Tours & Activities in Crystal River

Our captains have been scalloping and fishing the waters of the gulf of Mexico for a combined 40+ years. This means we have the knowledge (and GPS locations) to ensure a successful day on the water. Safety is paramount, so your guided charter includes an in-water guide to help you start "finding" your catch as well as a USCG certified Master Captain aboard your vessel at all times. This charter is 7-hours & includes a stop at one of our local springs so you can wash the salt off while we shuck your catch! We also provide bottled water and deluxe seating along with all gear. You bring your own selection of other beverages and food and get ready for lots of family fun!

This private manatee snorkle tour may only be 3 hours, but the memories for your group will last a lifetime! Your very own USCG certified captain will embark with your private group to explore the refuge and get you up close with our ‘gentle giants’!

A Florida-style underwater Easter egg hunt!! From July 1st - September 24th, Bay Scallops are the name of the game when it comes to the ultimate in family fun! Found in the shallow water grass beds of the Gulf of Mexico, these delicacies from the sea are the ultimate in harvest to table experiences. Like Discover Crystal River says, "It’s a fun family-friendly underwater adventure; all you need is a mask, snorkel, flippers, and one exceptional charter captain" that's where we come in! After a scenic 40-minute cruise to the scallop grounds, you'll don your masks, fins, and snorkels and grab a catch bag. (All provided in the cost of the charter.) Our in-water guide will get you started by pointing out these tasty morsels. Then it's off to the races snorkeling to collect your treasure. Once you’re back, you can even bring your catch to a local restaurant that will cook it for you. It’s a cherished local tradition and a Florida family favorite.

There is nothing better than having the boat to yourself for a manatee snorkel tour! Swim alongside the gentle giants on our professionally guide snorkel tours. The price includes all equipment, full 5mm wet suits, mask, snorkel, towel service, hot chocolate, coffee, hot showers, boat coats and heated changing facility. This tour is for up to 6 people, call us for pricing on larger groups.

This is an all inclusive fishing charter that takes you through the mangroves and twisted backwater of the nature coast, as well as out into the beautiful shallow Gulf of Mexico. The diversity of wildlife and landscape will take your breath away. Come along with an experienced, native guide to maximize your adventure.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Give your self the gift of scuba diving, the gift that keeps on giving. A one time class with fees for instruction gives you a life time of diving, explore, treasure hunt, meet great people from all around the world, not to mention scuba provides plentiful exercise and the best part is since your mind is on diving and exploration you do not even realize that your exercising! Remember non-divers only get to explore 30 % of the world since the world is covered in 70% of water divers get to enjoy 100% of what the world has to offer!

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!

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.

Explore Florida’s most spectacular wildlife with this full-day outdoor adventure. Encounter the notorious West Indian manatee while snorkeling, see unique species at a local state park, and enjoy an electrifying airboat ride - all in one day.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Enjoy Florida's wild side with a scallop tour. Spend your day in the sun and waves while snorkeling and hunting for scallops in the Gulf of Mexico. The tour is led by a Certified Captain and In Water Guide The tours start at 6 am and 12 pm, with around 30 minutes of time allotted to check in and get ready for the trip. The tour is approximately 5 and a half hours from start to finish. Our Gulf has an abundance of other wildlife too, so you might get to see dolphins, sea turtles, sting rays, starfish, and more! What to Bring -Sunglasses -Hats -Sunscreen -Snacks/Lunch -Cooler w/ice to take home scallops What is Provided -Fins, mask, snorkel and license -Net bags for holding Scallops -Bottled water Must have a minimum of 3 guests for the boat to go out with a maximum of 6 per total

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.

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.

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!