Homosassa Manatee Tours
Swim with the Manatees in Homosassa
Swim with the Manatees in Homosassa
Homosassa Manatee Tours give you the opportunity to swim with manatees at the Homosassa Springs practicing passive interaction. We strictly follow all FWC guidelines and will educate you on passive observation. You’ll receive a briefing before the tour explaining what you may and may not do while interacting with the manatee. No equipment? No Problem. We provide wetsuits, masks and snorkels, all the gear you need to snorkel with the manatee. Starting at $69 per person, maximum of 6 customers on the boat.
Homosassa Manatee Viewing From Boat
Homosassa Manatee Tours by boat keep you warm and dry while still observing the manatee from only a few feet away. Manatees frequent the Homosassa Springs during the winter months because at a constant temperature of 72 degree F the Springs are the warmest water in the area when the temperature drops everywhere else. For many, the thought of jumping in the water when it’s cold isn’t a good option. Stay in our covered and insulated boat where it’s warm and dry and observe the manatees in comfort. You’ll still have the option to jump in the water if you want to, but for those who can’t rest assured you’ll still witness the beauty of our manatees swimming around the boat. Our boats are wheelchair accessible.
Passive Observation of Manatees
Our team of seasoned professionals will teach you passive observation. In simple terms, this means that we let manatees be manatees without disturbing or harassing them. Manatees are passive and inquisitive by nature. Unless spooked they will slowly make their way up and down the river with frequent stops where it looks like they’re sleeping. They know what people are and in many instances like interacting with us; they’ll swim up, nudge us with their snout, wrap a flipper over our shoulder or just rub up against us. It has to be the manatee’s decision to swim to us, we are not allowed to chase after them, grab them or in any way impede what they want to do or force our will upon them. If you keep them comfortable and feeling safe, chances are good they’ll reward you with a closer than expected encounter.
Additional Species
Manatees aren’t the only animals smart enough to know the warmest spot on the river. All the other fishes of the sea that like a warmer temperature range will find their way to the Homosassa Springs. You may see lunker snook floating in formation, adult and juvenile tarpon, turtles and large schools of mullet or jack crevalle. The winter time water is especially clear and with as small an area as the Springs encompass you have large concentrations of varied aquatic life to enjoy.
Angelo was great! Very knowledgeable and personable. We had a fantastic time!!
Angela Ward December 2025
Homosassa Springs Manatees
Dive into an interactive encounter with the Manatees
