Manatee Tour Testimonials

How was your experience with the manatees?

Write us a review here.

5/5

Funny and knowledgeable

Captain Tom and his first mate and our guide Melanie were an amazing duo. They were funny and knowledgeable. Melanie was a great guide in the water and Captain Tom was great on the water. They’re energy played back and forth perfectly and was contagious. So even though the water felt about 40 and the rain sucked they made the most of the situation and key the whole experience positive. If you plan on checking out “Captain Mike’s Manatee Tour”
I would highly recommend these two for your guides.

February 2023
5/5

Could not have asked for a better tour

My family and I just finished our private manatee tour with captain Sean and Tory. We could not have asked for a better tour. We saw dozens of manatees. They brushed up against all of us. Tory was extremely knowledgeable about all of the creatures in the water. Sean was an expert on the manatee and all of the waters and creatures, too. You will not be disappointed. My children weren’t too excited about it (they’re 4 and 6) and captain Sean and Tory went the extra mile to make them feel comfortable and unafraid. If you’re on the fence about it, book this trip. You will not be disappointed.

February 2023
5/5

Friendly and very smart guides

Hats off to Elizabeth, our guide and Captain DJ- our friendly and very smart guides and learned all about Habitat Preservation for these precious animals- we all need to be stewards to the manatees and protect their home

February 2023
5/5

Great experience

We rented 2 single kayaks from Captain Mikes. Location on the river was excellent and easy to find. Service in the office was great. Kayaks were prepped and ready to paddle. Short paddle to Three Sisters and other areas. We viewed many Manatee’s from our kayaks(too many to actually keep count). Also swam with mask and snorkel. Great experience.

February 2023
5/5

Would totally book them again

We had a great time with Chaz and Melanie today. Saw TONS of manatees and got some great photos. They had lots of good insight into the surrounding area. Would totally book them again.

February 2023
5/5

Will recommend Captain Mike's to everyone we know

From the young people behind the counter at the shop to the tour guide and captain, everyone here is knowledgeable, patient, and kind! Since there were 5 people in out party, we chose a semi-private tour. Both out tour guide, Jessica, and our captain Tom answered all our questions about everything from manatees to local eateries. When we got a bit chilly and went back on the boat Captain Tom warmed us up with hot chocolate and Jessica waited in the water to get more picture. When Jessica spotted a playful “tater tot” (a calf) she encouraged us to come back in for more fun! Thank you for wonderful morning. We will recommend Captain Mike’s to everyone we know.

January 2023
5/5

Friendly and very smart guides

The highlight of our Bucket list last USA road trip

We were made to feel welcome start to finish. The wetsuit fitted perfectly and the boat set off. Great guys on the boat answered our questions on all manner of things We came from Scotland so we wanted to ask a lot bout Crystal River and not all about Manatees

The Manatees were super friendly and inquisitive and really interacted with us. My husband preferred to watch mainly from the boat but he got to see plenty of Manatees and got some great pictures from his viewpoint also.
I will never forget that sweet bristly face looking directly into my eyes and gently nudging me. Really trusting. An ethereal experience

I urge you to go and do it. Thank you all at Captain Mikes

January 2023
5/5

Amazing from start to finish

The whole experience was amazing from start to finish. I was on my own and given a great welcome by all staff especially when on the boat where the Captain Chaz ask me and the other two people in the group where we were from, he was extremely knowledgeable of the area pointing out lots of different wildlife as we sailed. Melanie was excellent filled with good humour and ensuring we were positioned well to watch the manatees in their wild environment.

It was amazing to float for about an hour in two different locations with wild manatees and be able to observe them. The company, Captain Mike, and local region show these animals great respect which I find very encouraging.

A great trip for groups or solo visitors.

January 2023
5/5

Best experience of my life!

For my best friends surprise birthday present we took her to Captain Mike’s! Tom was our captain and Jacob was our “in water guide”— both were INCREDIBLE humans!! Both were extremely knowledgeable and the entire time told us crazy cool facts about the manatees and the crystal springs! We went to two springs, Jurassic Springs (and I forget the other one haha!)

Jurassic was CRAZY covered with other tourists, and LOTS of kayakers! There was this ONE other tour group from a completely different company where the lead brunette female guide literally grabbed me and my friend and said “I’m going to push you guys back that way okay? You’re drifting downstream towards our group!” And she pushed us 40 feet away from the manatees we were there with watching first! That was the only downside but it had NOTHING to do with Captain Mike or our experience with this amazing company!!! If anything it just proves how much better Captain Mikes employees are than the competitors!

I would suggest that you spray LOTS of that spray on your goggles and wipe it around REALLLLY good so the masks don’t fog up! And when you go to rinse in the bucket of water just very QUICKLY dunk it in and out so you don’t wipe it all out and away! It helps keep the goggles not so fogged up!!

I also recommend going in January when the manatees are ALL over the springs because they’re searching for that same water!!! It wasn’t cold at all!!

BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE I WILL NEVER EVER FORGET THIS TRIP!!!!!

10000000 out of 10 HIGHLY recommend this wonderful once in a lifetime experience!

January 2023
5/5

Worth every single penny

So we just finished the platinum tour with Captain Michael and Baby Tee of Capt Mike’s. Worth every single penny. Both guides were informative and absolutely knew where to go and what to do. Another guide service had given up and Captain Michael said just wait, and sure enough the manatee was there and we were all alone with the manatee. Highly recommend.

August 2022