Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour
4.5
Manatee Sightseeing and Wildlife Boat Tour
By Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Adventures
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About
Manatees—sometimes called sea cows for their slow, peaceful movements—are often spotted in Florida waterways. On this small-group tour, you'll get up close to these gentle giants and other animals such as alligators, sharks, and birds as you cruise around the Everglades on a covered boat. Exploring with a guide means your chances of spotting the wildlife is dramatically increased.
from per adult
$59.99
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 42 per group
Duration: 1h 30m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More
Highlights
- See manatees up close on a covered boat
- Small group for an intimate and personalized experience
- A local guide helps you spot the animals
- Choose from several departure times
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Local guide
- Polarized sunglasses and polarized phone camera lenses
- Free parking across the street from firehouse.
- Entry/Admission - Manatee Sightseeing & Wildlife Adventures
What's not included- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Reschedule and late arrival fees
- 20% Gratuity not included in price
- Meet your guide at the Port of the Islands Marina at your chosen departure time for your covered boat tour. Board the boat, put on a pair of provided high-tech water sunglasses, and set sail through the harbor, bay, and mangrove forest in search of manatees. Your guide is on hand to share details about the history of the region, answer questions, and help you spot the animals. Often, the manatees swim up to the boat allowing for up-close views.Your tour concludes at your original departure point.
- Start:
- Port of the Islands Marina. Manatee Mtg Site, 525 Newport Dr, Naples, FL 34114, USADeparture Point: Port of the Islands Marina Address: 525 Newport Drive Dock D, Naples Florida 34114
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 64829P1- Dress code is casual
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 42 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 64829P1
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Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 525 Newport Dr, Naples, FL 34114, USADeparture Point: Port of the Islands Marina Address: 525 Newport Drive Dock D, Naples Florida 34114
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- 925mattr0 contributionsTruly unforgettableAn amazing trip out with Captain West. We saw all the wildlife and more…a day to remember. Would highly recommend to anyoneWritten September 1, 2024
- FAYE G0 contributionsDisappointedDisappointing trip for us given the cost of this excursion! We saw nothing atall! and the captain was not engaging or enthusiastic. The island we stopped at was not suitable for swimming either. Will not be returning and would not recommend unfortunatelyWritten August 9, 2024
- swmotwo0 contributionshighly recommend the 3-hour tourThe 3-hour tour was a great experience for us. Captain Ed was superb: very knowledgeable and personable. Some manatee sightings to start the event, then on to a stop at one of the islands, then seeing a couple of dolphins on the return trip, plus one gator gave us a good photo op right by where we docked. Also saw several aviary species there and back, including osprey nests. Highly recommendWritten July 28, 2024
- ericmE2191XF0 contributionsManatees Galore!We actually took a tour in September but didn’t see any manatees. However, as the company claims, if don’t see them you can come back for another trip. So we did and we saw a pod of approximately 10 or so manatee's and some small gator. The ride was fun and the weather was perfect and the captain was knowledgeable and was entertaining. Would definitely recommend this sightseeing tour.Written July 18, 2024
- mbue20240 contributionsGreat ride around the canalViews were amazing out at Whitehorse key! Great Capt. Ed. Dolphins were amazing jumping the wake in our boat! We were hoping for better wildlife. We knew it was a bad time of year for manatee, but we were still hopeful. We did see a murky blob and snout come up once. We also saw several alligators and a few dolphins and birds. Stopping near Whitehorse key in the water was breathtaking and then pulling onto the key for a break and to go shelling was nice. Definitely go for the 3 hour tour, we'll worth the experience, but temper expectations about manatees. Also very hard to find with no signs and the marina shop guy was very grumpy even when we purchased items from his store.Written June 27, 2024
