Adult Only Manatee Snorkel Tour

Free Cancellation • On the Water • Beginner Friendly

Duration: 3 hours

Crystal River

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Features

Free Cancellation

On the Water

Beginner Friendly

Wildlife

Instant Book

Locally Owned

$77 Dive Student

Description

Adult Only (18+) Crystal River Manatee Snorkeling Tour

Join our experienced Captain and crew for an exclusive, adults-only snorkeling tour with West Indian manatees in Florida’s Crystal River! Designed for small group sizes and tailored specifically for guests 18 years and older, this tour offers an intimate and relaxing experience as we bring you to explore the 600 hundred acres of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, aiming to spot and swim with the gentle giants!

Although minors may be present in the area, rest assured that our boat is reserved exclusively for adults. Guests aged 21 one and older are welcome to enjoy alcoholic beverages, provided it doesn’t interfere with safety or enjoyment of others.

The best time of year to see them are in the winter months from November to March, when the manatees escape the cold water in the Gulf of Mexico to huddle in the 70 natural springs that make up Kings Bay. Our manatee and wildlife educational program is second to none as we prep you for this adventure, adorning wetsuits, masks, and snorkels!

If you want a more exclusive experience, check out the Private Snorkel Tour or Classic Semi-Private Tours!

Duration of Adventure

3 hours
The amount of time in the water depends on certain conditions including how long it takes to find the manatees, weather, tides, etc.

Location / Where to Meet

Address: 308 SE US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL 34429
You’ll meet right at the Seadaddy’s Nature Center where there is parking available.
You’ll then be shuttled down to the river side to get on the boat.

Ages & Requirements

MUST BE 18 years and older
There are no minors allowed on the trip
Must show ID proof of age
If consuming alcoholic beverages then you must be 21 years and older
Any and all pets or service animals are ONLY allowed on the purchase of private trips, this protects the animals and other guests.
Wetsuits are required to be worn and guests are not allowed to enter the water without them. Sizes go from toddler sizes to 5XL.
You will have to climb a short ladder back into the boat

What’s Included

Professional guides & captain
Rental snorkel equipment (masks, snorkel)
Wetsuits - required to wear if entering the water
Floatation devices
Boat ride to snorkeling locations
Shuttle to the boat

Not Included

Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides and captain!
Photo packages - these can be added on for an extra fee to receive raw unedited photos from the excursion.
In-water guide - These guides will take photos and point out interesting creatures more than just the manatees. Only 1 guide is needed per reservation and needs to be booked ahead of time.
Add-on a dry bag for your phone, for an extra fee, that can go up to 30 ft (9 m) under water. This is a purchase so it is yours to bring home with you after the tour!
Purchase cancellation and rental gear insurance for an extra fee - If you damage or break the rental snorkel equipment, you will have to pay for it.
There are no prescription masks, please rent from another shop ahead of your snorkel time with us.
We are part of the green fins initiative and therefore do not promote use of plastic bottles at all, please bring reusable water bottles to fill!

What to Bring / Wear

Swimsuit
Towel
Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Extra layers of clothing - sweatshirts and warm hats
Dry bag
Snacks & Water
Required paperwork - Signed medical form if required, waivers, etc.
Photo ID to prove 18 years and older as well as 21 years and older to consume alcohol
Waterproof Camera (no flash and handles used are standard size (not expandable, or a selfie stick)) - The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items.
Seasickness medications - If you are prone to seasickness, it is recommended to take sea sickness medication at least 30 minutes to 1 hour before the scheduled boat time. It is too late to take the medication if you are already seasick on the boat. Please DO NOT MIX MEDICATION and ALCOHOL!
Please remove any jewelry, watches, or anything that can get damaged by water or you don’t want to lose.

Wildlife Guidelines

As per guidance from USFW, as a tour company we practice passive observation and do not allow our guests to touch manatees.

We encourage all of our guests to 'Freeze and Float' and keep their hands at the surface of the water. By doing this, it better ensures the safety and comfort of our manatees while we observe them in their natural habitat. SeaDaddys is all about ecotourism, we want to provide our guests a fun and educational experience without harming our manatees.

Manatees are naturally curious animals and on some occasions might come up and interact with our guests. They are wild animals, so all interactions happen on their terms and there is no guarantee that a manatee will be that interactive.

