Fun 2 Dive - Swim with Manatees

135 NE 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA

Address:	135 NE 3rd St, Crystal River, FL 34429, USA
Phone:	+1 866-922-3483
Site:	fun2dive.com
Rating:	5
Working:	7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM 7AM–4PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

angel dunn

Booked a trip on wed. April 4th 2017 for 4 of us. The people in the office were very friendly and got us started on our tour right away. Once on the boat we meet our captain Rick and our water guide Shellie who were very knowagable of the Manatee. We knew we were at the end of the winer months and most of the Manatees had moved out of the springs. We had realistic expectations of just seeing one Manatee. But WOW mind blown! The first one we saw had gotten into a pen that the wildlife reserve had setup to grow more grass for the Manatee. Only could see him from the boat. The next one was in the cannel. We entered the water, the visability was not great at all and was a little scary. Shellie guided us to where the Manatee was and as we floated out of the the darkness the huge sea cow appeared! Couldnt believe how hug he was as he just swam. We stayed about 10 mins with this one until he swam off. Got back on the boat and off to find more. The 3rd one was up stream where the water was a little claerer and Captain Rick put us right next to another one. In the water again. This one you could see and hear eating. He would come up for air right next to us and was amazing. We spent about 15 mins. With this one and then off to look for more. The 4th and 5th one was a mom and baby, again the water was not the clearist. The mom was busy eating but the baby was playfull. I actually had him come right up to me a check me out!! Mind blown again. So, for coming into to this with just wanting to see 1 manatee to actually seeing 5 my expectations were filled. Captain Rick then took us to 3 sisters to see the clear springs. We were informed that this is were the Manatees gathered for the winter but they had all moved out. The water was colder in the springs but the water was crystal clear. Once in the spring Shellie said to check it out. As i floated in the clear waterbto my surprise there was one Manatee! It was amazing the clear water and a Manatee. Shellie got amazing pictures for us plus video. I would highly recommed them for your tour but go with realistic expectations and you wont be disappointed. Even the pics in the cloudy water were great! Thanks again Captian Rick, Shellie, and fun2dive

Kimbo D

Ill start by saying it was soooo cold when we went out. The thermometer was hovering right around 30 degrees....not the balmy experience a northerner expects from a Florida vacation. We might have considered trying to reschedule but there was no other free space in our tightly packed schedule. We couldnt have been more pleased with our decision. We were met at the door by Laura who assured us that while it might not seem like ideal conditions to us, the cold weather virtually insured interactions with the manatees. We watched the educational video on how to share space with the manatees then got our wetsuits on and headed to the van. Corey was our driver (and as it turned out, also our in water guide), he reiterated what Laura had said about the cold weather drawing the manatees into the warmer water of the springs and canals. We got to the boat and met our Captain David. On the ride out to the spring area both David and Corey pointed out wildlife and shared interesting information about the area and tips for having the best in water encounters. We were thrilled with our boat of 6, especially when we saw a tour boat with 15 people to one in water guide. The captain and Corey spotted a mother and 2 calves alone and away from the other tour groups. They helped us to get quietly into the water so as not to disturb these amazing creatures. The three manatees seemed as interested in us as we were in them. It was AWESOME! We each left feeling like we had a personal experience. Corey took pictures during our trip and we had beautiful pictures of each of us with the manatees to show family and friends back home. I cant recommend Fun2dive enough. The staff was amazing!

spca lover

This trip was an absolute pleasure. Although it was freezing outside, the water was warm and comfortable (and full of manatees!). From the woman in the shop to the people on the boat, everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful. Three of us stayed on the boat under blankets and had a wonderful time chatting with the captain about Crystal River and sharing stories about anything and everything. Four of us (including me) went into the water with a guide. There was a manatee right by the ladder of the boat, and it was chewing on the rope that the guide had let down for it. We were able to watch him, and I was super surprised when I looked to my left to see another manatee swimming between my cousin and me. We eventually had three manatees with us at one time: a mama, her new baby, and her older baby. The water guide even helped me pet the baby because the manatee was coming up to us and playing. My favorite part was putting my ears underwater to hear the baby squeaking to his mother. Everyone went out of the way to make sure we were warm when we got back on the boat, and they had a warm van waiting for us when we got back to the pier. When we got back to the shop, we were able to look at their merchandise while they prepared USB drives with the pictures from the tour. It was an absolute pleasure to take this tour, and I recommend it to anyone who wants an amazing, unique experience.

Amilia Likon

We used Fun2dive in July. I know when you sign up, they make no promises about being able to interact with manatee as they are wild animals. But, we had no disappointments in our experience with them. Our family of 6 had the whole boat to ourselves. And despite 5 of us never having snorkeled before, our guide Rob made sure we were up to speed on how to safely and properly fit and use all the equipment. The most difficult part of the morning swim was fitting into my wet suit.... after that it was a breeze! We have a 12 year old with physical and learning disabilities. He was the big reason we nearly didnt sin up. But Rob and our captain showed amazing patience in working with him to make sure he had a manatee experience. We encountered one particularly friendly and exuberant young manatee who went out of its way to find you. My first ever experience interacting with a manatee was seeing a huge pair of manatee lips coming at me and engulf my face mask! It was great! If you have kids or havent snorted before...no worries! Rob will take care of you. Would gladly do it again

Karina Gerstenschlager

We had a great day with the Fun2Dive manatee experience. We did the 10am tour and had the chance to swim with a mother and calf manatee, about 11ft and 8ft long. Just 4 of us (my mother, father, grandfather and I) were the boat, which was comfortably shaded for Grandpa, who did not join us in the water. Our guides Rick and Shellie were very hospitable and fun, and took us for a tour of the bay and 3 Sisters Springs once we felt we had spent enough time watching the manatees. The wetsuits and snorkels were in great condition. Manatees stay out in the bay and the canals during warmer months. The water quality is green and visibility is lower in the canals, so we will definitely join Fun2Dive for another tour during cooler months when the manatees are in the clear water of the 3 Sisters Springs. We also had a chance to see an Osprey nest with an adult and 2 juveniles! Great guides and tour!