Be Your Own Captain Around Crystal River!
We are happy to run our Bay & Spring CatBoat tours all year long throughout the area rivers and Bay. Gulf trips are limited to outside of scalloping season which runs 7/1 – 9/24. You can learn more about our Gulf & River tour here, or book your Bay & Spring tour below.
Duration & Departure Times
Morning Departure: Bay & Spring Tour Available Year-Round
- 9:15 Arrival at Crystal River Watersports
- 9:30 Departure from our docks
- 12:00 Return
Duration about 2 ¼ hours
Afternoon Departure: Bay & Spring Tour Available 7/1/23 – 9/24/23
- 12:15 Arrival at Crystal River Watersports
- 12:30 Departure from our docks
- 3:00 Return
Duration about 2 ¼ hours
About This Experience
Captain your own 2-man catamaran while a guide (on their own boat) leads you around. This tour starts and finishes through our beautiful Eco and Manatee zones at idle speed where you will have the opportunity to see the incredible wildlife of the region. Next, we will go zipping down the Crystal River and may reach full speed (25 MPH) on our way to check out different areas of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and view Three Sister’s Springs. You’ll have the opportunity to see plentiful species of birds and waterfowl, and quite often even a manatee or two! The vantage point is unique as you are close to the water and often eyelevel with the wading shore birds. There’s no better way to get up close and personal with our wildlife without getting wet!
Our CraigCat boats are like go-carts on water – tons of fun to drive or ride and we’re excited to be the only company in Crystal River offering this unique experience. We believe in observe & preserving our beautiful waterways and natural habitat, and all our tours take into consideration local wildlife as our #1 priority.
Prior to launching, you receive thorough instructions on how to operate the boat and we will practice here is our lagoon. The initial idle/slow zone will give you time to get familiar with the controls and learn how to be your own captain.
Weather GUARANTEE!
If we need to cancel the tour due to unsafe weather, we will reschedule another time. If another time doesn’t work for you, we will cancel and issue a refund. Please know that cloudy is not considered unsafe, however heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning will be cause for rescheduling. We’re sorry we can’t control the weather, but Mother Nature definitely makes her own plans! We will always do our best to stick to your scheduled tour date and time as weather permits.
Safety Requirements
Please read our safety requirements below prior to booking your tour. As our guest, your safety is our utmost priority and we want to ensure that you have a fabulous experience on your CatBoat tour!
Weight Limit
There is a 250lb weight limit PER PERSON.
For safety reasons, we need to enforce the weight limit. If anyone in your party weighs more than 250lbs, they may not be allowed to participate.
Age Requirements
Must be 18 years or older to drive the boat and must be 6 or older to be a passenger on the boat.
Boater Safety Course
Please also make sure to have the driver of the boat complete their Boat Safety Course. UNLESS they were born Prior to Jan 1, 1988.
We recommend the $10 course from https://www.boat-ed.com/floridarental/
Any of these courses can be completed and will count as your required Boat Safety Course. The free course is estimated to take 8 hours. Other courses like Boat Ed are generally shorter courses.
https://myfwc.com/boating/safety-education/courses/ These are all FWC approved courses.
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