Has anyone swam with the manatees?

[Pir8girl]

We'd really like to do this while we're in Florida and I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a tour.

Thanks

[Amity 3]

there are two types of tours, private or group. Bird's dive shop and Capt. Mike's are both good bets for group tours.

[Pir8girl]

I know this is a silly ?? but... are there alligators near the manatees?
In belize there were.

[Amity 3]

Crystal River is spring-fed, it's 72 degrees all year. not a favorite temperature for alligators, although I've seen them on the banks. plus, they tend to stay away from areas of water where humans frequent. I've never seen a gator in a spring-fed source when diving.

make sure you rent a wetsuit.

[Pir8girl]

Oh my. :rolleyes:
I think i'll keep that little tidbit of info from my kids.
We kayak and dd is always SURE this log and that is an alligator. Never mind the water in Oregon is COLD!

So which is your preference? Birds or the other?

[Amity 3]

honestly, most of the group tours are interchangeable down to a couple of bucks here and there.

more importantly, what time of year are you coming down?

[Pir8girl]

We arrive March 20th and we're here for 10 days.

[Amity 3]

We arrive March 20th and we're here for 10 days.

that's a good time, they'll still be inshore. 72 degrees water temp is considered warm for us that time of year.

in the summer, the water temps are mid-80's and they move offshore.

[FLParadisevilla]

Here are some links to the Manatee tours. Let me know if you go! I would love to do that myself!

http://www.sunshinerivertours.com/

http://www.floridamanateetours.com/index.html

http://www.manateetours.net/

http://www.manateetours.net/

http://www.nativevacations.com/page1.htm