Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy entry point for a day on the river. Great time…read morekayaking with the manatees!

MANATEES ARE MAGICAL! We saw well over 30+ manatees on our late January kayaking outing. We rented…read morea 2-seater top kayak (comes w paddles and life vests). And from the staff to the dock hands, to the quality of the vessel and cleanliness of the shop: 10/10. A guide handed us a laminated map (nice touch) and told us where to head for manatee sightings. And even pointed us to a cove that homes a lot of turtles and alligators. We saw it all! They have volunteers overseeing the 3 sisters springs, to help monitor the safety of the manatees (and scold ignorant people lol). Great time! If you're unsure, let me assure you.. just book.

Manatee Paddle truly went above and beyond to make our experience positive, exciting, and…read moreeducational. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles, warmth, and encouragement. I was personally a bit nervous since I hadn't paddle boarded much before, but every step of the way we felt supported and truly cared for. Hearing about the family's passion for protecting the ecosystem and the manatees, along with all the helpful tips they shared to optimize our experience, was absolutely incredible. When we got to the dock, we were guided so kindly - Mike even held our shoes in his truck for us! When he noticed me struggling a bit, he took the time to give me multiple tips on how to better move in the water and maneuver the board, which made such a difference. We saw so many manatees, including mama and baby pairs, which was unforgettable. When we returned to the dock and shared how excited we were, Mike went above and beyond once again by recommending another nearby location we could walk to where we ended up seeing even more manatees up close and personal. I would 10/10 recommend Manatee Paddle to anyone looking for an incredible manatee experience. I am so grateful to Mike and his family for making our day so special. THANK YOU!!

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Paddle boarding with this crew in Crystal River was…read morehands down one of the best experiences I've had in Florida, and it's because of the people behind the business--Aidan, Mike, and Mandy. From the moment we showed up, they made us feel like family. Aidan was the first one to greet us, and right away you could tell how passionate he is about the river, the wildlife, and making sure every single guest feels confident before heading out on the boards. He has this calm, encouraging way about him that instantly puts you at ease--even if you've never stepped foot on a paddleboard before. He gave us tips, shared fun facts about the area, and somehow managed to keep the whole group laughing the entire time. Mike is the backbone of the operation--the guy making sure all the boards, paddles, and gear are in perfect condition, the one double-checking that everything runs smoothly so you don't have to worry about a thing. It's obvious how much pride he takes in the business, because everything is organized, well-maintained, and set up to give you the best possible experience. He's also just genuinely fun to chat with before and after you head out--one of those people who makes you feel like an old friend after five minutes. And then there's Mandy, who is truly the heart of the operation. She's warm, welcoming, and on top of everything. From making the booking process super smooth to making sure we had everything we needed for the day, she's the reason the whole experience felt so seamless. She checked in with us multiple times, gave us great local recommendations for after our paddle, and just made the whole day feel special. What really stood out to me was how much this team cares--not just about giving people a fun day on the water, but about the environment, the river, and the wildlife that call it home. They take time to educate guests about respecting the ecosystem, and you leave not only having had an amazing adventure, but also feeling like you've learned something important. I've been on plenty of tours and excursions, but very few have left me with such a lasting impression. These guys aren't just running a business--they're building memories for people, and they clearly love doing it. If you're anywhere near Crystal River, don't waste your time looking at other paddle board companies. This is the one. Between Aidan's energy, Mike's behind-the-scenes dedication, and Mandy's incredible hospitality, you won't find a better team anywhere. Do yourself a favor and book with them--you'll thank me later.

The girl at the front desk was an air head when I first arrived I went inside because it was…read morefreezing and she made me walk around to the outside front of the building so that I could grab a clip board and walk inside which she could have easily handed me. That was weird Then she didn't tell us we had to pay for parking at the dock neither did the guy that was at the dock when we got there! I overheard him telling someone after we were done for the day he said that they can park at the rental place and walk so they don't have to pay but we were already unloading and done with our rental. We got back to the car and had a $50 ticket. I would be fine with paying but I didn't see any of the signs or where to meter even was. I also told her I wasn't swimming and she said to get in the water you have to have an wetsuit which costs extra and I kept saying I'm not getting in the water but I she just ignored me and then I saw SO MANY PEOPLE not in wetsuits so that was irritating. And the wetsuits were in terrible shape they had holes and stains all over it she handed it to me and I was like thins is what I paid $100 for ? And she was like yeah they are all old. This is a CRAP Buisness!!! Especially what you get for the price!! The manatees are cool and I recommend doing it but NOT using this company.

Pros: easy online registration and scheduling; Front desk…read moregirl for check in was great super sweet. Very nice and informative. We were a bit late and she extended our reservation. I was quite thankful. The kayaks were fun and we were left to our devices to explore. Isaiah was cool and very laid back. We were also a half hour late coming back and they were totally cool with it. Thank you! I can't believe I saw the baby manatees. I literally cried. Cons: I was surprised they just let us out with no real guide! It was cool but I'm surprised they trusted us. We kinda got lost the first 90mins and didn't know where we going but eventually we got to the area where the manatees were gathering. A bit crowded and I felt bad everyone so close to the protected species. Overall a super a cool experience. We went during manatee festival in January so it was a bit crowded but not overwhelming. It was a beautiful day with beautiful site seeing. Def recommend!

