So, this is not...jump in the water and there are manatees...one must look for them, find them...and then proceed cautiously and carefully so as not to disturb them in their natural habitat...do not touch them says the guide...what to do if one little one is so curious about these 'new friends' it snuggles up and 'tastes' your diving mask...what graceful and totally amazing creatures. Thanks a million for allowing us to experience this part of the Everglades - it was an amazing experience. Together with the fun of the air-boat ride we had a wonderful day away form the rides and other experiences of Orlando.
Review by: Kerri G, April 2018
It was a cool wet day, but once we were in our wetsuit and in the water this didn't spoil the day. At first the water was murky but the guides know exactly where to look and quickly found a manatee grazing along the bottom. They slowly rise about every 3 minutes to breathe and it was amazing to float beside these magnificent creatures. Shortly after the guide took us to the truly beautiful crystal springs where the water was warm and as clear as any swimming pool and another Manatee to swim with. Finished with a walk through a wildlife park to see more Manatees and local wildlife. Great experience.
Review by: Twinkie, February 2018
We had a great time and saw a lot of Manatee- it was the end of winter/early spring- the Manatee had migrated from the West Coast to spend thee winter in the warmer Florida waters, so there were hundreds! The water is not cold so don your wetsuit and mask and jump in! The airboat ride was excellent and we saw many alligators. We also dropped into a zoo for rescued animals.
Review by: ccannon2010, February 2018
The Crystal River trip was awesome! It was a jam-packed, long day, but well worth it. Our driver was very knowledgeable about Florida and was very friendly and entertaining. The snorkeling portion of the trip was awesome. While only a few manatees swam outside the protected area, it was very cool to see the ones that did swim by and to see the others surface to get air. The captain and snorkel guide answered many questions and it was obvious that they take protecting the manatees seriously. They also took us to another location where we snorkeled over a spring and saw many varieties of fish. After the snorkel trip, we went to a wildlife state park and then took an airboat ride and saw alligators on the river banks. We were provided with a very nice breakfast and lunch and thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Review by: Melissa B, January 2018
We saw so many Manatees! Amazing creatures and great Everglades Airboat tour, too! So glad we did this while vacationing in Florida!
Review by: David R, December 2017
Very well run trip - and essential given the lack of customer around when we reached both venues. Nice swim with wild manatees and strict but admirable enforcement of keeping your distance! Airboat tour was OK but almost nothing to see - try Orlando Wetlands Park if you want to see alligators - and the usual showboating pilot. Wildlife caged area was pleasant and almost the only way to see many of these animals. Breakfast and lunch were more than adequate!
Review by: Deborah N, October 2017
This was an amazing experience. It was the high point of my vacation. Kate and Austin were terrific. Kate captained our boat and Austin led us in the water. I would do it all again. Madelyn was the tour leader. She was funny and knowledgeable about each part of the tour. A great overall experience..
Review by: phuochung.svp, September 2017
It's very good trip. My kids like the this tour very much
Review by: Deanna S, August 2017
Timing is everything. Our tour group went when it was low tide which made the water a bit mucky. We were still able to see some manatees. I even had a mama and her calf swim underneath me and was able to touch the length of her back as she swam by. Unfortunately, no pictures underwater as the water was too cloudy. But the experience was fun and the tour guides were fantastic! The airboat tour was fun as well. Didn't get a chance to see much wildlife. But again, the experience and the tour guide made it worthwhile. Highly recommend and look forward to doing this tour again.
Review by: Marie R, August 2017
This tour was the highlight of our trip. Tour guides were knowledgeable and friendly. We loved seeing the manatees with an experienced crew who doubled as exemplary teachers of their habitat. Everything was spot on. We would go back just for this event. Well done.
Review by: Anna W, July 2017
Great adventure. We stopped at a third animal park that was very good also.
Review by: Gregory K, June 2017
Truly amazing experience. We saw dozens of manatees in the wild, close enough to pet.
