

Ashley S
February 17, 2025

Posted on

Brandon Gross
February 17, 2025

Posted on


Sarah K
February 16, 2025

Posted on


Marilyn B
February 16, 2025

Posted on

John Thayer
February 16, 2025

Posted on


G K
February 15, 2025

Posted on


callenwo
February 15, 2025

Posted on


pistolpeterocks
February 15, 2025

Posted on


DixieQueen
February 14, 2025

Posted on


Psmith-AK
February 13, 2025

Posted on

Dive Into Aquatic Adventures With Crystal River Manatee Boat Tours
Right here in the heart of Florida's Nature Coast, you can tick off a fun bucket list item! We offer you a unique opportunity while conserving the natural environment manatees love so much. Our eco-friendly tours provide visitors with a once-in-a-lifetime experience while helping them learn about how to protect the manatees and the beautiful Crystal River ecosystem.
Our Crystal River Manatee Swim excursion lets you get into the water and swim with manatees for an experience you won't soon forget. The waters here in King's Bay remain at a constant temperature of 72 degrees, so no matter what time of year you make your reservations, you'll be comfortable in the water.
Visiting Crystal River and taking our tours is a fantastic way to connect with nature and create lasting memories. You'll not only get to see these gentle giants up close, but you'll also learn about their habitat and the importance of protecting it. Whether you're a family looking for a fun adventure or a nature lover wanting to explore, our tours offer something special for everyone. Come join us for an unforgettable day on the water!






