Tours & Activities in Crystal River

The Chassahowitzka River, often referred to as "The Chaz" by locals, is a pristine spring-fed waterway, abundant with diverse wildlife and lush vegetation. As you glide over the gentle currents in our transparent kayaks, you'll have a window into the river's vibrant aquatic life. It's common to spot manatees, playful otters, and a variety of fish beneath you, while overhead, eagles and ospreys soar against the backdrop of a brilliant blue sky.

Join us for a 100% clear kayak tour through the active waterways of Crystal River! Hundreds of manatees make Crystal River their home during the colder months on our Manatee Tour (November 14 - March 31), and some stick around all year to enjoy the refreshing water from Hunter Springs. Our 2 different tour options each give a unique perspective on this incredibly popular location. Come paddle with us! * Due to the Canal Stabilization Project, Three Sisters Springs will be closed this season (April 1st - November 14th), we still expect an incredible season and are excited to share several of the many beautiful springs in Kings Bay. This season, you will get the opportunity to visit Hunter Springs, Jurassic Springs, and House Springs on your clear kayak tour!* *tandem kayaks only unless there is an odd numbered party* *weight limit is 250 lbs per person AND no more than 425 lbs per kayak*

Glide through the backwaters and estuaries of the Homosassa River as it spills into the Gulf of Mexico, and pass historic Indian shell mounds aboard an airboat. Look for dolphins and other wildlife with the help of US Coast Guard guide.

Our owner-operated tours specialize in small group family-oriented excursions!! Our locally owned operation runs maximum 6 passenger vessels, ensuring as private of an experience possible for you and your loved ones! Our tour guides have countless years of experience working in the water with guests of all ages around the world and specialize in family oriented groups to give you the highest quality experience swimming with these wild manatees! As a small operating tour company our guides are able to work closely one on one with you to ensure a fun stress free experience that you deserve. If your group is smaller, you can rent out the whole boat to ensure that you have a more private experience! As a small, locally-owned company, quality is everything to us and our seasoned crew will make sure that you and your family have the best experience possible with us! All necessary gear is included with the tour, so all you have to do is arrive ready for an incredible adventure!

Board a clear Kayak and experience an eco-friendly tour to look for manatees in the beautiful waters of Crystal River. Join expert local guides as you explore an underwater world filled with wildlife.

Our guided "Swim With the Manatees" tour is our number one attraction. You get the opportunity to experience manatees up close and personal in their natural habitat on colder days. Manatee season runs from November 15th through March 31st each year. We have amazing local guides who know our waters very well so you could spot several manatees in the right conditions. The colder the temperatures, the more manatees you will see. On warmer days/weeks, some tours get zero manatees because it is a natural environment and they are not always around to see. The manatees head back out to the Gulf of Mexico where the food supply is more bountiful for them. 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.

An experience of a lifetime awaits you on this exciting 3 hour snorkeling tour to Swim with Manatees in their natural habitat. Located just 1.5 hours from the attractions area of Orlando, the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the only place in the U.S. where you can experience the manatees up close and face to face. On this Semi-Private Manatee Snorkel Tour, you will enjoy the benefits of a small group. This tour is our most popular as it is limited to a maximum of only 6 participants.

Go Local Manatee Tours offers unforgettable, up-close and personal manatee encounters in Crystal River, Florida. Our daily 6-passenger semi-private tours prioritize responsible tourism and minimize the impact on the manatees and their environment. By keeping our tour groups small, we provide a comfortable and relaxing experience while protecting the locals (aka manatees). We are committed to being environmentally conscious while delivering an exciting and educational experience. As an owner-operated small business, we have a deep connection to Crystal River and a passion for keeping the wildlife wild. Can't wait to join you on this incredible adventure!

As the leaders in the industry we feel it is our duty to have all our tours conducted by professionals. Our Manatee snorkel tours are guided by USCG Captain as well as a licensed and insured dive professional. Our in water professionals are trained as first responders, with First aid, CPR, AED administration and in-water rescue training. Captain and guides are also trained in manatee manners, through the Manatee Eco Tourism Association in coordination with United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The training allows us to lead the industry by operating the saftest tours on the water for our guest and manatees alike.

