What an amazing few hours on the river. Traci did an amazing job of educating us as well as finding…read moremanatee and dolphin for us to enjoy and swim near. The group was six people, and the atmosphere was amazing. I would highly recommend and definitely do this again.

Captain Dee was incredible from start to finish. Presented the importance of safety for guests as…read morewell as the manatees. Dee was professional and personal. Very kind, informative and fun.

From Tampa, it took an hour and 30 minutes to get to the river. We first wanted to take a swim in…read morethe swimming area so we went there first before it got really crazy. The area is a bit small and there isn't really a lot of sun spots for you to chill at. It is cool to experience once but I think if you tube, you still will be able to get a swim in because parts of the river are pretty deep. After the swim area, we headed to the tubing section. It is a 15 minute drive from the main park entrance. The fee was 54 for two people that had an annual pass. Highly recommend bringing a small cooler with snacks and drinks and an extra tube for it. It took us about 2 hours to float back to our car and the river is very calm and relaxing. I've floated a river in San Antonio but wasn't as nice as Rainbow springs. Very clean and the water is sooo clear. Overall, really enjoyed our day visit to this state park!

I almost lost my life at Rainbow River, and I feel like I need to share this for anyone considering…read moretubing there. I came expecting a peaceful, relaxing experience because that's what you see in the pictures and reviews. Instead, I ended up in one of the scariest moments of my life. I fell out of my tube and got stuck in deep mud. My water shoe was literally sucked into the mud, and I couldn't push myself up from the bottom. I couldn't get back on my tube because my legs were stuck, and I had already gone underwater and was coughing. What made it even worse was that my daughter, who cannot swim, had drifted away and I couldn't see her. I truly thought I might drown and that something could happen to my daughter. I was panicking, crying, and shaking. By the grace of God, I saw the only boat nearby and flagged them down. They went back and picked up me and my daughter too. I will never forget the people who helped us. I truly believe they prevented a tragedy that day. Another important thing to mention is that this happened toward the evening on a weekday, and there were almost no people left on the river. We were some of the last people out there. I got incredibly lucky that there happened to be a boat nearby because otherwise, I don't know what would have happened to me or my daughter. What upsets me the most is that there was no real safety briefing or warning about the risks. We were given tubes and sent off. No one explained the currents, deep areas, muddy bottoms, or what to do in an emergency. No one recommended life jackets to us, even though not everyone in our group could swim. Please understand that there are no lifeguards. Depending on the time of day, you may find yourself with very few people around to help in an emergency. If I hadn't been able to flag down that boat, this story could have ended very differently. I later learned that other people have had similar frightening experiences here, and I understand why. Please, if you decide to go: * Wear a life jacket, especially if you are not a strong swimmer. * Do not assume the water is shallow because it's a spring. * Do not bring children or adults who cannot swim without extra precautions. * Understand that there are no lifeguards and you are responsible for your own safety. This experience was so traumatic for me that I still have flashbacks and cannot imagine ever returning. A beautiful place can still be dangerous, and I wish I had known that before I went. Please stay safe.

This was one of the highlights of our Florida trip! Kia and Jake made an amazing team. Kia was our…read morein-water guide and Jake captained the boat, and both were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. We were fortunate enough to get up close and personal with Triangle the manatee, and Kia made sure everyone in our group had an opportunity for a face-to-face encounter. Along the way, we learned a lot about manatees, their habitat, and the importance of protecting these gentle giants. We also got to explore a beautiful natural spring tucked away in the back of the bay, which was an unexpected bonus and absolutely stunning. Kia took some fantastic underwater photos during the tour and had them sent to us before we even left, which was a wonderful touch and gave us great memories to take home. The small-group atmosphere made the experience feel personal and relaxed, and Kia and Jake worked seamlessly together to ensure everyone had a great time. If you're considering a manatee tour in Crystal River, this is the one to book!

What an incredible time, swimming with manatees in Crystal River. Thanks Nature's Discovery, Steve…read moreand Evan for a fantastic experience!

Sunset Beach has always been a favorite spot for our family. Great place to relax in the sun, enjoy…read morea walk, let the kids play in water, the park or even a game of volleyball. Its a beautiful neighborhood gem.

Next, I stopped by Sunset Beach in historic Tarpon Springs to see what all the hype was about. It…read morewas definitely much busier than Robert K. Rees Memorial Park. Families were enjoying the water, and they were even setting up for a wedding ceremony while I was there, which gave the beach a really warm, community feel. For me, though, I had the same experience I did at Robert K. Rees. As soon as I stepped into the water, I could feel a soft muddy layer mixed in with the sand under my feet. The water also looked like it had very little movement, almost as if it wasn't circulating much, which just wasn't appealing to me. I know plenty of people love this beach, and that's perfectly okay. It's simply not the kind of beach I'm searching for. I'm still on the hunt for those crystal-clear waters and firm, sandy bottom that make me want to stay all day.

Captain Mike was great! He was very knowledgeable about the area and shared information about local…read morehistory as well as amusing stories and some special video footage of dolphins! We had the trip he said we would, saw the shells, fish and beach we hoped to experience and were treated to an extended visit with a group of dolphins who seemed to be as interested in us as we were in them. We felt well cared for and very comfortable with Captain Mike and appreciated his considerate manner.