Book Your Experience
Classic Manatee Snorkeling Tour
Dive into the enchanting world of manatees with our Classic Manatee Snorkeling Adventure with a maximum of 12 passengers. Experience the thrill of swimming alongside these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Our expert guides ensure a safe and memorable encounter, providing insights into the lives of these fascinating creatures. Join us for an unforgettable journey that combines adventure with education, all while promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Semi-Private and Private Manatee Snorkeling Tour
Embark on a guided snorkeling adventure with Nature's Discovery small group tour with up to 6 passenger, where you and your family can swim alongside gentle manatees in their natural habitat. This year-round experience takes place in the spring-fed Kings Bay, offering an unforgettable encounter with these magnificent creatures. With limited group sizes, our tours ensure a personalized and intimate experience, allowing you to truly connect with the manatees.
Private Crystal River Eco Tours
Experience the beauty of Crystal River with our Private Eco Tours. Led by our USCG-certified Master Captains, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the headwaters of Crystal River in a private setting. Perfect for families and small groups, you'll have the chance to see incredible wildlife, including the majestic manatees, while learning about the local ecosystem.
Gift Card
Give your loved ones the gift of a lifetime with our Nature's Discovery Gift Card. Perfect for any occasion, our gift cards are easily transferable and redeemable at any available tour time for an all-inclusive experience. Whether it's a manatee excursion or an adventure on King's Bay, this gift card offers endless possibilities for unforgettable experiences.
Private Scalloping Adventure
Join Nature's Discovery for an exciting scalloping adventure in the beautiful waters of Crystal River. Our charters offer a unique opportunity to explore the Gulf Coast and participate in the popular pastime of scalloping. Whether you're a seasoned scalloper or a first-time visitor, our charters promise an unforgettable experience that combines fun with education on sustainable seafood practices.
4:30pm Crystal River Eco Tour
Embark on a relaxing evening cruise throughout the headwaters of Crystal River with our 4:30pm Eco Tour. Led by our USCG-certified Master Captains, this tour offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Florida's Nature Coast. Search for the incredible wild manatees in King’s Bay, and other local wildlife such as turtles dolphins birds that dive and fish that fly while learning about the local ecosystem and the charming historic town of Crystal River.
Why choose us?
Unforgettable Crystal River Boat Tours And Manatee Encounters
Our Manatee Tours of Crystal River not only allow you to cruise the waters of King's Bay, but you'll also have the chance to explore and snorkel the area. Swim with the manatees and check out the variety of wildlife that call this natural refuge home while our experienced captain and crew take care of the details of your trip.
The captain provides all the safety and recreational equipment you'll need for an exciting day on the water. Join us for a day filled with fun, laughter, and the magic of nature that you'll cherish forever!
Adventurous
Nothing will get your blood pumping quite like swimming into the water with a massive creature like the Florida manatee. Although manatees are impressively large, these gigantic creatures are docil...
Nothing will get your blood pumping quite like swimming into the water with a massive creature like the Florida manatee. Although manatees are impressively large, these gigantic creatures are docile and friendly animals. Our manatee tours let you get up close and personal like no other, allowing you to snorkel alongside these majestic creatures. Guests can also learn everything they need to know about how to help protect the habitat these animals come back to year after year.
Family-Friendly
What child doesn't love to interact with animals? Our manatee tour option in Crystal River is available for all family members, so you can rest at ease that nobody will be left out of this incredib...
What child doesn't love to interact with animals? Our manatee tour option in Crystal River is available for all family members, so you can rest at ease that nobody will be left out of this incredible experience of swimming with manatees. Snorkeling or swimming with the manatees requires no experience, so you don't have to worry about anyone feeling left out during this unforgettable outing.
Bucket List
Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is an easily attainable bucket list item to cross off! Crystal River is one of the few places in the world where it's legal to interact with these gentle gia...
Swimming with manatees in Crystal River is an easily attainable bucket list item to cross off! Crystal River is one of the few places in the world where it's legal to interact with these gentle giants, so you'd be missing out big time if you don't make a reservation for a manatee tour while you're in the area. Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Discover The Magic Of Crystal River, Florida
Crystal River is located in Citrus County, Florida and is one of the few locations in the world where you can legally swim with manatees. It has the largest concentration of manatees in the United States, so you're nearly guaranteed to spot them on your trip.
This charming destination is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. From exciting snorkeling trips with manatees and vibrant fish to scalloping snorkel adventures, there's something for everyone on the Nature Coast.
With its beautiful scenery and lively wildlife, Crystal River offers visitors a unique opportunity to connect with Florida’s nature. Operating within a residential refuge, our guests will have the chance to spot manatees right in people’s backyards – a truly special experience! It’s a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors and encounter these gentle creatures up close.
Frequently asked questions
We recommend bringing swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, a hat, and polarized sunglasses.
Yes, our tours are family-friendly and suitable for children. Please contact us for specific age recommendations.
You can book your tour directly through our website or contact us here (352) 212-5181 for assistance.
Absolutely! We run tours in the rain or shine, and find that a little bit of rain actually helps deter recreational people, often giving us an even greater likelihood of a private experience with the manatees. If there are heavy winds or lightning–dangerous weather–then we may wait out the weather, or give a full refund if we are unable to go out. Manatees are awesome, but not worth risking dangerous weather patterns.
Absolutely! We are lucky enough to be able to run successful manatee swim tours year-round. We have a resident population of manatees of likely three to four dozen wild manatees that stay in our bay year-round. During the warmer months, the manatees do tend to spread out more, and we may find them anywhere in our 600-acre bay.
If you are looking for sheer numbers of manatees then it is a direct correlation, the colder that the weather has been, the more manatees aggregate in our Bay to stay warm around the numerous freshwater springs throughout King’s Bay. Typically during “Manatee Season” (Nov 15-March 31) we have the most manatees that we will have over the course of the year. However, the manatees move with the weather patterns and if we experience a stretch of warm weather, many will head back out into the Gulf, even during the winter. Since we do have the resident population of manatees, some of our favorite times to swim with them are when travelers are not as prevalent, such as the months of May and September and October!
You certainly do not need to be a habitual diver or Michael Phelps to have a great time snorkeling with manatees. We definitely recommend being comfortable and able to stay calm while having your face in the water. We teach many novice snorkelers how to snorkel and get up-close to wildlife without disturbing the animals. We provide flotation devices and have an in-water guide dedicated to helping the less comfortable guests get acclimated to our waterways. Even so, basic swimming ability is highly recommended to keep the protected wildlife and guests alike safe.
Only dangerously cute! Manatees have no natural aggression, and honestly, any pet that you have ever owned is more likely to hurt you than a manatee. We have never seen aggressive behavior towards swimmers, not even with mothers and calves!
King’s Bay stays right around 72° Fahrenheit (22°C) year-round, due to the magnitude of Freshwater Springs around the bay that produce hundreds of millions of gallons daily. For some, this is quite comfortable; for others, it is pretty cold. To help keep guests warm in the water, we provide wetsuits which makes guests stay warm over prolonged periods. If it is a cold day, we also provide hot chocolate to help take the edge off after getting out of the water!
Recent news
Nature's Discovery's Scalloping Adventures
Nature’s Discovery offers exciting scalloping charters in Crystal River, Florida, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the pristine waters of the Gulf Coast and participate in the unique experience of scalloping. These Scalloping Charters operate during Citrus County’s Scalloping Season…
A Majestic Encounter: Ospreys and Bald Eagles in Crystal River, Florida
Introduction: Welcome to Nature’s Discovery, your go-to manatee tour company and eco tour business in Crystal River, Florida. While the charismatic Florida Manatees steal the limelight in our gentle waters, today we shift our gaze to the skies and focus…
Crystal River Manatee Snorkel Adventure: Dive into Nature's Delight!
Introduction:Welcome to Crystal River, the awe-inspiring hub of nature's spectacular wonders! If you're an adventure enthusiast seeking an unforgettable experience, our Manatee Snorkel Tour Company is ready to take you on an exhilarating journey through the waters of Crystal River.…