River Ventures - Crystal River, Florida

Emily R.

My husband and I had the most amazing experience! Our guide Michael and Captain Jeoff gave great guidance and made us feel prepared for the excursion. We really appreciated how they prioritized being respectful of the manatees, which made a difference. We would highly recommend this company and would love to come back!

Lorraine P.

James and Melissa were amazing and wonderful! They took extra care to make sure my daughter was good and comfortable in the water. She was the only kid in our group. We had a great time from start to finish and if you listen to them and do what they say, you will have a great experience. We got lucky enough to swim with a baby for over an hour!

Frank L.

We had an incredible experience with our 11 & 9 year old kids. Our guides, Captain Joff and Captain Rachael were absolutely amazing. They explained everything so clearly and had us seeing manatees almost immediately, despite imperfect conditions. We will be back again for sure !

Dmitry S.

If you’re looking for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, River Ventures delivers an unforgettable experience swimming with manatees! From start to finish, their dedication to providing an extraordinary and educational journey is evident.

The staff are knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about the manatees and their natural habitat. They take the time to ensure guests are well-informed about these gentle giants, the rules of engagement, and the importance of conservation. The pre-tour briefing was clear, and safety was a top priority throughout the excursion.

The equipment provided was top-notch, and the guides were patient and accommodating, ensuring everyone felt comfortable in the water, regardless of swimming skill level. The highlight, of course, was the chance to get up close with the manatees in their natural environment. It was magical to witness their curious and peaceful demeanor firsthand, an experience that leaves you in awe of nature’s beauty.

River Ventures also impresses with their attention to detail. From the well-organized check-in process to the snacks and drinks provided after the tour, they go above and beyond to make the experience seamless and enjoyable.

I highly recommend River Ventures for anyone visiting the area. It’s not just a tour – it’s an adventure that will leave you with memories to cherish forever and a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation. Five stars all the way!

Stephanie H.

Incredible tour group! I have done many manatee swims in the past and River Ventures is hands down the best! What an incredible experience to float alongside these gentle giant floaty potatoes! After my first tour with River Ventures I fell in love with manatees and since have been back anytime I have the chance to travel to Crystal River or Homosassa! While each trip is unique since the manatees go wherever they please, the in water guides, boat captains, and front desk staff at River ventures are knowledgeable, friendly and clearly passionate about these beautiful marine animals. (Shout out to Natalie and Emerson!) They ensure each group has the best possible manatee experience. Definitely recommend, we will continue to come back! 💙🐟💙

Pamela K.

This was our fourth visit to Florida in the last five years to swim with the manatees with River Ventures. Our guide, Mike, and our Captain Kevin were both just wonderful. They took great care of us and we had an incredible time. We froze our butts off, but had a blast doing it. I can't recommend this tour company enough. We have never had a bad experience with them, and will continue to book with them in the future.

Hilary B.

We were kayaking on our first full day in Crystal River and were out in Kings Bay. There were two groups on pontoons swimming with the manatees. We stayed back because we didn't want to get in their way. Then one of the captains started talking to us. He told us that our best bet would be to paddle to Three Sisters and told us how to navigate around the islands. He was super helpful. We knew then that we wanted to book with the company he worked for, so we asked him, and he told us River Ventures. We think we talked to Matt on the pontoon. We booked that evening for Friday. When we arrived, we were in a group with Captain Joff and guide, Rachel, a husband and wife duo. They were amazing! We learned so much about the manatees while we were with them. I will say that you can tell this company puts the well-being of the manatees first. They keep their group sizes small and they abide by the rules. I cannot speak for all the other tours, but there were definitely some very large groups with us in the springs. I would say one group had at least 20 people. We cannot recommend River Ventures and their awesome staff enough!

Santo C.

Natalie and Captain Bryan were the BEST guides when I took my high school class for a field trip here. We swam right next to manatees, spotted a bald eagle, multiple osprey, and an alligator! They took us for a fun swim at Jurassic Spring after and made sure we had a safe and fun experience! Thanks guys!!!