Manatee encounter - Chankanaab Park

[fredgirls]

We would love to do this manatee encounter but it doesn't seem to be offered by Disney.

Has anyone done it?

My question is, as it is located at Chankanaab Park, should we take the Disney excursion to the park (observer) and then book the manatee experience separately with Dolphin Discovery, where it is located, or should we get a taxi and plan the whole thing ourselves?

Has anyone done this encounter?
How easy is it to get a taxi at the pier?
How long is it to Chankanaab Park from the dock?

Thanks

 

[Magic3forme]

We didnt do this encounter... we did the dolphin encounter.

There are lots of taxis at the port, so not a problem.

It is about a 20 minute drive to Chankanaab. Chankanaab was great!! the pool was fun, the beach was rocky, but the kids still had fun in the sand.

 

[slg4crzn]

Check out the parks website. We go there on our own every time we are in Cozumel. It's a short taxi ride. Great little walk in beach area with fish to see, tropical gardens, snorkeling, good food, great service, seal show and dolphins available. We love it there

 

[fredgirls]

Thanks so much.

 

[CruznLexi]

We did this nearly 3 years ago. Loved it. You get to get in the water with them and feed them and play with them for around 30min. In Florida you will never be able to do this it is highly illegal. I booked it on line and had taxi take us there. It was around $10.

 

[fredgirls]

We did this nearly 3 years ago. Loved it. You get to get in the water with them and feed them and play with them for around 30min. In Florida you will never be able to do this it is highly illegal. I booked it on line and had taxi take us there. It was around $10.

Wonderful, thank you. Does it look like they are looked after well?

 

[sonogal]

We did it too a couple of years ago. Very fun and yes, the manatees appeared to be well cared for.

 

[dolphingirl47]

In order to book the observer tour through DCL, you have to book at least one dolphin swim programme through them, too. We are just going to get a taxi to Chankanaab this time round. I am also hoping to do the Manatee Encounter. I have heard that you cannot book this online if you are cruising with DCL as they have an exclusive contract with DCL, but we are hoping to be there for opening time and hopefully I can sort it out then.

Corinna

 

[miyta]

We would love to do this manatee encounter but it doesn't seem to be offered by Disney.

Has anyone done it?

My question is, as it is located at Chankanaab Park, should we take the Disney excursion to the park (observer) and then book the manatee experience separately with Dolphin Discovery, where it is located, or should we get a taxi and plan the whole thing ourselves?

Has anyone done this encounter?
How easy is it to get a taxi at the pier?
How long is it to Chankanaab Park from the dock?

Thanks

we will be doing the manatees and dolphin on our own next week- I can give you more info after we return if you didnt get all of the answers you wanted above-- we booked when they were 2 for 1- check out their website periodically for specials

 

[fredgirls]

we will be doing the manatees and dolphin on our own next week- I can give you more info after we return if you didnt get all of the answers you wanted above-- we booked when they were 2 for 1- check out their website periodically for specials

Great! Thank you. I'll keep my eye on the website. I've had some wonderful answers but I'd still love to hear a report when you return! Have a wonderful holiday!

 

[fredgirls]

One more question.

Do you think we could make the 10am slot. They have 10 am 2pm and 3.30. I guess 2pm would give us enough time to get back to the boat? Just wondered which times everyone had booked?

thanks

 

[dolphingirl47]

What time are you due to arrive in Cozumel? We are due to arrive at 7:15 AM on our cruise. When we went to Cozumel in 2009, it was a 5 to 10 minute walk from the gangway to where the taxis were. The taxi ride itself was only about 20 minutes. So if your timings are like ours, you should have no problem making it for a 10:00 AM interaction.

Corinna

 

[fredgirls]

What time are you due to arrive in Cozumel? We are due to arrive at 7:15 AM on our cruise. When we went to Cozumel in 2009, it was a 5 to 10 minute walk from the gangway to where the taxis were. The taxi ride itself was only about 10 minutes. So if your timings are like ours, you should have no problem making it for a 10:00 AM interaction.

Corinna

It says 8.30 - 5.30. I think you also have to be there 1/2 hour before the interaction. Don't want to be panicked so maybe the 2pm one would be better. Then we can make our way back with plenty of time. Something to think about. thanks

 

[dolphingirl47]

Oops, I hit the wrong key. This was supposed to read that the taxi ride took about 20 minutes. With your itinerary I agree that the 2:00 PM interaction is a better fit. We are already leaving at 3:45 PM, which would cut things a bit close with a 2:00 PM interaction.

Corinna

 

[fredgirls]

Oops, I hit the wrong key. This was supposed to read that the taxi ride took about 20 minutes. With your itinerary I agree that the 2:00 PM interaction is a better fit. We are already leaving at 3:45 PM, which would cut things a bit close with a 2:00 PM interaction.

Corinna

Thank you so much. I really appreciate you all taking the time to help us.

 

[slg4crzn]

One thing to consider is there might be a time difference between ship time and Cozumel. They are central time I believe but how does our time change for daylight savings factor into what the time different if any would be. Confused yet?

 

[fredgirls]

One thing to consider is there might be a time difference between ship time and Cozumel. They are central time I believe but how does our time change for daylight savings factor into what the time different if any would be. Confused yet?

Ha Ha! Yes! But it doesn't take much!
I'd read about that somewhere else too! I'm assuming the arrival time they give you is local time, as they do with flights?

 

[slg4crzn]

No, port times are ship time not local. Always stay on ship time. I keep my phone on plane mode as soon as the ship leaves. I have been on cruises where the ship changes time. One hour this way then one hour back. Just always be on ship time.

 

[pillow]

We did this nearly 3 years ago. Loved it. You get to get in the water with them and feed them and play with them for around 30min. In Florida you will never be able to do this it is highly illegal. I booked it on line and had taxi take us there. It was around $10.

In Crystal River, Florida, you are allowed to swim with manatees. We are planning to do this before our cruise in January. These are not captive manatees but those that congregate in the rivers there every year.

http://www.riverventures.com/

Jodie

 

[fredgirls]

In Crystal River, Florida, you are allowed to swim with manatees. We are planning to do this before our cruise in January. These are not captive manatees but those that congregate in the rivers there every year.

http://www.riverventures.com/

Jodie

Wonderful information thank you!.