Manatee Swim

[lausan]

we did this at Crystal River it was the Highlight of our Holiday
we Recommend American Pro Diving Centre as the guides get in the river and play with the manatee and keep them near until you get in other Companys just point them out and tell you to get in sometimes the manatee have gone off before you get your Snorkle on..so if you get the chance do it

[tigger&eeyore]

i am soooooooo looking forward to this, we're doing this in january in the homosassa river

[lausan]

You will love it

[Big_Mark]

Did the swim in 2004 with American Pro diving too, it was part of a Virgin Holidays day trip.

One of the best days in Florida we've had.

[Happy Hammer]

we did this at Crystal River it was the Highlight of our Holiday
we Recommend American Pro Diving Centre as the guides get in the river and play with the manatee and keep them near until you get in other Companys just point them out and tell you to get in sometimes the manatee have gone off before you get your Snorkle on..so if you get the chance do it

we did this last november and swam with them at kings bay on the crystal river.it was probably the best day of holiday.for anyone who hasnt done it it is well worth it.:D

[Sue]

Glad you had a great time.
We are doing this in December and are going with fun2dive and Capt Joe - he comes well recommended here too and only has parties of max. 6 - people also say that you are in the water for hours with the manatees and as he has been doing it for 25 years- Capt Joe knows exactly where to find them.

[Anne]

I'd love to do this if we ever get to Florida again.

[Gaz]

i am very tempeted but need to get the DW round to my way of thinking

[eeyore88]

Our best day ever

[LargerBaloo]

Here is the American Pro Diving website link for those interested.

http://www.americanprodiving.com/

Never done the swim but consiudering it as we type :erm:

[Gazpacho]

Looking at these, its an early start (6:30am). what time would you have to leave kissimme area to get to Crystal river in time for the excursion ?

[Happy Hammer]

if i remember right i think it took us about 90 mins to get to the crystal river from hwy 27 near the 192 junction

[lausan]

Looking at these, its an early start (6:30am). what time would you have to leave kissimme area to get to Crystal river in time for the excursion ?
we were in spring hill and it took us 40mins we got up at 4 and left the villa at 0600......if we were in orlando i would book in somewhere near crystal river.but i know their is a company that does a shuttle from the orlando area but i know they are not as good as American Pro

[Sue]

Looking at these, its an early start (6:30am). what time would you have to leave kissimme area to get to Crystal river in time for the excursion ?

We have been told to get to the fun2dive office just north of Orlando (driving instructions given) for around 6am I think - and then follow them to where the swim starts. Don't mind an early start - we had to do it for the balloon trip last year. At least the roads will be quiet and as I'm driving that can only be a good thing:pgig:

[00swan]

Wow - sounds like a great experience - will have to see if I can find the bottle !!!

[hamptonlakes]

Here is my trip report from our manatee:


http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=49274

[Smileyk]

Can someone help please. We are keen to do this in April when we go. We're staying at Hampton Lakes - how long would it take us to get there? We're thinking of just driving there in the morning but need to try and work out how practical this is.

THanks!

[Sue]

Can someone help please. We are keen to do this in April when we go. We're staying at Hampton Lakes - how long would it take us to get there? We're thinking of just driving there in the morning but need to try and work out how practical this is.

THanks!

The answer is quite a while - you need to book in advance with whichever company you choose. We have to drive just north of Orlando to the fun2dive office and then follow them to the Crystal River - I believe this can take up to two and a half hours!
Also, not sure about others, but fun2dive only do these swims October to March, to allow the manatees peace during the breeding season

[hamptonlakes]

I actually stayed the night before as it took me nearly 2 hours to drive to Crystal River from Hampton Lakes (I used to own a villa on Hampton Lakes). The drive is very easy and basically a straight run.

We stayed at the Park Hotel as we were on 09.30 dive.

[lausan]

Can someone help please. We are keen to do this in April when we go. We're staying at Hampton Lakes - how long would it take us to get there? We're thinking of just driving there in the morning but need to try and work out how practical this is.

THanks!
yes its a good 2 to 2 1/2 hours...the excurtions from Orlando are an all day thing..it was fine for us as we were only staying 40mins away American Pro have cottages and villas on the River where you can stay.its a long haul but well worth it much better then a Dolphin Swim Manatees are so gentle and serine wonderful creatures i never thought in all my years i would see one for real an experience i will never forget

[redneck]

Hi guys, want to swim with the manatees this time, will be staying at hotel near wet 'n' wild, does any one know how long will it take to get to crystal river?

[redneck]

Hi guys, want to go to cocoa beach to hopefully see a shuttle launch next august, has anyone been before? who did you go with? I don't want to take the chance of paying for v.i.p ticket for k/s/centre because if the launch is cancelled you lose your money. I thought I would combime it with another day out then we haven't lost out. Do you have any other recomendations?:confused:

[Claire@Hull]

We went to Crystal River with the American Pro Dive guys too.

Mike (the bald one) really knew his stuff about manatees and conservation and we learnt a lot of stuff that day. That combined with the actual swimming makes a day that I will never forget. It was fantastic!

We booked through ATD which was an organised coach trip (with a very slow driver - took 2 hours to get there) so we may just drive up there ourselves next time. The ATD trip also included an airboat ride - bonus!

[redneck]

hi thanks for the help my next question is what is the easiest /cheapest way to get to cocoa beach from international drive

[Gaz]

walk ;) :d: