The 12 Best Manatee Tours near Orlando

1.Silver Springs Clear Kayak Manatee, Monkey & Wildlife Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 419 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80Our pick

Spend two hours on Silver Springs with guides such as Steve, Chris, Ashley, and Justin. Paddle a clear kayak, tandem boat, solo kayak, or paddleboard while looking for manatees, monkeys, turtles, alligators, fish, birds, and old film relics beneath the water.

“Justin was a great guide. Very knowledgeable and did a great job of finding and pointing out wildlife as we paddled through the park”

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2.Clear Kayak or Paddleboard Manatee Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 344 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Paddle the Fort King trail at Silver Springs State Park in a clear kayak or on a paddleboard. Guides such as Stevie and Roger point out manatees, turtles, alligators, birds, fish, and sometimes monkeys. The tour lasts about two hours, with photos shared afterward.

“Pack the sunscreen, sunglasses & wear a hat. Because the most adventurous & yet the most peaceful adventure is here. All in one place.”

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3.Manatee Snorkeling Adventure Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 230 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $169

Leave Orlando early for Crystal River, where a small group and trained boat crew guide you toward wild manatees. Snorkel gear, lunch, park admission, hotel pickup, and selected airboat rides are included. Guides such as Oscar, Kevin, Carmen, and Bill have helped make the day friendly and well organized.

“Very friendly knowledgeable tour guide and driver. Enjoyed swimming with the manatees. Driver as on time”

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4.Small Group Manatee Discovery Kayak Tour near Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 224 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $80

Paddle calm waters at Blue Spring State Park with a guide such as Jeff, TJ, Jimi, or Astrid. This beginner-friendly, two-hour tour uses stable sit-on-top kayaks and small groups of up to 10. Winter brings the best chance of seeing hundreds of manatees, along with gators, turtles, herons, and eagles.

“Nothing short of spectacular! It was both incredibly fun and informative! Jeff, our guide, was amazing!!”

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5.Manatee Snorkel Tour with Lunch & Hotel Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · 11 hours · from $169

Travel from a select Orlando-area hotel to Crystal River for a pontoon ride and guided swim with wild manatees. Then visit Homosassa State Wildlife Park, its underwater viewing area, and native Florida animals. Guides such as Kevin, Carmen, Oscar, Amanda, and Mike have earned praise for clear explanations and friendly help.

“Ismaël was a very good driver. the bus was very comfy, the activity was great, WE could see some Manatees eventough thé water was a bit cloud so sometimes difficult, but everything was good. The staff on site was veey kind and nice and they even offered hot chocolate when we went off of the water. Nice activity I would recommend.”

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6.Silver Springs Manatee Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 66 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $65

Join Aaron of AWA Kayak Tours for a relaxed 90-minute paddle around Silver Springs’ Fort King loop. You’ll use a single or tandem kayak, follow clear water past turtles, manatees, alligators, fish, birds, and monkeys, and receive basic gear, local guidance, and dry bags for small valuables.

“Book with Aaron!!! Very informed on the native species and pointed out many spots we certainly would have missed on our own. Gave us the history we even saw sunken boats. Would surely recommend and go again!”

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7.Manatees, Monkeys and Florida Natural Spring Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 61 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Meet at Fort King Pavilion for a two-hour paddle through clear spring water beneath oaks and cypress trees. Your guide provides a short lesson, board or kayak, paddle, and life vest. The route reaches the spring head and a manatee viewing area on the Silver Springs River.

“Absolutely DO NOT BOOK WITH THIS COMPANY! We drove 2 hrs, just to NEVER see or hear from this company. No phone call, email, NOTHING!! Very unprofessional, distasteful, and disrespectful!! I highly suggest you NOT BOOK WITH THREE BROTHERS!!”

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8.Guided Kayaking Manatee Tour near Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60Best value

Join guide Aaron of AWA Kayak Tours for a 90-minute paddle on the St. Johns River near Blue Springs. You may see manatees, alligators, bald eagles, and other birds from a kayak. The small-group format, dry bags, safety gear, and same-day photos make this a practical wildlife outing near Orlando.

“Wonderful kayaking tour! The tour guides are amazing ! Very informative, and so patient with inexperienced kayakers. Received photos and videos of our trip. Definitely will book again! 10 stars ⭐️”

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9.Blue Springs Manatee Tours & Wildlife Adventure Orlando

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $80

Spend about four hours at Blue Spring State Park near Orlando, including a two-hour guided kayak outing. Kayaks, paddles, and dry bags are supplied as you look for manatees and Florida wildlife while learning about manatee biology and the spring’s unusual mix of clear and dark water.

“Couldn’t really see the manatees, kind of lame, the water is very dark visibility about 8 to 12 inches down.”

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10.Silver Springs Manatee Kayak, Glass Boat Small Group Max 14 Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $98

Travel from Orlando to Silver Springs State Park in a small group of up to 14. Spend five hours among clear springs, forest trails, wildlife, and optional glass-bottom boat or kayak trips. Guides such as Gus handle the driving and help keep the day easy.

“I went to the Silver Springs of Florida, the driver's big brother was kind, the landscape along the way was beautiful, and people were happy. The only small disadvantage is that the season is not right, not seeing the long-awaited bulls. However, the glass boat experience is very special, so you can clearly see the underwater view. I also rented a transparent crystal boat, relaxed on clear waterways, very polite. Overall a relaxing and memorable trip, recommended for those who love nature and water activities.Auto-translated”

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11.Silver Springs Manatee & Monkeys Paddle Board Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $69

Paddle with Rochelle or another Otter Paddle Orlando guide through Silver Springs State Park. Expect manatees, monkeys, turtles, fish, birds, and possible alligators, plus clear spring water, sunken boats, and the Fort King Paddle Trail.

“It was a pretty relaxing experience. A lot of wipdlife to see and the guide was very knowledgeable and pointed out the names of everything we saw.”

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12.Orlando Manatee and Olde Florida History Adventure Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $65

Paddleboard or kayak on the St. Johns River near Sanford with guide Seth, learning about manatees, alligators, birds, plants, and local history. This private, English-language tour lasts about two hours and includes boards, kayaks, paddles, and life preservers.

“Was scared at first due to there being gators in the area (it’s Florida, duh!). We didn’t see a single one and had the best time. Our guide Seth told us all about the areas history and it’s native habitants from plants to birds to reptiles, etc.”

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