Unforgettable - We were lucky and were alone on the boat. We saw 3 manatees and it was an unforgettable experience. Super free underwater photos.

Great manatee trip - My wife and I went snorkeling with manatees with Manatees in Paradise this week. Captain Jake and Sandy (photographer) couldn't have been more friendly, helpful, and informative. We got 39 photos and 5 videos (included in the price) the same day. When they didn't come through on the first email (probably because there were so many), Jake solved the glitch in minutes. They made us feel like their most important clients.

Wonderful Manatee Trip! - We had a wonderful time with Jake & Sandy. We swam with manatees & also got to learn about them. We also saw a ray & they took us to a beautiful secluded spring. You can tell how much Jake & Sandy enjoy what they are doing. There were some new snorkelers in our group. Sandy was great teaching them how to snorkel.

Manatees, free pictures, and an awesome experience! - This is our fourth tour with Manatees In Paradise! It never disappoints! Jake and Sandy were very helpful and very attentive to our needs. We appreciate that this company puts manatee care and conservation first before packing their boat with a large group and chasing a buck. The free photos are always a huge hit since they provide an in water guide with a GoPro to capture every moment so you don’t have to.

Awesome! - This was a great experience with very friendly and helpful people. I highly recommend this to anyone. Book it!

Unforgettable Experience - Captain Derek and Captain Jake at Manatees in Paradise exceeded our expectations on every level. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcomed and completely taken care of. Their knowledge of the manatees and the Crystal River ecosystem was incredible, but what truly stood out was the genuine respect and care they show for the wildlife. They made sure we understood how to interact safely and responsibly, and you could clearly see how passionate they are about protecting these amazing animals. They were patient, kind, and so much fun to be around. We never felt rushed, and they went above and beyond to make sure we had a meaningful experience. It’s rare to find guides who balance professionalism, education, conservation, and pure joy so effortlessly. If you’re considering a manatee tour, do yourself a favor and book with Manatees in Paradise. Five stars isn’t enough — we would absolutely go again

Sustainable, Intimate, and Unforgettable - On our long road trip home from Miami, we stopped in northwest Florida to swim with the manatees. With a professional background in conservation, I wanted to make sure our experience was as sustainable as possible, so we booked with Manatees in Paradise, one of only two Guardian Guide certified ecotourism providers in Crystal River. We booked well in advance and did not think much about the weather while we were in Miami, so it was a surprise to arrive to a real cold snap. The forecast called for temperatures in the 30s and 40s during our morning swim. I expected to be uncomfortable, even after reading reassuring cold-weather reviews of Manatees in Paraides on Tripadvisor. Jake met us at the dock and took us to the boat, where Sandy was waiting. Because of the weather, we had the boat to ourselves. They were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and easygoing from the start. They reminded us that cold weather actually brings more manatees into the springs for warmth, which made us feel much better about the forecast. The cabin heater was running, and our wetsuits were ready when we arrived. We brought our own towels and a lightweight blanket for in between swims. Our first stop at Hunter Springs Park was crystal clear. Getting into the water felt no worse than jumping into an unheated pool. Even with other snorkelers nearby, we each had our own manatee to quietly observe as it rested on the bottom and surfaced occasionally to breathe. It was an intimate and peaceful encounter. We then moved on to Three Sisters Spring. The water there was murkier and more crowded, but it proved to be the perfect place to see manatees moving between open water and the protected sanctuary zones. Sandy positioned us along a quiet boundary area and coordinated with another captain who alerted us when manatees were approaching. Because visibility was limited, you had to be within a few feet to see them clearly, but we were in exactly the right spot. As we floated still with our faces in the water, manatees glided past and even beneath us. Each of us saw five or six at close range. The experience was completely magical, and the cold quickly became irrelevant. Jake and Sandy clearly love what they do and take their stewardship seriously. We felt safe, informed, and deeply respectful of the animals throughout the tour. I highly recommend Manatees in Paradise for an unforgettable and responsible wildlife experience.

Birthday swim with manatees - Amazing experience! We saw so many manatees in peaceful early morning waters. Our guide and captain Sandy and Jake were so welcoming and knowledgeable. They made us feel very at ease and made the experience super memorable with beautiful photographs. Would definitely recommend!

Got to swim with a manatee and her calf! - We had a fantastic time on this trip. Jake and Casey were very knowledgable with a clear passion for what they do. Friendly down to earth guys and good fun to be with too. The highlight was swimming with a mother manatee and her calf. Such a special experience we’ll never forget. Highly recommend this tour.

A fantastic experience from start to finish! - We had a fantastic three hours out on Crystal River with Jake and Casey, who were friendly, informative and went out of their way to provide an unforgettable experience. We quickly found two manatee and were able to snorkel alongside them. Unfortunately this part of the river was murky and though we would have been content with the experience provided, having had no expectations at all of being able to swim so close them, Casey suggested we move to one of the springs to try to have more visibility and wow, visibility we got! We spotted a hue array of wildlife and fish here including turtles and mullet and were also lucky enough to be able to have another experience with a mama manatee and her cub. Would highly recommend this company for their personal approach to providing these tours