About
Location :
Added by Jopie, at 13 February 2017
Opening Hours
- Monday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
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14 Reviews
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21 December 2017
I wish the boat was more open so you could see into the water better. You have walls blocking the best views. Luckily we went when business was dead so my group of five could walk and peak over the edges whenever we wanted too.
Majority of the tour we did not see any manatees which is a chance you are taking of course but more would have been awesome. We did end up finding some including one with a monitor on it.
Our boat captain was okay except she made the biggest deal about a kid being in the water with the manatees. I understand they are protected down there (I'm from out of state) but she called it in and falsely stated the kid was jumping on it when he clearly was not. She also told the person on the phone that we all agreed that he was abusing it. We did not agree.
When we got off the boat it turned into this big joke about body slamming and seeing WWE with the manatees. Not cool lady. Hope they didn't get fined for her false information on abuse.
Overall I did get to see what I paid for just not an abundance because they scattered when we got close. It's not for adrenaline junkies like myself but will definitely satisfy you if you are one with nature.response / report this review -
19 December 2017
A beautiful day was spent in the water with gentle giants. My family of 6 highly recommended Manatee Tour and Dive Center.
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29 November 2017
If I could give my experience with Manatee Tour and Dive a zero or negative star will surely do. My gf and I were charged $$ for the manatee tour. Despite that we observed NO manatee, we both had spreading rashes around our necks, backs and waists and ended up spending extra $$ on medicines after the dive. Many other visitors in our group were victimized too.
- The bay they took us to is proven to have TOXIC ALGAE which can cause severe skin issues to those who have sensitive skin. This has NOT been put into warning at all.
- This shop uses the ads from Three Sister Springs in their promotion but instead they took us to the bay with very bad visibility without advance notice that Three Sister Spring was closed on that day
- Customer service is also unsatisfactory. The man in the shop was in a rush and required everyone put on wetsuits and carry their stuff and walk for ten minutes to the pier. It turns out there is a parking lot right next to the pier for people to get changed and unload their gear
Based on my experience, it looks to me that this shop is trying to hide all negative facts and to secure their money into their pocket is a priority. I would NOT recommend this place.response / report this review -
27 November 2017
My family has done several Manatee swim trips over the years. Many companies use old, beat-up pontoon boats with holes in them. This company took us out on a solid vessel with a roof and lots of shade. There was a captain and a second person who swam with us, something else you don't always get. They made sure we all had a great experience. Choose your trip date carefully, you will see many more manatees in late December or January, but there will be huge crowds everywhere you go around the holidays. Captain Katie made sure we found some quiet spots. She also did an amazing job with a special needs child another family brought on the trip. Katie was incredible. Austin did a great job swimming with us. Florida regulations have tightened up significantly in the last ten years, you can't do many of the things you used to with manatees in the wild, but this is in the best interests of the animals.
MTD has an office, a restroom and a changing room. They also sell snacks and souvenirs in the office.
One thing some tour companies provide is hot chocolate for the ride back, this one does not. It would be nice! You will be cold, it's part of the deal. It's worth it!response / report this review -
16 September 2017
My partner and I went on a tour last October and had the time of our lives swimming with the manatees! There seem to be a number of similar tour companies on Crystal River, but I would definitely recommend Manatee Tour & Dive. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. They are patient with first-time snorkelers and teach you all you need to know so that you can have a peaceful, serene experience floating with the manatees.
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17 August 2017
I was snorkeling next to a manatee and a boat from this company shows up. After about 5-10 minutes, one of their 12 yr old guides comes up to me and asked me to leave because I "have had a good time watching the manatees already". Translation: I want my tips so get our of the way of my customers! Just so everyone knows, you can go out there with a freaking tire tube and go right up to the manatees and observe, regardless if there is already a group there. These companies think they own the manatees. Jackwangs
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14 August 2017
I chose this event to give my children a special experience. We were led by Captain Matt and Zach. It was nice and low key, and the equipment was good. I've gone on snorkeling tours with worn equipment, but this tour had good masks. They worked hard to find us manatees. We had close-up views and my daughter even got to see a pup nursing.
At the end of the tour, my family all raved about how much fun this was and we'll worth the money. Thanks, guys!response / report this review -
08 August 2017
Had an amazing time! Although it isn't the time of the year to see a lot of manatees, our tour guides made it possible and tried their hardest to make sure we saw them, and we were able to! We had Brody and Alex and they were very insightful and knew exactly what they were doing! Would highly recommend to everyone and anyone! Could go on and on about how amazing it was!
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19 July 2017
We had a great family experience here. It was our very first manatee encounter and we were also able to see a mom and her calf. Captain Kate and Max were the best guides and were able to put us in the best spots for viewing. We will share with others and hope to make it back soon.
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25 June 2017
Awesome snorkeling experience! Had a chance to see several manatees and learned quite a bit. Highly recommended. 👍
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10 June 2017
Let me start with OMG this was a life changing experience. Glen & Mlessia did our tour
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23 May 2017
The tour itself was ok but when we got out into the water they joined us with another tour group with about 8 people. There was only about 3 manatees in the area at that time so it was very difficult to even get a glimpse with all the people that were already there. It seems that we were taken to a popular spot, which was understandable because of the time of year we went. There was a lot of people jumping in the water and fishing. I saw a fishing lure go right past my head haha. The employees were super nice and helpful. I just don't think I will paying that kind of money to do that again. Also I kinda felt bad for the manatees, especially when people were touching them when they were not supposed to.
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23 February 2017
Just did a family snorkel trip with Captain Charlie and Guide Shellie. What a great experience. The Captain stayed away from the packed springs loaded with boats saying it is not good for the manatees. He found a quiet spot and then the manatees started circling us. What friendly creatures and guide Sherrie kept everyone informed as the manatees kept visiting our group. What a great time. Will do it again.
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20 February 2017
We went for an outing with Captain Alex and Brody and enjoyed them both. Their suggestion for the best Manatee ride is "the colder, the better". The manatees come into the inland waterways when it is cold. When warm, they venture out into the Gulf of Mexico and sometimes up to the Carolinas in the summer. I really enjoyed this trip. They provide you with wet suits and really do their best to get you to the best places to see Manatees. Given the Manatees like it "the colder, the better", be prepared to swim in 70 degree water in a wetsuit, which isn't so bad, just not super pleasant. This is great, although I am not sure I would do it a second time.
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