Garrett was a blast! We are just coming into the warm season and most manatees are back in the gulf, he still got us to 7 manatees, 2 gators, and we caught a dolphin in kings bay towards the end. He gave us plenty of time to look for things to come up out of the water which was great for my 2 year old. Boat was shaded and was enjoyable even with a small child. Other tours wouldn't let me book because she was under 3- we brought our own lifevest but they did also have some on board that were her size. read more

River Ventures - Alligator - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Our Captain was Mike, and our guide was Crystal. They were both awesome, and us 3 (my 9 y/o daughter, my 14 y/o son, and I) had a great time. I will definitely recommend. The only 2 reasons I do not give a 5-star review are: 1) it was not heated, even though I saw the plastic covers, but they didn't put them down, and 2) the $45 they did not discuss for pictures, so I did not bring a camera. read more

I don't know where to start. This was the absolute best day. We started at the River Ventures Dive Center at 6:30AM, where we were offered coffee, tea, hot cocoa and snacks, and spent the next bit with an educational video and a wetsuit fitting. From there, we took a bus to the dock, in the most gorgeous sunrise light. let by our Guide Nat. Captain Emerson met us at the covered, heated pontoon, and our group set off through the water, for the protected manatee zone. The water was FULL of our sweet sea potatoes... in fact, it was difficult to even get off the boat because our new friends swam right up to the ladder. Nat had given excellent instructions. We immediately leaned into our pool noodles and gently followed her lead through the water. It took just moments before manatees were all around us. We stayed calm and quiet, and they either continued snoozing, or swam up to investigate us. Nat was on point with the camera, and with showing us things like the tarpon and sheepshead fish, and she was also shared little details about the manatees as we floated. Of course, with nature, there are no guarantees, and I really had no idea what to expect, but I was absolutely delighted by the interactions we had. The cold snap absolutely played into our favor, and I am so glad we showed up with our adventurous spirit. When we returned to the boat, there were more snacks, as well as hot cocoa, coffee, tea, and a variety of drinks in the cooler (water, beer, wine, soda, and white claws). We were so grateful for the boat covering and heater as we made our way back to the dock, and we had great chats with Nat, Emerson, and the other group on our tour. Was it cold? Sure. But the water felt great at 72ºF, and our wetsuits did a wonderful job of protecting us and keeping us buoyant. Our experience was incredible, from booking, to engaging with the staff with any questions we had, to the actual tour itself. The photos and videos were absolutely phenomenal, as well, and we were happy to purchase the package, as well as some gifts from the souvenir shop. We will be back for more manatee viewing, or to try one of their other tours. Thank you so much for the best day! read more

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Snorkeling with manatees has been on my bucket list forever and we finally got the chance to do it with River Ventures. It was everything I had dreamed it would be. It was awesome! We drove around searching for manatees for a bit and finally got to see a mama and her baby. So cute!! We saw 5 in total. We got to swim with 4 of them. We took the early morning tour. The best time to see manatees is in the winter so it was chilly. I was freezing. The website is a little misleading- it says heated boat. But there isn't a heating system in the boat. There is one small portable heater. It did work well. And there was hot chocolate. The captain, Moe, and our guide, Steven, were so helpful and did everything they could to warm me up after we went in the water. Steven even gave me his coat. Captain Moe was pouring hot water over my feet. Really above and beyond. I do wish the company provided foot booties. We would have brought our own if we had known they didn't provide them. Be sure to grab some cute souvenirs in their shop afterwards. Their pics cost $39 after the tour if you don't bring your own camera. read more

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Mike and Anna were the best guide and captain EVER!! You won't be disappointed! I promise!! They work so hard to ensure you have an amazing experience and see the most manatees, while also doing everything in their power to protect these amazing and majestic creatures. I have so much respect for them and this company. They truly value these manatees and do our vest to be guest in their homes! Ten stars! read more

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Great experience swimming with the manatees! We had Trish, Piper, and Captain Wade as our guides, and all were extremely knowledgeable about the manatee (so many facts!), the area, and the environmental ecosystem. From start to finish, I knew I was in extremely good hands with these folks. We had a short 15 minute prep class before heading out to the boat, where Capt. Wade reiterated several of the same points again. I knew exactly what was expected of me and what was going to happen. We found some manatees very early on by the springs (many resting) and then another active one in a cove area. Super fun! Wet suits, hot cocoa and tea were all provided. The three hour tour goes pretty fast but by the end I was ready to be done. So glad we did this swimming tour and NOT the kayaks! read more

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Went for a tour about a month ago. Even with warmer temps we were able to swim with a manatee thanks to our excellent guide and captain Great people will be back read more

