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Semi-Private Crystal River Snorkeling with Manatees
Free Cancellation • On the Water • Beginner FriendlyDuration: 3 hours
Features
Free Cancellation
On the Water
Beginner Friendly
Small Group Sizes
Kid Friendly
Wildlife
Instant Book
Locally Owned
$75 Semi-Private Participant
(possibly up to 8 per boat, groups large than 6 please call)Description
Small Group Snorkeling with Manatees - Crystal River, FL
Join our experienced Captain and crew on an unforgettable snorkeling tour with West Indian manatees in Florida’s Crystal River! With our small group sizes and availability to all ages and sizes, we will bring you to explore the 600 hundred acres of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, aiming to spot and swim with the gentle giants!
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!
It is never guaranteed to see any manatees but our knowledgeable guides will bring you to the most common manatee activity areas! After snorkeling you will be served coffee, tea, and hot chocolate at our beverage bar to warm up!
If you prefer an even more exclusive trip, check out our Fully Private Manatee Snorkel option! If you’d like to participate in an adult only tour, check out our Adult Only Manatee Snorkel!
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
- No age minimum - it is up to the parents discretion
- Any children 6 years and under must remain in a Coast Guard Approved Life Vest Per Coast Guard Regulations on the boat and in the water.
- All minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times including on the boat, in the water, and at the facility
- Up to 8 can be in the boat but groups larger than 6 need to call
- 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
- Small groups of up to 8 guests
- 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 with 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.
- 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 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
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.
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.
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
Availability
December 2024
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Reviews
Location
Address
308 SE Hwy19
Crystal River, FL, 34429
US
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