The girl at the front desk was an air head when I first arrived I went inside because it was…read morefreezing and she made me walk around to the outside front of the building so that I could grab a clip board and walk inside which she could have easily handed me. That was weird Then she didn't tell us we had to pay for parking at the dock neither did the guy that was at the dock when we got there! I overheard him telling someone after we were done for the day he said that they can park at the rental place and walk so they don't have to pay but we were already unloading and done with our rental. We got back to the car and had a $50 ticket. I would be fine with paying but I didn't see any of the signs or where to meter even was. I also told her I wasn't swimming and she said to get in the water you have to have an wetsuit which costs extra and I kept saying I'm not getting in the water but I she just ignored me and then I saw SO MANY PEOPLE not in wetsuits so that was irritating. And the wetsuits were in terrible shape they had holes and stains all over it she handed it to me and I was like thins is what I paid $100 for ? And she was like yeah they are all old. This is a CRAP Buisness!!! Especially what you get for the price!! The manatees are cool and I recommend doing it but NOT using this company.

Pros: easy online registration and scheduling; Front desk…read moregirl for check in was great super sweet. Very nice and informative. We were a bit late and she extended our reservation. I was quite thankful. The kayaks were fun and we were left to our devices to explore. Isaiah was cool and very laid back. We were also a half hour late coming back and they were totally cool with it. Thank you! I can't believe I saw the baby manatees. I literally cried. Cons: I was surprised they just let us out with no real guide! It was cool but I'm surprised they trusted us. We kinda got lost the first 90mins and didn't know where we going but eventually we got to the area where the manatees were gathering. A bit crowded and I felt bad everyone so close to the protected species. Overall a super a cool experience. We went during manatee festival in January so it was a bit crowded but not overwhelming. It was a beautiful day with beautiful site seeing. Def recommend!

Saw over 40 manatees in February! Unbelievable experience. The staff from the front desk to the…read moredeck hands were helpful and kind. We even saw a gator in one of the coves! Bring a wet suit if you're sensitive to cold. 72 degrees sounds a lot warmer than it is. 10/10

Shauna was very helpful and accommodating. Everyone was nice and helpful. I thought it was very…read moreaffordable for the experience. This is actually our second time there and I want to support family owned businesses and some supplies here. Nice little boutique and just very friendly and helpful. Definitely would recommend it a lot of fun things in the gift shop. Hope hope you'll check it out and if you're lucky, you'll see a lot of manatees, but you can always call ahead!

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff, easy entry point for a day on the river. Great time…read morekayaking with the manatees!

MANATEES ARE MAGICAL! We saw well over 30+ manatees on our late January kayaking outing. We rented…read morea 2-seater top kayak (comes w paddles and life vests). And from the staff to the dock hands, to the quality of the vessel and cleanliness of the shop: 10/10. A guide handed us a laminated map (nice touch) and told us where to head for manatee sightings. And even pointed us to a cove that homes a lot of turtles and alligators. We saw it all! They have volunteers overseeing the 3 sisters springs, to help monitor the safety of the manatees (and scold ignorant people lol). Great time! If you're unsure, let me assure you.. just book.

Manatee Paddle truly went above and beyond to make our experience positive, exciting, and…read moreeducational. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with genuine smiles, warmth, and encouragement. I was personally a bit nervous since I hadn't paddle boarded much before, but every step of the way we felt supported and truly cared for. Hearing about the family's passion for protecting the ecosystem and the manatees, along with all the helpful tips they shared to optimize our experience, was absolutely incredible. When we got to the dock, we were guided so kindly - Mike even held our shoes in his truck for us! When he noticed me struggling a bit, he took the time to give me multiple tips on how to better move in the water and maneuver the board, which made such a difference. We saw so many manatees, including mama and baby pairs, which was unforgettable. When we returned to the dock and shared how excited we were, Mike went above and beyond once again by recommending another nearby location we could walk to where we ended up seeing even more manatees up close and personal. I would 10/10 recommend Manatee Paddle to anyone looking for an incredible manatee experience. I am so grateful to Mike and his family for making our day so special. THANK YOU!!

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. Paddle boarding with this crew in Crystal River was…read morehands down one of the best experiences I've had in Florida, and it's because of the people behind the business--Aidan, Mike, and Mandy. From the moment we showed up, they made us feel like family. Aidan was the first one to greet us, and right away you could tell how passionate he is about the river, the wildlife, and making sure every single guest feels confident before heading out on the boards. He has this calm, encouraging way about him that instantly puts you at ease--even if you've never stepped foot on a paddleboard before. He gave us tips, shared fun facts about the area, and somehow managed to keep the whole group laughing the entire time. Mike is the backbone of the operation--the guy making sure all the boards, paddles, and gear are in perfect condition, the one double-checking that everything runs smoothly so you don't have to worry about a thing. It's obvious how much pride he takes in the business, because everything is organized, well-maintained, and set up to give you the best possible experience. He's also just genuinely fun to chat with before and after you head out--one of those people who makes you feel like an old friend after five minutes. And then there's Mandy, who is truly the heart of the operation. She's warm, welcoming, and on top of everything. From making the booking process super smooth to making sure we had everything we needed for the day, she's the reason the whole experience felt so seamless. She checked in with us multiple times, gave us great local recommendations for after our paddle, and just made the whole day feel special. What really stood out to me was how much this team cares--not just about giving people a fun day on the water, but about the environment, the river, and the wildlife that call it home. They take time to educate guests about respecting the ecosystem, and you leave not only having had an amazing adventure, but also feeling like you've learned something important. I've been on plenty of tours and excursions, but very few have left me with such a lasting impression. These guys aren't just running a business--they're building memories for people, and they clearly love doing it. If you're anywhere near Crystal River, don't waste your time looking at other paddle board companies. This is the one. Between Aidan's energy, Mike's behind-the-scenes dedication, and Mandy's incredible hospitality, you won't find a better team anywhere. Do yourself a favor and book with them--you'll thank me later.

