Sunshine river tours
Sunshine River Tours invites you to come Swim with the Manatees in the Crystal River and the Homosassa River along the Nature Coast of West Central Florida. Manatees abound in our 72 degree (year around) spring fed waters. Let these gentle creatures get close to you and they may roll over and allow you to scratch their belly.
Florida's # 1 personalized manatee tour.
Call for reservations.
Sunshine River Tours is an ecotourism guide service located in Homosassa, Florida. In addition to Manatee swim and snorkel tours we offer Scalloping Trips, Airboat Rides, and Dive Instruction. You will be thrilled by the glory of Florida nature at it's finest. The Nature Coast is a birdwatcher's and aquatic paradise. You may even catch a glimpse of the endangered Whooping Cranes that winter over in the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge. Many reasonably priced accommodations as well as restaurants, are available near our location.
For the best lodging in our area: Riverside Resorts
Register for a FREE 1 week September holiday for 2 in Homosassa, Florida. PADI Open Water Dive Certification instruction, lodging and activities included. Entry by post card only. Drawing will be held live on July 1st at 12 noon EDT and you can view the drawing on the Riverside Resorts Monkey Cam. Username: riverside, password: resort Mail Postcard to: Include phone number on post card Winner is responsible for transportation costs and meals. |
We offer the highest quality tours and equipment, comfortable arrangements and top notch U.S. Coast Guard licensed captains. Bring your smile, swimsuit, towel, and expectations of a wonderful experience.
capt mike's log
NEW NEW!!! View Lauren Tjaden's Manatee Adventure Video (Click Here)
courtesy of VisitFlorida.com.
To ensure comfort for our passengers and the tranquility of the manatees we only schedule up to 20-60% of our boat capacity to swim with the manatees on our tour boats. Protecting the Manatee's sanctuary is important to the preservation of this wonderful species.
We take no more than 15 guests on our manatee tours. Keeping the number of guests to a minimum makes our interactions more eco-oriented and respectful for the manatees and provides a more intimate experience for our visitors.
April and October are transitional months. Manatees typically begin to leave the rivers for the Gulf in April due to a dwindling food supply. They normally begin returning in October, depending upon the temperature. However, 35-40 manatees remain in the Crystal River year around and these provide for excellent viewing.
Ourtours average 3 hours in duration. During this time you will spend, in optimum conditions, 2 hours in the water to swim with the manatees.
The following was submitted by one of our crew members and their interaction with our guests. This is our philosophy.
We did indeed have a great day, manatees in abundance from eight o'clock in the morning until the folks were worn out playing and it was time to go. We had marvelous conversations about wildlife on the way home. The great thing about what we do, is that the type of people who are interested in swimming with manatees are, or become, on exactly the same page we are as far as protecting the wildlife on this planet and educating others through whatever means (we have had zoologists, naturalists, nature writers, activists, rangers, biologists, guides, student veterinarians in college, or just Mom, Dad and the kids on vacation). They are delighted that we are exposing people to the wonder of manatees in a respectful manner and feel that people need to have the avenue for interaction we provide in order to empathise with wildlife and be more concious of the effect their everyday behavior has upon them. The folks who thought they were just there for a day out, but do like nature, become involved in these conversations and you see them wake up. They become very enrolled and interested, often hugging me as they leave. Can't begin to tell you how wonderful that makes me feel. Sure is nice to look forward to every day out.
Read our Rules of Engagement
In keeping with our commitment to protect and preserve our manatees and their sanctuary we have issued some "Rules of Engagement". Our Captains will enforce these rules which are written to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy the majestic and gentle manatee. Please read these rules because we believe they will make yours and your fellow guests encounter much more enjoyable.
Read draft of manatee protection plan (note..256 pages in pdf format)
miscellaneous information
We accept the following major credit cards 
During your visit you may want to visit the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park located one mile from our location.
Air boat rides , canoeing, kayaking, deep sea and inshore/backcountry fishing, and horseback riding can be arranged through our affiliates in the area.
The best fishing guides in our area
We are proud sponsors of Humanitarians of Florida . Please have your pet spayed or neutered.
Some of our guests comment about their encounter with the Florida Dolphin and how their manatee experience is much more fulfilling and exciting.
Check out our " Things To Do in Central Florida Page "
We've put together some interesting activities hoping to make your visit more fun and entertaining.
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Scallop-O-Rama begins July 1 - Sept 10 -- Book NOW!
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Looking to invest in real estate here? How about a nice waterfront home. Watch the manatees play from your backyard. Contact Phil Oakes of Silver King Properties.
A Manatee Protection Surcharge of 2% will be will be added to your total fee that will be forwarded to the Friends of Chassahowitzka, a 501c(3) charitable organization, that will be earmarked for the safety of manatees in our local waters. These funds will be directed towards law enforcement to ensure that manatees are protected. If you wish to opt out of this surcharge, please notify me at the time of your booking.
If you would like to donate directly to the Friends of Chassahowitzka directly, please go to this link http://www.fcnwr.org/joinfriends.cfm and fill out their form. Help save the manatees.
We urge other Tour Operators, Businesses, Rental Boat Operators, Kayak Rental Companies and Private Manatee Protection organizations to follow our lead in this. Funds raised for this will be used for the law enforcement needed in our county for the well being of manatees.