70 reviews of Swim with Manatees at Crystal River plus Everglades Airboat Adventure
Read what other Viator.com travelers think about the Swim with Manatees at Crystal River plus Everglades Airboat Adventure. What they loved, what they liked and what they think could be improved, it's all here to help you make the most of your next trip.
Reviewed by Joseph C, April 2013
We had a great time! We came in one of the best months (March) to see the manatees. The water was a cool 72 degF (22.2 degC). We recommend renting a wetsuit at the shop ($10). There were dozens of manatees to photograph and pet. The Homomassa Wildlife Park was fun to visit, and we had a great time on the airboat ride. We even got to hold a baby alligator! The bus trip to and from the different locations was enjoyable. Breakfast and lunch was included. We would highly recommend this excursion to anyone.
Reviewed by Judith L, September 2012
It was the best part of our two weeks vacation, a day away from Disneyworld, that was well coordinated, picked up on time from hotel, back on schedule as well and friendly tour. THE BIG WOW FACTOR IS TO BE ENCOUNTERING A BABY MANATEE AND HAVE HIM COME TO ME AND TURN AROUND FOR A BELLY SCRATCH...HE (SHE) REALLY LOOKED AT ME AND WANTED TO SAY HELLO AND PLAY! .. MY 12 YEAR OLD SON ALSO TOUCHED SEVERAL..THEY LOVED HIM...so it was worth ...the whole day..as far as the airboat adventure well that would be a grade of 1 on 5....while exciting for 5 minutes.. it was rather meaningless, and felt like a tourist trap.. i think the airboat tour could be use to really show us around into some neat canals.. that river looked wonderful... i would have loved to go in there for a longer period,,,BUT the money for the manatee ! captain mike and all his patience and experience , the gear etc.. A1
Reviewed by Stephen H, June 2012
We had a blast. We were able to see several Manatees and some playful dolphins even showed up. The airboat was also fantastic. Saw a lot of alligators. The park's zoo was awesome so the whole trip was worth it. The driver and all the people who went were a lot of fun. Thanks!!
Reviewed by Emma B, April 2012
The most amazing experience ever! Can not reccomend it highly enough. We swam with hundreds of manatees, a truely unique day. Can't wait to do it agin!
Reviewed by ALICE N, March 2012
Good value for the money. Only suggestion to change is skip the breakfast or find another location. Breakfast ok but hard to get a cup of coffee and refills nonexistant. Would rather have met a little later and eaten on our own.
Reviewed by Janice N, January 2012
This is a fabulous and unforgettable swim with magical creatures. Not to be missed!
Reviewed by Cyril S, January 2012
Nous avons passé une excellente journée. Notre guide Madaline était très sympa et drôle. Nous avons eu la chance de trouver très rapidement des lamantins qui sont tout de suite venus nous voir: c'était super.
Le tour en airboat (wild bill) était tout simplement génial. L'endroit où nous avons navigué était sauvage et vraiment magnifique.
Le petit déj chez Sizzler était bien et le panier repas très complet (sandwich, chips, eau, jus de fruit, salade de fruits, cookies).
Seul bémol: les combis pour nager avec les lamantins doivent être réglées à l'avance (10$) et donc pas possible de se desister: mon fils de 4 ans a eu peur des lamantins et n'est pas allé nager avec eux mais nous avons payé pour lui.
Reviewed by shradhanand l, August 2011
Excellent day adventure with pleasant host and lots of fun for the family. Recommended trip.
Reviewed by paul o, August 2011
Fantastic trip from beginning to end. Seeing the joy on my husband's face when he was face to face with a manatee - priceless
Reviewed by Katie G, July 2011
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip... Great weather.. Great guides.. Organised and would definately recommend! Amazing sightings! Up close and personal. Staff have a wide knowledge, good length of time in water and with the manatees.
Reviewed by Erin H, May 2011
We only swam with the manatees and did not do the airboat adventure. Loved the manatee swim!! It was so much fun to touch them and be with them. Very cool experience!! The Three Sisters Spring was breathtaking. The water was crystal clear.
My only disappointment was that there were not a lot of manatees with which to swim. We went the first week in May, and since the weather was warmer, most of the manatees had left the Crystal River. There were not any in the Spring. If I were to go again, I would do it in the winter months when the manatees would be in abundance.
This is definitely a worthwhile experience. I am so glad that we did it!!
Reviewed by nicola r, April 2011
This tour was the best part of my holiday, we got to swim with two manatees (we were told we might not see any, April is out of season ) the captain was great , the bus driver was funny and helpful, the breakfast and packed lunch were great, the stop off at homasssa park was lovely, the air boat ride was ok, had better and at 5pm at night getting wet before the long drive is not the best , but all in all a awesome day and one to remember for a long time. ( lunch was ham and cheese roll, crisps, cookies, fruit bowl, water and juice ) a nice normal pack up, and nice and cold, also I recommend the wetsuit keeps you warm and helps you float and bring a waterproof disposable camera made my day getting a full underwater face shot of a baby manatee , they swim right up to you if your quite and not splashing about .
Photo by: Cyril S
Doing what: Swim with Manatees at Crystal River plus Everglades Airboat Adventure
