From Orlando: Manatee Snorkel Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

About This Experience

This day trip picks you up from select hotels in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area and drives you west to Crystal River on Florida's Gulf side. Crystal River is known for its clear spring water and its manatees, the large, slow and endangered marine mammals often called sea cows. The full day runs about 11 hours, so expect an early start and an evening return.

At the river you board a pontoon boat on Crystal River and Kings Bay with a captain and a certified dive master. Mask, snorkel and fins are provided, and you get into the water to swim or snorkel alongside wild manatees if they are around. Manatees are curious and often come close to swimmers. If you would rather stay dry, you can sit on the boat and watch from above.

A wetsuit is not included; it costs $15, paid on site at the dive shop. After the snorkel, you eat a box lunch with a drink, then continue to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. There you can see Florida's native and endangered species, including the Florida panther, and watch manatees again from an underwater viewing chamber. Admission to the park is included in the tour.

Bring swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable shoes, and pack an underwater camera if you have one. Extra food and drinks and tips are not included, and pickup is not available from residential addresses or areas outside the service region. Confirm your booking and your pickup place and time at least 48 hours ahead. You can cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund.

This suits families, couples and nature lovers who are comfortable in the water and happy to trade a theme park day for wildlife. Manatees are wild, so sightings cannot be guaranteed. The tour does not run on some holidays, including Christmas Day. If you want a short outing or cannot handle a long day on the road, a local attraction closer to Orlando may be a better fit.

Highlights

• Snorkel in the clear spring water of Crystal River, where curious manatees often approach swimmers
• Watch manatees again from the underwater viewing chamber at Homosassa Springs
• See Florida's native and endangered species, including the Florida panther
• Stay on the boat and watch from above if you prefer not to swim
• Combine a morning on the water with an afternoon in a state wildlife park

What's Included

• ✓ Round-trip transportation from select hotels in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area
• ✓ Pontoon boat ride on Crystal River and Kings Bay with a captain and certified dive master
• ✓ Snorkeling and swimming alongside wild manatees, if they are spotted
• ✓ Mask, snorkel and fins
• ✓ Admission to Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
• ✓ Box lunch with a drink, and a licensed guide-driver for the day

Not Included

• Wetsuit ($15, paid on site at the dive shop)
• Additional food and drinks
• Pickup from residential addresses or areas outside the service region
• Tips

What to Bring

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Change of clothes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Comfortable shoes

Good to Know & Caveats

• Confirm your reservation and your pickup location and time at least 48 hours in advance
• Manatees are wild animals, so sightings are not guaranteed
• The tour does not run on some holidays, including Christmas Day
• Wetsuits cost $15, payable at the dive shop
• Bring an underwater camera if you want photos in the water; pets, luggage and large bags are not allowed
• Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund

Meeting Point

Pickup from select hotels in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and the Disney area; confirm your pickup place and time at least 48 hours before the tour.