We had a fantastic three-hour kayaking adventure with Paddles Outdoor Rentals. My friend and I…read moredecided to skip the guided tour and paddle out on our own. Our goal was simple: get a good workout in and enjoy being on the water. Manatees, if we saw them, would just be a bonus. Well... let's just say the bonuses showed up. The staff was super friendly, incredibly patient, and genuinely helpful. Their recommendations about where to paddle made all the difference and set us up for a great route. We got our workout, soaked in the beauty of the water, and had some wonderful manatee encounters along the way. Peaceful, magical, and just the right amount of adventure. Great people, smooth process, and a memorable day on the water.

This was my second time using Paddles Outdoor Rentals and I definitely would recommend them! They…read morehave knowledgable guides, great equipment, and are timely with everything. We saw like a million manatees and even got to go out 15 minutes early to take full advantage.

We loved our Get Up and Go Kayaking tour in Crystal River! Our guide, Dimitri, was really wonderful…read more- a wealth of knowledge about the area and its wildlife. And, in a real Steve Irwin style moment, our tour encountered a small shark, disoriented and lost. Dimitri picked it up in his hands and showed it to all who were on the river in the area! Highly recommend this experience. Our 11- and 12-year-old kids were well equipped. Things were safe and the whole thing was well organized.

YASSIEL Was the best tour guide! Saw sooo many manatees - but also appreciated the conservation and…read moreprotection efforts of these beautiful creatures! Tour was about two hours, and the scenery was beautiful! Saw turtles, alligators, pelicans and ospreys too!!!!

Always a great experience with this operation. We usually go out without a guide and find…read moreeverything we want to see with the map and directions they provide. Kayak seats are comfortable... but we've never tried the clear bottom kayaks so I can't speak on those. We had to push off later than scheduled due to the holiday crowds so they gifted us extra time for the inconvenience. Saw lots of manatees! This is a very honest and hard working group who truly strive for customer satisfaction.

Wife and I went to Crystal River, came up from Tampa and spent the day there. Can't say enough nice…read morethings about this tour and business. Caitlyn and Emily our tour guides were great, it was just the two of us on the tour which was awesome. Very relaxing and saw a bunch of manatees. We believe we saw one that was pregnant. Just an enjoyable tour with some wonderful tour guides that went at a very leisurely pace to really enjoy the wildlife and the surroundings. Also thanks Caitlyn for the recommendations on other hikes, we ended up doing the mounds trail and homossassa state park. Thanks again for a great experience and we will be back to do another tour. Highly recommend this group for any kayaking/snorkeling, etc tours.

Captain Mike's was sooooo much fun! Our captain - Tom? Idk, he was an older guy with a beard - was…read morevery knowledgeable about the area and EVERYTHING about manatees. The manatees themselves were plump and happy :). Definitely do this if you are staying in Crystal River for the weekend! NOTE: Stay at the Best Western. Not only is its location great, but it's literally a 10 step walk from the hotel. My family and I stayed here, and it is literally on the property

Captain Morgan was our in water tour guide and she was AMAZING!! She's super knowledgeable about…read moreall things Manatees! She kept a great eye on all members of the group and did check ins throughout the tour to make sure we were ok and didn't need to head back to the boat. We did the 2pm tour and got super lucky with all the manatees we were able to see. I will definitely recommend!

Captain Steve was great, very informative, very upbeat. Glad we took the tour as we had a great…read moreview of Crystal River, even though what we saw of a manatee could have easily been a shark. Just saw a dark body underwater and knew it was a manatee because of the antenna attached.

From the moment we arrived, we knew this was going to be a good day. We were greeted warmly and…read morefitted with our wetsuits and snorkels right away. After a safety briefing, we headed out to the boat where our Captain and first mate, Tori educated us about manatee while scouting for them. The water is 72* year-round. Beautiful sunny day and cool water. Nice!! We saw many manatee. They are huge! I mean HUGE!! We saw mamas and babies, pregnant mamas, and, cows and bulls doing what looked like WWE wrestling. How you say? Sexy time! 10/10 recommend! No pictures. Unlike most touristy places, they don't take photos. ‍