My husband treated me for my birthday to a total bucket list experience of swimming with manatees and it was everything I wished for and more. I'll never forget this day and I'm so grateful to our amazing guide, Piper, and our boat captain, Laci, for their kindness, professionalism and knowledge of the area and of these beautiful creatures. We swam with a pod of around seven manatees, including one tiny baby that was the sweetest thing I'd ever seen. I loved everything about the day and I hope to come back soon! Thanks to the whole River Ventures team for making my birthday unforgettable! read more

River Ventures is really easy to work with. just an awesome, well-run manatee experience. Captain Wade ran a smooth, safe boat and knew exactly where to go, and our tour guide Crystal was fantastic. Super friendly, patient, and great at getting everyone in position without stressing the manatees. We were in the water with multiple manatees just cruising around us. Calm, unreal, and way better than I expected. Gear was clean, wetsuits fit, and everything was organized. If you're booking a manatee tour in Crystal River, this is the one. read more

River Ventures - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Did the crystal river manatee tour a couple weeks ago with Sheila and Chris and it was such an incredible experience. Our tour guide and boat captain were both super knowledgeable, friendly and even though the weather was getting warmer they still got us on some manatees. Wish the water had been a little clearer but that is no fault of theirs and the experience was still worth it. Would definitely love to come back during cooler weather and when the river grass grows back so the visability will be better. 10/10 would book with this company again! read more

River Ventures - Brought our own go pro - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Gary and Captain Lacey were great! Gary got us a great spot where we saw many manatees, we even saw a mom with her baby. This was my second time here and it was even better than the first. The colder weather is definitely better than the summer. I will definitely be back. read more

Emerson and Piper were both awesome, they were both friendly and inviting which made the whole experience even more memorable and magical. Both of them were extremely knowledgeable about not only the manatees but all the wildlife we came across, the springs, and other waterways, etc. would absolutely love to have the pair of them take us out again. We had a birthday boy in our group who just turned 13 and loves manatees (the birthday package was an adorable touch) now he is planning his future as a professional manatee tour guide! keep your eye out for an application in 5 years Thank you guys for great lifelong memories! read more

What a great eco tour. If you love manatees you have to try this activity. Our in water guide Steven was awesome. He found us four different manatee groups to swim with. The best was a mother and her cute calf. The water is a little chilly but the provided wetsuits make the swim comfortable. If you are not a strong swimmer don't worry the wetsuit and pool noodles make it simple to stay afloat. read more

River Ventures - Ready to go swimming squeezed into this wetsuit. - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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5/5 An unforgettable experience! We had the most incredible time with River Ventures! Swimming with the manatees was truly magical, and the entire experience felt safe, fun, and so well organized. A huge shoutout to Piper, our in-water guide, who was warm, patient, and so knowledgeable. She made sure we were comfortable the whole time and helped us get the best views of the manatees up close. And thank you to Garret, our boat captain, for being friendly, funny, and making the trip out on the water just as enjoyable as the swim itself. We left with amazing memories, great photos, and a new appreciation for these gentle giants. Highly recommend River Ventures to anyone visiting the area -- we'd do it again in a heartbeat! read more

This was my first time manatee experience and it was wonderful. I recommend the heated boat, it made all the difference. Steven and Wade were the best. Thanks again to all the staff for the experience! read more

I just want to say that this was one of the best experiences of my life. The staff were cheerful and great people. Even in July we found some manatees almost instantly so you can go any time of year. read more

My grandchildren and I all had such a great time. The shop was easy to find and it was a very short drive to the boat. It was a small group (only 10 of us). We spent most of our time in the water and saw 3 manatees. So many cute things available for purchase in the shop. I love that they showed us a video about the manatees before we got suited up and I sincerely appreciate the focus on the animals safety/comfort. Wade reiterated everything Trisha said and made sure everyone was comfortable with gear and the process. Both were patient and kind. The boys are already asking when we can go back because they want to share the experience with other family members. read more

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Captain Chris and Natalie. Wow what a winning combination fir swimming with the manatees. Best trip ev very out on Kings Bay! read more

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Great captain JJ! I'd give him 5 stars. Wet suits were thin and first couple had holes in them, but they got next ones ready quickly. Mask was dirty with lipstick which was a little gross but we saw and swam with manatees! Biggest bummer was the gal had a camera and missed 95% of out actual interactions with the manatees. While we appreciate all of the pictures of the actual manatees, we could get those from the boat. But we all were hoping for more pictures of us with the manatees, especially the ones that came up and kissed our toes and faces. She missed 95% of all of those shots and some of the girls from another country didn't even get a single picture with a manatee. We felt like her job was to spot manatees but I feel like the captain and we spotted more than she did, but she was very friendly. The place was outdoors while they were fixing the store post hurricane, so it was cold! read more

