Managing Partner

Paul Cross

Paul Cross has made Crystal River his home for the last 42 years with his wife, Liz and their three children.

As a young adult, Paul earned his Open Water Certification in 1991. It was at that time he fell in love with diving and knew this was the life he wanted to pursue. Paul went on to become a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer in 2001. With his newfound love for diving Paul has shared the joy of water sports by certifying over 200 students right here in King’s Spring Crystal River. Working with local youth clubs and many other students in the community has been one of Paul’s brightest spots in his career.

In 2002, Paul earned his 25 Ton Master license from the United States Coast Guard. Captain Paul has guided manatee tours and scalloping charters for over 20 years here on Crystal River. He loves nothing more than enjoying the day on the water sharing our beautiful community with others.

Before becoming a Managing Partner at Waterfront Adventures, Captain Paul served as Director of Operations for 12 years at a local resort. Captain Paul looks forward to Waterfront Adventure’s new education center and the opportunity to teach visitors about our amazing unique community for many years to come.

Fleet Manager

John Spann

As a native Floridian, growing up in Florida, Captain John has always loved the outdoors! After high school, John continued on to the University of Florida, where he received his degree in Animal Sciences. While in Gainesville John truly fell in love with the underwater world, becoming an avid cave diver, and later a NAUI Scuba diving instructor. Some of the first classes he taught were at the University of Florida’s academic diving program. During this time he was also a board member of the North Florida Springs Alliance.

Later he followed his wife to her hometown of Lecanto, Florida, just outside of Crystal River. Falling back on his love of diving. Captain John started looking for jobs in the dive industry locally. At the same time, John became a United States Coast Guard Masters Captain with a 25 ton rating and began running tours for a local resort.

Now having been in the industry for over 13 years, Captain John has taken a position as the fleet manager for Waterfront Adventures. He helps maintain the boats, as well as the captains and crew, for Waterfront Adventures. He also is a first responder instructor conducting our rescue, CPR, first aid, and AED training. John has served two terms on the Manatee Eco Tourism Association board and is currently on the manatee rescue team for Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge . John’s passion is still in the water leading Manatee tours daily and teaching new people about our love of the Florida Manatee.

Captain/In-Water Guide

Jack Sauve

Captain Jacob makes his professional home here at Waterfront Adventures as both a Captain and In-Water guide.

Captain Jacob is originally from Boston. Being born and raised in Boston, Jake developed a love of water so much that he became an avid diver. He pursued that love to become a skindiving instructor, through the National Association of Underwater Instructors. Having a desire to learn and grow, Jacob became a rescue diver, trained in CPR, First Aid, AED.

In an effort to continue his knowledge, Captain Jacob went to school to earn his 25 Ton United States Coast Guard Master Captain license. Jacob has used his knowledge and passion to give back to our community and hold a position on the Fish and Wildlife Service rescue team.

Four years ago Jacob experienced the magic of swimming with the manatee, as a passive observer in their natural habitat. He not only swims with the manatees, but he strives to educate others about these amazing creatures as well as help protect them for future generations. He hopes to share that knowledge and love for the animals with all our future customers.

Operations Manager

Amanda

Amanda is a native Floridian who grew up on the Nature Coast right here in Citrus County. She fell in love with the water at a very young age when her Father and Grandfather would take her out fishing. As she got older, her love for the water led her straight to the wonderful world of swimming with the manatees.

That love sparked a passion for the industry. She started working as an In-Water Guide for approximately 5 years before she graduated into Management and has been in this industry for a total of 10 years now.

Her hopes are to continue her career as an Operations Manager at Waterfront Adventures and to make visitors happy each day by educating them about our amazing Florida manatee and sharing local knowledge about the area.