Overview

If you’re looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Crystal River, Florida, your next adventure is around the corner! Join us for our 100% clear kayak tours through the active waterways of Crystal River. Our CLEAR kayaks provide you with a great way to get up close and personal with the area’s abundant marine life, including the gentle manatees that call the springs their home. Unlike your standard kayak, clear kayaks offer a completely different perspective on the natural beauty of Crystal River, allowing you to see the underwater world beneath you as you paddle.

We offer TWO different tours throughout the year! During November 15th – March 31st, we offer our Manatee Season Tour. On this tour, we paddle to a number of different areas in Kings Bay with the hope of passively observing manatees and other kinds of Wildlife! During manatee season, manatees often congregate in the warm waters of the springs during the winter months, providing visitors with a truly unforgettable experience!

Our other tour option is our Springs Tour that runs from April 1st – November 14th! On this tour, we paddle to different springs and you will have the opportunity to get out for a quick swim in Hunter Spring as well as paddle over different springs throughout Kings Bay! If you’re lucky, you might even encounter a manatee or two on this tour as a number of manatees call Crystal River home year-round! Manatees are not the only marine life that can be found in the area. Dolphins, sea turtles, and a variety of fish species are also commonly seen in the Crystal River waters.

After your tour, you can also experience the local culture and cuisine. The charming downtown area is home to a variety of shops, galleries, and restaurants, where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood and locally sourced ingredients! Our small town prides itself on its unique culture and history, and we work hard to preserve the natural resources that make the area so special. We hope to have the opportunity to paddle with you and share this beautiful area with you soon!

Crystal River is a great trip for those looking for clear water in our crystal clear kayaks with high chances of wildlife! Includes a beginner/intermediate paddle through Kings Bay to the pristine waters of Jurassic Spring, Hunter Spring, and more!

Duration

2 - 2.5 Hours

Quick Details

Ages: All Ages

Location: Kings Bay Park - 268 NW 3rd St Crystal River

Available: April 1st - November 14th

Weight Limit: 425 pounds per boat (two guests) and no more than 250 pounds per seat (individual)

About This Trip

This 2-2.5 hour guided adventure includes a beginner/intermediate paddle through Kings Bay to different springs in Crystal River.
Depending on boat traffic, there are areas where participants can take a quick swim if they choose.
Crystal River is known for its natural springs and large amounts of manatee during the colder months, but some stay year-round!
Be on the lookout for manatee, dolphin, and many different species of birds, plants, turtles, fish, and
more!
We only bring out group sizes of up to 10 paddlers, so be ready for an awesome, personalized experience with our friendly guides! All kayaks are tandem.

Explore the Springs of Crystal River by Clear Kayak!

Crystal River is well known for its crystal clear springs, which make for an amazing kayaking experience. Our clear kayaks will allow you to fully enjoy the beauty of the underwater world beneath you. Our 2 – 2.5 hour guided adventure includes a beginner/intermediate paddle through Kings Bay to some of Crystal River’s most beautiful springs. Some of the springs that we paddle to are Jurassic Spring, House Spring, Hunter Spring and more!

While on the tour, our trained guides will provide valuable insights into the history, ecology, and cultural significance of the area, as well as identify and explain the behaviors of the various wildlife that you may encounter! Crystal River is home to what we call “resident manatees” which are manatees that live in the area year-round, giving you a chance to see some of our local sea cow friends, no matter the season.

Hunter Springs

This gorgeous spring is a highlight of Crystal River. About 100 feet off the beach of Hunter Springs Park, is one of the many springheads in this cove. There is an area blocked off for swimmers where, beyond it, we can paddle through the crystal clear water in search for wildlife.

Jurassic Springs

Further into the cove and past Hunter Springs Park is Jurassic Springs which is a favorite of our resident manatees who stick around beyond the regular season. The warm water and isolation of the spring provides manatees and other wildlife with a safe and comfortable place to rest and recharge! During Manatee Season (November through March), this spring is protected as a sanctuary for visiting manatees and is inaccessible to paddlers.

House Spring

House Spring is another spring located in this cove contributing to the warm waters of this area. Located near the shoreline, our clear kayaks can easily navigate near the springhead where manatees, fish, turtles, and other aquatic animals may be spending their time! The closeness of all of these springs makes for a fun and unique paddle through really beautiful, clear water.

What wildlife could you see on this tour?

