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Florida Adventure Tour - Swim with the Manatees, Wildlife Park, Airboat Ride & Lunch
Experience the best of Florida’s natural beauty all in one extraordinary day! Dive into the magic of swimming with manatees at Crystal River, explore the wonders of rescued wildlife at Homosassa State Park, savour a delicious lunch in nature and feel the thrill of an airboat ride at Wild Bills Airboat Tours.
You’ve come all the way to Florida, so it makes sense to get out of Orlando and see as much of it as possible. No other tour provides such a wide-ranging experience as this original Florida Adventure! The undoubted highlight is the chance to swim with majestic manatees in the beautiful Crystal River - a spring-fed oasis renowned as the Manatee Capital of the World and the only place in America where it is legal to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Travel comfortably from Orlando to Crystal River, guided by expert narrators who provide educational insights, ensuring a responsible and enriching interaction with the manatees. Begin your adventure with a leisurely narrated boat ride along the Crystal River through the manatee country. If you are lucky, you will get to see manatees in their natural environment - at this point, you are encouraged to swim and snorkel with these beautiful creatures under the supervision of a Coast Guard Certified Captain. Or you can choose to sit back, relax and enjoy the natural surroundings. This isn't just an encounter; it's a profound connection with nature's essence.
After your exhilarating swim, venture on to Homosassa Springs State Park, a genuine hidden gem of Florida nature. This 210-acre sanctuary is dedicated to the preservation of Florida's wildlife including the endangered Florida panther, black bears, red wolves, bobcats, alligators and manatees, plus a profusion of birdlife, notably whooping cranes and flamingos. Here, witness firsthand the remarkable conservation efforts and enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the serene beauty of nature.
Conclude your Florida adventure with a thrilling airboat ride at Wild Bills Airboat Tours, where you'll feel the rush of excitement as you speed through scenic waterways, catching glimpses of Florida's iconic alligators in their natural habitat.
Return to Orlando at around 4.00pm, carrying cherished memories of an authentic Florida adventure. Book with us and get ready for a day filled with exploration, education and excitement that you won't forget!
Operates:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, year-round.
Pick-up Time & Schedule
- 6.00am - Pacifica Ballroom at Universal Royal Pacific Resort. (only guests staying at Universal Resorts can choose this location). 6300 Hollywood Way, Orlando, FL 32819. Please wait outside the Pacifica Ballroom Lobby.
- 6.05am - Avanti Palms Resort. 6515 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Please wait outside the lobby.
- 6.10am - ICON Park Orlando. 8375 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819. Please wait at the base of the wheel, facing Universal Blvd. 6.20am - Golden Corral Buffet, Lake Buena Vista. 8707 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32821. Please wait outside of the restaurant.
- 6.20am - Golden Corral Buffet, Lake Buena Vista. 8707 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32821. Please wait outside of the restaurant. Free parking is available.
- 6.35am - Disney Swan Resort. 1200 Epcot Resorts Blvd, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830. Please wait outside the lobby.
- 6.45am - Charley's Steak House. 2901 Parkway Blvd, Kissimmee, FL 34747. Please wait outside of the restaurant.
Duration:
Around 10 hours in total.
Experience Includes
- Full-Day Excursion to Florida's Gulf Coast Crystal River area
- Leisurely boat tour of Kings Bay and Crystal River
- Chance to swim and snorkel with majestic Manatees in their natural environment
- Complimentary us of a mask and snorkel
- Admission into Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - home to the endangered Florida panther, black bears, red wolves, bobcats and alligators
- Thrilling Airboat Ride: Experience the excitement at Wild Bill's Airboat Tours
- Roundtrip transportation from International Drive, Disney and Kissimmee areas of Orlando in an air-conditioned coach
- Packed Lunch
- Professional Tour Guide - enjoy the services of a certified and licensed guide
Experience Excludes
- Mandatory $15 wetsuit rental for any swimmers to be paid on tour day
- Food and beverages
- Optional gratuities
Terms & Conditions
- Due to the natural conditions of this experience, an encounter with the Manatees cannot be guaranteed. However, the expert Coast Guard-certified boat captains will do everything possible to make this happen. There is a population of around 80 Manatees that live in the Crystal River year-round with numbers swelling to around 300 in the winter months.
- Wetsuits are not included in the tour price. These must be rented on the day for $15.00 and act as an excellent buoyancy aid. Any person wishing to do the manatee swim must hire a wetsuit prior to boat departure. The water temperature is around 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, the main purpose of wearing a wet suit is to aid buoyancy and minimise surface splashing which can scare manatees away.
- Water can vary from 4 feet to 24 feet deep. Pool noodles are provided for all guests but anybody wishing to go in the water should be able to at least float calmly.
- Please wear a swimsuit under clothes in the morning as it will make things easier upon arrival at the dive shop.
- Please bring towels and a change of clothes for after the dive time.
- All timings are approximate and subject to change.
- The Florida Adventure Tour runs from central location points in Orlando and you will need to make your own way to one of these departure points. Your nearest pick-up location will be confirmed locally upon tour reconfirmation. Please arrive at your meeting location at least 15 minutes prior to the departure time. Wait outside the meeting point as the guides will not go into lobbies or stores to look for guests.
- Gratuities are not included for the tour guides or drivers. Gratuities are not mandatory but are encouraged upon receipt of good service.
- If you use a wheelchair, please inform us when making your booking.
- We recommend guests bring breakfast with them on the tour vehicle to eat, as there is often not chance to stop en route to the river in the mornings.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- Free cancellations for bookings cancelled with the operator more than 24 hours before your chosen activity date. No refunds are given for cancellations made within 24 hours.
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