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Swim with Manatees – Classic Group Tour

Guided

Duration: 3 hours

Features

Kid Friendly
Locally Owned
Wildlife
Small Group Sizes
Beginner Friendly
Instant Book
$56 3 hr group manatee swim tour
(All Ages • Welcome)

Description

Affordable Manatee Swim Tour in Crystal River - Adventure Diving Kings Bay

If you’re looking for the most budget-friendly way to meet Florida’s gentle giants, this 3-hour discounted group tour is for you. With seating for up to 18 guests, it’s a fun and social way to explore King’s Bay while keeping costs low. You’ll begin with a manatee education session and safety briefing before heading out on the water with an experienced captain.
This option is best for moderate to advanced snorkelers who are comfortable in the water without one-on-one support. An in-water guide is not included, but you can reserve a guide package at booking if you’d like a crew member to stay with your group in the water and capture complimentary photos. Either way, you’ll get to experience manatees in their natural habitat—an unforgettable wildlife encounter that’s always unique, since every interaction depends on the manatees themselves.

Duration

Approximately 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

Seadaddys Adventures
We are in the Kings Bay Shopping Center next door to the Seafood Seller Restaurant.

Ages and Requirements

  1. Open to most ages – a great experience for families.
  2. Minors (17 years and younger) must be accompanied by an adult at all times and cannot be booked under a separate reservation.
  3. Children 6 years and under must remain in a USCG Certified Life Jacket.
  4. Guests should be comfortable swimming and snorkeling in natural waters.
  5. Beginner snorkelers are encouraged to upgrade to add an in-water guide for extra safety and support.

What’s Included

  1. Manatee education and safety briefing
  2. Snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, wetsuit)
  3. Ice water

Not Included

  1. In-Water Guide (unless reserved with the In-Water Guide Package at the time of booking).
    1. Standard In-Water Guide Package - Includes a shared In-Water Guide and up to 35 photos taken during your tour 
    2. Deluxe Guide Package - Includes everything from the standard package, plus a souvenir album with photos and videos from various manatee tours.
  2. Photo Package (available at checkout for an additional fee)
  3. Admission to the Crystal River Aquarium
  4. Cell Phone Dry Bag (available at checkout for an additional fee)
  5. Snacks & hot drinks
  6. Access to showers & towels after your trip
  7. Gratuity - Never expected but if you have a great experience, please consider gifting 10-25% to your guides and captain!
  8. Worry-Free Cancellation Plan - Add-on at checkout for more flexible cancellation terms. 

What to Bring / Wear

  1. Swimsuit (to wear under your wetsuit)
  2. Towel & Dry clothes to change into after the tour
  3. Jacket or warm layers (sweatshirt, hat) for colder days
  4. Reef-safe sunscreen
  5. Dry bag for personal items
  6. Snacks & water
  7. Reusable water bottle
  8. Seasickness medication (if prone; take 30–60 min before departure)
  9. Waterproof camera (optional) – No flash; standard handles only (no selfie sticks). The company is not responsible for lost or damaged items.
  10. Remove jewelry, watches, or valuables that could be lost or damaged in the water

ADVENTURE PROVIDED BY Seadaddys Adventures

FAQs

What’s the difference between SeaDaddys Swim with Manatees Tours?

Group Tours

  • Classic Tour – Our most affordable group option, joining up to 18 guests on the boat. An in-water guide is not included but can be added as an optional add-on at booking. This tour includes manatee education and snorkeling gear, but snacks, beverages, and Aquarium admission are not included.
  • Semi-Private Tour – Limited to 9 guests for a smaller, more intimate group experience. An in-water guide is not included but can be added as an optional add-on at booking. Includes manatee education, snorkeling gear, towels, and some beverages/snacks.
  • VIP Experience – Limited to 6 guests for a premium small-group experience. An in-water guide is not included but can be added as an optional add-on at booking. Includes manatee education, snorkeling gear, towels, snacks, beverages, and optional photo/video packages.

Private Tours

  • Private Classic 3hr Tour – Private boat for up to 6 guests. No in-water guide is included; you can add photos or video separately. This tour includes manatee education, snorkeling gear, showers, and drinking water (hot chocolate on colder days). Snacks, coffee/tea, and Aquarium admission are not included.
  • Private Deluxe 4hr Tour – Private boat for up to 6 guests. No in-water guide is included; optional photos/videos are available. This longer tour includes manatee education, snorkeling gear and noodles, showers, snacks, beverages, and Aquarium admission.

Are wetsuits required?

Wetsuits are required to go snorkeling on any of our manatee swimming exursions. While wetsuits are primarily used to help with warmth, we also use wetsuits to ensure our guests float effortlessly at the surface of the water.

Are we allowed to touch the manatees?

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 eco-toursim, we want to provide our guests a fun and education 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 guarentee that a manatee will be that interactive

Are we allowed to take photos/videos?

Yes! All of our guests are more than welcome to bring their own equipment to record/photograph their tour.

We do ask that there is no flash used during the tour and any handles are standard size (not expandable, or a selfie stick). We offer guide packages which include complimentary photos and can be purchased in advance to your tour.

Can we bring dogs?

SeaDaddys is pet-friendly! But dogs/service animals are only allowed on our Private Manatee Excursions.

What's the water temperature?

Our tours take place in Kings Bay, a 588 acre spring fed refuge. The water stays roughly 72°F or around 22°C so we consider it 'shockingly refreshing'! All of our snorkeling guests do wear wetsuits, which will help keep you warm in the water

Cancellation Policy

With Worry Free Cancellation Plan (Add-On):
  1. Cancellations: 24 hours in advance for a refund. Cancellations within 24 hours or no shows are not eligible for a refund.
  2. Late arrivals will be offered the next available trip time or a return trip gift voucher good for 3 months.
  3. Weather cancellations made by SeaDaddys will receive a refund.
Without Worry Free Cancellation Plan:
All bookings are non-refundable once completed. Bookings can be cancelled up to 5 days prior to receive a return voucher without an expiration date. Within 4 days prior, bookings are non-refundable, and last-minute cancellations will forfeit the cost of the booking with no return voucher supplied. A rebooking fee of $75 (for 1-6 guests) will be charged to reschedule. Late arrivals, no shows, and missing the boat incidents are all non-refundable.
Cancellations due to weather will result in a return voucher without an expiration date.
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Availability

October 2025

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Location

Address

308 SE Hwy 19

Crystal River, FL, 34429

US

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