Explorida

08/02/2024

Introducing the newest way to explore Crystal River, only at Explorida. E-Bike rentals booking now. Half and full day rentals available!! Call us for more info!

07/02/2024

The Explorida Crew is here to find scallops for you!!!! The 2024 scallop season has officially started, but it's not too late to book your tour!
Book a tour with us, kick back, relax and let us do all the work! Our USCG certified boats carry up to 14 passengers, so bring the family and friends and let's dive into fun!

06/12/2024

*Wildlife Wednesday*
This week we bring you the Osprey!
The name "Osprey" made its first appearance around 1460, via the Medieval Latin phrase for "bird of prey"

06/11/2024

Trivia Tuesday!
While they’re often called sea cows, manatees are actually distant relatives of ???Answer 👇👇
D: Elephant

06/07/2024

Team Green did a thinggg.... Team building trip to Clearwater Marine Aquarium!! Explored for the day and finished off the night with the most inspiring seminar with some amazing speakers!!
We feel privelaged to have had the opportunity to speak personally to, take pictures with, and learn from some of the greatest figures in manatee protection and conservation!! We even learned about the new manatee rehab center and are looking forward to its grand opening!!

Who were the speakers?? Keep reading ⬇️⬇️
Dr. James "Buddy" Powell - For more than 40 years, Dr. James “Buddy” Powell has worked to conserve manatees and other endangered species around the world through science and education. With an integrated approach to unlock solutions for conservation issues, his efforts have resulted in coastal protected areas in Florida, West Africa, Central America and Cuba. He was the recipient of the prestigious Pew Award in Marine Conservation in 2000, has been featured on “Champions of the Wild” and National Geographic’s “Wild Chronicles” documentaries, and has been honored with multiple awards and certificates. Dr. Powell has authored two books, numerous scientific publications and popular articles.
Jamal Galves "The Manatee Man - A native of Belize, Jamal Galves has been passionate about protecting wildlife since childhood. From the age of 12, he knew he wanted to work with animals – specifically manatees. Jamal recently was awarded the prestigious Ocean Hero Award by Oceana Belize for his dedicated, passionate and heroic work with the endangered manatee. He has also been presented with the Belize National Hero Award (Meritorious Award” from the Belize Government for his conservation contribution to the country. He have been named a National Geographic Explorer and Natgeo PhotoArk Edge Fellow.
Tanya Ward - CMA’s new Manatee Care Manager. In discussing her stories of manatee care during her career, and how she will be an integral part of this next chapter Tanya started off with how she fell in love with manatees at the age of 6 because of swimming with them in Crystal River! Her life become full circle, and for us that validates what we do. Inspiring the next generation by connecting them with nature in the most responsible and sustainable way!
We are taking home so much info and inspiration from tonight and can't wait to share it with all of you!

06/04/2024

How long do you think Manatees can hold thier breath?
A,B,C, or D?
Answer is👇
A 3-5 Minutes!

05/29/2024

Wildlife Wednesday!
This week we are Highlighting the Double Crested Cormorant.

05/28/2024

Happy World Dugong Day! 🌊🌎
Dugongs and their manatee cousins are the only herbivorous marine mammals on the planet. Both are in the order Sirenia, but they are quite different.
Can you spot the difference between these two down below?
Book a tour with us today and meet the closest thing to a dugong on this side of the world.
Dugong Video Credit to Super Sea Monkey via Youtube.

05/24/2024

Marley is just a little excited about the three-day weekend!

05/23/2024

Throwback Thursday to this fun family 😍
Just look at those smiles!
Book your next family adventure today at 352-423-3798 or you can come visit us on Citrus Ave in . 🤿

05/20/2024

One of our trips this morning got a little more then just manatees! How Amazing!

05/15/2024

Its Wildlife Wednesday! This week we are highlighting the Musk Turtle! Keep your eyes out and see if you can spot one this week!

04/22/2024

Happy WATER day 2024!
The Earth is 71% water, so we celebrate Earth Day by honoring its aquatic ecosystems
Earth's waterways are the circulatory system of our blue planet, moving nutrients and energy all over the world. They transmit sunlight, constantly change the shape of its surface, and are home to 80% of life on Earth.
Come immerse yourself in this watery wonderland alongside its most iconic inhabitants, the Florida manatee.

04/15/2024

04/12/2024

04/10/2024

Kings Bay's most common diving bird is the double-crested cormorant, named after the fancy facial feathers they sport in springtime.
While they are very fast underwater, they must dry their wings between flights. That's why they are usually seen "spread eagle" at the water's edge. Their cousin, the Galapagos cormorant, has so few predators that they are flightless. Even so, they still hold their tiny wings out to dry.
Come visit us to observe our fine feather friends alongside their gentle giant neighbors, the Florida manatees.

03/22/2024

Happy World Water Day!

The freshwater springs of Kings Bay push about 580 million gallons of water into the Crystal River every day!

