Three Sisters Springs Visitor Center manages land access to Three Sisters Springs, a protected natural area in Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge famous for manatee encounters and clear freshwater springs, accessible primarily by water for in-water recreation like snorkeling and kayaking during manatee season.

Paddles Outdoor Rentals is a family-owned and operated business in Crystal River, FL, offering kayak rentals, paddleboard rentals, water bike rentals, bike rentals, guided kayak tours, swim with manatee tours, party paddle board rentals, and eco-tours including sunset tours and visits to Three Sisters Springs. They are the closest rental facility to Three Sisters Springs with a state-of-the-art kayak launch system and prioritize customer service.

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.

Explorida is a premier tour company in Crystal River, FL, specializing in manatee swim tours, scallop charters, dolphin watching, sunset tours, e-bike rentals, and kayak excursions. Locally owned and operated, they emphasize sustainable eco-tourism with U.S. Fish & Wildlife permitted operations, U.S. Coast Guard certified boats featuring grassbed-friendly anchors and manatee-safe prop guards, top-notch gear including wetsuits, masks, fins, and in-water guides on every tour. They offer a spacious facility with customer lounge, orientation area, climate-controlled changing rooms, restrooms, and a unique manatee education gift shop, providing intimate group tours limited to 10 passengers and private scallop charters up to 14 passengers, hassle-free bookings with no hidden fees.

The Plantation Resort on Crystal River Adventure Center offers immersive water-based adventures on Florida’s Nature Coast, including swimming and snorkeling with manatees, fishing charters, boating and boat rentals, kayaking, paddleboarding, scenic cruises, sunset boat rides, and scallop charters, with direct marina access to Kings Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Family Adventure Charters specializes in Crystal River Florida manatee tours, boating and fishing charters for individuals, families and small or large groups. They offer personalized year-round Swim with Manatees Tours, fishing charters, and sightseeing tours, captained by USCG licensed captains using offshore cruisers, comfortable pontoon boats, or large multi-passenger tour boats. All boats are clean, wheelchair accessible, child safe, and pet friendly, with on-board restrooms and changing rooms on larger boats. They limit to no more than 6 people per boat for a personal experience, providing additional boats at no extra cost for larger groups.

Crystal River Preserve Adventures offers unique eco-heritage boat tours, sunset cruises, pontoon boat rentals (18-foot and 23-foot models for half- and full-day), kayak rentals, and guided kayak tours from the Crystal River Preserve State Park marina basin and administrative office.

Salty Siren Tours and Charters is a premier ecotourism business based in Crystal River, Florida, offering professional in-water guided manatee snorkel tours, scallop harvesting charters, inshore fishing charters, eco-tours, and sunset excursions on Florida’s Nature Coast. Led by USCG Master Captain Kimberly Stibbs and Captain Ed, with over 57 years of combined experience, the company emphasizes conservation, education, small group sizes limited to 6 passengers per boat, safety with certified guides and sanitized equipment, and personalized eco-friendly adventures.

Gulf Coast Expeditions is a family and veteran owned small business specializing in small group, guided Manatee snorkeling tours, swim with manatees tours, sunset cruises, eco tours, scallop charters, and sightseeing tours in Florida. The company is dedicated to excellent customer service, preservation of the Florida Manatee and its environment, working with US Fish and Wildlife, and conducting safe, responsible, and educational tours.

Family Adventure Charters specializes in private family-friendly manatee tours, boating, and fishing charters in Crystal River, Florida, for individuals, families, and groups. They use USCG licensed captains on comfortable pontoon boats or multi-passenger boats that are pet-friendly, child-safe, and handicap accessible, limiting to 6 passengers per boat for a personal experience, with additional boats for larger groups at no extra cost. Tours include swim with manatees (best Nov-March), scalloping (July-Sept), dolphin tours, fishing charters, and sunset cruises, providing equipment, water, hot chocolate, and blankets.

Manatees in Paradise is a small, family-owned company founded in 2005, specializing in eco-friendly, educational snorkel tours and boat tours focused on manatee encounters, wildlife conservation, and passive observation in Crystal River, Florida. They emphasize small groups for personalized, respectful experiences aboard comfortable pontoon boats, holding a special use permit from U.S. Fish & Wildlife for national wildlife refuges.

Crystal River Boat Tours offers intimate, guided 2-hour boat tours and sunset cruises through Crystal River and King’s Bay on a comfortable 20-foot pontoon boat captained by USCG Master Captain Wayne Bodley. Guests can spot manatees, dolphins, alligators, turtles, and native birds while learning about the area’s history and folklore. Small group experiences emphasize relaxation with front-row seats for wildlife viewing, and guests may bring coolers of beverages or enjoy complimentary hot chocolate on cold days.