Review by: Helga M, June 2017
Well aware we were visiting outside manatee season, my mom and I were both thrilled that we managed to find a couple of manatees! We also really enjoyed the airboat ride and the visit to the wildlife park! All in all a very nice break from walking around theme parks :
Review by: Lisanne M, May 2017
I loved this excursion, they provide a very filling breakfast and lunch and the sightseeing we did was great. Even though manatee sightings are much rarer this time of the year we were lucky enough to see several. We also saw an alligator and several turtles while swimming with the manatees. Next stop Hermosassa State Park, there were many animals to see who cannot live in the wild by themselves due to injuries or human contact that has left them relying on humans. Our last stop was for an airboat ride which was also very good and we could hold a baby alligator. All in all a great day, my only criticism would be that everyone was expecting and asking for tips. This is not a cheap excursion and all the operators made it sound like they only got paid with tips. If that's true then it's a discusting business practise. I can't get used to the American way of expecting tips on top of the cost of anything you do. Maybe they should charge more and pay their operators a decent wage. I wasnt intimidated into giving tips but most did. If I'm wrong then I guess I'm not familiar with the customs but tipping for everything seems like a money grab with guilt.
Review by: sandra m, April 2017
The tour company were great Marleen and Denis were great fun. We had a very good day from start to finish.
Review by: jill w, April 2017
My overall thoughts - they knew that it was a terrible day for seeing, let alone swimming with manatees. It would have been very helpful - like a cruise ship - for them to admit it up front and issue a refund if we chose not to participate. That was not done and we wasted a morning at a Ponderosa buffet and swimming in green water after hidden manatees. Additionally, upon arriving at the location, we were greeted with a small changing room and one restroom for the entire group. We were then upsold wetsuits - 10 per suit. My family only wanted 1 and we were told that they were highly recommended for flotation. We stuck with just 1. Then, into the green water we went. There we were given swim noodles and sent into choppy green water. We swam in circles for a long time and then back on the boat. A guest spotted a nose of a manatee. Our guide said great - there it is - success - and then back to the dock. Then about 20 women stood in line for two stalls to change out of their wet swim wear in a public park restroom. Next the wildlife state park - aka a zoo. My fault as I didn't do my research - as we are not fans of zoos. We toured the zoo - picture one winged bald eagles in front of an American flag, but did see a manatee in water from a bridge that appeared like the photos in the online materials. So, clear water exists. Other tour groups were in this clear water enjoying the manatees. We were instead on a bridge watching them. Then the salvation of this trip - the air boat ride. We were at Tom and Jerry's airboat rides and had a blast. Saw gators and flew through swamps. We wish that we were given the option to ditch the buffet, swim in the muck, and zoo. We loved the airboat ride.
Review by: Chelsey L, March 2017
All the staff are great! Madeline was an excellent driver/tour guide..helpful, funny and informative. On the boat we had Kacey and Shellie who we also very informative and extremely helpful and patient when in the water with nervous swimmers! The airboat was driven by Art who was also fantastic.
Review by: Linda B, November 2016
Would have to say the most wonderful experiences ever. We had a great Captain, Brian and guide Shelly were both welcoming, fun and informative. We saw approx 6 Manatees and 1 baby calf. Three of them interacted a lot with us as they are very curious creatures. There are obviously some rules you have to obey to protect the animals which was fine. We just floated there on pool noodles and the manatees came up to us to check us out. One nibbling on a girls hair and nuzzling her. I got some great underwater footage of them playing with us. Such gentle giants. Would highly recommend this tour even if you are not a great swimmer. 10 / 10.
Review by: R N W, November 2016
Our trip was to interact with nature and local ecology. Visiting manatees is best done in winter months when water is clear and the manatees are in the springs in great numbers seeking warm water. In summer/autumn water is still warm and murky so not such a good experience, although we did see and swim with manatees. The airboat trip was a bit short and lacking biological or ecological narration. This could be done better.
Review by: Clifford M, November 2016
Brilliant tour. Great knowledgeable staff. Well worth the money
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