Crystal River is home to beautiful fresh water springs, a large variety of wildlife, and or course our most famous residents - West Indian Manatees. During the Summer months, the Bay holds approximately 75 to 80 resident manatees. Each winter between 700 and 1000 manatees migrate here seeking out our three first magnitude spring systems, each with a constant temperature of 72° to 74° F (23° C). Even in the warm summer months, Crystal River has a local population of 70-100 manatees that remain here year round. Due to efforts by many local, state and federal entities, our manatee population is thriving. We feel that an in-water swim experience is an important part of this education and conservation effort. Our team of highly trained in-water guides ensure your experience with this cherished and threatened species is handled with the utmost care and respect by encouraging passive observation. With only 6 passengers per boat you are guaranteed a special small group interaction.

Make an escape to the island feeling by taking our boat ride. We will cruise the famous waters of Crystal River. There is a ton to see an experience. From the jaw-dropping manatees, the beautiful scenery, and the of course, the clear waters. Bring along friends and family as we captain the boat for a stress free cruise around the town on our Tiki Boat. Complete with a thatch roof, plenty of seating, and the best part...plenty of room for coolers! There is no better get away grabbing the vibes of the islands aboard this shaded cruise vessel. It will be sure to impress you, and leave wondering why you didn't do this sooner.

Your Deluxe Manatee Swim Tour provides a unique opportunity to view Florida's Nature Coast.  CRWS is a proud member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program - promoting passive observation and responsible eco tourism. Your tour will take you past a state Archaeological Park, a State Nature Preserve and to a National Wildlife Refuge. You may view up to 57 varieties of birds, river otters, deer, pigs dolphins, a variety of fish and turtles besides the opportunity to swim in the area of the gentle giants manatees.

If you are looking for an experience that is both serene and thrilling, look no further than the motorized paddleboard tour at Crystal River Preserve. With Old Florida waters that are lively and exciting, it’s the perfect place to indulge in some much-needed relaxation or dive into the world of adventure. This is a seriously fun, unforgettable experience! On the tour we will explore around the preserve, stopping along the way to enjoy the scenery and wildlife. We might see alligators, manatees, different species of fish and birds. Our electric paddleboards are wide and stable, even beginners will have a great time. All skill levels are welcome to join, we offer a lesson before each tour. We typically cruise 4-6 mph but can paddle even faster if we want. Going on the days where the wind pushes you in the opposite direction ? Our PowerBoard keeps you on course going into the breeze. Finally, a watersport that everyone can enjoy!

Just like our regular tours, you can swim alongside manatees for even longer. Only 6 people per vessel allows for a more personal experience The price includes all equipment, full 5mm wet suits, mask, snorkel, towel service, hot chocolate, coffee, hot showers, boat coats and heated changing facility.

Enjoy a high-end experience at an affordable price and explore the home of manatees aboard a luxury pontoon boat. Embark on a 3-hour cruise through King's Bay Wildlife Refuge and encounter the gentle giants up close and personal.

Blue Grotto is a spring fed cavern dive. There is a large open water basin that reaches about 40ft in depth with 3 platforms, then the deeper large upper cavern reaches the 50ft depth with a dive bell, allowing divers to take out their regulators and breathe compressed air that is supplied to the bell from the surface. To go deeper than 60ft, divers must have their Advanced Open water Certification. Blue Grotto boasts beautiful blue water and cool wildlife with tons of fish and a friendly turtle named Virgil.

Experience Shooting firearms you see in modern day video games with the aid of a certified Firearms professional. No firearm experience needed and great for beginners and experienced shooters alike. Shoot a Glock 19 handgun with red dot optic. An AR-15 semi-automatic rifle paired with a red dot optic and the powerful AK-47! All ammunition, equipment and instruction included.

We will let you in on a secret! You can get the high-end experience, with an affordable price tag! Our new heated (during winter), luxury pontoon aims to amp up the manatee sighting and deliver a more personal event! Observe the endangered West Indian Manatee in Crystal River’s idyllic Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Your US Coast Guard licensed captains and guides will take you into the 600 acre spring fed refuge waters for viewing and snorkeling with these slow moving wild giants. All equipment, fees, snacks and beverages are included.

Swim with the majestic manatees in the spring-fed Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Then drive to Homosassa for a rip roaring good time on an airboat. Ride, slide and glide up and down the Homosassa River while searching for dolphins.

