Small Group Manatee Tour With In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

Exploring the serene waterways of Crystal River, Florida, the Small Group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer offers an unparalleled opportunity to encounter the gentle West Indian manatee. Led by a U.S. Coast Guard-certified captain and an insured in-water guide, this personalized tour ensures a safe and immersive experience for a maximum of 6 travelers. With all necessary gear provided, including wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, guests can fully enjoy the natural habitat of these magnificent creatures. But the real highlight? The professional-quality photos captured to commemorate the shared adventure, allowing you to relive the enchanting encounter long after the tour has ended.

Just The Basics

• Small group tours (maximum 6 travelers) for an intimate manatee observation experience with personalized attention from an insured in-water guide and photographer.
• Provision of essential gear, including 5mm wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, ensuring guest comfort and focus on the manatee encounter.
• Guided tours to the best manatee habitat locations in Crystal River, Florida, led by a US Coast Guard certified captain.
• Professional-quality souvenir photos captured by the in-water guide/photographer, providing unique perspectives of guests interacting with the manatees.
• Moderate physical fitness required, with guides available to assist guests and accommodate individual needs, ensuring a safe and enjoyable tour.

Tour Overview

Visitors can enjoy the natural habitat of manatees during this small group tour in Crystal River, Florida, which provides an in-water guide and photographer to enhance the experience.

The tour offers the opportunity to swim with the gentle giants, known as the West Indian manatees, which congregate in Crystal River in large numbers.

Equipped with wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, participants can explore the crystal-clear waters and observe the manatees in their natural environment.

The in-water guide, who’s a certified divemaster, leads the group to the best spotting locations and captures souvenir photos to commemorate the encounter.

The tour also includes amenities such as dry towels, hot drinks, and boat coats for cold mornings, ensuring a comfortable and memorable experience.

Included Amenities

This tour provides a range of amenities to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for participants.

Visitors are outfitted with full 5mm wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, allowing them to enjoy the manatees’ natural habitat without feeling the chill of the water.

The tour includes coffee, hot chocolate, and bottled water to warm up on chilly mornings, as well as towel service for drying off after the swim.

The tour also includes a US Coast Guard certified captain and an insured in-water guide, who’ll provide gratuities.

Participants can purchase a DVD or flash drive of souvenir photos taken during the tour.

Meeting and Pickup

The meeting point for this tour is 9301 W Fort Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA, where you will gather before departing for the Plantation on Crystal River, which serves as the departure point.

From there, the tour will take guests to the best manatee spotting locations, with a U.S. Coast Guard certified captain and an insured in-water guide leading the way.

At the end of the tour, the group will return to the original meeting point.

Guests should arrive on time to ensure a smooth start to their manatee swimming adventure. The tour’s meeting and pickup logistics are designed to provide a seamless and convenient experience for all participants.

Cancellation Policy

Full refunds are offered if the tour is canceled at least 24 hours in advance.

No refunds are provided for cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time, and changes within 24 hours of the start time aren’t accepted.

Weather-dependent cancellations, however, allow for either a different date or a full refund.

Cancellations less than 24 hours before the start time aren’t eligible for a refund.

Changes to the booking within 24 hours of the start time aren’t accepted.

Weather-related cancellations provide the option of a full refund or a rescheduled tour date.

Full refunds are available for cancellations made at least 24 hours in advance.

Guests should review the cancellation policy carefully when booking the tour.

Physical Requirements

Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level to participate in this manatee tour. The tour involves swimming with manatees in their natural habitat, which requires some physical exertion.

Guests will be provided with wetsuits, masks, and snorkels, but they’ll need to be able to swim and navigate the water for an extended period. While the guides are on hand to assist and offer support, participants should be comfortable in the water and able to move around with relative ease.

The tour isn’t recommended for those with significant mobility issues or who aren’t confident swimmers. However, the guides work to accommodate guests’ needs and abilities to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe experience.

Group Size

A maximum of 6 travelers per tour allows for an intimate and personalized manatee encounter, enabling the in-water guide to provide attentive supervision and photography assistance to each guest.

This small group size ensures:

• Increased one-on-one time with the divemaster/photographer for guidance and support.
• Easier navigation and maneuvering in the water to observe manatees up close.
• Reduced disturbance to the manatees, preserving their natural behavior.
• Personalized attention to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort.
• Enhanced camaraderie and shared experience among the tour participants.

Wetsuit Availability

The tour provider offers wet-suits in various sizes to accommodate guests of all body types, ensuring a comfortable and secure experience in the water. Whether you’re tall or short, slender or curvier, they’ve got you covered.

The wet-suits are made of 5mm neoprene, providing ample insulation against the cool waters of the Crystal River. Guests don’t need to worry about bringing their own gear, as the tour includes the full wet-suit, mask, and snorkel.

This attention to detail ensures everyone can focus on the main attraction – swimming alongside the manatees in their natural habitat. With the proper equipment provided, guests can enjoy the wonder of this unique encounter.

Photographic Souvenirs

With an in-water divemaster/photographer on the tour, guests can capture souvenir photos to commemorate their up-close encounter with the manatees.

The guide, experienced in both underwater photography and leading these tours, helps position guests for the best shots and can provide a DVD or flash drive containing the photos at the end of the experience.

Guests can take home professional-quality images of:

• Manatees swimming gracefully through the crystal-clear waters
• Unique underwater perspectives of the gentle giants
• Personal moments interacting with the curious creatures
• Detailed shots highlighting the manatees’ distinctive features
• Group photos to remember the shared adventure

These keepsake photos allow travelers to relive the magic of their manatee encounter long after the tour has ended.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Time of Year Is Best to See Manatees?

The best time to see manatees is during the winter months, typically from November to March, when they migrate to warmer coastal waters like the Crystal River in Florida to escape the colder temperatures of their northern habitats.

Can I Bring My Own Snorkeling Equipment?

Yes, you can bring your own snorkeling equipment. However, the tour provider offers wet suits, masks, and snorkels as part of the package, which may be more convenient for participants. The use of the provided equipment is included in the tour price.

Are Life Jackets Provided for the Boat Ride?

Yes, life jackets are provided for the boat ride. The tour operator ensures all participants have access to Coast Guard-approved life jackets as a safety precaution during the water portion of the experience.

What Should I Bring to Keep Warm During the Tour?

The tour provides a 5mm wetsuit to keep visitors warm during the boat ride and snorkeling with manatees. Travelers may also want to bring a jacket or sweater for the chilly mornings on the water.

Are There Any Age Restrictions for the Tour?

The tour has no age restrictions, but children must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should have a moderate physical fitness level to enter the water and swim with the manatees.

Sum Up

The small group manatee tour with in-water divemaster/photographer offers an immersive and personalized experience to encounter the gentle West Indian manatees in their natural habitat.

With a maximum group size of 6, travelers receive all necessary gear and are guided by experienced professionals, who capture professional-quality photos to commemorate the shared adventure.

This tour provides an exclusive and memorable opportunity to observe these fascinating marine mammals in their natural setting.