Swimmimg with the manatees?

[nickjr]

Hi all,
Going back again next year and thinking of doing the swim with the manatees at Crystal River.
Any comments from all you Dibbers much appreciated,good and bad.
Many Thanks
:jump: :jump: :jump: :jump:

[gala]

It is the most enjoyable trip we have ever done in Florida. We booked through Virgin on our trip there in 2001. We stopped off for breakfast at Inverness and then headed down to Crystal River. There we changed into our gear and headed out to the manatees. Although I didnt go in to the river the kids did and got up close and touched the manatees. The captain even allowed dd to drive the boat back part of the way. After that we had luch and then headed off to do an airboat ride. Then it was off to Wild Bills wildlife park (I think it is Homosassa Park now). It was a fabulous day and I would love to do it again sometime.

http://www.viator.com/tours/Orlando/2855MANATEE/Florida-Adventure-Tour

Margaret

[Big_Mark]

We also did the exact trip above and really was one of the most memorable days I have ever had ( ooh except when I married my DW and both my DS's were born).

The trip is an all day event from very early in the morning.

Here's a short video of the manatee swim with the company that Virgin used.
http://easylink.playstream.com/americanprodiving/shotmanatee2.wvx

We bought the underwater video of our trip, the video last about 30 mins and cost around $30, but worth every penny.
If you want to just do the manatee swim you can book direct with a company and drive there yourself, this should work out a bit cheaper.

Definitely do it!!!

There are a few companies that do the day trip here are a few:
http://www.gatortours.com/index.htm

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/editpost.php?s=&action=editpost&postid=605444

[saonaqueen]

Oh yes just do it!!!

It was my best day ever in the States - they do a DVD now which of course I bought with the t-shirt etc
Then we had lunch at Seagrass in, a visit to Homosassa STate Wildlife Park and then to Wild Bill's for boat ride.

Have since adopted my own manatee - Margolita - and am waiting for her photo to come!

[cleous]

can you tell me do they have toilets on these trip boats if you are out all morning where do you go?

[saonaqueen]

Restrooms on transfer coach; at dive shop before and after dive; at pub; at Homosassa State Wildlife park - the boats are basically a platform in between two giant oil cans - no facilities!

I thought I would struggle as I need constant comfort breaks but I was OK!

[ChrissyG]

This sounds like an amazing day. Would it be suitable for a 68 year old though? Mum is coming with us this year.

Do you book in advance, i.e. now for December, or wait until you're there?

Christine

[Big_Mark]

Yes she'll be fine, its suitable for most people and non swimmers.

Check here for more details of the swim company Virgin used when we went.
http://www.americanprodivingcenter.com/

[saonaqueen]

Originally posted by mark.perkins
Yes she'll be fine, its suitable for most people and non swimmers.

Check here for more details of the swim company Virgin used when we went.
http://www.americanprodivingcenter.com/

Captain Mark at Prodiving is very helpful - on our trip there was a blind girl - they had been advised in advance and arranged for an extra dive master to go with her to support personally. You could always do this as extra reassurance! They let you use floats as well.

[eblue43]

Hi evryone,
this looks absolutely amazing.We fly to orlando on the 21 oct for 21 nights,and would love to do SWIMMING WITH THE MANATEES.there are 6 adults and one child,we are driving so transport would be no problem.Does any of you good people know of a cheaper way of doing this i.e discounts,vouchers etc.we would appreciate any info you could give,as we would love to do this.
many thanks

[saonaqueen]

Sorry - we booked through Seligo before we went - have you tried e-mailing the tours? Either American Prodiving through Mark's link above or captainmike@sunshinerivertours.com at http://www.sunshinerivertours.com/ who is actually a DIBB sponser!!
HTH
Margaret

[shaunM]

Originally posted by eblue43
Hi evryone,
this looks absolutely amazing.We fly to orlando on the 21 oct for 21 nights,and would love to do SWIMMING WITH THE MANATEES.there are 6 adults and one child,we are driving so transport would be no problem.Does any of you good people know of a cheaper way of doing this i.e discounts,vouchers etc.we would appreciate any info you could give,as we would love to do this.

many thanks

Hi this year we have rented a 20ft pontoon boat ourselfs 4 adults 3 kids,$170 for 8 hours they will show us a video and provide us with a map then we hopefully we go out and enjoy the manatees.
we rented from diveorlando.com ,all being well we will do this on 02-11-05

[ChrissyG]

This is something we are going to do. Just a couple of questions. Firstly, how cold will it be Christmas week?! Secondly, which is the better day - the all inclusive manatee swim/airboat ride/wild life park or just the manatee swim?

