FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

There is no single “best” time of day for manatee swimming outside of the refuge. The best time is whatever fits your schedule. Earlier tours typically experience fewer people on the water, and weekday or early morning tours are ideal for avoiding larger crowds.

The winter months, from mid-November through March, are when manatees gather in large numbers in Crystal River’s warm, spring-fed waters.

We allow children from 3 years old and up on our group tours as long as they are comfortable in the water, are well behaved, and can follow basic instructions given by the guide.

Children under the age of 3, unruly or not lol, are welcome to join on private trips where it is just your family on board.

All tours last approximately 3 hours from arrival to return. Guests can expect about 2.5 hours on the boat, with roughly 1–2 hours spent in the water depending on conditions and manatee behavior.

• Small group tours
• Scenic boat ride
• Mask, snorkel, and wetsuit 
• In-water tour guide and U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains
• Full-service tour facility with gift shop
• Free parking

Yes, all participants must be able to swim and feel comfortable in the water. Most of the manatee tour involves snorkeling and floating calmly with the manatees rather than active swimming. Wetsuits and foam pool noodles are provided for added buoyancy.

Yes. All snorkeling gear, including a mask, snorkel, and wetsuit, is provided at no additional cost. Swim fins are not allowed due to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations. Guests may bring their own gear if preferred.

Yes. Wetsuits are available in sizes up to adult 4XL.

Yes. Wetsuit sizes begin at 3-year-old toddler sizes and go up from there.

Children ages 3 and up may join group tours as long as they are comfortable in the water, well behaved, and able to follow basic instructions.

Children under 3 years old are welcome on private tours only where it is just family and friends onboard.

Children under the age of 3 are not permitted on group tours. Infants and toddlers are welcome on private manatee tours where only your family is onboard.

Pets: Pets are not allowed on group tours. Well-behaved, house-trained pets may join private tours with advance notice.

Service Dogs: Service dogs are welcome on all tours with advance notice and must remain leashed and under the handler’s control at all times per ADA regulations.

Emotional Support Animals: Emotional support animals are not recognized under ADA guidelines and are considered pets.

Fun 2 Dive is located at 135 NE 3rd Street in downtown Crystal River, Florida, along the shores of Kings Bay Manatee Refuge, just two blocks from Hunter Springs Park. Contact us for directions.

Fun 2 Dive is approximately 1.5 hours northwest of the Orlando attractions area.

Transportation is not provided. Most guests choose to rent a car. Ride-share services such as Uber or Lyft are also available.

Fun 2 Dive has been operating in Crystal River since 1995 and has guided over 150,000 visitors into the manatee refuge waters.

Fun 2 Dive offers small group and private manatee tours, early morning options, fully permitted operations under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, professional guides and photographers, all-inclusive pricing, and a dedicated team focused on providing a high-quality, responsible manatee experience.