An encounter with a Manatee is a once in a lifetime experience, so if you’re open to a little adventure and don’t mind jumping in a cool River with large marine mammals, read on!
This is an unmissable chance to witness the beauty of Florida’s natural side. The Manatee or Sea Cow as it is often known is an endangered species native to many of the lakes covering the region and there’s no better place to find them than at the Crystal River in Homosassa State Park. They are generally quite shy, completely harmless and have no teeth, feeding off the mangroves which somehow manage to support their massive 500kg bulk!
When you leave the water, it’s off to the pub/restaurant for a basket style meal before heading to the State Wildlife Park to have a look at the local residents. These include more Manatees, which you’ll be able to observe during a feeding session, as well as bears, panthers, alligators and even a hippo.
Tour operates:
Tuesdays year round, plus an additional departure on Fridays 1 April - 31 October.
Schedule:
6.45am Depart Orlando
9am Arrive at Crystal River
3pm Depart Homosassa State Park
5.15pm Arrive Orlando
All times given are approx.
Includes:
Round-trip transportation from Orlando
All-you-can-eat buffet breakfast
Narrated Boat Tour on the
A leisurely boat ride on the Crystal River
Mask, Snorkel & Fins
A packed lunch
45-minute airboat adventure on the beautiful Homosassa River
Entrance into Homosassa State Wildlife Park
Not Included:
Wet Suit. Available for a fee locally
Video of the encounter, normally available locally for a fee
Transfer time:
2 hours each way
Did you know?
Although sometimes known as the Sea Cow, the closest relative of this gentle mammal is actually the Elephant.
PLEASE NOTE: Your encounter will be overlooked by a team of Manatee experts & dive masters. Due to the natural conditions of this experience, an encounter with the Manatees cannot be guaranteed.
Click here to see the hotel pick up timetable for Orlando excursions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a hotel pick-up included?
All tours run from central location points (unless otherwise stated), and you will need to make your own way to one of these. This is a change to arrangements from previous years, but has been implemented to save you time sitting on a coach that calls at each hotel in Orlando – that’s a lot of hotels! The result is a much more fluid and punctual tour that will add to your enjoyment of the day.
Where will my tour depart from?
The pick-up locations are arranged so that you do not need to travel too far to your nearest point. The actual location will be given at the time of booking when you advise us of your hotel.
In the event that you do not have your hotel information available at the time of booking, you will be advised of your pick-up point when you call to reconfirm your tour in resort.
How do we confirm a date for the tour?
All dates can be booked in advance through Attraction Tickets Direct. Should you wish to leave the date open, no problem, just call the tour provider once you arrive in Florida. To avoid disappointment we recommend booking a date before you travel, particularly for Manatees, Dolphins and Basketball. For Disney VIP meals, you must book a date in advance.
What time does the tour depart?
Your exact departure time is given when you confirm a specific date
Can I cancel my tour tickets?
All tickets are non-refundable within 72 hours of the tour
Experiences
