crystal river manatee cruise

Small Group Gulf Coast Manatee Tours and More in Crystal River, Florida

Go on a gulf coast expedition with our unique wildlife experiences.

• MOST POPULAR!

Manatee Encounter

Snorkel with the manatees with a guided tour from our U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains. Our tours are conducted daily in the beautiful Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Get up close and personal with these amazing mammals and learn about our ecosystem and their habitat. Book your manatee encounter online!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours
• User All Ages

Check out our Other Featured Gulf Coast Tours!

• Hour Glass 4 Hours

Private VIP Manatee Encounter

Enjoy the beauty of Crystal River, Florida and the thrill of seeing our majestic wildlife on your own private manatee tour. Our captain will give you an extended journey around King’s Bay where our in-water guide will lead you in an encounter with our Florida Manatees. Book online!

• Hour Glass 2 Hours

Summer Sunset Cruise

Enjoy an eco tour with us as we take a trip from the Crystal River National Wildlife refuge. The points of interest are adjusted seasonally to ensure you see all the Nature Coast has in store. Book your Crystal River sunset cruise online today!

• Hour Glass 5 Hours

U-Pick Scallop Trip

Spend the day on the pristine coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico hunting the Bay Scallop!  Let our U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains guide you to the fertile underwater grasslands found off of the Crystal River for this unique wildlife experience

We were voted Best of Florida, 2022 !

We are so thrilled to be considered one of the best Regional Vacation Destinations in Florida alongside Everglades National Park, The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum), Kayak Excursions – Bunche Beach, The Lodge at Wakulla Springs, and Universal Orlando Resort!

Why our customers love Gulf Coast Expeditions!

Captain Ron and guide Michelle were fantastic. The small group we had offered great interaction with manatees. I was even given a nuzzle by a curious one. Hot coffee getting out of water was a great touch as well.

Thanks to captain Ron and manatee guide Michelle for an awesome once-in-a-lifetime experience! It was truly a wonderful experience. My teenage kids were even amazed at the number of manatees we were able to see and literally play with. A trip we will never forget!!

My friend and I toured with Lauren and Audrey and it was amazing. Our guides were very knowledgeable of the manatees and where to find them and they were funny too. This was an amazing experience. We would definitely do it again.

Once in a lifetime experience. Super cool knowledgable guides, and captain. This is not a cattle boat tour, it’s a small group and they take you to places that other groups don’t go so you aren’t in the water with swarms of people. Highly recommend!

Captain Ron and the whole crew were terrific. Fun, knowledgeable staff that are passionate about what they do and the manatees and their environment. Highly recommend!

VIP Manatee Adventure

The best way to spend time with the manatees, duration & pricing.

Tours are approximately 3 hours departing at 7:30AM daily. This is a seasonal tour that is only available during peak manatee season in the colder winter months from mid-November through March. Cost is $115 per person. Maximum 6 guests per boat.

About This Seasonal Experience

Ever wanted to get up close to a manatee? Wonder what these incredible gentle giants of the sea are really like? Then the immersive VIP Manatee Tour is the experience you’ve been looking for! Limited to just 6 guests per boat, you will get to go swimming with the manatees during peak manatee season. More than just the experience, you’ll also learn about how Crystal River Watersports is a firm believer in the concept of “observe & preserve,” only interacting with manatees if and when they approach us and never approaching them. We strive to educate, entertain, and provide an immersive firsthand experience of these incredible creatures in the beautiful springs of Crystal River, Florida.

In addition to manatees, our location is perfect for a scenic nature cruise down the Indian River to the Crystal River which is rich in wildlife and natural beauty. There is the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife including dolphins, river otters, bald eagles and many other birds. Come experience the Nature Coast of Florida in a beautiful environment with plentiful springs, amazing animals, and a truly magical experience with the manatees!

• This is a semi-private tour that is only offered during the best season (winter) and at the best time (early morning).
• Crystal River Watersports is a proud member of the Save the Manatee Club Guardian Guide Program , promoting responsible ecotourism.
• There will be no more than 6 guests on the boat with the staff to ensure your semi-private VIP expereince. We can accommodate parties larger than 6 by booking additional boats for your tour.
• The three hour tour includes use of our masks, snorkels, wetsuits and snorkel vests.
• Additionally you will receive free rental of a fleece lined coat and hand warmers for after your swim to warm you up after your experience in the water (the air actually tends to be cooler than the water!).
• Our trips include an in-water guide that will document your trip using our underwater camera.
• You will receive the photographs on a complimentary manatee-shaped 4GB thumb drive after your tour, at no additional charge! Please note it is limited to one thumb drive per group.

Please note: this tour is only available during manatee season 11/15 through 3/31.

Florida's Premier Manatee Destination! Eco and Snorkeling Tours leaving Daily!

