Upon arrival at the dive shop, guests will be fitted for wetsuits and asked to watch a brief video from US Fish and Wildlife outlining their encounter with the manatees. The captain and guide will then take the group to the boat and embark all passengers and give a short safety brief. Once underway, the guide will further explain how to interact with the manatees once in the water and fit the guests with their masks and snorkels. While transiting to the swim areas, the captain and guide will present information about the area wildlife and what guests can expect to see during your tour. They will also answer questions and take pictures along the way. Once the vessel sights manatees, the captain will anchor the vessel and the group and guide will proceed into the water for your encounter. The guide will stay with the group the entire time, ensuring that the guests get the most out of their experience, all while taking photos and videos of your adventure!
Much like Elephants on an African Safari, Manatees are protected in the refuge and may not be approached within certain boundaries, remember this is THEIR home we are visiting, so we cannot guarantee an encounter with these amazing animals.
Peak encounter season is November through March when the water temperatures lure these gentle mammals to the warm, spring fed waters of the Crystal River. While the water temperature is a consistent 72 degrees the air temperatures during these times vary, but they will dip consistently into the 30's-50's so you can get a little chilly once you exit the water.
An excellent video is available to the public that can answer many of your questions related to the rules that we adhere to during our encounters. This is published to YouTube by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP3Erf3Kc2Y.