FAQs

Will I be around minors?

This option does not mean that minors may not be nearby at some point (manage expectations we only control if children are on the boat with us). However, what it does mean is that you will not be placed on the same boat as anyone under 18 years of age.

We created this option per guest request and was happy to do so. Please understand you may venture into the same areas as other adults and or children. We do not control the waterways.

Can I drink alcohol?

For any Beverages requiring an I.D guest must be in compliance with the state laws and regulations as well as it is up to the Captain's Discretion as to guest consuming of certain drinks if it is interfering with the safety or pleasure of any other guest your Captain has the full authority to act in defense of these standards. Additionally, there is one area we sometimes venture into where alcohol drinks are not permitted to be consumed.

Can I bring a camera?

You are welcome to bring a camera but it is your responsibility to ensure it is in a waterproof case. The company is not responsible for any damaged or lost items! We ask there is no flash used during the tour and any handles used are standard size (not expandable, or a selfie stick).

Are we guaranteed to see manatees?

Manatees are wild animals and the tours take place in their natural habitats. The tours cannot control where the manatees go, weather conditions, water clarity and therefore it is not guaranteed you will be able to see the manatees.

Can I touch the manatees? Will they hurt me?

Manatees are harmless to humans, they don't even have teeth to bite. They are very large animals but are normally quite calm unless startled where they will swim away. As a precaution, these are still wild animals and it is best to enjoy watching them from a distance!

As per guidance from USFW, as a tour company we practice passive observation and do not allow our guests to touch manatees.

When is the best time to see manatees?

Manatee season is November 15th to March 31st or the winter months as the manatees congregate in the bay and natural springs to escape the colder waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The manatees are often found huddling in the springs together! You can still see some in the summer months, just often a smaller amount then you might see in the winter.

Can I bring my pet or service animal?

Pets or service animals are only allowed on the purchase of private trips, this is to protect the animals and other guests. On a private tour you are still required to:

There must be someone with your pet/service animal at all times, so someone must remain on the boat with them.
We must be notified prior to your tour
Your pet/service animal cannot be disruptive while on the tour, excessive barking, growling, etc. will not be allowed on our tours. If you are returned to the dock due to these behaviors, you will not get a refund.
Your pet/service animal is not allowed into the water at any point during the tour

How do I get my photos if I purchase the photo package?

If you purchased the photo package, any photos and/or videos from your tip of your friends and family will be sent in a digital link to the email you provide when booking!

What other wildlife will we encounter?

You may see small schools of snappers, spotted bass, and other small fish that make Kings Bay their home. You may even see large tarpon fish or stingrays and skates that settle along the quiet bottom of the river.

Are there alligators?

There is the possibility of alligators in any body of water in Florida. Often, they prefer the swampier areas of the rivers rather than the springs where the manatees stay. If you happen to see one, even though it is unlikely, just calmly swim away from them and alert your boat guide.

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Seadaddys Adventures

Cancellation Policy

CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: We are not responsible for poor planning nor are we responsible for missed or delayed flights. IF WE must cancel a tour do to in climate weather we will issue a rain check. If you have to make a change to your reservation, Please note the following;Once we are within 72 hours our boat schedules are set, we have a 72-hour policy, you must notify us 4 days prior to your tour departure time in order to receive a refund/reschedule including any cancellations, changes or edits made since the original booking, this policy extends to any bookings made within 72 hours of your departure time, any late arrivals missing the boat or required prep work. Any rebooking fee of 10.00 per person will apply.

We can not refund/issue rain checks nor reschedule late arrivals nor no shows for any reason you will be responsible for all monies owed/paid we can not make changes to the balance owed nor paid, Please allow for unexpected stops and traffic. You may cancel your booking with in 24 hours of making your reservation/booking with us however after 24 hours of making your reservation/booking we shall only offer a rain check and not a refund. We do suggest to our guest to purchase trip insurance from your reservation agent, your agent can offer you further details. Booking tickets are never refundable once with in 72 hours of departure time you would not be offered a refund nor rain check.

Availability

December 2024

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There is no instant booking availability for this adventure. Drop us a line using the contact form below and we'll do our best to help you book this adventure or suggest some alternative options

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Location

Address

308 SE Hwy 19

Crystal River, FL, 34429

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