Go Local Manatee Tours

03/06/2026

As water temperatures begin to rise, manatees start transitioning out of the warm spring areas and spread out toward the Gulf. This is a natural seasonal movement as they leave the constant 72° spring water they were using to stay warm. Now it’s time for them to begin traveling to feed on seagrass and explore other parts of their habitat. During this time they become more spread out and mobile, so sightings can vary day to day depending on weather, tides, and water clarity. It’s all part of the normal seasonal pattern as manatees shift from their winter refuge behavior into their spring and summer movement.
Here’s some pics to help set realistic expectations.

02/22/2026

It has definitely warmed up at Three Sisters Springs! ☀️
With these beautiful warmer temperatures, our gentle giants have headed back out into the Gulf to enjoy the buffet. When the weather warms up, the manatees don’t need the constant 72° spring water, so they spread out and go graze.
But don’t worry — this is completely normal!
We’re watching that cooler air moving in next week, and once that cold front drops those temperatures again, we expect our manatees to make their way back into the springs to stay warm.

01/20/2026

While we were out on the water today making smiles with manatees, we were also proud to be giving back to our community

Huge shoutout to everyone who made the MLK Fishing Tournament such a special day. Seeing these kids light up, make memories, and celebrate the outdoors is what it’s all about.

Events like this are why we love being local — supporting our community, creating opportunities, and helping build the next generation of anglers and outdoor lovers.

Grateful to be a small part of something so big. Already looking forward to next year

12/06/2025

Go Local Manatee Tours is so proud to be part of this amazing program through Discover Crystal River Florida! 💪💪💪
Big shoutout to the group of people who helped create this program — we appreciate you, and we’re honored to be a part of it.
As a team born and raised right here locally, it means even more to us to represent our home and share it the right way with our guests.

08/05/2025

Go Local – The Crew That Makes Lifetime Memories

When you book a tour with Go Local, you’re stepping into the water with the hardest-working crew in Crystal River—the people who make manatee encounters legendary. Meet the team:
• Pete – Owner & Founder
The captain of the vision. Pete built Go Local from the ground up with one mission: to show the world the real Crystal River—raw, wild, and unforgettable. Every trip carries his stamp of authenticity and adventure.

• Walter – Captain & Eagle Eye
The manatee spotter with a sixth sense. Walter can pick out a whisker, a shadow, or a ripple before anyone else even notices. If he’s captaining your boat, you’re finding manatees—it’s that simple.

• DRock – In-Water Guide & Original Legend
The first guide to suit up and the one who helped launch Go Local to #1 for manatee tours. Calm, experienced, and all about the guest experience—DRock makes every encounter feel like a true local adventure.

• Krystina – In-Water Guide, Photographer & Team Heartbeat
A burst of positive energy with a calming presence in the water. Krystina keeps guests comfortable and confident while capturing breathtaking shots of manatees in their world. Her ability to balance excitement and reassurance makes every swim feel effortless and unforgettable.

• Josh – In-Water Guide, Photographer & The Manatee Magnet
The face in the water turning close encounters into unforgettable stories. Josh connects guests to the manatees in a way that feels personal and alive, capturing photos that make the experience last long after the tour ends. When he’s guiding, it’s not just a swim—it’s a moment that stays with you forever.

At Go Local, we keep it real. Our mission is to be genuine and authentic with every guest, to create experiences that make memories for a lifetime, and to turn every swimmer into an advocate for the manatees and the river we call home.

07/21/2025

RIP 🪦 Dr. James “Buddy” Powell

If you’re not sure who he was:
Buddy Powell was a local boy from Crystal River
In the 1960s, when Dr. Daniel “Woodie” Hartman arrived to study manatees, it was Buddy who really started guiding him through the waters where these gentle giants live. Together, they built a bond with the manatees, swimming alongside them as the animals approached, rolled beside, and even kissed Buddy’s mask.

That story hits home with me in a big way. Buddy’s deep roots here — and the fact that he took a visiting scientist, who drove around Crystal River with an umbrella and clearly looked out of place, and showed him the beauty of our springs — reminds me exactly why Go Local exists: to share this special place, protect it, and let people experience the magic of these creatures with respect.

Buddy wasn’t just a helper; he became a pioneer in manatee conservation. His lifelong dedication, from those early days as a local teen to publishing Manatees: Natural History and Conservation and protecting habitats worldwide, laid the groundwork for everything we do today.

At Go Local, we carry forward Buddy’s spirit — offering a safe, respectful space where locals and visitors alike can connect with manatees, learn, and grow in appreciation for this unique ecosystem. Being local means we feel this responsibility deeply.

As we say goodbye to Buddy Powell — a true legend and one of our own — we honor his legacy every time we step into the water.

Rest easy, Buddy.

07/08/2025

Early mornings hit different out here.
Golden sunrise, boat dog soaking it all in,
and baby manatees popping up to say hello.
This is what we live for.
Real Florida. Real peace. Go Local ✌️ ☀️ 🌊

07/04/2025

🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July from Go Local Manatee Tours 🇺🇸

Today we’re feeling extra grateful—for our freedom, for this beautiful place we call home, and for every guest who’s joined us on the water.

From the heart of Crystal River to the gentle giants we get to share with you, we’re reminded daily how lucky we are to live and work in such a special part of the world.

Here’s to protecting what makes Florida wild and wonderful.
Stay safe, stay kind, and respect our wildlife this holiday weekend!

06/30/2025

We are incredibly honored to share that Go Local Manatee Tours has been voted Best of the Best by the Citrus County Chronicle for the second year in a row! We’re filled with gratitude for every guest who’s trusted us to guide them through unforgettable, respectful encounters with these gentle giants, and to our amazing local community for your continued support. What began with a clear vision—to offer ethical, educational manatee tours rooted in conservation—has grown into a mission-driven business now entering its third year. As the only manatee tour company founded and operated by born-and-raised locals, we carry a deep responsibility to protect the waters and wildlife we’ve known our whole lives. From day one, we’ve been committed to sustainability and to setting a higher standard for eco-conscious tourism in Citrus County. A heartfelt thank you to our hardworking crew—the captains, guides, and in-water photographers—who give their all every day to protect the wildlife and deliver an experience that’s as ethical as it is extraordinary. We’re proud to lead by example—and even prouder to call this community home.

06/07/2025

We love our local youth — and we love what After School Kickboxing for Kids and USA Muay Thai Kickboxing - Butin Bik Combat Sports is doing to help shape strong, confident, and respectful young leaders.

Today, we had the pleasure of bringing out the summer camp kids for a swim session, and they had an absolute blast! Huge thanks to the coaches and staff who welcomed them with open arms and high energy.

This kind of positive impact is exactly what our community needs — and we’re proud to support it !

06/05/2025