Quick Details
Adult
Ages 12+
$ 89
Child
Ages 11 & Under
$ 79
TOP RATED
Embark on the Crystal River’s #1 clear-kayak adventure – Get Up And Go Kayaking has earned the Travelers’ Choice Award 5 years running, with over 2,500 glowing 5-star reviews!
GIVING BACK
Paddle with a purpose on our eco-friendly tour – a portion of every booking fuels manatee and spring conservation in Crystal River and beyond. Protect the gentle giants while making unforgettable memories!
ORIGINAL & UNRIVALED
Join the 1st clear-kayak tour in Crystal River and glide in the clearest, most comfortable kayaks on the water. Our pioneering legacy guarantees an authentic Old-Florida experience.
BEST VIEWS
Ditch the colored plastic kayaks – our crystal-clear kayaks put you inside the underwater world. Capture jaw-dropping content for Reels and TikToks as you float over seagrass beds and possibly encounter some local manatees!
SMALL GROUPS
Paddle with up to 10 fellow adventurers, chat with your knowledgeable, local guide, and get the best views of the Crystal River springs’ magic. Need a larger private group or larger party to adventure with? Just ask!
GUARANTEED ACCESS
Booking a tour with us gets you guaranteed access to the world famous Three Sisters Springs, which is only accessible by water! By booking ahead, you’ll guarantee your spot on the tour.
Kayak with Manatees in Crystal River in our 100% clear kayaks!
From November through March, manatees gather in Crystal River, where more than 70 springs hold the water at 72 degrees year-round. It’s the largest natural manatee refuge in Florida. From a clear kayak, you can watch them swim around and underneath you, which is not something you can do many other places!
This tour is two hours, maximum 10 people, and is guided by a local expert who will make your trip a memory of a lifetime!
Manatees: From November through March, West Indian Manatees gather in these warm springs. You’ll paddle the channels and springs where they spend the winter, and the clear kayak lets you watch them underwater, how they interact, how they feed, how they surface to breathe. This is their home and you’re a visitor in it!
Other Wildlife: Dolphins, turtles, stingrays and fish live here too. Bald eagles, ospreys, herons and egrets work the water from above. The whole waterway is busy with life and you’re in the middle of it.
The Experience: Two hours, maximum 10 people, one guide who knows where the manatees actually are that morning. You get close, you stay quiet, and you get time to encounter them safely, ethically, and naturally.
Learn about Crystal River from your 5-star rated eco-tour guide!
Your guide understands manatee behavior, the laws that protect them, and how to position a group without stressing the animals. They’re trained, and they’re not working from a script. On the water we practice passive observation, which means respecting the manatees’ space while still giving you a real look at them. Our guides follow Manatee Manners and will ensure the group follows local regulations so that everyone stays safe and the animals stay calm.
Crystal River Clear Kayaking FAQ's
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All sales are final. If you’d like the option to cancel, you may add Trip Protection at booking for 10% of the ticket price. This covers a full refund up to 24 hours before your tour time
You can also make changes to your reservation, including date, time or party size, up to 24 hours before your tour. (availability permitting)
Inside 24 hours, reservations are charged in full. That includes no-shows, and it includes the full party you booked. If you reserve four seats and two people arrive, the booking is still charged for four.
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Our weight limit is no more than 250 pounds per person and no more than 425 pounds per 2 people that are in the same kayak. All of our kayaks are double kayaks. Unfortunately our kayak manufacturer has given us this strict limit of 250 pounds per person and we cannot exceed this limit.
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Each of our kayaks are tandem (made for 2 paddlers). However, the seats are removable and if you have an odd number of paddlers in your party we are able to accommodate the kayak as a single.
Keep in mind, the same 250 pound PER person weight limit still applies even if taking a kayak out as a single.
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Yes, and it’s appreciated. Standard is 20%, but tip whatever feels right to you.
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Alcohol is not allowed on any of our tours.
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Manatees are the reason most people come, and winter is when they’re here in numbers; these warm springs are why they gather. You may also see dolphins, turtles, stingrays and fish, with bald eagles, ospreys, herons and egrets flying by. Weather and time of day can change what kind of wildlife you may encounter. We know where to look, but these are wild animals, and nothing is guaranteed.
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- Reservations are required for all tours.
- There’s a $5 city parking fee, paid by card at the parking lot when you arrive.
- Please arrive 15-30 minutes early. Late guests are considered a no-show.
- Bathrooms and picnic tables are available on site.
- Pets are welcome (must stay within the 425lbs combined weight limit and stay inside the kayak sitting on a towel)
- No alcohol.
- Manatees and other wildlife are wild, so we can’t guarantee sightings. Remember, your guides are experts and will do their best to show you wildlife in a safe and ethical way!
- Please don’t put sunscreen on the backs of your legs. It transfers onto the kayak, clouds the floor, and doesn’t wash off our boats. Thank you!
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Bring:
- Drinking water (in a reusable bottle if possible!)
- Warm layers or quick-drying clothes. November through March can be chilly!
- Wear a swimsuit, or clothes that can get slightly wet
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
- Shoes that can get wet
- A towel
- Pack light. Less gear in the kayak means better visibility through it!
We provide:
- A clear kayak with comfortable seats and paddles
- Life jackets, dry bags and safety equipment
- An experienced guide who knows the river
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- Every tour is given on one of our 100% clear kayaks.
- Our fleet is small (5 kayaks) so expect an exclusive experience (no more than 10 people at a time).
- Our guides are always helpful and entertaining (and they love tips).
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- Yes, children are welcome on our tours!
- We require children 30 pounds or under to bring their own Coast Guard approved life jacket as the size is very specific and safety is of utmost importance.
- We require one adult per each child under age 11.
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This is a beginner paddle, so you do not need prior experience!
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Yes pets are permitted as long as they do not exceed kayaks weight limit