Nature's Discovery - Manatee Swim Tours — Local services in Crystal River

Best day ever! My family and I recently traveled to Florida to swim with the manatees. We decided to book with Nature’s Discovery because of the good reviews online. Captain Evan and Krystina didn’t disappoint! They were very knowledgeable (and teach people to respect the manatees and wildlife which we appreciate). They were very friendly, patient, and positive/cheerful. We booked a private tour which we highly recommend. Even if you don’t have six people, it’s worth the extra money. We were able to pack our own snacks and drinks. If we had had our dog with us, then they would have allowed us to take our dog on the private tour! Gotta love a dog friendly business! Evan and Krystina did a great job locating the manatees and jumping right in the water. Krystina stayed with the manatees the whole time so all we had to do was stay close to her and we had hours of up close encounters with the manatees, baby manatees, sleeping manatees, manatees that were eating (we could even hear them chewing their food under water), and swimming manatees. Krystina also managed to capture many amazing photos of my family and the manatees. It was nice not to have to worry about taking pictures during the tour because Krystina did it for us. We saw other manatee tour companies that just had their clients jump in the water and kind of watch as the manatees swam by. They also had large numbers of guests and it looked like the people were very crowded. We felt very fortunate to have booked with Nature’s Discovery because it was just our family and they found several manatees and stayed with them for long periods of time. Also, if the manatees left, Captain Evan had us get back in the boat so we could search for more. Other companies just anchored and waited for the manatees to arrive. We can’t recommend this company enough - we enjoyed Nature’s Discovery's tour so much that we booked another tour the...

I am really having trouble coming up with words to describe our experience with Jake and Hina. My words won’t be able to describe the amazing and surreal experience we had swimming with the manatees but I can say it was one of my top 5 best life experiences and far beyond my imagination. Jake and Hina were incredibly accommodating and knowledgeable. This particular day, we were the first group the swim with the manatees and Jake kept getting phone calls from the other touring boats on where to find the manatees. Everywhere they lead us, the other touring boats followed to give their groups time with the manatees. They were incredible at finding them and knowing when it was time to get in for a good experience. We let another group come over to the manatee we swam with so they would get their chance to experience these majestic creatures. 10/10 for knowledge, searching, personalized experience, friendliness, cleanliness, and assistance. My wife was having trouble swimming and staying in a great position to get the best views, but Hina held her hand and guided her so she could get the perfect view. Hina also took me into the fresh spring vents to see them and the wildlife like fish and crab. Both of them are passionate about what they do and it reflects in our experience with them. We are planning to come back again for scallop season and another swim with these graceful...

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 An Unforgettable Manatee Adventure with the Best Team!

My girlfriend and I had the absolute pleasure of joining Nature Discovery’s Manatee Tour, and it was truly one of the most memorable experiences we’ve ever had together. From the moment we arrived, Captain John and our guide Jaden made us feel welcome, safe, and genuinely excited for what was to come.

Captain John was calm, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable about the area and the manatees. His passion for conservation and respect for wildlife set the tone for an ethical and awe-inspiring encounter.

Jaden was equally fantastic—friendly, upbeat, and full of insight. He made sure everyone felt comfortable, especially those of us who were a little nervous getting in the water. His guidance and energy really helped us relax and be present for the magic of the moment.

Together, they helped us have several close, respectful encounters with these gentle giants—watching them move gracefully through the water beside us was absolutely surreal. My girlfriend and I both left feeling connected, inspired, and so grateful for the experience.

If you’re considering this tour—stop thinking and just book it. Captain John and Jaden go above and beyond. This was a once-in-a-lifetime memory for both of us, and we’ll be recommending it to everyone we know.

Thank you both for making...