Brooksville, Florida

River Ventures is the #1 tour operator in Crystal River and Homosassa, Florida, specializing in eco-tours including manatee swims and snorkeling, airboat rides, scallop hunts, wildlife encounters, river cruises, paddling, kayak rentals, and lodging. They emphasize integrity, reputation, community outreach, education, high-quality facilities and vessels, flexibility, environmental dedication, and customer appreciation with a passionate crew.

Clear Kayaking Tours is a family-owned and operated business in Crystal River, Florida, with over 20 years of local experience, offering guided clear kayak tours through scenic waterways like Three Sisters Springs, focusing on unique underwater views of manatees and natural beauty.

A Crystal River Kayak Company offers kayak rentals, stand-up paddleboard (SUP), canoe rentals, and guided kayak tours including clear kayak adventures, manatee swim tours (November 15 - March 31), sunset tours, and dry tours to explore Crystal River's waterways, Three Sisters Springs, and Kings Bay for wildlife viewing like manatees. They provide the largest selection of boats (single/double sit-on-top, sit-inside, paddle boards, canoes, clear kayaks), closest dock to Three Sisters Springs (10-minute paddle), life jackets, paddles, rentals for masks/snorkels, wetsuits, accessories, gifts, apparel, changing rooms, restrooms, and water cooler. Reservations required for rentals and self-launches; welcomes all experience levels.

See Crystal River offers relaxing riverboat safaris and narrated sightseeing cruises in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, focusing on up-close wildlife encounters with manatees, alligators, turtles, and birds in their natural habitat. Expert USCG licensed captains provide narration about the area's ecology and history, using USCG inspected tour boats with a maximum of 16 passengers for an intimate experience.

Totally Tiki Tours offers a distinctive boating experience on the scenic waters of Tampa Bay, Florida, with convenient departure points at Rocky Point Island in Tampa, the Downtown Tampa Riverwalk, and the St. Petersburg Pier. Specializing in private and public tiki boat tours, the company provides a unique way to explore the bay’s natural beauty, including opportunities to spot dolphins and manatees. Their spacious tiki boat accommodates up to 13 passengers and features amenities such as Bluetooth speakers, a restroom, and coolers filled with ice, enhancing the comfort and enjoyment of each trip. With a focus on personalized service, the tours are led by USCG-qualified captains, ensuring a safe and memorable outing for all guests. The company caters to a variety of occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, retirements, and bachelor or bachelorette parties, as well as casual outings for locals and visitors alike. Guests can choose from two-hour private or public tours during the day or at sunset, with options to stop at shallow sandbars for swimming and water activities. While Totally Tiki Tours provides complimentary water and plastic cups, customers are encouraged to bring their own beverages, as alcohol is not sold onboard. The experience combines stunning Florida sunsets, playful wildlife sightings, and customizable itineraries, making it an ideal choice for groups seeking a fun and relaxing way to enjoy Tampa Bay’s coastal charm.

Encounters with Dolphins is a Clearwater Beach, Florida-based tour company specializing in narrated sightseeing excursions through Clearwater Harbor. With a focus on wildlife observation, the company offers guests the chance to view dolphins in their natural habitat aboard a 40-foot Coast Guard-inspected vessel. The experienced crew provides informative commentary throughout the trip, enhancing the experience with local insights. A unique feature of the tour is a stop at Compass Island, where passengers can swim, collect shells, and enjoy the natural surroundings. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed, making it a reliable choice for wildlife enthusiasts and families alike. The excursions last approximately one and a half hours and depart multiple times daily from the Clearwater Beach Marina. In addition to public tours, the company offers private charters for special occasions such as weddings, birthday parties, and social gatherings, providing a customizable and intimate setting on the water. The combination of educational narration, guaranteed wildlife encounters, and the opportunity to explore a scenic island makes this experience appealing to visitors seeking both relaxation and adventure in a coastal environment. The company also offers a complimentary dolphin toy with every child ticket, adding a family-friendly touch to the outing.

Odyssey Cruises operates in Tarpon Springs, Florida, offering a premier sightseeing experience aboard the largest tour boat in the area. With a focus on nature and wildlife, the company provides narrated tours led by a certified Florida Master Naturalist, ensuring guests gain expert insights into the local ecosystem. The cruises feature opportunities to observe dolphins, collect seashells on Anclote Key, and enjoy bird watching along the Anclote River and Gulf of Mexico. The company is highly rated on multiple platforms, reflecting its commitment to quality and guest satisfaction. The cruise offerings include dolphin and shelling adventures, sunset cruises, river tours, and special themed events such as holiday celebrations and haunted cruises. Tours accommodate all ages and are designed to be accessible, with wheelchair-friendly vessels and family-oriented activities. Guests can expect a smooth ride on dual-hull boats equipped with restrooms and covered seating. Additional services include private charters for special occasions and monthly shelling-only trips. The experience combines natural beauty, wildlife encounters, and educational commentary, making it suitable for families, nature enthusiasts, and visitors seeking a memorable maritime outing.