- 156majah0 contributionsPlenty of dolphins at sunsetThis was one of the best boat tours we have done! Saw alligators, manatees and plenty of dolphins. Captain Storm took good care of us, not only explained a lot about the area but also is a great entertainer! We would go again.Written June 26, 2024
- mindym5360 contributionsBeyond Great!It was more awesome than we even imagined! Wes was the best captain.. and knew all the spots to see SO many manatee. We had playful dolphins swimming in our wake, even caught a glimpse of a gator. All that awesome-ness aside, Wes is good guy… so positive, energetic, and genuinely friendly. We truly recommend this! Xoxo! Mindy & GaitherWritten June 6, 2024
- mikels2780 contributionsBest Guide EverJohn, the tour guide was so attentive. He met us when we were parking, and made the whole experience easy. We got to see Manatees! They were so cool. John was very knowledgeable and accommodating with our needs. A must for anyone who enjoys a beautiful sunset.Written May 19, 2024
- theodorep760 contributionsManateesCaptain John is a great guide. We saw manatees and he was able to entice the dolphin to play. Very knowledgeable about the wildlife and habitat. So interesting. Highly recommended tour.Written May 8, 2024
- Destination5770900 contributionsHighly recommend!First, Captain John was great. He was extremely knowledgeable, full of jokes (they never ended), and knew where to find all of the wildlife. Everything went smoothly and we had a great time. We would do it again!Written May 7, 2024
- 680joelp0 contributionsA great way to spend a few hoursI had a day to myself after my friends left Naples and decided to book this outing. The trip was a blast! Captain John was a lot of fun, and so knowledgeable about the ecosystem. The boat ride was super smooth and we saw a lot of wildlife. The island we stopped at was beautiful and it felt worlds away from where we departed.Written May 7, 2024
- DMandPen0 contributionsThanks Captain EdExcellent 3 hour trip. Captain Ed and his colleagues do everything they can to ensure you see as much wildlife as possible. I have seen a couple of reviews suggesting that they disrupt the wildlife. That was not our experience we had a manatee eating weeds from the side of our boat and the dolphins clearly loved playing in the wake of the boat rather than trying to get away from it. Fantastic 3 hours seeing things I will never see again.Written May 1, 2024
- Ivelisse O0 contributionsOne time is not enough. We'll be back!Captain John is the best! Knowledgeable and funny. He is as protective of nature as he is of guests on his boat. The wildlife sights were amazing.Written April 21, 2024
- G4920LDmatthewt0 contributionsGreat sunset and awesome boat ride!This was so much fun and the best sunset we saw all week! Very knowledgeable and funny captain. Great for any age, out teenager loved it!Written April 13, 2024
- Escape222511062830 contributionsFun in the sunCaptain John was knowledgeable and entertaining. We learned a lot about the wildlife in the area. We saw alligators, a salt water crocodile, dolphins, manatees ( my favorite ) multiple different kinds of birds, a raccoon and a manta ray. The beach we stopped at was beautiful with a ton of sea shells for you to collect and keep. Highly recommend this tour. If we get a chance to return to southwest Florida we would definitely do this tour again.Written April 12, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,973 reviews
Excellent
1,673
Very good
168
Average
70
Poor
32
Terrible
30
RosemaryB_10
Naples, FL192 contributions
Feb 2020
I've actually taken 2 of the cruises. The first was with Captain Andrew and we did the Manatee's tour. It was fabulous. Being new to FL, I feel like he gave us a great education. I'd actually like to go back and just sit and take notes. He was very well informed. I also liked that these are small boats that accommodate about 6 (maybe 8?) people. So after the Pandemic and things started to open up we booked a longer 3 hour sunset cruise where we brought our dinner. We went through the calm areas and he pulled up to a beach that allowed us to shell a bit, then he brought us into the Gulf. The sea was a little rough, but since it was a flat bottom boat and we sat close the water, we were getting splashed, so we head back in slightly. The sunset looked so pretty...and then clouds came in and blocked the final portion, but we looked in the opposite direction and we saw the most incredible moon rising. Honestly this is the best thing we've done in Naples!
