Top Crystal River Outdoor Activities

Get up close to Florida’s manatees on this small-group snorkeling adventure. With an expert guide leading the way, swim alongside these gentle giants in Kings Bay. All tours include a full wetsuit, mask, snorkel, towel service, heated changing facilities, and hot showers. Photos and video of your excursion are available for purchase.

Get to know central Florida’s endangered manatees on this boat tour. Swim and snorkel with these gentle giants at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, located in King’s Bay in the town of Crystal River — well known as the home of the manatee. Photos above and below the water will be taken throughout the tour and can be purchased afterward, if desired. Use of a mask, snorkel gear and wet suit, plus fees and beverages are included.

Snorkel with manatees in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, and get an up-close, underwater view of the unique marine mammals. Since each boat is limited to six passengers, you’ll enjoy personalized assistance as you snorkel through clear water where manatees eat and swim. A provided wetsuit helps ensure you’re comfortable throughout the experience.

Snorkel with manatees in the Crystal River on a wildlife tour that gets you close to the West Indian Manatees that flock to the Crystal River's many freshwater springs. Learn about the remarkable manatees and the ecosystem they depend on, then slip into the water to see the manatees as they swim and feed. Wetsuits and all snorkeling equipment are included in this Crystal River manatee tour, with warm drinks served on board the boat.

One of the densest populations of West Indian manatees can be found in Crystal River, Florida. Swim alongside the gentle creatures on a trip into the river, with a wetsuit and snorkel mask included. Your guide, who navigates to the best spotting locations, accompanies you into the water in addition to taking souvenir photos available for purchase. To ensure your comfort, dry towels, hot drinks, and showers are provided.

Swim with manatees on this nature-focused Crystal River tour. Appreciate these majestic animals in their natural habitat, under the watchful eye of an in-the-water guide who strives to ensure safe and respectful interactions between human and manatee at all times. Tours include snorkeling gear at no additional cost, and professional underwater photos are available for purchase after the tour.

Crystal River is home to one of the densest manatee populations in the country. With the trained eye of your guide, visit the best spotting locations to swim with the gentle giants of King’s Bay. The private tour ensures the full attention of your guide, as well as closer interaction with the manatees. For your comfort and convenience, wetsuits, hot drinks, and towel service are included.

Get to know central Florida’s endangered manatees on this private, 3-hour tour and boat cruise. Swim and snorkel with these gentle giants at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, located in King’s Bay in the town of Crystal River — well known as the home of the manatee. Photos above and below the water will be taken throughout the tour and can be purchased later, if desired. Use of a mask, snorkel gear and wet suit, plus fees and beverages are included.

Zip through the canals and backwaters of Homosassa on this airboat ride. Hold on to your seat as you take in views of Battle Creek, Sam’s Bayou, Salt River, Shriver's Bay, and the Little Homosassa, before returning to the dock. Keep an eye out for local wildlife such as dolphins, manatees, and maybe even a gator.

Take a 1-hour airboat ride through the waters of the Gulf of Mexico on this tour from Homosassa. You'll zoom through estuaries and backwaters, looking for dolphins as you go. Select a morning or afternoon departure time when booking.

Join us on a journey through the beautiful waters of our 640 acre King's Bay. Throughout the expedition, you will have the opportunity to view the beautiful nature and wildlife that we are known for including over 70 freshwater springs including the best spring, which is Three Sister Springs. You will have the opportunity to possibly view dolphins, manatees, pelicans, tarpon, turtles, otters, and many more of the local wildlife.  There will be plenty of chances to take pictures on our guided tours and a picture package will be available for purchase at the end of your tour.

Swim with the manatees on a half-day pontoon boat tour of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, a marine refuge designed to protect the threatened Florida manatee. Learn about the fascinating marine mammals on a tour designed for spotting manatees without disturbing them or disrupting their habitat, and explore a scenic Florida ecosystem. This small-group experience is limited to six people for personalized service, and all equipment, entrance fees, water and hot drinks, and snacks are included.

This is a great way to see the sights and everything going on below you in the water from the BEST perspective. Our water bikes are human-powered and is the best eco-friendly way to get around the area to see everything Crystal River has to offer. You can see manatees swim directly underneath your bike, which is an incredible view to experience. The water bikes easily hold up to 300 pounds and have adjustable seats for all different heights of riders.

We have the newest rental equipment in Crystal River with top-notch customer service. Our kayaks are Crescent Kayaks, which are top-rated for stability and very easy to paddle as well.

Get up close to Florida’s gentle manatees on this 2-hour tour on Crystal River! Perfect for kids and adults, this educational program offers a presentation on the West Indian manatee and the rare chance to swim with these docile sea creatures. Enjoy some unforgettable moments with your friends, family and some irresistible marine mammals.

Explore Kings Bay in a relaxing way on a scenic cruise. Sail around the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and look for local wildlife as your captain shares the history of the area. Manatees, dolphins, otters, and turtles are often spotted in the area. The boat is fully covered for protection from sun and rain.

Explore the calm waters of the Homosassa head springs and see native manatees during this half-day tour. Begin with an introductory session about passive interaction, a way to swim with the manatees without disturbing their natural behavior. Get out on the water and jump in to swim around these docile giants, endangered and living only in this part of Florida. Learn about their biology and behavior from your certified captain and walk away with purchased photographs of your experience.

Our three hour guided "Swim With the Manatees" tour is our number one attraction. You will get to experience manatees up close and personal and your tour with us is limited to 10 visitors maximum. It is a very private experience with our local manatees that you will never forget. We have top of the line equipment and our guides are locals who know our waters very well so you can spot several manatees. You will learn the right way to interact with these amazing animals through passive observation and learn all about our ecosystem here in Crystal River.

We have the newest rental equipment in Crystal River with top-notch customer service. Our kayaks are Crescent Kayaks, which are top-rated for stability and very easy to paddle as well.

Want to swim with the manatees but looking for a more private experience? Book a private tour for just your group to have the boat all to yourself. On this tour, you can bring up to 10 guests for the same price. Call for larger groups. We are committed to transparency, so all gear is included and there are no additional charges for anything!! Our boats are US Coast Guard Certified meaning they can safely accommodate more than 6 passengers, have all necessary safety equipment, and are in tip top shape. Dont fall for the "small tours" of "only 6" and get stuck on a clunker! Book with Explorida!! Swimming with the manatees is a once in a lifetime experience so do it right! Dont cram into a small dive shop. Spread out and enjoy plenty of space at Explorida! The Explorida Adventure Center offers a large, top notch facility that is climate controlled with indoor changing rooms for your privacy. We are dedicated to the customer experience and will not disappoint! Let us prove it!

We have the newest rental equipment in Crystal River with top-notch customer service. Our kayaks are Crescent Kayaks, which are top-rated for stability and very easy to paddle as well.

We have the best rental equipment in town. We have new Crescent kayaks to keep you safe on your journey. They are very stable and can hold up to 300 pounds. Our customers love our equipment and our customer service. Book with us and feel the difference.

We offer guided tours and get an amazing chance to see them right under your kayak in our 100% CLEAR kayaks!

Spend a day exploring Florida’s Nature Coast on this tour that combines two adventures in one. First, observe manatees in their natural habitat. After a break for lunch, suit up to snorkel or scuba dive in Rainbow River. Along the way, look for many species of wildlife including otters, birds, turtles, alligator gar, and more.