swim with manatee

Manatee Q&A: Why do manatees scar?

Since manatee bones are so fragile, when a boat's propeller comes in contact with a manatee it can result in scratching the manatee and causing them to scar. One of the ways humans have tried to avoid this is by putting propeller caps on so they can’t slice the manatee, but this results in blunt force trauma which can cause a manatee's bones to completely shatter.

Safe And Confident Tours In The Time Of Covid-19

Here at River Ventures, there is nothing more important to us than the health of our visitors and employees. We have always prided ourselves in maintaining a safe and clean working environment, but moving forward we will go above and beyond what is suggested by the CDC to ensure the safety of our guests. These guidelines will be updated regularly to reflect the most up to date suggestions for safe operations.

Meet the Staff - Captain John Baltzell

Thank you, John - for all your years of loyalty, service and providing an inspiration to thousands of animal lovers!! If Johnny B sounds like the Captain for you, it is always possible to request him when making your dreams of swimming with manatees come true! 

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Summer Manatees Tour

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Being an in-water Manatee Tour guide is my PASSION! It’s such a joy to meet people from all over the world and I consider it a true honor to introduce these visitors to my manatee friends. Seven days a week, all year round, not only do I get to visit with my favorite animals in the world, but I can share it with like-minded individuals that leave with a sense of wonder that’s difficult to express!

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Crystal River: 8 Things You Must Do

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Crystal River is a quiet, yet adventurous town off Florida’s Gulf of Mexico coast. I love the area so much that I went back again this year to check off some of the things I didn’t do last year! Here are some of my recommendations!

Schwimmen mit den Manatees in Crystal River

Florida wird vielfach als Musterbeispiel für künstlich geschaffene Tourismusattraktionen genannt. Kein Wunder, hält man sich die Vielzahl der Freizeitparks rund um Orlando vor Augen. Aber der US-Bundesstaat bietet auch echte Naturerlebnisse, die man sonst kaum auf dieser Welt erleben kann. Dazu zählt natürlich oft als erstes ein Besuch der Everglades und ihrer schier unzähligen Alligatoren und anderen Tierarten. Ein Erlebnis ganz besonderer Art gibt es jedoch in Westflorida nahe Clearwater in Crystal River und Homosassa: hier kann man mit den archaisch anmutenden Seekühen, hier Manatees genannt, schwimmen.