10 Crystal River Photo Tours & Photoshoots to Build a Morning Around

1.The ‘OG’ Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,539 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $76Our pick

Join River Ventures in Crystal River for a three-hour manatee swim with an in-water guide and photographer. Cruise Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs, learn the rules for safe wildlife encounters, then snorkel with manatees in their natural home. Gear, wetsuit, drinks, and instruction are included.

“Great value for this experience! I went snorkeling with manatees on Dec. 1 and we saw TONS that day! It also happened to be overcast which is a good thing. A few of the manatees were playful. My guide Maleah was attentive and also reassuring that I was behaving and positioned safely around the manatees. Truly loved it! If I'm back in the area, I would go again!”

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2.Manatee Swim Tour with In Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,300 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Join Explorida in Crystal River for a three-hour swim through Kings Bay with a US Coast Guard-certified captain and in-water guide. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, noodles, and water are included. Your guide, such as Faith, Ben, or Topher, also takes underwater photos available for purchase afterward.

“Captain GQ and Ben. Made great experience even better. Loved how respectful of the manatee habitat this company is.”

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3.Guided Small Group Manatee Snorkeling Tour with In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,336 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $79

Join Gulf Coast Expeditions for a three-hour Crystal River manatee tour limited to six people. Guides such as Crystal, Celeste, Ron, and Mike provide safety instruction, wetsuits, gear, in-water guidance, photos, and hot drinks after your swim.

“We had an excellent experience with Ron and Crystal. They were very knowledgeable and friendly. They take small groups so it was a nice chill afternoon with hot chocolate after. All gear is provided but you can use your own if you prefer. We would definitely use them again!”

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4.Small group Manatee Tour with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 751 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $98

Join a group of up to six at Plantation Adventure Center in Crystal River for about three hours on Kings Bay. Your captain finds manatees while an in-water divemaster guides you calmly through passive observation. Wetsuits, snorkel gear, towels, hot drinks, and photos for purchase are included.

“Misty and Captain Mark were awesome. We saw so many manatees. Checked off a bucket list item. I would definitely do it again.”

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5.Manatee Snorkel Tour w/ In-Water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 633 reviews · 3 hours · from $87

Join River Ventures for a three-hour Crystal River manatee tour limited to 10 people. After a 25-minute wildlife briefing, Captain Melissa, JJ, or another Coast Guard certified captain may take you by covered pontoon to Three Sisters Springs, where an in-water guide helps you snorkel near wild manatees.

“I would recommend going as early as possible, that way the water is not riled up from other people trying to do the same as you.”

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6.Small Group Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide and Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 574 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $89

Join Salty Siren Tours in Crystal River for about three hours with no more than six people. You will receive a wetsuit, snorkel gear, safety guidance, and an in-water guide such as Tyler, Robin, Kim, or Samantha. Expect wild manatees, a heated pontoon boat, and optional photos and video for purchase.

“Highly recommend Salty Sirens!!! Very knowledgeable, very sweet people! From the moment we walked in, they treated us like family. Great experience! We will return for sure. They even knicknamed our youngest daughter Penguin! Funny store but it was just awesome!”

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7.Semi-Private Manatee Swim Tour With Heated Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 417 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $74Best value

Meet at 403 NE 2nd St for a three-hour Crystal River manatee tour limited to six people. Your captain and in-water guide provide wetsuits, snorkel gear, towels, and instruction. Guides such as Amanda, Chris, Leah, and Todd are known for patient help, while the heated boat and hot drinks matter on chilly days.

“I purchased this as a gift and it all went very smoothly they had a great time will definitely use viator again”

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8.Private Manatee Swim for up to 6 with In-Water Divemaster/Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 317 reviews

Meet at Plantation Adventure Center in Crystal River for a private Kings Bay manatee tour for up to six people. Your guide explains passive observation, supplies a 5mm wetsuit and snorkel gear, and takes in-water photos and video available for purchase afterward.

“It was a fun experience. Misty and Memphis were great! It was later in the season, so not many Manatee's to see, but Misty and Memphis made sure we saw the Manatee's that were there. We got great pictures of a mother and baby. In adRead more”

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9.VIP Manatee Swim w/ In-water Photographer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 184 reviews · 3 hours · from $119

Meet at River Ventures in Crystal River for a three-hour manatee adventure. Learn safe, passive interaction, then swim in King’s Bay with a guide and photographer while a Coast Guard certified captain handles the covered six-person pontoon. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, and hot drinks are included.

“Such a great experience! We went late January and saw so many manatees. It was definitely chilly and I wish I would have brought water shoes but when you have manatees all around you, you don't really think about being cold. I brought my underwater camera and got some great manatees shots, but I also bought the photo package that was offered because I forgot to take pictures of us with the manatees. The photos they take on their GoPro are about the same quality as I got on my Nikon. The boat we were on was covered and had a little space heater, which was very much appreciated after…”

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10.Private Manatee Swim With Heated Boat(Free Photos)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 111 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

You get a private boat, captain, and in-water guide for about three hours in Crystal River. The heated cabin, wetsuits, hot drinks, and included photos make this a comfortable choice for families. Captains such as Todd and Chris work with groups to find manatees and keep swimmers at ease.

“They have moved their location and you have no way of knowing. the location on our confirmation was wrong. Take their phone number with you.”

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