MrsDanielle
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2007
- Messages
- 241
So this story begins with a deal I couldn't turn down. In December 2014 as I was scouring my usual web-based travel sites I came across an offer from Sunwing that made my heart soar: direct flights from Winnipeg to Orlando for under $500.00 CND for two (count them) TWO adults with all fees and taxes included. Um...score? The hubs quickly agreed to the plan, so then after booking the flight I came up with our plan. (which then hubs modified, then agreed to)
The plan was to spend 7 days in the Orlando area. We wanting to take a non-Disney focused holiday, so we purchased tickets for Aquatica, SeaWorld (Black Friday deal), and Universal Orlando. There was one more activity I really wanted to do as well: swim with wild manatees. After very little research a found a popular spot near Orlando which specialized in this very thing: Crystal River.
There are so many tour companies to choose from, but I finally decided on Manatees in Paradise. Although they're priced slightly higher than a few of the other tour companies, I booked with them as they only take on small groups, the guide gets in the water with you and takes photos (which is included in the package, and most importantly their commitment to the conservation of these animals! I also looked into booking accommodations as well for the night before the tour as the tour was scheduled for 7:00 am - neither one of us really wanted to make such an early trek from Orlando that early...Anyhoo, we booked one night at the Plantation on Crystal River.
Okay..that's enough planning/back story or this er..story!
So after our DIRECT flight from Winnipeg we landed at MCO in the early afternoon of January 3, grabbed our rental car, and headed out to do a little shopping at Total Wines and More to pick up some Mangria (I never developed a taste for alcohol, and I actually like this one! ), then to the Mall at Millenia followed by Whole Foods, and then finally to Keke's, which turned out to be our favourite restaurant of the holiday! After this little, yet kinda exhausting excursion we hit the road.
The route to Crystal River the GPS mapped out for us, was certainly not the most direct. I guess it was okay as we got to see some pretty rural areas, and cute towns. But it took longer than expected to arrive at our hotel.
Beautiful hotel
A misty January night at the pool
Once we arrived there, I must say I was impressed. The hotel and its grounds were so beautiful. The rooms was super clear, and had a nice natural scent to it. A clean scent is important to me, what I cannot handle is when sprays and fresheners are used to mask odours. Synthetic smells like I described often result in debilitating migraines which can last days! So anyway, we booking hotel rooms I asked request that the room be free from air fresheners. Housekeeping received a nice tip from me! So onto the ground, it was lush and green, and the pool area was fantastic! Had a nice little swim and a plop down in the hot tub that night.
So anyway, onto the manatee excursion!
We met up with our tour group around 6:00 am at the dive shop, which was conveniently located on the Plantation's grounds. Our group consisted of the guide, hubs and myself, and two British couples, that's it that's all. We watched Crystal River Refuge's "Manatee Manners" for Swimmers, which is mandatory for those who take this tour. BTW - this video is available on YouTube.
the dock
Afterwards it was time to suit up (wet suits), boarded the boat, and then toured around the bay. We saw plenty of wildlife, turtles, fish, a bald eagle, but alas not manatee. The guide explained how due to the unusually warm weather they had the week before, the manatees had likely gone into the Gulf to find food. They're typically only found in the Crystal River area when it's too cold in the ocean. Manatees cannot tolerate cold water temperatures, and they congregate to the Crystal River area as the temperature is a constant 22 Celsius/72 Fahrenheit. To say the least I was gutted. This is the change you take though when you seek out wildlife in their 'natural habitat', there's always the likelihood that you may see well nothing.
So we cruised around a little more, and then went for a swim in the Three Sisters Springs, which was a delight! There were plenty of fish, and even a few ducks swimming around us. Compared to the frigid air temperature, the water was so warm and just oh so wonderful.
After hopping back onto the boat, our guide received a call in the radio from another guide, that he spotted a mother manatee and her baby! We quickly made our way to the area where the manatees were, and went into the water.
Crusing for manatees
Our group swimming in Three Sisters Springs
Enjoying the incredible water clarity
The water was teeming with freshwater fish!
The baby was feeding at the bottom of the river, and we quietly watched them from a distance. After the baby had its fill, he/she was full of energy and was beginning to swim around our group to check us out, mama stayed out of the way, but she did swim right beside me for a moment. BTW she was humongous.
The rule is, you are NOT to touch the wildlife. They may touch you, but again, you are not to touch them. So when the baby came directly to me, and started nuzzling my hand like a puppy would I had to control myself from caressing it. The baby wouldn't leave me along either, it stayed by my side, swan around me, and seemed to want to play?
Sadly, too soon it was all over, and we had to board the boat which took us back to the snorkel shop.
