Crystal River Manatee Fun — Attraction in Crystal River

Travis (or Travvyyy as my friend Brittany has so fondly dubbed him) shows up looking like the abominable snowman in Rudolph. So, heed his warning to dress warm if visiting in the winter!

We chose this guide, from what seems to be guides “a plenty”, because of another review attesting that we would be able to enjoy the manatees without causing disturbances to their natural behavior. This is was absolutely true of this experience! At one point some plastic wrap from one of our bags was swept into the water by the wind and he quickly prioritized recovering it while being so gracious towards me despite my negligence. So very grateful!

But what you’re really here for…did we swim with manatees? Well not only did we swim with momma, daddy, baby, uncle, cousin and best friend manatees, but the spring also granted us visits from mangrove snapper, lady fish, sheepshead, mullet, stingrays, needlefish and even a rouge snook. Not to mention we were treading water with with brown pelicans (in their non-breeding plumage for those who care), blue billed ducks, mallards and more.

“Travy” conferred with other captains, communicated with guides in the water and coached us through our experience from the helm. All while having the utmost consideration for other patrons and the gentle (snoozing) potatoes we were there to swim with.

As someone who is blessed to live along the very same Gulf Coast as this captain and business owner, I’m grateful to people like Travis who don’t use recreation as an excuse to forsake the protection of the natural...

Travis with Crystal River Manatee Fun provided us with an unforgettable experience swimming with the manatees today. From start to finish, our adventure with Travis was nothing short of exceptional.

He was not only knowledgeable about the manatees and their habitat but also passionate about preserving and protecting these gentle creatures.

From the moment we arrived at the dock, we felt well taken care of. The equipment provided was top-notch, ensuring our comfort and safety during the entire excursion. The thorough briefing before entering the water gave us a clear understanding of how to interact responsibly with the manatees, ensuring a positive experience for both us and the animals.

The highlight of our day was undoubtedly the time spent in the water with the manatees. Thanks to the expertise of Travis, we were able to observe these magnificent creatures up close, without causing any disturbance to their natural behavior. The joy and awe we experienced as we swam alongside and above these gentle giants is indescribable. It was a truly magical encounter that will forever be etched in our memories.

Our experience with Crystal River Manatee Fun was extraordinary. We wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone seeking a remarkable wildlife encounter.

Andria DeMarc...

I would give ten stars for this experience! What can I say, what a truly amazing time! From the very start Travis and Lacy make you feel welcome go through all the safety pbriefs and tell you what to expect. On the ride out to the first spring we were given comprehensive background and history of the manatees and no question was left unanswered. The first swim was astounding being so close to these beautiful creatures, we were then given a chance to dive on the spring. We were given hot chocolate to warm up as we moved to another location and had another swim getting close to the Manatees again. Travis and Lacy are AMAZING hosts and guides, so relaxed and charming it was like boating with your friends, and our experience was the only thing they cared for. Lacy carried a go pro through the experience and filmed, photographed our trip sending the pictures to us all later at no charge. We enjoyed the experience so much we came back the next day to swim with them again. The same dedication and professionalism was evident from the start and this time we got face to face literally with these stunning animals. If you only do one thing one you come to Florida this is the thing to do and these guys are the absolute best. Thank you Lacy and Travis, will definitely be back in...