Home > fl > Crystal River >Crystal River Clear Kayak Tour | Manatee Season Tour (November - March)
Crystal River Clear Kayak Tour | Manatee Season Tour (November - March)
Book online
Overview
Starting at $79 | Manatee Season Tours | Springs |
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation Summary: All sales are final, however, we do offer Trip Protection at Crystal River for 10% of the ticket price to allow you to cancel for a full refund for any reason up until 12 hours prior to the trip time. No-show participants will not be refunded.
Meeting Point: Kings Bay Park 268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34428
Min Age: 3
Pricing: Guests (Ages 12+): $89
Guests (Ages 3-11): $79
Description: Looking for the best way to see manatees up close—without getting in the water? Our Crystal River Manatee Season Clear Kayak Tour puts you right on top of the action in a 100% clear tandem kayak, guided by a local expert who knows where these gentle giants love to hang out.
From mid-November through March, hundreds of manatees migrate into the warm spring-fed waters of Kings Bay, making Crystal River the manatee capital of the world. Our two-hour guided tour gives you a front-row seat to the magic as you paddle over natural springs, quiet canals, and the manatees’ favorite spots to relax.
This is a small-group experience, so you’ll have time to ask questions, take photos, and soak in the peaceful surroundings. And while manatees are the stars of the show, you might also spot dolphins, turtles, fish, and a variety of birds along the way.
If seeing a manatee is on your bucket list—this is the tour to do it.
Please Note: Wildlife sightings, while very likely during manatee season, are never guaranteed.
Price: Adults: $89 / Children: $79
What is Included: - This 2 hour guided adventure includes a beginner/intermediate paddle through Kings Bay to 2 different springs in Crystal River. All kayaks are tandem.
- Depending on boat traffic, there are areas where participants can take a quick swim if they choose.
- Crystal River is known for its natural springs and large amounts of manatee!
- Be on the lookout for manatee, dolphin, and many different species of birds, plants, turtles, fish, alligators, and
more!
- We only bring out group sizes of up to 10 paddlers, so be ready for an awesome, personalized experience with our friendly guides!
What is not Included: Tandem Clear Kayaks – Perfect for enjoying unobstructed views of the underwater world.
Paddles – Lightweight and easy to use for a smooth paddling experience.
Life Jackets – Provided and required for all participants, ensuring safety and comfort on the water.
Dry Bags – Keep your belongings safe and dry during your adventure.
Knowledgeable Ecotour Guide – Expertly leads the tour, shares fascinating insights, and assists with photos.
Itinerary: 1. Check-In & Orientation: Meet your guide, gear up with your clear kayak, and get a quick rundown on paddling and safety tips.
-
Launch & Get Comfortable: We’ll help you into your kayak and wait until the full group is in the water before heading out together.
-
Paddle Through King’s Bay: Enjoy a scenic paddle through King’s Bay on the way to surrounding springs. Keep your eyes out for manatees, dolphins, turtles, fish, and birds throughout the tour!
-
Return Paddle: We’ll paddle back through the bay, keeping a lookout for more wildlife. Back at the launch, we’ll help you out of your kayak and send you off with a small gift!
Highlights: Top-Rated Since 2018: We’re the original clear kayak tour in Crystal River, with thousands of 5-star reviews and a reputation for unforgettable experiences.
100% Clear Kayaks: See straight through the water as you paddle—our crystal-clear kayaks give you an unbeatable view of fish, springs, and more.
Guided by Locals: Our passionate guides know these waters like the back of their paddle. Expect fun facts, great vibes, and top-notch safety from start to finish.
Small Group Experience: No crowded tours here! Enjoy a more personal, relaxed vibe with a maximum of 10 guests per tour. Have a larger group? Reach out - we’re happy to help!
Wildlife & Nature Galore: From turtles and fish to birds and possibly even a manatee or dolphin, nature shows off on every tour.
Incredible Photo Moments: No need to purchase a photo package with us - just bring your phone or camera! This tour is filled with stunning scenery you’ll want to capture. Our guides are happy to snap photos for you, so don’t hesitate to ask!