Thanks.

Christine

[saonaqueen]

Don't know about doing the swim only - we enjoyed the whole day and as it was a tour we were taken care of all day without having to worry about organising ourselves!!

Apparently during the winter more manatees come up the river so it can't be too cold as they don't like the cold! Wetsuits would be a must!

[eblue43]

Hi all
thanks for all this info,it definately leaves food for thought.the boat rental looks a good option.
:p: :p: :p:

[ChrissyG]

Think we'll go for the whole day trip - I think DD and DS would enjoy it more!

Thanks for the posts on this subject - I would never have know it was a possibility!

Christine

[coma]

Speaking as someone who has done over a dozen dives with the manatees in the last few years, I would say book with one of the local dive shops in Crystal River if you actually want to get in the water with them. The better companies will only take a maximum of 12 or 15 people per boat and will take you out early (6.30 am) to the best locations. There will also be a basic toilet on board although you will be back on land by 11am.
The colder the water is, the more manatees you will see / touch / play with. They swim up the rivers and congregate in the natural warm water springs so the water temperature is always around 72 degrees. Quite bearable with the wetsuit they supply.

We always go with Bill & Diane at birds underwater tours, they have been doing it for years but I have heard good things about some other companies.
Tel from England is 001 352 563 2763

Remember noise and splashing will scare off the Manatees so don't go with anyone who says their boats take more than 15 people and make sure they depart before 6.30am or by the time you get to the springs, several other boats will already be there and there won't be room for them to anchor close by.

Between Nov and Feb you will see dozens of them all around you and they are so gentle.
It really is a fantastic experience, it must be because we are going back again for 2 more swims this Xmas.:D

[Logan]

How does swimming with manatees compare with swimming with dolphins at DC?

[ChrissyG]

Thanks for this Coma. Am having a rethink. If I can find somewhere for lunch and an air boat ride company maybe I'll go with Bill and Diane.

Christine

[suei]

We've also been with Birds Underwater, and can recommend them. It was a fantastic morning, and we saw manatees even though it was mid-August. To the east of Crystal River, there was a place that did airboat rides called Wild Bill's in Inverness, altho' we didn't go. There are also several places to eat near the Birds Underwater Dive Centre.

[ChrissyG]

Thanks.

We are going to stay overnight in Crystal River, swim with the manatees with Birds Under Water, then go for an airboat ride somewhere! Just got to decide when...

Have roughly costed everything up and it works out $10 more per person than booking an all day excursion trip and as we're already in Crystal River, we'll be able to do the 6.15 am swim.

Christine

[Jhart]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me if you can take your own underwater cameras with you for the manatee swim? (I'm assuming you can't - just want to make sure).
Thanks

[aly]

hi we booked with fun2dive after seeing great feedback for them on this site. I just
e-mailed them and paid when we got there. Captain joe was fantastic and will only take I think it was 6 people at most.
We had to drive to his dive shop in Sanford then follow him to the Cyrstal river. What an amazing day

[Dee]

Hi, we also went with fun2dive , and had a fantastic day. The maximum Captain Joe takes is 6 people so you always get personal attention. He is very helpful and patient and reassuring to those who have never snorkled before. We also hired his underwater camera ( for a few dollars) . Given the choice all four of us would say that the experience of swimming with the manatees was by far more thrilling than swimming with the dolphins at DC.
It was one of the most memorable days of my life.

[suei]

Yes, you can take underwater cameras - and do, because you can get some great photos. Some dive shops, like Birds Underwater, record the swim for you and you can buy a copy afterwards. Unfortunately their copier had broken when we went, so we couldn't get one. Good excuse to go again though! It's an amazing experience.

[ChrissyG]

Just booked a tour with Birds Under Water. Am sooooo looking forward to this!

Just got to work out the maps from Kissimmee to Crystal River now...

Christine

[eeyore88]

We booked this trip at the Virgin welcome meeting and it's the best day out ever we also done DC but prefered the Manatee swim.

Jean xx

[the_griswolds]

We have done the manatee swim twice now, both times via a Virgin package trip - but to my great shame and disappointment - I have chickened out of going into the water on both occasions. DH has done the swim twice and loved it.
I can swim - but on both occasions was put off by the amount of people in the water - which transformed the river from "crysal" to "pea soup". Being unfamiliar with the river and the snorkel - my fear got the better of me- and there was no help offered from the crew of the boats that we went with .However, Captain Joe's trip sounds different to the ones we have experienced previously - so next time we go I will book a trip with him - and hopefully I will be able to realise a dream and finally get to swim with the manatee.:cry: