Three ways to swim with the manatees. Every one includes the wetsuit, the snorkel gear, parking at the marina and the free photo package.
Most bookedBest forCouples, families and anyone who wants the calmest, quietest swim
Best valueBest forBigger families and groups of friends, up to 12 on the boat
Best forFamilies with young kids, and anyone who wants extra help in the water
Not sure which one? Call us at (352) 212-5181.
All of our world-class swim with the manatee adventures include above and underwater photos delivered free of charge at the end of your snorkeling experience! No upsells, no surprises. Just memories to last a lifetime!
We are the Original Free Photo Manatee Tours, and the ONLY tour company that offers all-inclusive photo packages on both our Semi-Private & Private Manatee Swims and our Classic Manatee Snorkeling Tour options.
Get fitted with wetsuits and take a brief shuttle to the dock to meet your captain and embark on the search for manatees!
Along the way, enjoy a snorkeling tutorial from your in-water guide and instruction on the best methods to observe wild manatees.
Get into the waters of Crystal River and swim alongside the majestic manatees. While you swim, your in-water guide will take photos of manatees and guests.
Bottled water and hot chocolate on cold days. Back at the shop, use our changing facilities and view the photos taken by your in-water guide.
We are lucky enough to be able to run successful manatee swim tours year-round.
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.
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. 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!
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.
We founded Nature’s Discovery after years of experience swimming with manatees in Crystal River, Florida. Snorkeling with manatees is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most people who visit the Nature Coast. We have spent years in this business professionally, and even longer as excited visitors to this amazing place getting close to the one-of-a-kind west indian manatee. Coming face-to-face with a manatee is a transcendent experience for many people.
Captain Jake and the Nature's Discovery crewUSCG-certified Master Captains and in-water guides
Cristina Arkin
Oct 2, 2026
We had an amazing time on the manatee swim tour! Krystle and Evan were so knowledgeable and fun to be with. We got to see a few manatees and she also took pictures for us. Highly recommend!
Summer Stevens
Oct 15, 2026
Our guide Kendra was so nice and made sure we got to see and get up close with the manatees. Absolutely recommend this company!!
Brittany Ann
Oct 14, 2026
Jake and Faith were amazing! This was my mom and I’s first time snorkeling EVER and they made the experience so memorable. Because of the season we only seen one manatee, but it was still an amazing experience to have. We would 100% book again
Dulcie Clarke
Oct 13, 2026
What a fabulous day! Crystallynn and Jake took us out today and we had the most amazing experience. Close up, calm and respectful viewing of a very beautiful manatee; diving in a crystal clear spring and accommodating many many photos! The whole day was perfect, both Crystallynn and Jake were knowledgable and fantastic hosts. I don’t feel they could have done more to make this a once in a lifetime experience! The photos are amazing and all included in the price for memories to last a lifetime!Thanks again!Dulcie
Nicole A
Oct 11, 2026
Captain Jake and Crystallynn were amazing! We had so much fun and were able to swim with a mama and baby manatee. They are both very knowledgeable! We had a small group and it was a great experience. Highly recommend 😁
Joe Smith
Oct 10, 2026
Faith and Jake made today and extraordinary experience. A very little patience and their knowledge left us in the company of manatees for hours. Truly a bucket list item for all.
Sherry
Oct 9, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An Unforgettable, Almost Spiritual Experience with Nature’s Discovery!We had an absolutely incredible experience with Nature’s Discovery, and we cannot recommend them enough! A huge thank-you to Captain Jake and our amazing guide, Crystallynn, for making this such a memorable adventure.At first, we searched and searched for manatees without much luck. We came across another tour and stopped, where we were fortunate enough to see a mama manatee and her baby. That alone would have made me happy, and I would have considered the trip a success. But the best was yet to come!We headed back to the springs, and that’s where the REAL magic happened! We had the incredible opportunity to swim alongside a wild manatee. Crystallynn stayed right with us the entire time, patiently guiding us and making sure we could fully appreciate this amazing experience. The manatee was so gentle and peaceful as we watched him feeding on vegetation just a short distance away.There is something truly special about being that close to a wild animal in its natural environment. It was almost spiritual—a moment of pure wonder that is difficult to put into words. It’s one of those experiences you will carry with you long after the trip is over.Captain Jake did a fantastic job, and Crystallynn’s knowledge, attentiveness, and guidance made the experience even more special. Their dedication to helping us have an unforgettable encounter meant so much to us.We are SO glad we chose Nature’s Discovery! If you’re considering a manatee tour in Crystal River, do yourself a favor and book with them. The experience was absolutely worth it, and we would do it all over again in a heartbeat!Thank you, Captain Jake and Crystallynn, for an unforgettable day we will always treasure! 🩵🐋
Brandyn Morris
Oct 7, 2026
I highly recommend!!!!Crystallynn and Evan were absolutely awesome. They made everything so easy. From the beginning to the end they walked us through everything and had tons of knowledge for us to pick their brains about great people great vibes and great times10/10 would definitely come back to them for any future excursions
Brenda Vansalisbury
Oct 6, 2026
This is the real deal. Our guide Krystie and Capt Evan were the best. They made sure it was a memorable experience. Staff are all the real deal!
Daniela Oliveira
Oct 6, 2026
We had an absolutely amazing experience with Nature’s Discovery, Captain Evan, and our wonderful water guide! They were both so friendly, knowledgeable, and worked together to make sure our family had an unforgettable experience.We were lucky enough to see three manatees, including a mom and her calf, and had the incredible opportunity to swim very close to them in the water. Our entire family was absolutely delighted! ❤️As an added bonus, we even spotted a dolphin swimming nearby! 🐬Everything about the experience was amazing, and we would absolutely love to come back during peak season. Highly recommend Nature’s Discovery for an unforgettable adventure!
Amanda Lancaster
Oct 5, 2026
We had an incredible experience on our private tour snorkeling with manatees. Crystallynn and Jake were the best! Crystallynn was super fun and such a wealth of knowledge. Once we were in the water, she made sure we all had the opportunity to spend time with a mom and baby manatee— and captured some great pics for us, as well. If you’re looking for a special memory and to spend time with these sweet creatures— book with Crystallynn and Jake at Natures Discovery! Well worth all of it and a memory to take with us forever :)
Victoria Gschnaller
Oct 4, 2026
Es war sehr faszinierend! Ich muss ehrlich sagen, dass ich anfangs echt Angst hatte (vorallem wegen Alligatoren) aber die Angst wurde mir von Kendra & Jacob genommen - die 2 haben das sehr gut gemacht, sie haben uns viele Informationen gegeben & der Spaß kam dabei auch nicht zu kurz! Ich kann die Tour bei ihnen jedem sehr empfehlen! Ausgestattet wird man mit Taucheranzug, Schnorchel und Schwimmnudel.
Cristina Arkin
Oct 2, 2026
We had an amazing time on the manatee swim tour! Krystle and Evan were so knowledgeable and fun to be with. We got to see a few manatees and she also took pictures for us. Highly recommend!
Summer Stevens
Oct 15, 2026
Our guide Kendra was so nice and made sure we got to see and get up close with the manatees. Absolutely recommend this company!!
On our Manatee Tours of Crystal River, we treat every guest as if we are taking our own family on these excursions.
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.
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. With our world-class crew, we make it easy to snorkel with wild manatees and ensure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
We are truly all-inclusive, with no hidden marina or snorkeling gear fees. Our US Coast Guard-Certified Master Captains and in-water guides have strong backgrounds working with guests from all over the world in and out of the water.
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.
Most frequent questions and answers
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