river ventures manatee tour

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WHY BOOK WITH RIVER VENTURES? 

• The ‘OG’ of Swim with Manatee:   Dive into the world of manatees with the largest and most experienced center in Crystal River and Homosassa – since 2004!
• Manatee Guarantee Optional Upgrade($):   No manatees? No worries, we’ll refund you.
• Tour options for any budget:  Save money or splurge, we have a tour for you.    
• Manatees, Dolphins & Airboats:  Combo-Tours, book for the manatee and stay with the dolphins 
• Over 5000 5-star reviews online!   Need we say more?  
• Your A-Team:  Expert guides, pirate captains, underwater photographers and booking wizards
• Eco-Edutainment:   In-classroom presentation. Learn from our passionate guides. 

Experience the thrill of swimming with majestic manatees on our unforgettable tours. Book your adventure today at   www.riverventures.com !

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River Ventures

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The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

River Cruise Tour with Manatee Viewing

Private 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

River Ventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

River Ventures

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The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

River Cruise Tour with Manatee Viewing

Private 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

River Ventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

River Ventures

• See all photos

The 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with In-Water Guide/Photographer

Exclusive Small Group VIP Heated Manatee Snorkel Tour

River Cruise Tour with Manatee Viewing

Private 'OG' Manatee Snorkel Tour with Guide for up to 10 people

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

River Ventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

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River Ventures

Enjoy the unique privilege that is exclusively ours here in Citrus County Florida by swimming with the manatees in the spring-fed Kings Bay Wildlife Refuge! Crystal River is home to the world’s largest population of endangered manatee during the winter season, and even a small population the warm months. Having the chance to encounter these curious, gentle giants in their natural habitat is an adventure that your family will never forget!

• 498 SE Kings Bay Dr
• Crystal River, Florida 34429
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Gastronomic Moscow Private Tour

Savour some of the finest foods Moscow has to offer: from exquisite cuisine to Russian fast food, from products of local farmers to the restaurant included in the international rating of The World's 50 Best …

All-in-One Moscow Essential Private Tour

If you are in Russia for the first time but do not enjoy visiting crowded ordinary touristic paths, then All-In-One Moscow Walking Tour was created for you! It’ll let you see all of the most …

Moscow Art & Design Private Tour

Try the taste of Russian classic and contemporary visual art! This tour was specifically created to show major masterpieces of Russian art under the guidance of a passionate and knowledgable local art expert. It includes …

Moscow Metro & Stalin Skyscrapers Private Tour

The beauty of Moscow’s underground is well known all over the world – made from the marble and granite each station is the grandiose monument itself, not only the member of the largest in the …

Soviet Moscow Historical & Heritage Private Tour

The unique opportunity to look through the pages of the USSR Moscow history that are as breathtaking as terrifying is to enjoy Soviet Moscow tour. During more than 6 hours a tourist visits the majority …

Layover in Moscow Tailor-Made Private Tour

This tour was created for those who want to see the city during the layover in one of Moscow airports. Depending on how much time you have, we will choose an ideal program for you …

«Day Two» Moscow Private Tour

If you’ve seen all touristy places in Moscow already, it’s time to go a bit further: walk in charming quiet neighborhoods of Moscow, have a snack in one of the best patios with a view …

Whole Day in Moscow Private Tour

If you have a whole day you can devote to exploring Moscow, this is the perfect tour for you! Explore the key sightseeing spots of Moscow city center and visit off-the-beaten path places in Moscow …

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• St. Petersburg - Moscow Cruise

This 8-day Russian river cruise by luxury ship will take you to the jewels of Russia - St. Petersburg and Moscow as well as the most significant towns between these 2 magnificent cities: Mandrogui village, Kizhi island with its amazing wooden architecture and Uglich and Goritsy with their tranquil, country atmosphere.

• Route St. Petersburg - Mandrogui - Kizhi - Goritsy - Uglich - Moscow
• Languages English-speaking guide is guaranteed. Other languages are on request.
• Cruise Ship 5-star cruise ship MS Rostropovich
• Group Tour This is a group tour. There will be other people in your group.

This is a great Russian river cruise on a comfortable 4-star ship that will take you to St. Petersburg and Moscow and the most significant places between these 2 cities: Mandrogui village, Kizhi island with its amazing wooden architecture and Uglich and Goritsy with their tranquil atmosphere.

