Thank you for choosing Manatees In Paradise for your next adventure! We are a small, family owned company with a passion for wildlife & the environment. Our goal is to bring you the very best in educational, animal friendly eco-tours. To make the most of your experience, we encourage you to learn about the unique & majestic manatees you’ll be encountering. Please visit https://www.savethemanatee.org/manatees/facts/ to familiarize yourself with these gentle giants we love so much!

Your Captain will pick you up for your tour approximately 10 mins before your scheduled departure time, at the address below. Please be sure to wear a bathing suit under your dry clothes & bring a towel. You may also like to bring a camera, polarized sunglasses, & hydration. Water shoes & a sock hat are nice for colder days to keep you warm between dives. The Paddletail Lodge has restrooms by the pool available for use before/after your tour. Wetsuits are included, which provide warmth, buoyancy, & UV protection. If you choose to bring sunscreen, please be advised we cannot allow any aerosols sprays.

Pickup Location:
Paddletail Waterfront Lodge
614 NW US Hwy-19
Crystal River FL 34428
(Please see parking map & pickup location below)

November through March is generally considered the peak season to see manatees as they survive here in the 72 degree springs of Kings Bay. Every day is different and when we get a warm spell in the winter many manatees will often swim down river to feed. As they are wild animals, we can make no promises or predictions about their whereabouts on any given day…but we DO promise our very best to make your tour a special experience to remember!

Much of the manatee’s behavior & movement is based on water temperature, and their arrival to this area is determined by the temperature in the Gulf of Mexico. Once the Gulf drops below 68 degrees they must locate a warm water source (natural springs or power plant discharge areas) like we have here or they will face hypothermia, which can be fatal.

Upon entering the water with the threatened manatees, we must stay still & remain quiet in their world. We always enjoy snorkeling with the manatees, but loud noises & sudden movements are incredibly disruptive to their rest. You can also see them very well from the boat, so whether in the water or out, it's a magical adventure! As with any wildlife adventure, there is always an element of risk involved. These are large, wild, aquatic mammals. Mask and snorkel use required. Previous snorkeling experience recommended. Passive observation only. Recommended for older children or children who are trained to use mask and snorkel.

We kindly ask that you respect the manatees & their space, as well as our mission to protect the threatened manatee…not crowd or prey on them. Any tour company advocating or promoting touching the wild manatees at any time is not a responsible tour company and is truly part of an ongoing problem. We let the manatees do all the touching! We are proud to be 1 of 2 in-water tour companies recommended by Save The Manatee Club as a Guardian Guide:

https://secure3.convio.net/smc/site/SPageNavigator/GG_Participants.html

Thank you again for providing us the opportunity to take you on this wonderful experience! Please be on the lookout for more trip details as your adventure nears!