Get Up And Go Kayaking is a premier outdoor adventure company specializing in guided clear kayak tours across multiple states including Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Founded in 2016 in Florida, the company pioneered the use of transparent kayaks, offering a unique perspective on waterways by allowing paddlers to observe marine life and underwater ecosystems directly beneath them. With over 30 locations and a reputation as the world’s highest-rated clear kayak tour provider, it combines expert local guides with small group sizes to deliver an intimate and educational experience. The company is also committed to environmental stewardship, partnering with conservation organizations and donating a portion of proceeds to protect natural habitats. The tours cater to paddlers of all experience levels, providing a safe and engaging way to explore scenic waterways such as Crystal River, Weeki Wachee, and Rainbow Springs. Each guided excursion typically lasts around two hours and features tandem clear kayaks designed for optimal viewing and comfort. Guests can expect to paddle through mangrove tunnels, discover hidden sandbars, and encounter wildlife including manatees and dolphins, all while learning about the local flora and fauna from knowledgeable guides. The company emphasizes sustainable practices and passive wildlife observation, ensuring that the natural environment is preserved for future generations. This combination of adventure, education, and conservation makes the experience memorable for families, tourists, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

StarLite Cruises is a family-owned business operating in the Clearwater and St. Petersburg areas of Florida since 1986. With over three million passengers served, it has grown to become the largest daily excursion fleet in the state, offering a wide range of cruise experiences on Florida’s scenic inland waters. The company is distinguished by its diverse fleet, including modern dining yachts and vibrant tropical-themed vessels, each providing panoramic coastal views and expertly prepared meals. Its reputation for quality service and variety makes it a preferred choice for both locals and visitors seeking memorable outings on the water. The company offers an array of cruises tailored to different interests and occasions, including fine dining yacht cruises aboard the StarLite Majesty and StarLite Sapphire, casual tropical buffet cruises on the Calypso Queen and Calypso Breeze, and high-speed dolphin-watching adventures on the Dolphin Racer. Passengers can enjoy live entertainment, narrated sightseeing tours, and special event cruises such as weddings and group charters. The experience ranges from relaxed daytime excursions to lively evening parties, all designed to showcase Florida’s natural beauty while providing exceptional hospitality and comfort.

Located in the historic downtown district of Crystal River, Florida, Explorida offers a premier wildlife experience centered on swimming with and viewing Florida manatees. As the largest and most comfortable tour facility in the area, the company is federally permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to operate within the Crystal River refuge waters, ensuring responsible and sustainable eco-tourism practices. Their U.S. Coast Guard certified boats are equipped with manatee-safe prop guards and grassbed-friendly anchors, reflecting a commitment to protecting the natural habitat. Recognized by TripAdvisor as one of the top 10 bucket list experiences worldwide, Explorida combines expert knowledge, high-quality equipment, and exceptional customer service to provide an authentic and educational encounter with these gentle marine mammals. Explorida offers a variety of tours tailored to different group sizes and interests, including daily group manatee swim tours, private swim tours, eco-cruises for manatee viewing, and seasonal scallop charters. Each tour is designed to maximize wildlife interaction while adhering to strict guidelines that protect the manatees and their environment. Guests can expect a well-organized, comfortable experience with access to climate-controlled changing rooms, a spacious orientation area, and educational displays focused on manatee conservation. The company welcomes visitors year-round, providing opportunities to observe manatees during their seasonal migrations and in quieter months, making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, families, and eco-conscious travelers seeking a meaningful connection with Florida’s unique aquatic wildlife.

Located in Crystal River, Florida, this locally owned and operated dive center specializes in manatee tours with a strong emphasis on small group sizes and the protection of these gentle marine mammals. Certified and permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the City of Crystal River, the center offers a unique opportunity to experience manatees in their natural habitat at Three Sisters Springs, a renowned wildlife sanctuary. The consistently warm, spring-fed waters provide an ideal environment for manatees, especially during colder months when they migrate to seek refuge. The dive center’s commitment to safety and comfort is evident through amenities such as sanitized wetsuits and indoor heated showers. The center offers a variety of tour options including shared and private boat tours that allow guests to swim with manatees, as well as dry boat tours for wildlife viewing. Additionally, visitors can explore an on-site aquarium featuring both invasive and native species, enhancing the educational aspect of the experience. The tours cater to nature enthusiasts and families seeking an intimate and respectful encounter with manatees, guided by passionate local captains who bring extensive knowledge and care to each excursion. Free parking and shuttle services further contribute to a convenient and enjoyable visit.

Located at the Plantation Resort on Crystal River in Crystal River, Florida, the Adventure Center offers an immersive experience on Florida’s Nature Coast. With direct access to the Kings Bay Estuary and nearby freshwater springs, the center provides a unique gateway to explore the region’s natural waterways. The staff’s expertise and well-maintained equipment ensure a safe and authentic adventure, whether guests are seasoned outdoor enthusiasts or first-time visitors. The center’s reputation is bolstered by its feature appearances on several fishing and outdoor television programs, highlighting the quality of its fishing and boating experiences. The Adventure Center specializes in a variety of water-based activities including guided snorkeling tours, swimming with manatees, fishing charters, boat rentals, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Visitors can enjoy personalized fishing trips with experienced captains or independently explore the scenic waterways by renting boats and paddleboards. The center also hosts an annual Redfish Classic fishing tournament, attracting anglers of all skill levels. With a focus on family-friendly and educational experiences, the Adventure Center caters to those seeking both relaxation and adventure in a protected natural setting.