• Route St. Petersburg - Mandrogui- Kizhi - Goritsy - Uglich - Moscow
• Cruise Ship 4-star cruise ship: MS Crucelake

This is our shortest St. Petersburg to Moscow cruise and it is a perfect choice for those who have already been to Moscow and St. Petersburg and would like to explore the small, charming towns lying between the Two Capitals.

• Route St. Petersburg - Shlisselburg - Valaam - Svirstroy/Lodeynoe Pole - Mandrogui - Kizhi - Kuzino - Myshkin - Uglich - Moscow
• Cruise Ship 3-star cruise ships: MS Swan Lake, MS Moonlight Sonata

This is our most popular St. Petersburg to Moscow cruise. Besides in depth visits to St. Petersburg and Moscow, the cruise covers all the most important areas between the two capitals: Mandrogui - a colorful village famous for local handicrafts, amazing Kizhi Island with its beautiful nature and wooden architecture, as well as the ancient towns of Goritsy, Yaroslavl, and Uglich.

• Route St. Petersburg - Mandrogui - Kizhi - Goritsy - Yaroslavl - Uglich - Moscow
• Cruise Ship 3-star cruise ships: MS Zosima Shashkov

This is a classic St. Petersburg - Moscow cruises that takes you to the Two Capitals as well a number of charming ancient towns on the way: Mandrogui village, Kizhi island, Goritsy, Yaroslavl, and Uglich.

• Cruise Ship 4-star cruise ships:, MS Nikolay Chernyshevsky, MS Nizhny Novgorod, MS Konstantin Fedin, MS Sankt-Peterburg, MS Kronshtadt

This St. Petersburg to Moscow cruise is a great way to discover Russia. The cruise includes in-depth visits to Russia’s two capitals and also makes stops at all of the important sites along the route including Mandrogui - a colorful village famous for local handicrafts, amazing Kizhi Island with its beautiful nature and wooden architecture, as well as the ancient towns of Goritsy, Yaroslavl, and Uglich.

This 11-day St. Petersburg to Moscow cruise covers all the important places: Mandrogui - a colorful village famous for local handicrafts, amazing Kizhi Island, as well as the ancient towns of Goritsy, Yaroslavl, and Uglich.

• Cruise Ship 3-star cruise ship: MS Moonlight Sonata

This 8-day Russian river cruise on a luxury ship takes you to Russia’s two capitals – Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as to the ancient towns of Uglich and Goritsy, Kizhi island with its outstanding wooden architecture, and Mandrogui village, famous for traditional handicrafts, and Valaam archipielago with its amazing monastary.

• Route St. Petersburg - Valaam - Mandrogui - Kizhi - Goritsy - Uglich - Moscow
• Cruise Ship 5-star cruise ship MS Mustai Karim

We would like to thank you very much for making the arrangements for our river cruise from St. Petersburg to Moscow in Sept-Oct. We were very pleased with every aspect of the cruise. The accommodation and the meals were excellent, the staff very knowledgeable & courteous, the quality of the tours was excellent. We found the lectures on the boat very interesting & everything possible was done to make sure the tourists had a wonderful experience. Thank you, too, for arranging the hotel for us the night before the cruise. It was in a great location & very comfortable. All aspects of the trip were wonderful & it was great value for money spent. Our sincere thanks.

We just wanted to thank you again for your help in setting up our Russian cruise. We've appreciated your support all the way through - from taking us through the complex paperwork of the visa application to talking to our taxi driver in St Petersburg to make sure that we were in the right place. Great service! We absolutely loved the cruise! We learned a lot, relaxed a lot and were dazzled by beautiful cities and landscapes. We couldn't have asked for a better introduction to Russia. Thanks again!

St. Petersburg Cruise

This St. Petersburg cruise to Moscow Cruise is a great combination of ancient Russian cities, famous for their history, architecture and art. Travel along the magnificent Volga River that links these 2 beautiful and historic cities. Port calls include the Russian capital Moscow , Saint Petersburg , Kizhi , Goritsy and Uglich . The river cruise ship will take you along the Neva River , Lake Ladoga ,the Svir River , Lake Onega , the Baltic canal , White Lake and the Volga River . The beauty of the countryside will make your trip unforgettable. Come to Russia in the summer of 2021 with Express to Russia.

