Crystal River Manatee Trip Feb 12-16, 2010

[Shrek]

Looking at putting a trip together during the Mardi Gras Holidays to Crystal River, FL to snorkel/dive with the manatees.  Plan on leaving on the 12th of Feb heading down.  Spend the night, get up and drive about 3 hours into Ocala and dive Forty Fathoms Grotto.  Drive into Crystal River later that day on Saturday.  Snorkel/dive with the manatees on Sunday and Monday and snorkel/dive Rainbow River either Sunday or Monday and then return home on Mardi Gras Day, the 16th.  Still hammering out prices.  Should be rather affordable and pleasant vacation and children are welcome.  Swimmers are not allowed in Forty Fathoms, divers only.  The manatee trips are open to everyoneand there is no age limit on the manatee trips.  Also, Rainbow River can be dove or snorkeled as it is a drift dive.  Gear rental is available for all divers and non-divers if needed.  Let me know if you would like some more information as I should have a pretty firm price by the end of this week.

[scubadowop]

Sounds like something I would be interested in. Might even get my wife in on this one. Let us know what you find out,

[James64]

yeah thats some me and the female friend would be intrested in....could maybe even work it into her birthday present!!!

[Shrek]

Feb. 12-15, 2010 Manatee Trip to Crystal River, FL.

The plan is to drive to Tallahassee on Friday evening and spend the night. Get up on Saturday and drive into Ocala, Florida and dive two tanks at either Forty Fathoms Grotto or the Blue Grotto. After diving, continue on about an hour further and arrive at the hotel..., The Plantation Inn, where we will be staying. Get up on Sunday and begin a manatee tour. Sunday afternoon will be the drift dive/snorkel on Rainbow River. On Monday morning we will be doing another manatee tour and then departing for home. You are welcome to stay additional nights at the resort, just let me know so that I can notify the hotel. For those of you who are off on Wednesday as well for Mardi Gras, Orlando is 87 miles away so a quick trip to Disney might be in order for Monday afternoon or Tuesday.

Cost per person for hotel and diving is going to be $320.00 per person, double occupancy for 3 nights, one in Tallhassee and two in Crystal River. If you have children, please let me know to adjust the count. Diving fees include spring fees, park fees and tour fees. Gear and air fees are not included. Air fills range from $5 to $10 per tank. Scuba gear can be rented onsite or you can rent it here locally before we leave. I can get a price together if any of you want to rent gear to take with you, just let me know. Keep in mind, the water temp is going to be 72 degrees so bring necessary thermal protection. For those of you who have family members that don't dive, snorkel gear and wetsuits can be rented on location as well. Members not wanting to snorkel or dive, but wanting to ride on the boat must still pay for the tour.

A $100 deposit will be required by November 27, 2009, per person. The deposit is non-refundable. And the remaining balance will be due by January 22, 2010.

The resort we are staying at in Crystal River is a Spa and Golf Resort so everyone can get pampered or practice to take on Tiger Woods if they so choose. The dive shop is also on site at the hotel.

Also, if any of you are interested in getting your Advanced Certification on this trip, we can do that too. We will get two dives in on Saturday, including Deep, two dives on Sunday including Drift, and then one on Monday. And just in case you didn't know, you can go to Disney and dive the Living Seas exhibit at Epcot for $150. Just FYI.

Shrek

[Shrek]

Was misquoted on the Epcot Dive price.  It's $175 per person.  Got a group rate though, the group rate is $1000 up to 12 divers.  That's only $100 a head if 10 dive. $125 per head at 8 divers, but the real bargain, $84 per head for 12.  Family members still have to pay park price to view you, but you don't have to pay park price if you only dive the exhibit. 

[iroc4life]

I am definatly up for this trip dude!! I'll know for sure if I'll be home r not on those dates before the deposit is due, I hope... I'll get back with you somewhere between Korea and Durban.. Thinking of thyin to dive wig the sharks while in Durban south Africa not!!!

[Shrek]

I am getting it set up to accept credit cards so, if you need to send me your payment information, we can take care of that.  Deposit is due by 27 November, 2009.

[frankc420]

Has anyone made any transportation arrangements?  How many are going as a single (w/o family). 

[Shrek]

I have two or three single gentlemen that are looking to share traveling expenses.  There are familys going as well.  Everyone is going to be driving down in their personal vehicles that I know of.  I can put you in contact with those guys if you are interested.

[Monkeytunk]

Just read an article where they are considering making swimming with manatees illegal in Alert Diver magazine, page 10.

[Shrek]

Well, it has been illegal for awhile to make a move towards a manatee or try to make contact with the animal, but if the animal comes to you, it's a different story or so I was told the last time I was down there.  I read the story as well and it's one group that tried to get it banned and they were shot down.  It really comes down to people being responsible and it's obvious some people aren't.  What will probably end up happening, is something similar to what they do in Panama City with the dolphins, you get caught breaking a rule, you get fined.  End of story.  Keeps everyone in check and prevents further threat. If any of you don't know, when you come through the pass near Panama City, there are a group of resident dolphins that have been fed for quite some time by locals.  Well they have become some accustomed to being fed, that you can pull up in your boat, put it in idle and beat on the gunwale and a dolphin will pop up looking for food.  The park service now monitors it and if you are caught feeding or touching the animals, you are fined severely. 

So bring your behind with us and go swimming with the manatees, "BEFORE IT'S TO LATE!!!"  LOL!!!