Swim with the gentle manatees in the clear waters of the Crystal River of Florida. Visit the Homosassa State Park, home to a variety of endangered species including the state panther. This is the perfect tour choice for the whole family to enjoy.

Enjoy excellent fishing, beautiful surroundings, swimming with the manatees, and fun in the sun at the LOWEST PRICE in the area when you rent a boat from Crystal River Adventures. Our half-day rentals are $200 for 4 hours, 6 passengers max. Departs are either 8:00 am or 1:00 pm. Our 18-foot Pontoon Boat is equipped with 60HP Yamaha and forward fishing chairs plus a live well.

CRWS is proud to be a member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program, promoting responsible eco tourism with manatees. You will get to experience the two best attractions/tours in the area.  You will start with a Deluxe Manatee tour break for lunch and then explore scenic Rainbow River.  You will get to view some of the best of Florida's Nature Coast. You will have a boat tour of the area, swim with manatees and later snorkel or scuba down Rainbow river.  Along the way you may see, deer, pigs, otters, dozens of birds, turtles, manatees, alligator gars, and more.  Certified SCUBA divers can dive down Rainbow otherwise you may snorkel it.

We are an Owner operated small Business. Born and raised right here in down town Crystal river. Go local takes pride in giving you a unique and local history lesson about the area and the manatees. We specialize in small group tours. Where we can assure a personable experience for our guests. While also being educational and eco conscious.

All of our tours are led by US Coast Guard Certified Captains who pride themselves on providing fun, informative and personal experiences. As a family and locally-owned business, we specialize in family-friendly tours, so we keep this tour to a maximum of six passengers to ensure an intimate experience for your family. Our knowledgeable Captain will ensure your party has a great time as they lead you through the headwaters of the Crystal River. Highlighted by the Florida Manatee, our Bay is home to a variety of different animal and bird species year-round! Discover all that Crystal River has to offer with the number one tour operator!

We provide an amazing in water experience to swim with manatees. In this private tour on our enclosed heated boats you will get to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Kings Bay as we make our way to get up close and personal with the peaceful manatees. While you are in the water we will capture your memories for you with our in water guide/photographer leading you through your experience.

As the leaders in the industry we feel it is our duty to have all our tours conducted by professionals. Our Manatee snorkel tours are guided by USCG Captain as well as a licensed and insured dive professional. Our in water professionals are trained as first responders, with First aid, CPR, AED administration and in-water rescue training. Captain and guides are also trained in manatee manners, through the Manatee Eco Tourism Association in coordination with United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The training allows us to lead the industry by operating the saftest tours on the water for our guest and manatees alike.

Join us as we explore the Kings Bay National Wildlife Refuge to find and swim alongside the gentle giants. As you embark on your journey, your Captain and In-Water Guide will teach you everything you need to know about interacting with these gentle creatures. In addition to learning manatee facts and their behavioral patterns, our captains are extremely knowledgeable about the Crystal River and Florida’s manatees, so they’ll be able to answer any questions you may have. Our tours include: full wet suits, mask, snorkel, and coffee and hot cholate All of our tours leave from our onsite private docks, with heated changing facility and hot showers.

Crystal River is home to beautiful fresh water springs, a large variety of wildlife, and or course our famous manatee residents! This in-water manatee snorkel experience is EXTRA special since the 6-passenger boat is strictly dedicated to you and your party and includes a FREE photo package. ($40 value.) Each winter between 700 and 1000 manatees migrate here seeking out our three first magnitude spring systems, each with a constant temperature of 72° to 74° F (23° C). Even in the warm summer months, Crystal River has a local population of 70-100 manatees that remain here year round. Due to efforts by many local, state and federal entities, our manatee population is thriving. We feel that an in-water swim experience is an important part of this education and conservation effort. Our team of highly trained in-water guides ensure your experience with this cherished and threatened species is handled with the utmost care and respect by encouraging passive observation.

Enjoy the beauty of Crystal River and the thrill of seeing our majestic wildlife on your own private, 3 hour tour. Your in water guide will lead you in the water with our Florida Manatees. All equipment is included in the price, as well as hot beverages and snacks. As an added bonus, we will include the photos and videos from your trip!

Explore the twisting mangroves and clear water flats in search of many inshore fish species. Discover the beauty and fresh air of old Florida along the nature coast.