Written June 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marianne K
Naples, FL17 contributions
Mar 2020
Thank you Captain Andrew for a great tour filled with wildlife sightings and more! Not only did we see Manatees, but we saw two Mother & Child Manatees, Alligators, Blue Herons and Tricolor Herons. Captain Andrew was an attentive guide offering information about what we were experienencing and was very knowledgeable about the wildlife. Boat was clean and in great working shape. Having the polarized sunglasses available so we could really see everything below the water easily was a thoughtful touch. It was a an amazing tour and a lot of fun. Would do it again.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2299Cecilia
Naples, FL6 contributions
Mar 2020
Our tour with Captain Andrew and his first mate/pooch Bella was AWESOME!! He is extremely knowledgeable about The Everglades and the amount of detail he imports over 90 minutes is incredible. Not to mention we saw multiple manatees up close and personal including the Mama & baby in our picture. Also saw dolphins, alligators, and huge numbers of sea birds. The mangrove tour was very interesting and I Now appreciate Florida’s beauty and ecology more than ever. Thanks Captain Andrew and Bella for a wonderful time!!
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick B
1 contribution
Jan 2020
We saw over a dozen Manatees and several gators during our tour. Our Captain and guide was Rich. He did a great job finding the Manatees as they swam up to our boat to check us out and take a few breaths. Booked this trip for the family so we could learn more about the critters that inhabit the waters in SW Florida. This company does a great job of making this a fun learning experience while taking in the beauty and warm Florida weather in January. They provided special polarized sun glasses so you can see into the water which is very helpful to see the Manatees and gators.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarahw
1 contribution
Oct 2020 • Family
We loved the ecotour!!! Captain Rob was very informative and friendly. He was patient answering answered all of our questions (kids and adults). He made sure we saw a couple of manatees by going up and down the canal until we saw 2. Captain Barry was even on another boat looking for manatees, so that we could have a great experience!! During our tour we saw several alligators, and watched an osprey catch and eat a fish! This tour was enjoyed by all, and is highly recommended for all ages!!!
Written October 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lauren
2 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
Captain Storm was great. This is a small tour of 6 people and masks are strictly enforced. We saw several manatees. He was very knowledgeable and provided a lot of scientific information. We did a wave runner eco tour that also was supposed to see manatees but didn’t see any. This was a better way to go to see them.
Written May 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blitzburggirl
Chapel Hill13 contributions
Mar 2020
We live in Mass and the only manatees we get to see are a family of concrete manatee mailbox statues. These manatees bring us a sad amount of joy! So, a visit to Naples put us on the lookout for a way to see actual manatees! We wanted to kayak.. but that didn’t happen (high season/last minutes didn’t work out!) so we booked what looked like a really chill tour. 90 minutes. We weren’t off the dock before we saw a 1200lb alligator! Our Captain, Miss Bella, and her first Mate Andrew Jr did a fantastic job of finding plenty of manatees, alligators, and even several dolphins for us! It was the perfect length of time, seeing so many animals, and respecting the animals (important to me.) We would recommend this tour for anyone, looking for exactly what it is. A knowledgeable guide, cute dolphin spotting pup, on a chill boat talking about Florida wildlife and cracking jokes. Learned a lot and saw a lot too! Thank you! —-Jim and Tess
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JohnsAdventure
Cottonwood, AZ2 contributions
Apr 2021
We purchased these tickets from Groupon. When we arrived they over booked and had 12 people waiting for the tour but the boat could only hold 6. The captain decided to cut the tour in half and said that he would refund the other half. We waited for the first tour to come back in 45 min and then he rushed us to see the manatees and was on his phone most of the time. When we came back I asked him about the refund and told him that we purchased it through Groupon and he said he didn't know how to handle it. He called us the next day and offered $15 to be mailed to our home but we paid $62 for the tickets. He then said deal with Groupon. I would not recommend this place
Written April 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Over 1000 patrons repeat our precious tour each year. All the other patrons on your boat were very happy and understood I had to juggle the schedule while on tour with you. A captain had called out. We are sorry the experience did not meet your expectations.
