Insights
Explore our Insight Page for important resources and Faq’s
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SWIMMING WITH MANATEES
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We require a 7-day notice on cancellations to receive a refund. This will help us to ensure we will be able to rebook your seats.
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Yes. To book a private tour for a group larger than 6 people please give us a call. We can accommodate large groups exceeding 60 + people if needed.
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Not currently.
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Driving times are: 1.5-2 hours from Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville; 3 hours from Jacksonville; 3 hours from Sarasota; 3.5 hours from Tallahassee; 6 hours from Miami.
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Every child is different, and you know your children better than we do. They must be able to fit snugly in a wetsuit and be able to float calmly and quietly on the surface of the water. Our smallest size wetsuit is a child’s size 4.
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Wetsuits are not just recommended; they are required to swim with the manatees. The wetsuit will not only keep you warm but will also provide buoyancy. This will allow you to float at the surface calmly and quietly without having to tread water which could possibly disturb the natural behavior of the manatees.
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The tours themselves are 3 hours from start to finish. The water time will vary greatly depending on how long it takes to find a manatee and how long a manatee sticks around with us in the water. If a manatee happens to swim away it is unlawful to pursue that manatee. If time allows, we will get back onboard and look for more manatees.
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We have restrooms, changing rooms, and showers located inside our shop.
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The only item necessary is a bathing suit. We will provide towels, coffee, and hot chocolate onboard the boat. If it is cold outside, we recommend bringing jackets, hoodies, blankets, socks, beanies, or any other clothing item to help warm you up when you get out of the water.
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It is best to practice before your tour. If you are not able to do so, your Captain or Divemaster will assist you in the water. For most it only takes a few minutes to become accustomed to snorkeling.
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The water depth averages 4 – 6 ft and can be deeper in some areas. The great thing about this is that we will be floating at the surface the entire time we are around manatees so there will be no need to dive down or touch the bottom.
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Yes, you can take your own pictures. Your In-Water Guide/Divemaster will also be taking photos and videos from start to finish. This will allow you to relax and enjoy the experience if you choose.
Fun Manatee Facts And Information
Manatees are the big lovable lugs of marine mammal life. Not sleek like dolphins – or as intelligent – but no dummies either. Unlike sharks, they’re practically cuddly (approach a manatee gently on one of our manatee tours and it may turn over and ask for a belly scratch!).
If you love manatees as much as we love manatees (and we’re positive you’ll become a raving fan once you meet them), then we know you’ll want to learn as much as possible about these wonderful gentle giants.
Average Manatee is 10ft long weighing 800-1200 pounds.
They have been known to reach 13 ft and 3500 pounds.
When born they are 3-4 ft long and 60-70 pounds.
Manatees are herbivores meaning plant eating animals.
Manatees replace worn teeth throughout their lifetime.
Manatees have fairly good vision and can distinguish between colors.
Manatees cannot survive in temperatures below 68 degrees (20 Celsius).
Manatees spend 6-8 hours a day feeding.
Manatees surface for air every 3-5 minutes.
Manatees do not form permanent bonds when breeding.
Manatees can stay submerged up to 20 minutes.
Females mature for breeding at about 5 years old and 8 years old for males.
On average one calf is born every 5 years.
Gestation period is about 1 year long
Mothers nurse young for up to 2 years.
Manatees may live as long as 60 years.
Manatees do not have eyelashes.
Manatees prefer water 3-7 feet deep.
Manatees range from Virginia to Texas and one was documented in Rhode Island. (Very rare).
Manatees eat 10% to 15% of their body weight each day.
WHO WE ARE
SWIMMING WITH THE MANATEES
Waterfront Adventures is Crystal Rivers leading Manatee Tour operation. By first providing an in-depth educational course on passive observation, we ensure you’re ready to have an enjoyable and memorable experience while swimming with the Manatees, whatever time of year you visit us! All of our tour options provide a 5 star experience. Starting at just $75 per person, any of our tour options are guaranteed to provide an unforgettable adventure!
WATERFRONT ADVENTURES
Swimming with the manatees is a once in a lifetime experience!
Dive into a world where nature’s gentle giants glide through crystal-clear waters, and experience the serene beauty of Crystal River, Florida. Our exclusive “Swim with Manatees” tour invites you to a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
A Fun-Filled Educational Experience
Passive Observation Style Interaction
Great Activity for All Ages
Picture-Perfect Moments
DON’T MISS OUT ON A CHANCE TO SWIM WITH THE MANATEES TODAY!
Winter Is Wonderful For Swimming With The Manatees
Winter probably is the best time to take a manatee tour. The main reason is that the waters of the Gulf of Mexico range in temperature between 58-66 degrees or so in the months of December, January, February and even March, and manatees, like humans, prefer their water warm.
The shallow rivers and streams along the Gulf Coast near coastal Homosassa and Crystal River stay around 72 degrees year round and manatees flock to the area. You’ll have an excellent chance to get up close and personal with one of the gentle, sweet creatures.
Manatees are mammals that look something like a cross between a seal and a cow. They have large flippers and their fins in the back are shaped like a great fan or large paddle. Their faces have a long snout – with whiskers. They actually are related to the elephant and the hyrax and it’s believed manatees evolved from wading, plant-eating animals. Adults can grow to be more than 10-feet in length and they can way up to 1,200 pounds.
They are very slow swimmers and they feed on grass in shallow streams and rivers, which makes them very accessible to swimmers of all skill levels. Chances are, if you can’t swim very well, you’ll find a tour guide that can take you to a stream shallow enough that you’ll be able to stand in the water while the manatees swim around you. Manatees prefer water only about 3-7 feet deep, so you have a terrific opportunity to find a stream in which you and your youngsters may wade easily.
Here at Waterfront Adventures: Swimming With The Manatees, we’ll provide you with everything you’ll need to wade or swim with the manatees, from a wetsuit, to swim fins and snorkel. We can accommodate you with a private tour, or you may join up to 15 other soon-to-be-manatee fans on one of our larger river tours. We don’t take any more than 15 passengers on a tour at a time because we wish to be respectful of the manatees. This also allows you a very intimate encounter with these wonderful creatures. You’ll have a chance to mingle in the water with the manatees for a minimum of two hours – our tours average three hours in length.
The winter months are best to swim with the manatees because they tend to leave the coastal rivers and streams around April, returning in the fall (around October). We do recommend that you take our tours held earlier in the day – those tours tend to give our guests the best experience with the manatees.
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Visit Us
525 NW 7th Ave, Crystal River, FL 34428
Hours
Monday–Sunday
6:30am–9pm
Phone
352-651-5004