3 hours · Up to 6
3-Hour Private VIP Manatee Tour
The whole boat for your group.
| Private charter | $450 |
|---|
Editorial spotlight · Dock B, Homosassa
2026 Sunshine Awards nomineeBest Manatee Encounter
Swim With Manatees
Six guests a boat on the Homosassa River, which runs warm year-round and holds manatees when Crystal River is shoulder to shoulder. Wetsuits, masks and snorkels come with the trip, and the captains get in the water with you.
- Shared tour
- $81
- Private boat
- $450
- 4.8
- Reviews
- 738
Editorial spotlight. Swim With Manatees is a nominee in the 2026 Sunshine Awards. They did not pay for this page and had no say in it. We earn a commission when you book through the links here; your price is the same.
The operation
Twenty-six years on the Homosassa
The company describes itself as a twenty-six-year-old, locally owned operation working the Homosassa River and the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Boats cap at six guests whether you book a seat or the whole thing, which is the number that decides whether a manatee encounter feels like wildlife watching or a queue.
Everything is included: wetsuits, masks and snorkels, in-water guidance, and the captains who hand you a phone and shoot the photos themselves if you have not hired the event photographer. The same boats run Monkey Island river cruises past the island’s resident spider monkeys and a Gulf dolphin quest.
“Our goal isn’t simply to help you see a manatee. Our goal is to help you understand one.”
The site does not list a full roster; reviewers name Captains Cephas, Yves, Sean and Chris, photographer Brooke, and Parker.
The one to book
3-Hour Swim With Manatees Tour
Three hours on the Homosassa with a briefing, a wetsuit and a guide in the water. Winter is the crowd season when the Gulf cools and the manatees move up the spring runs; a resident population stays year-round.
$81 a seat shared, with a discounted rate at $74.99 on some departures. A private boat for up to six is $450, four hours $585.
| Shared seat | $81 |
|---|---|
| Private, up to 6 | $450 |
| Four-hour private | $585 |
Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
Check AvailabilityWhat comes with it
Gear, guides and photos
Per the homepage and the booking listings.
Gear
- Included
- Wetsuit, mask, snorkel
- Water
- Spring-fed, about 72°F
Group size
- Per boat
- Six, shared or private
- Guide
- In the water with you
Photos
- Captains
- Shoot on your phone
- Event photographer
- $124.99 add-on
Book it
Tours
Shared seats per person; private boats per charter. Checked against FareHarbor on October 2, 2026.
4 hours · Up to 6
4-Hour Private Swim With Manatees
More water time, same six.
| Private charter | $585 |
|---|
6 hours · Up to 6
6-Hour Private Manatee Tour with Dockside Lunch
The long day, lunch at the dock.
| Private charter | $999.99 |
|---|
River cruise · Shared
Monkey Island River Cruises
Past the island with the resident spider monkeys.
| Per person | $49 |
|---|---|
| Private | $275 |
2 hours · Shared
Gulf of Mexico Dolphin Quest
Down the river and out for dolphins.
| Per person | $55 |
|---|
River cruise · Shared
Eco River Cruises, Homosassa Springs
The spring run without getting in.
| Per person | $59 |
|---|
Before you go
Know before you go
Departure
Dock B, 5297 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa. Boats board early; check-in times run from before sunrise in winter.
Season
Winter is peak, when manatees crowd the warm springs. A resident group stays year-round.
Gear
Wetsuit, mask and snorkel included. The water sits around 72 degrees, which feels cold in January air.
Photos
Captains shoot on your phone; a dedicated event photographer can be added for $124.99.
Reviews
What guests say
- 4.8Google738 reviews as of October 2, 2026
- 6GuestsPer boat, shared or private
- 26YearsLocally owned, per the site
Reviewers name Captains Cephas, Yves and Sean and photographer Brooke, mention turtles, tarpon and dolphins on the same run, and praise the ethical handling of the animals.
Questions
Good to know
Where does it leave from?
Dock B, 5297 S Cherokee Way, Homosassa.
What does it cost?
$81 for a shared three-hour tour; $450 for a private boat. Checked October 2, 2026.
Is a wetsuit included?
Yes, along with mask and snorkel. The water is about 72 degrees year-round.
When should I go?
Winter for numbers; a resident group stays through the summer.
Six people and a spring-fed river
Shared tours at $81, your own boat at $450.
Check Availability