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Crystal River Kayak Company & Dive Center Boat Tours in Crystal River, Florida
Captain-led Crystal River boat tours for families, non-paddlers, and mixed groups. Stay aboard for a River Cruise or add a guided swim.
Crystal River Boat Tours
Crystal River, Captain Included
Stay aboard for a relaxed River Cruise or add a guided swim. Choose the boat experience that fits your group.
Crystal River, With a Captain at the Helm
Bring the family, the grandparents, the cautious first-timer, and the person who simply does not want to paddle. A captain-led Carolina Skiff keeps everyone together while a local captain handles the route through Crystal River and Kings Bay.
Choose the River Cruise Eco Tour when staying dry and taking in the water is the plan. Choose the seasonal Boat Swim when getting into the clear water near Three Sisters is the reason for the day. Either way, the whole group gets Crystal River without having to manage a kayak.
Choose Your Boat Tour
River Cruise Eco Tour
- $73 per person
- A relaxed 2-to-3-hour captain-led cruise
- Stay aboard and dry for the entire experience
- Up to six paying guests, plus the captain
- Hot cocoa in cooler weather or bottled water in warmer weather
Manatee Boat Swim / Boat Eco Swim
- $93 per person
- A 2-to-2.5-hour boat ride and guided swim
- Manatee Boat Swim from November 15 through March 31
- Boat Eco Swim from April 1 through November 14
- Mask, snorkel, 5mm wetsuit, flotation, and an in-water guide included
- Up to six paying guests, excluding the captain and guide
Boat Tour Rates
Both tours carry up to six paying guests. Compare the time on the water, seasonal focus, and included support.
River Cruise Eco Tour
$73 per person
- Duration
- 2 to 3 hours
- Experience
- A dry, captain-led cruise aboard our Carolina Skiff.
- Included
- Your captain, plus hot cocoa in cooler weather or bottled water in warmer weather.
Boat Swim Tour
$93 per person
- Duration
- 2 to 2.5 hours
- Season
- Manatee Boat Swim in winter; Boat Eco Swim in warmer months.
- Included
- Captain, in-water guide, mask, snorkel, 5mm wetsuit, flotation, and a seasonal hot or cold drink.
Six Guests. One Captain. Crystal River Ahead.
This is not a crowded sightseeing boat. Your group shares one small Carolina Skiff with a local captain, giving everyone room to settle in, ask questions, and experience the river together.
Made for the Group You Actually Brought
Boat tours work especially well when ages, mobility, balance, or water comfort vary across the group. The River Cruise keeps everyone aboard. The Boat Swim welcomes non-swimmers with the supplied wetsuit and flotation, as long as each guest is comfortable entering the water and following the guide.
Prefer a more active day? Compare guided Kayak Tours, choose the Manatee & Eco Swim Tours when a paddle-and-swim experience fits better, or set your own pace with Kayak Rentals. If your group still has questions, contact us before booking.
Before You Board
- Arrive 30 minutes before your reservation
- Bring sun protection and water-friendly clothing
- Tell us about non-swimmers or support needs before the trip
- Choose the River Cruise when everyone wants to remain dry
- Leave pets at home
Plan your visit
Frequently Asked Questions
Which boat tour should I choose?
Choose the River Cruise Eco Tour when the group wants to stay dry and let the captain handle the day. Choose the seasonal Boat Swim when entering the water near Three Sisters is part of the experience.
Why does the Boat Swim have two seasonal names?
Book the Manatee Boat Swim Tour for dates from November 15 through March 31. Book the Boat Eco Swim Tour for dates from April 1 through November 14. Both use the same boat-first, guided-swim format.
How many guests can the boat carry?
The Carolina Skiff carries up to six paying guests. The captain and the in-water guide on Boat Swim trips do not count against those six guest spaces.
Does the River Cruise remain dry?
Yes. River Cruise guests remain aboard for the entire captain-led trip. Choose this tour when the group wants Crystal River scenery and wildlife context without swimming or paddling.
What's included with the Boat Swim?
The Boat Swim includes the boat, captain, in-water guide, mask, snorkel, 5mm wetsuit, flotation, and hot cocoa in cooler weather or bottled water in warmer weather.
Can a non-swimmer join the Boat Swim?
Yes. Strong swimming ability is not required. Guests should be comfortable entering the water with the supplied wetsuit and flotation and following the guide. Tell us about a non-swimmer before booking so we can prepare.
Does the Boat Swim enter Three Sisters Springs?
The tour generally heads to the Three Sisters Springs area. Interior access follows current refuge conditions. When the Crystal River water-temperature reading falls below 62.7°F and managers close access, the guided swim continues outside the springs in the surrounding Three Sisters area.
Are manatee sightings guaranteed?
No. Winter brings the strongest opportunity to encounter manatees, but they are wild animals. Your captain and guide provide local knowledge and a responsible experience without promising a sighting.
Is there a minimum age, party size, or pet option?
There is no fixed minimum participant age or party size. Pets are not permitted. Arrive 30 minutes before the reservation so the group has time to check in and prepare.
Let the Captain Take It From Here
Stay dry, add a swim, bring the whole group, and leave the route to someone who knows Crystal River. Choose the boat tour that fits your day.