Frequently Asked Questions From Our Travelers

A russian land tour or a river cruise - which is better.

This decision completely depends on your preferred way of travelling. During the Russian river cruise you will not only visit the two largest cities of Russia, but also small towns and villages along the route and you will have a chance to participate in master classes, learn a little Russian language and dive into local Russian culture and hospitality. For those who prefer custom-made programs and more free time in the cities of their choice we recommend a land tour, both are excellent options. To find out more about the differences click here .

Do I need a visa for a Russian River Cruise?

If your citizenship is not on the list of countries with visa-free access to Russia, you will need a valid Russian visa. Please make sure to start the process in a timely manner, so as to avoid any last-minute pressure. More details on Russian Visas can be found here .

What is the best Russian river cruise line?

There are several Russian river cruise lines. Each cruise line offers a number of ships and programs at different price ranges. You call feel confident in choosing any of them. All of these cruise lines are well trusted and have been in business for a long time. We also recommend checking guests' reviews and asking our reservation specialist for more details regarding any concerns.

How far in advance should I book a Russian river cruise?

Usually the cruise operating companies set their schedules and prices well in advance - at least one year before the actual cruise starts. So, we may recommend that you book your cruise and place a deposit as early as possible so that you have enough time to arrange all other components of your journey. Please also note that cruise cabins sell out quickly, so it is always a good idea to book your cabin of choice in advance.

What should I pack for a Russian River Cruise?

The weather here can be unpredictable. So first of all it is important to have comfortable clothes and some wind/waterproof items. We highly recommend that you check our new article that contains full information on packing for a Russian river cruise .

What is the voltage in Russia?

Russia uses 220V voltage as does most of Europe. So before packing your devices, do not forget to take a proper adapter, so you may recharge all of your devices with no stress. For more information please see our useful tips .

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Sandra Townsend, Outdoor Program and Youth Programs Director

Physical Address: 1000 Paradise Creek St. Moscow, ID 83844

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Phone: 208-885-6810

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Salmon River, Idaho

July 20-25 | $725 August 9-14 | $725*

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Experience world-class whitewater rafting on the Salmon River in Central Idaho led by our experienced river staff for six days. Wake up to the sound of the river, work on team building and leadership skills and learn what it takes to become a Vandal. This is your chance to start your Vandal journey with a splash.

*Students going on this Vandal Ventures rafting trip may move into housing on the morning of August 9 at no extra cost and will return late afternoon on Aug. 14.

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Semi-Private or Private Heated Houseboat Manatee Swim Tour - The Outstanding Odyssey - Crystal River

• Duration: 3 Hours (approx.)
• Location : Crystal River, FL
• Product code: SemiPVTFancy
• Tour is approximately 3 hours from start to finish
• Wetsuit, snorkel, mask all included
• Snacks and assorted beverages (hot, cold and adult) included
• In-water guide / photographer included!
• Fully enclosed with heated cabin
• Boat seats a maximum of 6 people
• Minimum of 3 people to run tour, if minimum not meant, an alternative solution will be offered

*PLEASE BE ADVISED OF CURRENT TOUR CONDITIONS*

*During warm weather we have a small number of manatee. Your best chance to see animals and avoid CROWDS is to go on the earliest tour possible. There is never a guarantee to see wild manatees and the refuge is very busy by 9am. Even in winter months, if there is a warming trend, manatee numbers will decrease significantly. Please have realistic expectations regarding wildlife. 

*THREE SISTERS SPRINGS is managed by US Fish and Wildlife who reserves the right to close the area to swimmers at any time. During cold spells when the animals are thermoregulating in the spring area, it will be closed to avoid harassment and ensure the animals can rest. We MAY OR MAY NOT be able to access this one acre spring (part of the 600 acre refuge area) and that is something we can not predict from day to day. Only parties with an in-water guide will be allowed into both Three Sisters and King Spring. 

