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.

Meet Captain Ross

He chooses to join RV because of our reputation and he heard that the crew here are more like family than co-workers. He's been with us for nearly 2 years, and loves the comradery, flexibility, and support he has found here with our team. Ross is a real superstar and we are so happy to have him here as a part of our River Family!

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.

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Exciting updates to the Save Crystal River Grass Restoration Project

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Based on our most recent Johnson Engineering report, success in our restored areas is obvious. We are now seeing in our pilot project Phase 1A (where it all began!) a massive increase in at least 13 different species, the highest population being the amphipod Hyalella azteca. These prey species attract fish, birds and water fowl, and many of our native species.

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Annual Audubon Birding Tours with River Ventures

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This fundraising event is very popular and sells out quickly every year. We appreciate all the attendees who support our event by returning for a fun, informational and engaging outing! There were over 53 bird species seen during the morning tour...and spotting 53 species of birds in two hours is not an easy task in most parts of the world, it's just one of the reasons this area is such a hot spot for birders!