This area of Florida is home to diverse wildlife. Not only is Crystal River known for its population of West Indian Manatee who congregate here in the winter months, it is also known for its population of a variety of other marine species, birds, and more. Some marine species we often see during this tour are dolphins, turtles, and fish like bass, snook, bluegill, mullet, and snapper. Alongside our aquatic creatures, there is a abundance of species of birds in the air as well! Be on the lookout for Ospreys, Herons, Pelicans, and even Bald Eagles! Overall, the diverse range of wildlife in Crystal River, paired with our clear kayaks offer a completely different perspective on the natural beauty of Crystal River, allowing you to see the underwater world beneath you as you paddle. We can’t wait to make some unforgettable memories with you soon!

What Sets Us Apart?

One thing that sets this tour above the rest is the individualized experience of a guided adventure with limited capacity. Our tours cap at 10 people in 5 kayaks, so our footprint is very small which means your experience is personal. Our tour guides are not only passionate about Crystal River and all the nature it holds within it, they are equally as passionate about sharing it with you. With an average rating of 5 stars on all review platforms, you can expect a 5-star experience with them on the water. Each of our guides are trained on safety, service, and knowledge of Crystal River that makes this more than a simple paddle in really cool kayaks. You can expect a high quality learning experience that is full of fun facts and stories that will only enhance the beautiful views around you!

DISCLAIMER:

We cannot guarantee manatee sightings each tour we take out, however we will do our best go to the areas where they are typically most active. Manatee season officially runs through November 15th - March 31st. We would like all our guests to be aware of this possibility so that there are no surprises!

Important Information

Reservations are required for all Tours
The weight limit is 425 pounds per boats and no more than 250 pounds per seat. Each of our kayaks are doubles (tandem).
Our Crystal RIver tour departs from Kings Bay Park in Crystal River.

Additional Info

CRYSTAL RIVER | THREE SISTERS SPRINGS

Welcome to Crystal River, Florida – where history flows as freely as the crystal-clear waters! Our unique kayaking experience invites you to explore this natural wonderland, renowned for its shimmering springs and fascinating wildlife.

A Waterway Like No Other: Crystal River’s waterways are not just a kayaker’s paradise; they are a living, flowing museum. The springs that feed into the river maintain a constant 72-degree temperature year-round, creating a haven for an abundance of marine life. As you paddle, you’ll be floating over underwater landscapes that have captivated humans for centuries.

Manatees: Gentle Giants of Crystal River: These warm, spring-fed waters are most famous for being one of the largest winter refuges for the West Indian Manatee. These gentle giants flock to Crystal River’s consistent warmth, providing an unparalleled opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. Kayaking here offers a respectful and intimate way to admire these majestic creatures, a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

A Journey Through Time: As you glide over the clear waters, you’re also traversing a path steeped in history. The Crystal River itself has been a vital resource for people for thousands of years. Ancient Native American tribes revered these waters, and evidence of their presence still lingers along the riverbanks. The Crystal River Archaeological State Park, a nearby site, offers a glimpse into these ancient civilizations.

Unrivaled Beauty and Serenity: Beyond its historical significance and wildlife, Crystal River is a place of unparalleled beauty and tranquility. The clarity of the water allows you to see the vibrant aquatic life beneath your kayak, creating the sensation of floating on air. The lush greenery and diverse birdlife along the banks provide a picturesque backdrop for your adventure.

Join us at Crystal River for a kayaking experience that is not just a journey through clear waters, but a voyage into the heart of Florida’s natural and historical treasures. Here, every paddle stroke brings you closer to the soul of this enchanting waterway.

Important Information

Reservations are required for all tours.
There is a $5 Parking Fee per the city – you will need to pay by the entrance upon arrival.
Pets are allowed on the tour as long as the weight limit is not exceeded.
Alcohol is prohibited
Manatees and other wildlife are wild! We cannot guarantee sightings, though we do our best to take you to the places where we are most likely to see them based on the day’s conditions!

Please do NOT put sunscreen on the back of your legs because it eats the clarity away and cannot be cleaned off.

Leave No Trace

At TripOutside, we are passionate about preserving the incredible natural beauty of Crystal River and its surrounding springs. We ask all paddlers to help us protect this special place by following Leave No Trace principles during your tour:

Pack it in, pack it out. Take all trash, including food wrappers and bottles, back with you to shore.
Respect wildlife. Watch manatees, dolphins, turtles, and birds from a distance. Never touch, feed, or chase wildlife.
Stay on the guided route. Our paths are designed to avoid sensitive spring habitats and manatee sanctuaries.
Use reef-safe sunscreen. Regular sunscreens can harm water clarity and marine life. Apply only reef-safe sunscreen, and avoid applying it to the backs of your legs.
Leave natural objects where you find them. Do not remove rocks, plants, or shells from the river or springs.

By practicing Leave No Trace, you are helping us keep Crystal River’s waterways healthy, vibrant, and wild for future adventurers. Thank you for paddling responsibly.

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