Check in Details: Parking: Please make sure to pay $5 for parking at the kiosk located right at the parking lot entrance!
Arrival Time: Please be there 15 minutes early. Arriving over 15 minutes late means missing out, as we can't reschedule the same day.
Meeting Your Guide: Once parked, make your way down towards the water to our kayak corral (you will see an A-frame sign) and your tour guide will check you in/go through our safety briefing.
Tour Time: Get ready for a 2-hour paddle with scenic stops for pictures – our guides are happy to snap some for you! The clear kayaks make the spring waters even more incredible. You might even spot manatees and dolphins!
What to Bring: - Water (preferably in a reusable water bottle)
- Swimsuit/clothes that you don’t mind getting a little wet
- Sunglasses/hat
- Shoes that can get wet/sandals
- Towel for after the trip
- Any extra gear you’d like! Remember – the less gear, the more visibility through the kayak!
Special Requirements: - Reservations are required for all tours.
-
The weight limit is 425 pounds per kayak and no more than 250 pounds per person.
-
Each of our kayaks are doubles (tandem).
-
Each Child (3-11 years old) must be accompanied by an adult.
-
Each Child under 3 years old must be accompanied by 2 adults.
-
For small children under 30lbs, please bring your own Coast Guard Approved life jacket.
Restrictions: - You must have upper-body mobility and the capability of paddling a kayak to participate.
- This activity is not recommended for pregnant women in their third trimester.
- Pets are prohibited from getting out of the kayak while in Three Sisters Springs
- Alcohol is prohibited while on our tours.
Disclaimers: - Reservations are required for all tours
- The weight limit is 425 pounds per boats and no more than 250 pounds per seat. Each of our kayaks are doubles (tandem).
- Our Crystal River tour departs from Kings Bay Park in Crystal River.
- We do not cancel for hot or cold weather.
The colder the weather, the higher chances of seeing manatees!
DISCLAIMER:
We cannot guarantee manatee sightings each tour we take out, however we will do our best go to the areas where they are typically most active. Manatee season officially runs through November 15th - March 31st. Manatee season means that during this time, the gulf gets too cold for the manatees so they seek refuge in the springs. However, during manatee season, we sometimes reach warmer temperatures outside that cause the manatees to swim back out to the bay/gulf to find food. We would like all our guests to be aware of this possibility so that there are no surprises!
Meeting And Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Meeting point
Street: 268 NW 3rd St
City: Crystal River
Country:
Postal Code: 34428
Province: fl
Additional Info
Meet us at -
Kings Bay Park
268 NW 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34428
Your clear kayaking adventure awaits at Crystal River!
- Please plan to arrive 15 minutes before. Anyone that arrives more than 10 minutes after the scheduled launch time will be considered a no-show.
-
Also, a friendly reminder: our guides work on the generosity from tips. We recommend tipping in cash! We like to say, "If you enjoyed your ride, tip your guide!"
-
Children under 80 pounds must have their own life jacket.
The paddle will last at least 2 hours and we are more than willing to stop wherever you guys would like to take some pictures. Our guides can even take some for you. You'll love the clear kayaks with the incredible spring water! Also, you may get lucky and encounter some manatee and dolphin playing right under your kayak or some of the other great wildlife that Crystal River has to offer!
We suggest bringing a hat, some water, and lots of smiles! Small dry bags will be provided to guests for items such as keys, wallet, phone, etc.
Since there is a possibility of paddling with manatees in their home, we encourage you to watch this video about how to safely operate a kayak around them!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnGpLhAW5WM&feature=youtu.be
Please remember that if you need to cancel or reschedule the activity for any reason, you can call 352-834-1556 or email contactwestfl@getupandgokayaking.com. If you have any other questions, feel free to get in touch. It is important to note our cancellation policy below:
Please Read Cancellation Policy
See you soon!
Austin Adkins | Owner
Cancellation Policy
-
All Sales Final: Once booked, all sales are final, and no cancellations are permitted unless specified otherwise. Trip protection is an available add on option for more flexibility.
-
Unsafe Weather: In the event of unsafe weather, we offer the option to reschedule or provide a full refund.