What an amazing experience!!! We were able to swim with a momma & baby manatee! Captain Wade and Natalie were absolutely amazing! The photos and videos they got for us were awesome! We would definitely come back! read more

River Ventures - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

This was a bucketlist tour for us. It was early on in the season but Garrett and Piper made sure we found 2 manatees and got to swim with them. They were very knowledgeable and so eager about their job! Can't wait to come back again later in the season read more

We went with Chris as our guide. He was so good at finding the manatees. He even told other boats where to look. He knew so much about the area and make great recommendations for lunch too. It made us feel at ease being on a boat with someone who is friendly and fun. We really recommend this experience and will 100% do it again when we're back in Florida! read more

I went with my girlfriend and we decided to do the manatee and scalloping excursion. We swam with manatees before in Key Biscayne so we were really looking forward to scalloping and bringing home some nice dinner. On the boat there was extra snacks and drinks which was very convenient especially while being in the sun for hours. The manatee excursion was for a minimal time, we only saw two and the water was murky so it was hard to see, but we decided to leave a little early so we can have more time scalloping. Our tour guide was Paige and our captain was Troy. They both are the experts, they did a great job in showing us how to find scallops and clean them so when we take them home it's ready to eat. To be honest, I liked how small our group was, there were only 7 of us including the Paige and Troy. The size of the group was beneficial because we didn't have many people competing for scallops and we had more one-on-one with Paige and Tory on showing us the proper skills. Overall is was a great experience, we got lucky because had great weather and a lot of scallops. I definitely recommend for any local or tourist to participate. read more

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Mike was an amazing guide and we had so much fun! What a unique experience! Would highly recommend River Ventures to anyone considering this excursion. read more

Beware when doing business with River Ventures - Swim with Manatees - we had a private tour WITH photos/videos, were told we would get them in email but only to main person, THEN they failed and after blowing us off for weeks they claim photis and videos were NOT included, never tried to upsell us, and couldnt produce them - so our photo/vidoes memories are lost. Most likely our guide screwed up, as they TOLD us we were getting them - but cannot produce them... DO NOT tip or leave until you get what you were promised. Better yet, use another tour company. read more

Taking the manatee tour was an excellent experience with these folks. I was exceptionally pleased with their customer service. I found out the nasty storms were coming in the day we were scheduled neither them, so I called and they were able to get us moved up the day before no issues. I was so grateful! We took the semi private VIP you, which is a max of 6 people. It's a much better experience in my opinion. At first I was a little worried we weren't going to see manatees because we were an area with crappy viz. thank god we moved and ended up seeing a couple different manatees just hanging out and eating. I got some amazing photos. Our guide Troy, also took awesome photos! I ended up doing the $32.95 photo package. I would definitely go out with them again and definitely recommend. read more

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I had a great experience. I highly recommend swimming with the manatees and doing so with River Ventures. The staff is more than just friendly. I needed help getting my EV rental charged, but I wasn't familiar with the area. The office staff (Stephanie) did the research while I was on the tour, saving me time and stress. Captain Chris and our guide James were great. They were respectful of nearby property owners, other tour operators and their guests and of course nature. James did a fine job helping all of us get close, but not too close to the manatees. Please note, there are a lot of variable to the experience. The time of year is a big factor. Even if conditions are not optimal for viewing, it's so memorable. read more

River Ventures - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Wow, what an incredible experience. Our guide Eddie, and our captain Kevin were both funny, kind, and personable. Eddie made sure all of the tour participants were able to have a chance to see manatee. I have a painful autoimmune disease and had some trouble keeping up and swimming and he pulled me directly towards the manatee to get a close look and make me feel like I was part of the experience. We were provided with hot beverages on the way back and got tons of information about the area, local flora and fauna, and even got the chance to see an alligator on the way back! Overall an amazing experience that was well worth the money, with the hospitality of our guides being the highlight of it all. Thank you Eddie and Kevin! read more

Capt Chris and Ryan were absolutely amazing!! Best experience, and made sure we found manatees and respected their habitat. Learned so much and had the best time! read more

This was amazing!!! Swimming with the manatees is probably the coolest thing I've ever done and I wish I could have done it when I lived in Denver a different life ago. And if you wear glasses but not contacts, rent the prescription mask because it's something you want to see with clarity. We had Trish and Wade as our captain and guide and they were awesome. They got us near a mating group and took tons of pictures of the manatees. My only wish is they took more of us interacting. But they were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. The office staff was incredibly nice and helpful. The location isn't too far from where you go in the water. The tour itself lasted at least two hours in the water and they also offer scallop tours. Too bad I'm too far to partake because those sound really cool but not easily attended from Denver. I have recommended this company to a friend who moved to Florida who hopefully will be also taking the tour with their kids. read more