Written April 17, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Suzie H
Virginia Beach, United States27 contributions
I wasn't sure what to expect. But it was really an actual live tour that Captain Barry literally was out in the bay seeking manatees in the water while we cruised around. He knew a lot about the manatees, the environment, the habitat, the vegetation, and we even saw and alligator cruising through the water right in front of us! We also saw a very small shark since some of the areas of the water is super clear and you can see right down to the bottom. Captain Barry tries to do a very good job by playing trivia and showing us little science facts like shark teeth, and the skull of a manatee. So he tries to make it informative as much as it is entertaining. Definitely recommend if you want to relaxing fun afternoon learning about manatees in their own habitat.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FloridaGirl219
Middleburg, FL5 contributions
We had a great tour with Captain Bill. There were just four of us; my husband and I and a Mom and her 12-year old son; plus the Captain, on the boat, which gave us plenty of room for moving around from side to side. Captain took us to several great viewing spots. We saw an enormous Manatee at one, and then another Manatee at a later spot. As Floridians, we’ve seen Manatees numerous times and these tannic waters unfortunately aren’t the best place for viewing them. You’re better of seeing them in more clear water, such as the Crystal River area.
We were thrilled, however, to come upon a group of dolphins playing, and spent a lot of time with them as they tossed fish in the air, rolled on their backs, and kept us entertained. We were also fortunate to see a Bullnose shark.
All in all, an afternoon well-spent with a laidback, easygoing Captain who made our trip very enjoyable. He was very sweet to 12-year old Mason as well. He was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and was able to answer all our questions.
About a 30 minute drive from Marco Island.
We were thrilled, however, to come upon a group of dolphins playing, and spent a lot of time with them as they tossed fish in the air, rolled on their backs, and kept us entertained. We were also fortunate to see a Bullnose shark.
All in all, an afternoon well-spent with a laidback, easygoing Captain who made our trip very enjoyable. He was very sweet to 12-year old Mason as well. He was knowledgeable about the flora and fauna and was able to answer all our questions.
About a 30 minute drive from Marco Island.
Written May 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Should I dress warm or a dress is ok? We are going in November. 80F day time weather. Sunny.
Written November 8, 2022
You don’t need to dress warm. When I went I didn’t get wet. Sundress would be fine. Also shorts and top is good too.
Written November 9, 2022
We are coming at the end of march and want to know if waters will be cool enough for the Manatees to be around?
Written March 2, 2022
Best time of year is the winter, as they migrate to the warmer Florida springs, so March should not be bad. I am not an expert, but I think the concessions will give you an honest answer and more detailed explanation of what to expect
Written March 3, 2022
Water was very calm the day we went. It’s a canal so not too wide or deep. I sometimes have motion sickness too but no problems that day. It’s a small pontoon “party boat” and there were 5 people on it so they limit people. Have fun. We enjoyed it!!.
Written January 8, 2022
Not sure if you can book private. However, they can only fit 6 guests on each boat so depending on the size of your group it could end up private. Any party over 6 people and they add an extra boat.
I was solo thus I ended up with a few other ladies who had room.
Hope this helps.
Written March 8, 2021
I have a reservationf for March 18 for 3 adults. I want to reduce that to 2 adults but I cannot find where to do that online.
Mary Quigley
Written February 4, 2021
I would like to buy this as a gift for my daughter and her husband who live by here. Can I buy tickets for a date far in advance and they can change it to the date they want?
Written December 16, 2020
I’m sure the owner can work something out with you. He is very reasonable. You should call.
Written December 16, 2020
I am a supplier. Can’t find my username. Please help! Capt Barry
Written November 24, 2020
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