Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

This Florida Activity Was Ranked One Of 'The Top Bucket List Experiences' In The World

It's at an incredible clear water spring. 😍

A woman swimming with a manatee. Right: Crystal River just north of Tampa.

A woman swimming with a manatee. Right: Crystal River just north of Tampa.

Florida Associate Editor

The "Top Bucket List Experiences" in the world were just ranked by TripAdvisor, and on that list is an excursion located in Florida! There are so many things to do in the Sunshine State, but swimming with manatees is one of the most unique.

At Crystal River, just north of Tampa, you can see gorgeous clear water springs and spend the day kayaking or taking a dip with these gentle giants.

The travel company recommended on the website is Explorida, but you can also do the activity through Hunter Springs & Kayak Tours.

This Wildlife Refuge is one of the only places in Florida where you can see the animals year-round. You get taken out by boat with provided snorkel gear and a wetsuit and jump right in.

Explorida also provides you with a photographer to create awesome memories.

"This was absolutely amazing. It was on my husband’s bucket list. Highly recommend it. Our tour guide and captain were great," Ashleigh G commented on Tripadvisor.

So many people not only rave about the experience but also the tour guides making their adventure that much more exciting.

It's a three-hour tour and you're even provided a noodle to help lean on in the water.

Some companies also allow you to paddleboard and see a kayak tour of Three Sisters Springs where you can have fun in the sun with stunning views.

You can also go scalloping, though, swimming with the manatees is one of the most highly anticipated things to do in the world and was ranked No. 10 on the list.

It's something you can cross off your bucket list any time of the year.

Swimming With The Manatees - Explorida

Price: $64+

Address: 545 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, FL

Why You Need To Go: You can see manatees up close, get amazing photos for the memories, and enjoy one of Florida's natural clear water springs.

Website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

Explore this list   👀

  • Associate Editor

    Jenna Kelley (she/her) was the Associate Editor for Florida at Narcity Media, where she oversaw all of the editorial content across the Sunshine State. She started her career in broadcast media as a television news reporter for three years. In 2020, Jenna won a Georgia Association of Broadcasters (GABBY) award for Best Online Produced Story. She's covered live concerts, reported at the Masters Tournament, and interviewed state senators during election season. Prior to working at Narcity Media, she made her way home to Florida and launched a copywriting business. Jenna received her B.A. in English with a minor in Communications at Florida State University. She has over five years of experience from print and digital media to radio and television.

This enchanting small town set on a BC island was named among North America's 'most peaceful'

Sandy beaches, ancient forests and a cozy town — anyone?. 🌲

This Ontario gem with waterfront towns and beaches is one of Canada's 'best' spots to live

It has "large" homes "priced much lower" than major Canadian cities.

New data reveals the 'most peaceful' places to live and Canadian towns demolished US ones

Five Canadian towns were named the most serene on the continent. 🍁