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Exceptional! Trish & Capt. Wade were the best! Trish guided us to an up close look at the manatees. Captain Wade knew the best spots and Trish assisted us in the springs. Both were kind & patient as we have physical limitations We are both plus size ladies and they had suits that were comfortable and made the experience seamless. Best tour and experience! We'll be back next year! read more

Such an amazing experience! Took a boat out and snorkeled with two manatees that were very calm and friendly. Only complaint is that we really didn't get a whole lot of time with the manatees themselves, only got about 10 minutes and really wish we could have spent more time with them for the price, but other groups were out there as well so our group had to let them have a chance to see and be with them so we then swam away and sat in a remote spring for 20 minutes with no manatees and then rode on the boat for the remainder of the booked time slot. Guide Crystal was awesome! read more

What a morning! James made the experience amazing if I could give 10 stars I would! Despite 30 degree temps and team no sleep after our long drive we had an incredible time on the boat ride with captain Melissa and James sharing lots of cool details and facts about manatees and the wildlife around us! We saw a bald eagle and lots of floaty potato's. Definitely looking forward to our next trip back. Don't forget the folks in the shop and the best hot cocoa in Citrus County. read more

River Ventures - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

Our guide, Piper, and our captain, Tanner, were great, incredibly knowledgeable about manatees and gentle but firm in explaining all of the rules to protect manatees. We booked the maximum of 6 group, and it turned out to be just the four of us. Basically a private tour! We swam beside a mother and her calf, and the calf was incredibly inquisitive, coming up and nibbling on us, nudging us and otherwise interacting with us for 20 minutes or more. We followed the rules -- "freeze and float" -- and let the manatees do their thing. It was magical. Hunter and Piper really helped make it all possible. Can't overstate how great they are! read more

Great trip on June 16 with guide Piper and Captain Garrett. Was a little worried going into it that summer wasn't the best time to view manatees but we ended up having an hour or so with a mom and her baby, another mom, and (I'm told) a second baby. The water depth was fairly shallow at times so the water can get stirred up, but they come so close at times you get all the viewing you can ask for. Quite an animal and MUCH larger than expected when you're right next to them. River Ventures was easy to book, reasonably priced, nice facility and crew, and overall just a real positive and fun experience. read more

5 stars aren't enough!!! From making the reservation to the end this place is amazing!!! We reserved a private tour with 6 people originally scheduled for homosassa got switched to crystal river due to low tide love how they wanted to make sure we would have the best time. Hot cocoa and a quick dos and don't then into the wetsuit!! Faith was our tour guide and Troy was our captain both are hands down friendly and informative. Also put up with our silly group. They made sure we had the best time. Even though the tide was low we saw a lot of manatees and a momma and baby. Seriously worth every penny!!! The wetsuit went up to accommodate larger people which was a win for me. Staff was friendly and quick. Can't wait to do it again read more

River Ventures - Tours Near Me - Crystal River, Florida

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Captain JJ and the spectacular James made our trip one of a kind. It was personally my first time on a boat and they made it as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. The jokes were A++ and so was their customer service, their attention to detail and thorough instructions made for a smooth and safe time. I went with three other people and they all enjoyed every moment like I did. JJ and James went as far as to fly out their drone to give us the best spot for manatee watching, and we saw quite a few despite the warmer weather! The entirety of the staff made it obvious that they genuinely care for the wildlife they're observing, which just adds to the experience. Thank you all for giving us a wonderful time, I'm sure we'll be some repeat offenders real soon :) To add: James recommended Clearwater for a beach and Frenchie's for a dinner spot. Currently here and we'd all like to say BLESS YOUR SOUL JAMES THIS PLACE IS FIIIIIRE read more

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The crew was really good and they were very informative throughout the whole trip. Lots of sites and dolphins. The kids and adults had a good time. read more

Our guide Aidan was the GOAT and very knowledgeable about manatees and was very down to earth and communicational! Our captain Brian was also the best as he made the ride super smooth and added very good insight to everything and spotting Manatees! Being from Pennsylvania we knew very little about the animals and area and they made sure to make Florida feel like home for the day! 10/10 would do it again! read more

Sheila and Tanner did not disappoint! We barely left the dock and within a mile were in the water with manatees. We where with them for an hour and the whole experience was amazing read more