What to bring

Wear your bathing suit...that way you are ready for a quick change into the wetsuit. Bring a towel, people will bring these along on the boat. Keep season and air temps in mind. If it is cooler, it is a great idea to bring a sweatshirt, jacket or even a full set of loose fitting clothing to slip on after you get out of the water. If you have young children, this is especially important, be prepared with warm clothes....always better safe than sorry! The water here is always 72 degrees, and for some that is quite chilly! Feel free to bring a bag onboard the boat to keep your personal items, but we HIGHLY recommend not bringing anything of value on board the boat. During warmer weather most people will wear their wetsuits back to the shop and change into their clothes when they return from the trip. Bring what you feel you need, but no worries we will take care of the details! As a private tour you are welcome to bring snacks or a cooler. On the houseboat we provide you with snacks, hot beverages, cold beverages and assorted beer and wine, but you are welcome to bring whatever else you would like to bring!

Tour Info 

It is very important to have realistic expectations when it comes to a wild animal encounter! Every trip is different and the experience is unique for each individual. In the cooler weather the animals migrate to this area and congregate here for the protection of the warm water springs; when the weather warms they can move about going wherever they want! These are wild animals and we can not control their migration. Manatee spend their lives searching for food, mates, sleeping and playing....it is hard to predict what state they will be in when we encounter them. The early mornings tend to be the best time to find the animals and best chance of seeing them near the springs where the water tends to be more clear. Remember it is very simple, cold weather = many manatee; warmer weather=lower manatee counts and more time looking for these endangered animals. Even seeing a few manatee is a phenomenal adventure! 

Where do we meet?

We meet at our full service Manatee Tour and Educational facility in Crystal River! You will be checked in, and offered complimentary coffee, tea or hot cocoa. Upon tour time, we take you into a classroom type setting where we learn about the animals, the eco-system and watch a short video of rules required by the US Fish and Wildlife. This is a wildlife refuge and it is very important that we fully inform you as to what the rules are and how to behave if you hope to view a manatee up close! We will fit you for a wetsuit, direct you to our climate controlled changing rooms and gather up your group. We take care of transporting you to the dock where your Captain is waiting for you! After your tour, we will drive you back to River Ventures Tour Center. You can help yourself to coffee and cocoa, use the restrooms and changing rooms, check out the gift shop and view the photos from your adventure!

How long is the Manatee Swim Tour?

This houseboat is a 3 hour adventure. IT IS MOST IMPORTANT THAT YOU ARRIVE 15 minutes prior to your tour time for check in. Please do not arrive later than your tour start time, our boats operate on a schedule ....and it can be very difficult to deviate from that for a late party. Don’t miss the boat.....please arrive on time!

Is the boat covered? What about a bathroom?

Our Manatee Fun houseboats are all fully enclosed and heated! There is no bathroom on board, but we are never far from the dock and happy to make emergency stops mid tour if needed.

How Many People do you take on your boats?

The houseboats accommodate 6 passengers with comfort. Keep in mind that even if your group is very small, we can not control the amount of people on the water. We go on a manatee search and all the tour companies go where animals are found......so after 10 am, especially on weekends, Holidays or during manatee season, the waterways can get very crowded with people. Remember this is the last place in Florida where we can share the animal’s natural habitat so getting out early to beat the crowds almost always ensures a better experience! On the early tour you get out while the refuge is at its quietest and the manatee are still in their most relaxed state. We know it’s early....but it tends to be the best experience for our customers so we don’t mind the wake-up call! If you have a larger group we can put you on one of our many larger boats. We can accommodate a small or very large group.

Do you have a wetsuit that will fit me? Do I have to wear a wetsuit?

We have wetsuits for children to adults up to 5x. These are full wetsuits, 3mm that are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized daily with hospital grade. We do require that you wear a wetsuit while on a tour with River Ventures....this helps for many reasons. The wetsuits keep you warm and buoyant we must stay at the surface of the water without diving down towards the animals. We do our best here to ‘float with Manatee’, staying still and calm so we do not stir up the water or scare the animals away. If they are sleeping or eating we must not disturb them during observation and the wetsuits can help us keep still as to not disturb their natural behavior. If you have your own gear that you would like to use we encourage you to do whatever makes you most comfortable. If you choose to bring your own gear keep in mind that this is a shallow water snorkel, so advanced diving gear is not needed. We no longer use fins, and they will not be allowed around the manatee. Use of fins can stir up the water affecting visibility, and also can give the perception of chasing. We never need to be faster than the manatee, we remain calm and let them approach us!