We had a great time out with Captain Mike! We saw quite a lot of dolphins and even got them to play…read morewith us in the wake of the boat! The weather and water were perfect and we had a wonderful day on the water. He knew so much about the area and it's history and even recommended a terrific restaurant to dine at afterwards. We'd definitely look to book with him again the next time we come to Florida!

Honestly, this wasn't my favorite beach. The TikTok videos I saw about this place were a bit…read moremisleading (though it's entirely possible I wasn't at the exact "correct" spot!). However, you make your own fun! My family and I had a great day eating, laughing, and relaxing to some good music. At only $8 per vehicle for parking, you really can't complain about the price. A good, affordable family day out!

Had an absolutely amazing time at Honeymoon Island State Park. This place is one of the most…read morebeautiful spots on the Gulf with clean beaches, clear water, and a peaceful natural setting that feels like a true escape. The beach stretches out nicely so even when it is busy you can still find your own space. The sand is soft, the water is calm, and it is perfect for swimming, walking the shoreline, or just relaxing and soaking up the sun. We also enjoyed seeing the shells along the shore which made it even more fun. The park itself is very well maintained with clean facilities, plenty of parking, and easy access to the beach areas. There are also nature trails that give you a chance to see local wildlife and enjoy a quieter side of the park. Everything about the visit felt relaxing and well organized. It is the kind of place you can spend the whole day and never get bored. Easy 5 stars and one of the best beach spots in the area.

Good morning, Yesterday, my son Lee, his fiancé Ashley and…read moremyself Theresa went on the boat tour through Kings Bay to see the manatees. Captain Marty, our guide, provided a beautiful history about how the manatees group together in the warm water at winter time. We also had the wonderful opportunity to see the manatees and a garr fish.. We all agree it was one of the highlights of our day.. Many thanks to Captain Marty for showing all of us a great time... Theresa from Vero Beach

I think it's important to note that there's a good change you will only see one or potentially none…read moreat all. The crew was extremely nice, but for the money, I would have done something else. We went into the cove area and there was 1 manatee that other boats were waiting to see. After one group left, we swam up, saw it for about 5 min before it swam off. That was basically the extent of it. I swam to see one of the springs. But for $500 for a family of 5; I wish there we could have seen others or at least tried to go and see other ones. It also would have been helpful if we could have had an option to cancel if they had tours that didn't see any or really low exposure that day (or been able to reschedule for a colder day).

My girlfriend and I had a great experience. The crew was highly accommodating and sweet. We were…read moreable to snorkel and see tarpon and other fish. In other areas there were sand dollars everywhere. Make sure and ask for the sun chill raft! Perfect chill pad to float and still be in the clear water.

The best way to explore Fort De Soto and Shell key is by going on a day cruise with Wayward Key…read moreTours. My husband and I had a wonderful time bouncing around to find different places to snorkel. We've never snorkeled in the area so we didn't know what we were looking for. The knowledgeable WKT crew had many suggestions and found spaces where we could enjoy the waters and sea creatures away from the crowds. The activities: We got to see the fort ruins, saw wildlife in the seagrass, and hung out in the sandbars where we found sand dollars and shells with every step. The ride: The World Cat was impressively stable on choppy water and operated smoothly. There is a sink and head to make those long outings comfortable. There is plenty of seating. A few people may be able to recline in the bow under a retractable bimini cover. The size of the boat made it possible for us to get into shallow areas and anchor wherever we wanted. If you're visiting the area or are a local looking for a private boat with a captain to give your small group a wonderful, custom tour, Wayward is the way to go!

This company took very good care of us and made sure we had the best experience. Juan and Ralph are…read moreknowledgeable about the manatee and wildlife in the area It was a very chilly morning but they made sure we were comfortable with blankets and hot chocolate! They take care of the photos which means we were just able to take in and enjoy our time with the manatees.

Great experience and knowledgable friendly staff. Gorgeous day and boat was clean and safe.read more

We still love Clearwater Beach like it was our first trip. The most difficult park now is the…read moreparking though. You definitely have to search for parking and the majority you do have to pay at least $5 an hour. Download Park Mobile to make it easier. We have found a few select free spots for our go to so we can keep going without breaking the bank to park. We love walking around, seeing the sunset, going to North Clearwater Beach, visiting the JW Hotel and Opal Resorts, going to Taco Bus, and Parlor Doughnuts, & Going to the Pier. There's so much more I just can't list them all. Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a great visit to see the dolphins up close and personal too. Sugar Sands Fest is great here, & love that we can go here year round and always find something new. North Clearwater Beach is the dog friendly side.

This is definitely a go-to spot for beach lovers. A bit touristy but don't let that hinder you. I…read morefound the beach to be pleasant and relaxing. There is pier with vendors who sell souvenirs. They're were also performers. You'll want to check out the daily, free sunset party at the beach! When compared to Daytona Beach, I found the waters to be bluer and warmer. Beach chairs and umbrellas were available. They're is something for everyone and I'll definitely return!