United States
Florida (FL)
Southwest Gulf Coast
Fort Myers
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Manatee & Eco River Tours
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Manatee & Eco River Tours

See all things to do
See all things to do
Manatee & Eco River Tours
5
307 reviews
#4 of 72 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Fort Myers
Boat Tours • Eco Tours
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8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
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About
During late December - Early February we provide manatee tours. When the Gulf of Mexico waters are less than 70 degrees, that's the best time! March through November we offer eco tours, complete with a fun/interactive "ECO BINGO" game and fabulous prizes. Sunset tours, classroom on the water, small group gatherings, corporate meetings, birthday parties or a private tour for up to 24 people.
Fort Myers, Florida
Features animals
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Manatee & Eco River Tours
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(81 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
307 reviews
Excellent
292
Very good
12
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jenny B
2 contributions
Manatee tour- educational!
Jan 2023
Kathy & John did a great job navigating the waters in the rivers, and pointing out the manatees. Kathy’s extensive knowledge of manatees added so much to our experience. We saw dozens of manatees throughout our tour.
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Connie Warriner
2 contributions
Personable knowledgeable Fun!
Jul 2022 • Couples
This tour was so pleasant! Loved Capt. John and admiral Kathy. They made us feel so comfortable and at home! They thought of everything from rain slickers to binoculars, great music on board cool lighting after sun set. Kathy’s lite bites were more like dinner. The knowledge she and capt john shared really showed a passion for their trade. We can’t wait to go again! It was so personal it felt like a Sunday outing with family. Thank you John and Kathy!
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
We are so glad you joined us and hope you visit again!!
Written January 4, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susannah R
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Great Morning on the River
Jan 2023 • Family
Our whole family (including our adult children 19 and 21) enjoyed this excursion. Our guides were fantastic and very knowledgeable about Manatees, their environment and how to view them safely without disturbing them. We had the opportunity to observe several manatees and to learn a lot along the way in an entertaining environment. The complimentary souvenirs were a big hit with all of us and a nice surprise. I would recommend this in the winter months to anyone visiting the Fort Myers/Cape Coral area who is interested in the manatees and the local environment.
Written January 9, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
We are so glad you had a pleasant experience and hope to see you again in the future!
Written January 16, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris B
Cabot, VT4 contributions
Outstanding morning on the water
Jan 2023 • Family
We had an outstanding trip with our daughter and our granddaughter on the tour ! We have been on it many times and enjoyed it as much as the first time. The captain and his wife really made of my 5 year old granddaughter. She was very excited to see all the Manatees and to actually set in the captain's chair and "operate" the boat. We highly recommend this tour.
Written January 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
We are so happy when customers come back and share the experience again with us. Your granddaughter did a great job at the helm.
Written January 22, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
abcochran131
1 contribution
Manatee $Eco River Tours
Jan 2022
Wonderful tour! Very informative and fun! Cathy and John had a weath of knowledge about manatees and the whole eco system. John had lots of funny stories and Cathy was the "Manatee Whisper." We saw many manatees and Cathy knew them and they knew her by her voice! They have devoted so much for the preservation of manatees.
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeKJ
We love sharing the experience of the Caloosahatchee, the manatee and everything about this area of Florida. Thank you so much for your kind words. We hope to see you again in the future!
Written April 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Laura D
1 contribution
The Manatee Journey
Jan 2023 • Couples
We had a marvelous time!! Captain John and Kathy were great!! They were very informative and funny too! The Manatees were outstanding and came around the boat and showed themselves many times. We were so excited to see them. Even saw a mama and her calf. So sweet. For a surprise at the end , they gave out
Souvenirs. That was great too. They are both special people that care a lot about the Manatees

Thanks
Written January 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
We are so glad you had a nice time. Thanks for the fun morning!!
Written January 17, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Richard W
3 contributions
Best trip EVER!
Apr 2022 • Family
This was perhaps the best eco tour I’ve been on. We anchored out near a mangrove and saw ( with provided binoculars) egrets, cormorants, buzzards, and the rare pink Roseate spoonbill. The boat was brand new and spotless. Gorgeous. Need to hit the head? Omg! Wait til you see the hydraulic bathroom( and catch the toilet seat). The best part of the trip we’re our hosts Capt. John and Kathy. Husband wife team who were very knowledgeable and entertaining, and that Kathy can put out some delish little spread if you get a bit hungry. It was a sunset tour, and that Eve the sunset was exquisite. The perfect place to anchor. One last thing that impressed me was the maneuver Capt. John did when turning that 40’ boat in a little canal to dock it. All in all, go- you wont regret it.
Written April 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
Thank you so much for joining us on a fantastic sunset trip! It was so much fun having you on board the River Queen II and happy to hear that you enjoyed yourselves. Hope to see you again in the future!
Written May 5, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Smell_The_Leaves
Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States4 contributions
Senior friendly at a great price
Mar 2022
Kathy and her husband Captain John did a wonderful job on this Eco Tour! I took my 87 year old Mother along and we both felt completely at ease. The Tour had a little something for everyone of all ages, from Bird Lovers to Boat Lock Geeks. Kathy and John paid attention to every detail that goes into a memorable experience. It happened to be Patrick's Day when we went and they had the boat decorated in a St. Patrick's Day theme, including green stuffed Manatees given away as Bingo prizes!

Who DOES that? Tour operators who truly care about their guests and deserve a 5 Star Trip Advisor rating - that's who!
Written March 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeKJ
We are so glad you joined us on St. Patrick's Day and that you had a pleasant experience. We truly enjoy spending time with our guests and sharing! Thank you so much for your kind words.
Written April 10, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
MissM
8 contributions
Many Marvelous Manatee Sightings
Jan 2020
How pleased we were with our experience on The Manatee Tour! Captain John and his wife Kathy are extremely knowledgeable about the river and the animals and plants that call it home. This couple's passion is to educate others about manatees, AKA the "chubby mermaids" . They knew the best places to observe these gentle creatures and we were not disaapointed! We observed numerous manatees, including mothers and their calves. At the conclusion of the 2.5 hour tour, Kathy distributed handmade manatee finger puppets to participants. We highly recommend this tour!
Written January 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeKJ
Thank you for your kind words. It was a pleasure having you on board.
Written February 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bill O
Naples, FL4 contributions
Manatee River tour was awesome!
Jan 2021 • Family
The guides are also the owners and are extremely knowledgeable and friendly. We visited during the Covid 19 pandemic and the guides were very sensitive to safety and social distancing was practiced. We saw many manatees, including some with young calf’s. They are very curious and several came right up next to our boat.The manatees live in the Gulf of Mexico, but when the water is cooler they come up into the rivers. So the best time to see a large number of them is in winter. However the Eco River portion of the tour was very interesting as well. Manatee Park just a short distance from the tour marina can sometimes be a good spot to see manatees as well. I highly recommend this tour. The cost was $30 with discounts for seniors and veterans available.
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
ManateeEcoRiverTours
Thank you so much for joining us! We are glad you had a good time and learned a little more about the fantastic manatee's. We try our best to educate, have fun and share our passion for this environment and wonderful mammal called the MANATEE.
Written January 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Manatee & Eco River Tours (Fort Myers) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go