We had a fantastic three-hour kayaking adventure with Paddles Outdoor Rentals. My friend and I…read moredecided to skip the guided tour and paddle out on our own. Our goal was simple: get a good workout in and enjoy being on the water. Manatees, if we saw them, would just be a bonus. Well... let's just say the bonuses showed up. The staff was super friendly, incredibly patient, and genuinely helpful. Their recommendations about where to paddle made all the difference and set us up for a great route. We got our workout, soaked in the beauty of the water, and had some wonderful manatee encounters along the way. Peaceful, magical, and just the right amount of adventure. Great people, smooth process, and a memorable day on the water.

This was my second time using Paddles Outdoor Rentals and I definitely would recommend them! They…read morehave knowledgable guides, great equipment, and are timely with everything. We saw like a million manatees and even got to go out 15 minutes early to take full advantage.

The best experience and the only way to experience the Weeki Wachee river. Robin was super…read moreinformative and even met us at the end to help guide us back :) I plan to come back soon and definitely will use Easy Peasy again!

What a great service! We went to Weekie, seeing up the service was super easy. We arrived (a few…read moreminutes late) and discovered our kayaks were there. They even loaded our friends paddle boards on their trailer to bring down to the loading area. They helped us in, had everything we needed (jackets and whistles) and even paddled halfway back from the bottom to meet us and say hello. Wonderful service that I've never seen when renting a local kayak. 10/10 will use again.

Thank you to Heidi and Andy for the awesome time! So special getting to swim with manatees, and…read morethanks for answering all my many excited questions!

This was our second time using Birds to swim with Manatees and we will choose them every time now…read more Had an amazing experience with Captain Misty and Guide Gina. Highly recommend the 6am tour as you get viewing time before it gets really busy. I really appreciate Birds Underwater as they do a great job educating you about the manatees and how to passively observe. Made the manatees more comfortable and as a result we got to have some amazing interactions with them.

Thank you Rachelle for another great paddle boarding experience!…read more This was our second time booking a tour with Otter Paddle, but our first time trying it out at this lovely Rainbow springs location. It's not your average paddle board tour that might feel like another random person, No this tour always feels intimidate enough that you feel like you are with friends and family! My son, BF and I had another great paddle boarding experience, we were able to explore the refreshing spring with its beautiful colors, it felt like another world underneath. We also learn about the small erosion holes the spring has, she took so many lovely photos and videos while we enjoyed our tour. You don't need to bring a camera or phones since the tour includes capturing all the best moments, but of course you can (we received our photos and videos the following day via Dropbox), you get a drybag to put some small belongings, definitely recommend bringing sunscreen, and water to stay hydrated, the water was perfect on a hot Sunday late in August. The spring was big enough that you did not feel crowded. Rachelle provided instructions on how to get going if it was your first time paddle boarding, or if you simply needed some tips. Scheduling a tour is very convenient and easy through their website, they also offer other options for tours at different locations, as well as gift cards for friends and family. We left our towels and a change of clothes for after our tour, there's restrooms and changing area so you can do that after or before your tour. We noticed they have lockers, but I believe you will have to pay for those, it was fine leaving it in the car. We also did not have to pay for parking since it's included in our tour already. I highly recommend this tour, and we will most definitely be back again! Thank you again Rachelle for such a wonderful time!

We went with Rachelle on a Sunday to Rainbow Springs and had the best time! She had everything…read moreready to get in the water as soon as we arrived and did quick review of using a paddle board. We went to a secret creek and the water was beautiful and it was a great place to go for a swim. Then we paddled to the springs and saw the most beautiful glowing blue water I have ever seen! She was very knowledgeable about the springs and the area! Highly recommend!

We rented kayaks instead of doing the guided tours in late August. Everything went smoothly;…read moreoverall, we're very happy with Aardvarks. The kayaks we got for the day were wonderful & not cheap/uncomfortable like the ones most kayak rental places give you. We kept on getting compliments from strangers about our rental kayaks. Matt & Susan of Aardvarks were so nice and helpful. It's always great to deal with businesses that are passionate about what they do. Their shop is fully stocked with everything you need before getting on the river. Aardvarks sell really nice kayaks & stand-up paddle boards. For party of 6 or more, call the store for a group rate.

SPOT ON Kayak Training! I've been doing recreational…read morekayaking in Kentucky for several years. After moving to the area / new environment, I thought it would be a good idea to receive some formal training & I'm so glad I did! I attended two classes: Intro to Kayaking & the Kayak Safety and Rescue classes. Intro to Kayaking: I quickly learned there was a lot more than just simply jumping into your kayak! Important things like; How to get in/out of your kayak without looking like a dummy! How to correctly hold & use your paddle (your arms will thank you!); and different paddling techniques (that will help you in various situations). Kayak Safety and Rescue: This class is a must for anyone who kayaks! Not only do you learn how to help yourself, you learn how to help your fellow kayakers! I HIGHLY recommend both classes. Aardvark's instructor (Matt) is an experienced kayaker & Eco Tour Guide - and a OUTSTANDING (and patient) instructor. I feel more confident with my new kayaking skills and can't wait to explore the area!