Nature's Discovery

Crystal river manatee snorkeling & eco-tours, manatee snorkeling & eco-tours, tours operating daily.

• Most Popular

Private/Semi-Private Manatee Snorkeling Tour

A guided snorkeling adventure for the whole family offered year-round! Swim with manatees in their natural habitat in spring-fed Kings Bay. These Crystal River tours seat up to six passengers to ensure an intimate experience for your party. All gear and snorkeling equipment included! Private tours available. Photos taken by the in-water guide during the tour are available for purchase after the experience.

• Clock Approximately 3 Hours
• Users Ages 3+
• Only Available from July 1st to September 24th!

Private Scalloping Adventure

Our favorite Summer Adventure is going scalloping!  Enjoy a cruise out to the Gulf followed by a hunt for delicious Bay Scallops! This is a seasonal snorkeling adventure and not one to miss!

• Clock Approximately 5 hours
• Users All Ages

Private Crystal River Eco Tours

Enjoy a private boat tour for the family and friends! We cater to private, intimate experiences. Up to six passengers are allowed on our small-passenger vessel as we cruise King’s Bay, the headwaters of the Crystal River, in search of wildlife.

• Clock 1.5 Hours

About Our Crystal River Manatee Tours

Welcome to paradise! Here at Nature’s Discovery , we take guests from all over the world on scenic boat eco-tours of the Kings Bay Manatee Refuge. Keep your eyes open as we search the headwaters — we may find a variety of wildlife, but the main event are the magnificent manatees!

We’re privileged to be able to lead daily expeditions to take guests (like you!) snorkeling with these gentle giants. Our manatee snorkel tours offer the rare opportunity to enjoy up-close interactions with one of the sweetest animals on the planet. Manatees are incredibly docile and impressively large! Our tours are perfect for all ages and skill levels. Whether you are a seasoned snorkeler or first-timer, our manatee snorkeling tours cater to all ages and no prior experience is necessary. You can find everything you need to make your manatee dreams come true right here at Nature’s Discovery.

Not in the mood for a swim? No problem! Immerse yourself in the stunning surroundings of Crystal River. Discover pristine waters, lush refuge land and diverse wildlife while enjoying an eco tour appropriate for all ages and led by one of our Coast Guard Certified Master Captains. Crystal River is truly a hidden gem on Florida’s Nature Coast; we are glad that you found us!

All surfaces and gear used are thoroughly sanitized to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

Welcome to paradise! Here at Nature’s Discovery, we take guests from all over the world on scenic boat eco-tours of the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge. Keep your eyes open as we search the headwaters — we may find a variety of wildlife, but the main event are the magnificent manatees!

We’re privileged to be able to lead daily expeditions to take guests (like you!) snorkeling with these gentle giants. Our manatee snorkel tours offer the rare opportunity to enjoy up-close interactions with one of the sweetest animals on the planet. You can find everything you need to make your manatee dreams come true right here at Nature’s Discovery.

Not in the mood for a swim? No problem! We offer sightseeing tours year-round and relish the opportunity to help you experience the highlight of your trip to Florida!

Why Choose Nature’s Discovery Eco Tours?

Unparalleled expertise.

With years of experience, our team of Master Captains and certified guides possess extensive knowledge about manatees and their behavior. You can trust us to provide an informative and enjoyable experience.

Equipment Provided

Forget about the logistics – we’ve got you covered! Our all-inclusive snorkeling packages include snorkeling gear, wetsuits, bottled water, and hot chocolate during the colder months. Focus on the adventure and leave the rest to us.

Small Group Sizes

We believe in providing personalized and intimate encounters with manatees. Our tours have limited group sizes, allowing you to truly connect with these incredible creatures. Avoid the Cattle Barges and enjoy cherished experiences one-on-one swimming with wild manatees!

Eco-Friendly Approach

As nature enthusiasts, we prioritize the conservation of manatees and their environment. Our eco-friendly practices ensure insure minimal impact, allowing future generations to enjoy these amazing encounters.

Book with Confidence

Jake and Evan were awesome. They were great with instructions and making everyone comfortable. They gave a flash drive at the end with amazing pictures for us to remember which they included. Most tours charge extra for this. The best part was the experience though. They definitely know where to go and the best time. We did the early morning but SO worth it. Slowly but surely we were surrounded by the gentle giants. All very safe and it is something we will never forget! Thank you guys! We will tell everyone!

Evan and his team personalized my trip and went out of their way to make my experience perfect. They provided pictures and other unsuspected amenities to make my day memorable- truly a customer-centric mindset. This set them apart from the other companies offering manatee excursions. Most importantly, I would now consider them friends and will visit them again soon.