Do you provide us with an in-water tour guide?

Our US Coast Guard Licensed Master Captain is required to stay on the boat at all times, but we also include an in-water tour guide who will also act as your photographer! We take pride in having the best Captains and guides in the business, they go above and beyond to ensure that your group has a safe, pleasant and educational experience. Our Captains and guides are all Certified Eco-Tour guides through the Manatee Ecotourism Association in conjunction with USFW.....they do not only know how to drive a boat, but they are stewards for these animals and this eco-system, doing their best to stay abreast of all the latest in scientific research. They will ‘model’ the proper behavior to assure that the manatee are treated with the utmost respect......this is their house, we are just the visitors! Your in-water guide will also take photos, from the boat, underwater and all around. These photos are available at the shop after your tour....that way you do not have to worry about your own camera and it’s a great way to take these memories home with you!

Are there rules we have to follow when we Snorkel With Manatee?

Absolutely! Manatees are protected under the Endangered Species Act and it is quite a privilege that we get to have this sort of encounter! Both the State and Federal Government oversee the protection of these animals and the guidelines get stricter every year. These laws are in place to help protect the animals and they will be enforced here in the Wildlife Refuge, people can be ticketed, fined and removed from the water if behavior is deemed inappropriate or illegal. When you arrive at the shop prior to your tour we will cover all the dos and don’ts so you are fully informed before you hit the water!

How long is the boat ride to the manatee?

There is not ‘one spot’ that we go to look for manatee and there is not ‘one area’ that we visit every day, every tour. We go where we can find animals. In the winter time, that may be a short 8 to 12 minute ride to a spring. But in the warmer weather, we may have to look for much longer. In the cold weather we have many in the area and it typically does not take long to find them, but when it gets warm patience is a requirement! With our enclosed houseboat you will be comfortable on even the chilliest winter day!

How many manatee will we see?

Please remember that manatees are an endangered species and seeing even one of these majestic beasts is a great privilege. Our tours are conducted in their natural habitat and they are free to come and go as they please. No two days are ever the same, and no two tour times are the same either Weather, tidal influences and time of the year affect the conditions daily and it can never be predicted just how many manatees you will see. During the colder months we have a large concentration, but if there is a considerable warm spell they will become difficult to find. Because this unique eco-system is a prime manatee habitat, we have a small resident population even in the summer. We never guarantee that you will find or encounter manatee and how many you see is tough for us to predict as well.

Can I Ride the Boat and Not Swim? What if I do not know how to swim?

We always welcome observers and you can often see the manatee from the boat. They sometimes come very close and give you an awesome view! We are only allowed so many passengers on the boats, so an observer does have to pay for that seat. Bring your cameras and binoculars and enjoy the surroundings of the refuge! If you are not a strong swimmer then you must use your own judgment. Are you comfortable in the water with a floatation device? Do you get anxious and upset in the water? We must remain calm and still near the animals, so ‘swimming’ is not as important as being able to relax and float!

Are there age limits?

Children must be at least 3 to go on the group tours, but younger babies are allowed on a private tour. Coast Guard counts infants as a person on the boat, so please include all children in your passenger count when reserving your tour. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult, and very young children must understand enough to be calm and quiet in order to not scare the animals away. Children should be comfortable in the water and parents should stay close at all times for safety. We have wetsuits in all sizes and provide snorkel vests and flotation noodles if kids need a bit of assistance staying at the surface without swimming.

What about weather conditions?

Rarely do we ever have to cancel because of weather conditions...a little rain doesn’t stop us! Because we are on the coast, storms will often move through quite quickly and even if we delay it will not take away from your tour time. Our boats are covered to protect you and your belongings from the elements if you wish to stay dry. If we need to cancel because of inclement weather you will be offered a refund, reschedule or gift certificate.

What is your cancellation policy?

Reservations cancelled within five calendar days of Tour, Charter or Rental arrival date will receive a full refund less the booking fee of 4%. Any Tour, Charter or Rental cancelled by River Safaris or River Ventures due to inclement weather or other conditions beyond our control shall receive a 100% refund. Reservations cancelled less than the time period or conditions outlined above will be offered a chance to reschedule (based on availability) or receive a voucher for the Tour, Charter or Rental for the full amount paid.

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