Welcome to

Go Local Manatee Tours!

Go Local Manatee Tours is an owner-operated small business. We specialize in unforgettable, up-close and personal manatee encounters in Crystal River, Florida. Our daily 6 passenger semi-private tours are designed to be small and eco-friendly, leaving only our footprints behind to help protect our locals (aka manatees). By keeping our tour group small, we can do our part in minimizing the impact of visitors, while also providing you with a comfortable and relaxing experience with manatees and your crew. We feel that we can be environmentally conscious while still delivering an exciting and educational experience.

Our manatee swim tours are all-inclusive! All of the necessary snorkeling gear and wetsuits are provided at no additional charge. Photo packages are free because we believe in having our customers enjoy their exprience without extra costs, unlike other companies that charge over $45 for them. You will be greeted by your Captain and your in-water guide, right in the heart of the manatee capital of the world, at Pete’s Pier Marina (Pete’s Pier Marina does charge $5 for parking). Upon departure, your Captain and your in-water guide will share their knowledge and expertise about local wildlife and fun facts about our small community.

In King’s Bay, the time of year will likely determine where we find manatees. In the colder seasons, manatees will head to the springs where the water stays a constant 72 degrees. During warmer months, our adventure could take us anywhere within the 600-acre refuge looking for manatees! The visibility in our bay varies between 1 and 6 feet, and the real clear areas are only directly over the springs, so have reasonable expectations. Once we are in the water, we will make sure all swimmers are floating calmly and quietly before approaching any manatees. Your in-water guide will take photographs throughout your entire manatee tour that are included in the price!

At Go Local Manatee Tours, keeping the wildlife wild is important to us! We believe in responsible tourism that respects the ecosystem and avoids putting stress on the manatees and their environment. We feel that we can provide you the best experience that Crystal River has to offer while still being environmentally conscious. we started Go Local Manatee Tours because, unlike other companies primarily owned by investors, we wanted to create a tour company owned and operated by locals. We are the only tour company in the entire industry owned and operated by all people born and raised in the area, adding a personal touch and making our tours even more special for our guests.