We went out with Evan & Jake last week and had a FABULOUS experience! There were 5 in our group (age range 16 - 80) so we were able to rent the whole boat and have a private tour. We lucked out and hit the jackpot in terms of seeing lots of manatees. We were nervous because we weren't able to go out until the 10:15 tour (due to having to drive a distance first), but Evan knew right where to take us and we saw lots of manatees - even an adult and nursing youngster! Evan drove the boat and kept my mother-in-law company (who chose not to swim). Evan shared lots of interesting information with her while Jake hopped in the water with the rest of us. He gave us lots of tips and took pictures. At the end of the tour they gave us a thumb drive with the pictures - included in the price! Evan & Jake are very personable and made it a fun tour four all 5 of us. They are clearly knowledgeable about the area and the manatees and shared lots of interesting information. Their smaller tours are definitely the way to go!

An experience we will never forget! These guys were full of information and got us up close to many different manatees including a mother and calf. They were able to find them away from other groups which was great because it can get a little crowded in places. The guide in the water (and one watching from the boat) was tremendously helpful to spot the manatees and get us right to them. The benefit of having a photographer taking photos in the water is priceless! We have these awesome pictures to look back anytime we want! To top the trip off, we found some dolphins and followed them around and watched them feeding. Recommend these guys 100%! Fyi… they were with another top rated company and went out on their own. I called the other company, they were booked, and they recommended these guys and I’m so glad they did.

This was probably one of my favorite life experiences! We got really lucky with the weather and due to a last minute cancellation, it was just 3 of us with Hina as our guide and Carlos as our captain. We were able to see around 6 manatees, including two pairs of moms with babies. Hina is really knowledgeable and told us lots of great info such as how we could tell that one of the babies was adopted by another momma manatee. She also got great photos for us! I recommend getting an early morning tour, it’s rough waking up but worth the sunrise and the experience! Hina and Carlos did a great job of making it a fantastic morning!

We had a great time on our swim with the Manatees! We liked that the Nature Discovery boats take out smaller groups. Once we got to the springs, there were quite a few other boat and people, but being on a smaller tour gave us more individual attention from our guide and boat Caption. We got to see and swim along side many Manatees. They are super big, and being next to them is an amazing experience. We were provided with wet suits, masks, and snorkels. The equipment was in Excellent condition. The store front where we changed was clean, and they have a cute gift shop. I love that the guide took photos of the experience. I would definitely recommend Nature’s Discovery Manatee Tours!!

For over 20 years, I've wanted to swim with the Manatees. When you've built something up for that long, it has the potential to not live up to expectations. Thankfully for me, it was amazing. The staff made sure it was everything I'd hoped for. They were super friendly. Explained clearly both expectations and what was included. Ample pictures were taken, and a real effort was made to take multiple "$ shots". They were also dog friendly which was huge for us. I loved my experience and will definitely use them again if we ever come back to Crystal River. I really loved Hina, our guide.

Call (352) 795-3302

Swim with The Manatee's

Have questions? Wanna book your next Adventure?

Call our Activities C oordinator  now!  

352-422-2902

Manatee Swim Tour

Get up close and personal with the Florida manatee on this 3 hour swim tour in the federally protected waters of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Private Manatee Tour

Looking for a private, more intimate experience? Or do you have a large group and want to be the only ones on the boat? Book this private manatee tour and enjoy the boat all to yourselves.

Manatee Viewing Cruise

This tour is the perfect way to stay dry and view the wild manatees of the Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge. Hop aboard our US Coast Guard certified vessel where you will join your Master Captain to embark on your journey.

Our Classic Manatee Swim Tours are offered daily, year-round. We limit our Classic Manatee Swim Tours to a maximum of 12 participants. This 3-hour snorkeling trip to swim with manatees is all-inclusive.

Semi-Private Manatee Tour

Our semi-private manatee snorkel tours are limited to no more than 6 guests per boat. This is the tour that made us famous and is clearly the best deal going on the refuge.

Have Questions? Wanna Book a swim with the Manatee's? Call our activities coordinator Now!   352-422-2902 Or send us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly.

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Proudly Serving as 1 of 2 Certified Guardian Guides 

Manatee Snorkel Tours

Dry Eco- Tours

Private Sunset Cruises

"look no  further  for an experience with the manatees" -andrew, "a  magical  adventure  never  to  be  forgotten"   - stacy, "they care about the manatees" -carol, "experience of a lifetime" -tasha, "eco-tourism at its finest" -denise.

WELCOME TO: Manatees In Paradise

A new adventure awaits....

Join us in observation & conservation of the majestic manatee

        Come along with us! Captains Derek Schmidt & Jake Bauer...for a manatee tour aboard our comfortable pontoon boats on the beautiful Crystal River!

       At Manatees In Paradise we offer small, educational, and scenic tours 

 ...all right here in exquisite Kings Bay!

Our goal is simple: To provide our visitors a personalized, memorable tour at a reasonable rate. As a plus, our boats cater only up to 6 guests, so no crowding!