The resulting estuary, where the river meets the sea, contains luscious seagrass beds and thriving salt marshes. These super ecosystems are crucial for:
- Absorbing millions of gallons of floodwater
- Filtering sediments and pollution
- Sequestering more carbon than forests
- Providing habitat for 70% of fish species targeted by Florida fishermen

Manatees move freely throughout freshwater, brackish water, and salt water.
So, book your tour today to appreciate the wonders of our spring system and the calm nature of the gentle giants who live here.

02/18/2024

We've got baby fever here in Kings Bay! One of our tours had the lucky sight of a pregnant manatee! 🥰
While pregnant manatees are not uncommon in the Bay, we rarely see the baby kicking in their mother's belly. This was such a magical surprise to have captured and shows how every single tour is unique in its own way.
Keep those eyes peeled for a shiny new tater tot in Kings Bay!
📸: Guide Keri
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798.

02/02/2024

We hope you're have a Mana-tastic Friday! Kick starting the weekend off with one of our swimming tours is an amazing way to connect with nature! 🌿
This not-so-little guy wants to know what plans you have! If you have none, why don't you jump aboard for some adventure? 😁
📸: Guide Keri
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

01/24/2024

"Why do manatees make great friends? Because they always Sea the best in you." 🌊
Don't be afraid to take a dip with these gentle giants. Our potato friends make great company!
Swimming with Manatees is a magical privilege that we have here in Crystal River, so let's make sure to cross that off your bucket list for 2024!

01/23/2024

Exciting news out on the bay! Our Captain and Guide had a lucky encounter with a group from Sea & Shoreline while they were in action! 🎉
Sea and Shoreline are seeing plant sprouts in our waterways, which makes us, and our floaty potato friends, excited for the annual return of eelgrass! As it is normal for eelgrass to lay dormant every winter, this year has been a bit more uncertain. Our vegetation is still seeing effects from Hurricane Idalia, which visited us in August of 2023.
As these eco-heroes do their work, we and the manatees are going to be ecstatic to see those lush fields of eelgrass return! 🌿
📷 : Captain Tommy.

01/18/2024

These colder temperatures may be intimidating but we can assure you that you won't be the only manatee-maniac showing up (or leaving) like this!
This is your sign to book a tour now!! Manatee season is the best time to come, so dont wait and lock in a date!

01/13/2024

Come meet Marley at ExploridaAdventure Center during the 2024 Florida Manatee Festival! 🥰🎡
Snap a picture and visit some amazing local vendors like Samm Wehman Artwhile you're here‼️

12/29/2023

You can't ride a manatee! However, there are hundreds of creatures that do -Like barnacles! 🌊
Starting as a small speck of plankton, they begin to grow a hard protective shell once settled on manatees. Barnacles really started the "Tiny House" trend before it was cool. 😉
Fondly known as "turtle barnacles" they specifically adapted to grow only on manatees, sea turtles, and crabs! Who knew?
During this time of year, we see a large influx of our barnacle-speckled pals! Hop on a tour with us and see if you can spot one!
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

12/05/2023

❄️What a lucky visit we had the other day! ❄️
Cold weather means more time spent with these chunky little nuggets.
With manatees season in full swing, it's a wonderful privilege we have to be able to swim next to these gentle giants day in and day out. Even more so when we get to spend it with friends and family!
Tis the seasons for manatees and festive cheer❗️
📷 Guide Maddie
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

12/03/2023

The Crystal River Christmas parade theme this year was Christmas movie magic... so we hit them with a classic!! The Christmas Story.

Our crew puts passion and excellence into anything we do and that's what sets us apart from the rest... from manatee tours to building parade floats!!
While Marley looks extremely uncomfortable, we can assure you no manatees were harmed in the making of this float! Hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!!!

11/28/2023

There's always a reason to SMILE! 😁
What a wonderful time to have these floaty potatoes be your reason! As temperatures start to drop we're seeing a few visitors in Kings Bay, some even spanning from hundreds of miles away!
Give us a call to spend a day with these lovely animals. They really are a gift to Hue-Manatee. 🌎
📸: Guide Keri
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

11/22/2023

Early birds may get the worm, but they'll miss the sunfish! 🐟
Captured by one of our captains for , you can see that Ahingas are avid hunters! Being yearly residents, locals fondly refer to them as water turkeys, due to the shape of their tails!
📸: Captain Cory Bronson.
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

11/21/2023

It's so nice to have our Sea-roaming friends back in Kings Bay! 🌊Unlike our residential population, some manatees that migrate from the Gulf of Mexico are covered in barnacles!
Since barnacles can not survive in freshwater, these will fall off over the course of two weeks!
Once temperatures start to drop and winter comes in full swing, we will start seeing more of our pimply pals. Where's Dr. Pimple Popper when you need her? 🧐
📸: Guide Maddie
WWW.EXPLORIDA.COM
352-423-3798

11/17/2023

What you're looking at is the best crew on the bay! This is our entire "green team" in attendance of the Manatee Eco Tourism Association annual industry training! Tonight we had the pleasure to learn from Drs. Bob Bonde and Cathy Beck, two of the foremost researchers in manatee biology & ecology, as well as gather updates on manatee habitat restoration from the senior biologist with Sea & Shoreline Jessica Mailliez.
We are passionate about what we do, and our dedication to education and sustainability continues to drive that passion!