Mommy and her baby
Manatee chewing on rope
Without a doubt the interaction I had with the manatee was one of the highlights of my life. It was completely worth the price of the tour, and yeah it was a great experience. I would definitely recommend this activity, but would caution to keep in mind the rules which need to be followed when swimming with manatees, and really any other wildlife.
The plan was to spend 7 days in the Orlando area. We wanting to take a non-Disney focused holiday, so we purchased tickets for Aquatica, SeaWorld (Black Friday deal), and Universal Orlando. There was one more activity I really wanted to do as well: swim with wild manatees. After very little research a found a popular spot near Orlando which specialized in this very thing: Crystal River.
There are so many tour companies to choose from, but I finally decided on Manatees in Paradise. Although they're priced slightly higher than a few of the other tour companies, I booked with them as they only take on small groups, the guide gets in the water with you and takes photos (which is included in the package, and most importantly their commitment to the conservation of these animals! I also looked into booking accommodations as well for the night before the tour as the tour was scheduled for 7:00 am - neither one of us really wanted to make such an early trek from Orlando that early...Anyhoo, we booked one night at the Plantation on Crystal River.
Okay..that's enough planning/back story or this er..story!
So after our DIRECT flight from Winnipeg we landed at MCO in the early afternoon of January 3, grabbed our rental car, and headed out to do a little shopping at Total Wines and More to pick up some Mangria (I never developed a taste for alcohol, and I actually like this one! ), then to the Mall at Millenia followed by Whole Foods, and then finally to Keke's, which turned out to be our favourite restaurant of the holiday! After this little, yet kinda exhausting excursion we hit the road.
The route to Crystal River the GPS mapped out for us, was certainly not the most direct. I guess it was okay as we got to see some pretty rural areas, and cute towns. But it took longer than expected to arrive at our hotel.
Beautiful hotel
A misty January night at the pool
Once we arrived there, I must say I was impressed. The hotel and its grounds were so beautiful. The rooms was super clear, and had a nice natural scent to it. A clean scent is important to me, what I cannot handle is when sprays and fresheners are used to mask odours. Synthetic smells like I described often result in debilitating migraines which can last days! So anyway, we booking hotel rooms I asked request that the room be free from air fresheners. Housekeeping received a nice tip from me! So onto the ground, it was lush and green, and the pool area was fantastic! Had a nice little swim and a plop down in the hot tub that night.
So anyway, onto the manatee excursion!
We met up with our tour group around 6:00 am at the dive shop, which was conveniently located on the Plantation's grounds. Our group consisted of the guide, hubs and myself, and two British couples, that's it that's all. We watched Crystal River Refuge's "Manatee Manners" for Swimmers, which is mandatory for those who take this tour. BTW - this video is available on YouTube.
the dock
Afterwards it was time to suit up (wet suits), boarded the boat, and then toured around the bay. We saw plenty of wildlife, turtles, fish, a bald eagle, but alas not manatee. The guide explained how due to the unusually warm weather they had the week before, the manatees had likely gone into the Gulf to find food. They're typically only found in the Crystal River area when it's too cold in the ocean. Manatees cannot tolerate cold water temperatures, and they congregate to the Crystal River area as the temperature is a constant 22 Celsius/72 Fahrenheit. To say the least I was gutted. This is the change you take though when you seek out wildlife in their 'natural habitat', there's always the likelihood that you may see well nothing.
So we cruised around a little more, and then went for a swim in the Three Sisters Springs, which was a delight! There were plenty of fish, and even a few ducks swimming around us. Compared to the frigid air temperature, the water was so warm and just oh so wonderful.
After hopping back onto the boat, our guide received a call in the radio from another guide, that he spotted a mother manatee and her baby! We quickly made our way to the area where the manatees were, and went into the water.
Crusing for manatees
Our group swimming in Three Sisters Springs
Enjoying the incredible water clarity
The water was teeming with freshwater fish!
The baby was feeding at the bottom of the river, and we quietly watched them from a distance. After the baby had its fill, he/she was full of energy and was beginning to swim around our group to check us out, mama stayed out of the way, but she did swim right beside me for a moment. BTW she was humongous.
The rule is, you are NOT to touch the wildlife. They may touch you, but again, you are not to touch them. So when the baby came directly to me, and started nuzzling my hand like a puppy would I had to control myself from caressing it. The baby wouldn't leave me along either, it stayed by my side, swan around me, and seemed to want to play?
Sadly, too soon it was all over, and we had to board the boat which took us back to the snorkel shop.
Mommy and her baby
Manatee chewing on rope
Without a doubt the interaction I had with the manatee was one of the highlights of my life. It was completely worth the price of the tour, and yeah it was a great experience. I would definitely recommend this activity, but would caution to keep in mind the rules which need to be followed when swimming with manatees, and really any other wildlife.
