A manatee in clear spring water with sunlight rays and a snorkeler nearby

3 hours · from $69 per person · max 6 guests

Swim with Manatees in Homosassa

Snorkel in 72°F spring water with a wild Florida manatee, in a small group of no more than six, under the passive-observation rules that protect them.

Prefer to stay dry?

Duration: 3 hours
From: $69 per person+ tax
Group size: Max 6per boat
Included: Wetsuit, mask & snorkel

This is a guided manatee snorkel in the spring-fed water of Homosassa, Florida, and it is the closest you will get to a wild manatee on its own terms.

Your boat leaves the dock at 10823 W Yulee Drive and heads for the clear water where manatees rest and feed through the winter. You will get a full briefing before you get wet: how to float, how to watch, and exactly what not to do. Then you slip into the water and let the manatees decide.

How a manatee morning runs

Before you leave

Briefing and gear

Check in, get fitted for a wetsuit, and go through the FWC passive-observation rules with your guide. About 15–20 minutes.

Arrive 20 minutes early

On the water

The springs and river

A short run to the spring-fed water where manatees gather in winter. Your guide reads the conditions and picks the calmest spot.

Clear, 72°F water

In the water

Snorkel and watch

Float at the surface and watch. A manatee may approach out of curiosity. The encounter ends when the animal leaves — not before, and never by chasing it.

No touching unless invited

Back at the dock

Warm up

Return to the dock, hand back the gear and compare notes with the rest of the boat.

3 hours total

What is included

Included

Wetsuit, mask and snorkel
Licensed captain and in-water guide
FWC-compliant passive-observation briefing
Maximum 6 guests per boat

Bring with you

A swimsuit to wear under the wetsuit
A towel and dry clothes for after
Waterproof sunscreen — no spray sunscreen near the water
Arrive 20 minutes before departure

Who it is for

Families, couples, solo travellers and grandparents — anyone who is comfortable floating in the water. You do not need to be a strong swimmer, but you should be at ease in open water. If you would rather stay warm and dry, the manatee viewing tour runs the same water from a covered boat.

Honest expectations: manatees are wild. We do not guarantee a sighting or any physical contact. In winter the odds in Homosassa are very good, and our captains will always tell you what the morning looks like before you get in.

Guest reviews

What guests say about the swim.

★★★★★

Angelo was great!

Angelo was great! Very knowledgeable and personable. We had a fantastic time!!

Angela WardDecember 2025Tripadvisor

★★★★★

Water fun for everyone!

The guides were fun and very knowledgeable. Scott worked with me to come up with an easy and enjoyable plan for us. We did manatees for 3 hours in the morning.

Christy LNovember 2025 · FriendsTripadvisor

Before you book

Swim with manatees questions

Do I need to be a strong swimmer?

You should be comfortable floating in the water. Wetsuits keep you buoyant, snorkels let you breathe at the surface, and guides stay with the group the whole time. If you are unsure, call us before booking.

What gear is included?

A wetsuit, mask and snorkel are included in the tour price. Wear a swimsuit underneath — it is required under the wetsuit.

Can we touch the manatees?

Only if a manatee approaches you first. FWC rules mean we never chase, grab, feed or block a manatee, and we never promise contact. Passive observation is the standard on every tour we run.

How many people are on the boat?

No more than 6 guests per boat, plus your guide and captain. Small groups are the point — it keeps the encounter calm for the animals.

What time of year is best?

Manatees are most reliable in Homosassa from November through March. Outside those months they are still around but less concentrated.

Six guests. One boat. Wild manatees.

Book the manatee swim online, or call (352) 628-5222 to ask about conditions and the season.

All manatee tours