming with manatees. Often referred to as “gentle giants of the sea,” manatees are fascinating marine mammals known for their peaceful demeanor and slow-moving nature. Crystal River’s warm, spring-fed waters provide a haven for these gentle creatures during the winter months, making it one of the best places in the world for a close encounter with these majestic animals.
Crystal River, in particular, attracts manatees during the winter season when the Gulf of Mexico waters turn cold. Manatees, being sensitive to temperature changes, seek refuge in the warm waters of Crystal River’s numerous freshwater springs, making it the perfect location for a unique wildlife encounter.
Manatee Tour Company – Our Recommendation
Visitors to Crystal River have several options for experiencing a manatee encounter. Many local tour operators offer guided manatee tours that are both educational and eco-friendly. These tours are typically led by knowledgeable guides who are passionate about manatee conservation and ensuring a positive experience for both visitors and the animals.
With many options available, we reached out to our hotel’s concierge for a recommendation and were immediately referred to Crystal River Manatee Adventures. Our concierge informed us that while there are many manatee tours on Crystal River, he recommends Crystal River Manatee Adventures specifically because they have shower facilities available for their customer’s use post-tour. Not realizing the importance of this, we took his advice and booked with this recommended tour guide.
Two short days later we woke up and headed over for our manatee tour where we met with Captain Todd Hopkins. Now any reader of this blog knows my husband and I love the water and boats. I must point out that while we were out we saw other manatee tours and their boats are nowhere near as impressive as the craft operated by Crystal River Manatee Adventures. This boat was pretty much brand new, so immediately we were even more excited. Of course, the shop is super clean and offers a wide variety of cute gift items, but even better is once out on the boat with Captain Todd, you feel like an old friend.
Review of Our Manatee Tour
First, Captain Todd and his teammate Leah gave us a briefing on manatee behavior. Various conservation efforts are being made to protect them, and there are articulated guidelines for responsible interaction. Captain Todd provided all the necessary equipment – snorkeling gear, wetsuits, masks, and more.
Next up was the actual ride and we think this is another area where Crystal River Manatee Adventures sets itself apart from other tour operators. Other boats we saw out there were packed in like sardines, but this wasn’t the case with Crystal River Manatee Adventures. We were on a spacious boat with just two other couples. Along the way, Captain Todd and Leah provided us with information about the local ecosystem and the history of the Crystal River.
Snorkeling With Manatees
Finally, we got to the best part, the in-water experience. We entered the water and got to swim alongside these gentle giants. Our in-water guide, Leah, is a true all-star and our memories were captured with some amazing photographs. Once back on board, we were treated to complimentary water and coffee, which was a great refresher. They even had hot chocolate! After getting out of the water, it was nice to be in an enclosed, heated boat and we remained comfortable on our trip back to the docks.
Once back, we cleaned ourselves up quickly with a nice hot shower right on site. We can’t stress how convenient this was as we did not have to head back to the hotel in soggy clothes to clean up. We hit the shop where we grabbed a few gifts and our photos and continued to explore the area. Our concierge was right! Something as simple as a hot shower after a manatee tour is a huge plus. It all added up to one of our best vacation experiences yet.
Our tour from beginning to end took approximately three hours, but the time flew right by. If you want to try something new, we recommend a manatee tour with Crystal River Manatee Adventures. Captain Tood and Leah run three tours a day, so they can accommodate anyone’s schedule. Crystal River Manatee Adventures also runs scallop tours. So yes, we will return!
Booking a Manatee Tour
Crystal River Manatee Adventures makes it easy to book. You can call them at +1-352-794-3117 or book online. We recommend booking well in advance as tours fill up quickly. They take bookings for private manatee tours as well. If you have a larger family this would be a great option. Either way, you decide. Captain Todd, Leah, and the whole crew at Crystal River Manatee Adventures deliver an exceptional experience.