Private tours can begin between 8:00am - 3:00 pm.

Semi-private tours  at 9:00am, 12:00pm & 3:00pm daily

Each tour includes : 5mm wetsuit for added warmth & bouyancy, mask, snorkel, and Complimentary Photos   ($50 value) of your excursion!

We hope you will decide to join us here and see why we call

Crystal River....a Paradise!!

Manatee Boat Tours and Florida Boat Tours in Crystal River, FL

• Explore Our Tours

Step into Authentic Florida Adventure with Explorida as your guide!

There is no experience more authentic to Florida than swimming with manatees! At Explorida, our manatee boat tours in Crystal River, FL, offer exactly that. We will get you up close and personal with the Florida manatee for a truly unforgettable experience!

In addition to manatee boat tours, we offer other Florida boat tours in Crystal River that allow you to bask in the state’s rich natural reserves and add a new dimension to the word “vacation.” Whether you want to swim with manatees , take a guided scallop charter, dolphin watching tour, eco boat cruise, or sunset tour, we are delighted to be your tour guides. Explorida offers a fun Florida boat tour for everyone! 

You can’t officially Explore Florida without meeting a Manatee!

We love what we do, but people are our specialty.

WE STRIVE FOR FIVE

OUTSTANDING TIME

Cheerful and welcoming crew and staff. Knew exactly where to go for the best areas for manatees and awesome site to see for great memories and pictures. We will be going back for more great times.

EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

The "A" team did a GREAT job with our manatee dive! This was the first snorkel experience for my two kids (age 7 & 8) and the crew at Explorida went out of their way to make our experience exceptional. They deserve their 5 star rating. Would recommend to all types of groups interested in seeing the manatee first hand.

MANATEE SWIM

Absolutely loved this tour, very informative and very professional. Was made to feel really comfortable with very good equipment. A very precious and unique experience to see the Manatees in their own environment. We were also shown three sisters springs which crystal clear waters which were brilliant for snorkelling. Highly recommended.

CRAZY TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE

Outstanding!! Small tours feel private. No need to spend big bucks with the rest so called VIP tours. These guys treat everyone like a VIP. We saw a small group of Manatees and swam 3 sisters springs all before the crowds showed up. It's immediately clear they love what they do, and truly care about the animals and environment.

Tour Highlights

• Tours Daily
• 6:30 am | 9:30 am | 12:30 pm
• tours daily
• Offered Seasonally Nov–March
• 1.5 Hours Prior to Sunset
• Tours daily
• Seasonal. July 1 – Sept. 24 th
• 7:00 am | 12:30 pm

Book Your Adventure Today!

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The Unique Burial of a Child of Early Scythian Time at the Cemetery of Saryg-Bulun (Tuva)

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Pages:  379-406

In 1988, the Tuvan Archaeological Expedition (led by M. E. Kilunovskaya and V. A. Semenov) discovered a unique burial of the early Iron Age at Saryg-Bulun in Central Tuva. There are two burial mounds of the Aldy-Bel culture dated by 7th century BC. Within the barrows, which adjoined one another, forming a figure-of-eight, there were discovered 7 burials, from which a representative collection of artifacts was recovered. Burial 5 was the most unique, it was found in a coffin made of a larch trunk, with a tightly closed lid. Due to the preservative properties of larch and lack of air access, the coffin contained a well-preserved mummy of a child with an accompanying set of grave goods. The interred individual retained the skin on his face and had a leather headdress painted with red pigment and a coat, sewn from jerboa fur. The coat was belted with a leather belt with bronze ornaments and buckles. Besides that, a leather quiver with arrows with the shafts decorated with painted ornaments, fully preserved battle pick and a bow were buried in the coffin. Unexpectedly, the full-genomic analysis, showed that the individual was female. This fact opens a new aspect in the study of the social history of the Scythian society and perhaps brings us back to the myth of the Amazons, discussed by Herodotus. Of course, this discovery is unique in its preservation for the Scythian culture of Tuva and requires careful study and conservation.

Keywords: Tuva, Early Iron Age, early Scythian period, Aldy-Bel culture, barrow, burial in the coffin, mummy, full genome sequencing, aDNA

Information about authors: Marina Kilunovskaya (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Vladimir Semenov (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Candidate of Historical Sciences. Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail: [email protected] Varvara Busova  (Moscow, Russian Federation).  (Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation). Institute for the History of Material Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences.  Dvortsovaya Emb., 18, Saint Petersburg, 191186, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Kharis Mustafin  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Technical Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Irina Alborova  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Candidate of Biological Sciences. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected] Alina Matzvai  (Moscow, Russian Federation). Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology.  Institutsky Lane, 9, Dolgoprudny, 141701, Moscow Oblast, Russian Federation E-mail:  [email protected]

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