Swim with Manatee - Manatee Snorkel
6 night manatee expedition to Florida 23-29 January 2009
Snorkeling with manatee Trichechus senegalensis
Swim with manatee in their winter home, experience them close-up by small boat in a relaxed peaceful setting. The manatee seem to enjoy meeting us in the shallow spring waters of Florida. Use your snorkels and masks to swim with these gentle creatures in water between 3ft and 8ft deep. We can photograph or video them in the shallow springs. Our group size will be between five and eight guests, plus our captain and myself. This small group size means we don't crowd the manatees and we all get wonderful encounters and great photos. Manatees can be extremely friendly mammals, somtimes rolling over and nudgeing your hand to give them a belly rub.
Friendly Manatee
About manatees !
The West Indian manatee belongs to the scientific order Sirenia and the Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. Other sirenians include the Amazonian manatee, West African manatee, dugong, and Steller's sea cow, which was hunted to extinction in 1768. The manatee's closest land relatives are the elephant and the hyrax, a small, gopher-sized mammal. Manatees are believed to have evolved from a wading, plant-eating animal.
Outside of Florida, not much is known about the population of West Indian manatees or other sirenians in the world. The largest population by far is found in Florida. Elsewhere, they are found only in small pockets throughout their range. All sirenian species in the world are listed as endangered or vulnerable by the IUCN – World Conservation Union.The average adult manatee is about three meters (10 feet) long and weighs between 362-544 kilograms (800-1,200 pounds). Some have been known to reach 1300kg (3000lbs). Manatee can be found in shallow rivers, canals and coastal areas. Manatees are a migratory species. Within the United States, West Indian manatees are more concentrated in Florida in the winter due to their desire for warmth from the inland springs and warm water outflows.
Manatee swim expedition itinerary
Day One:
Today you can check in at the Singer Island Resort anytime after 3pm. If room is ready you may be able to check in earlier.Day Two:
Today we will visit the Marinelife Center, where you can view and learn about sea turtles that have been rescued. Many of the turtles have been injured by boats or have been found sick on beaches or in the ocean. These turtles will be released back into the ocean when they are strong enough.
Scuba divers can add a two tank dive off of Palm Beach for an extra fee.
Day Three:
Today we will take the long 4-5 hour drive (with comfort stops) accross from South East Florida to North West Florida. Around 3pm we will check in at our picturesque riverside motel cabins in the beautiful area of the crystal springs. This area is idyllic with Spanish moss hanging from old-growth trees, where pelican, egret, osprey, anhinga, ibis and heron make their homes. There are many varieties of fish too, including mullet, largemouth bass, snook and tarpon. This place is truly a nature-lovers dream come true.
Manatee are very photogenic and friendly...
Day Four:
At 8am it's all aboard on a cruise upriver past Monkey Island towards the freshwater springs. If we're lucky we will see the beautiful morning mists over the lake, a real treat of Northwest Florida. We can enjoy the pretty trees laden with hanging moss, the water birds and the lovely scenery. Everyone can be a lookout for our manatee friends.
Happy manatee... happy people...
Lunch will be picnic style onboard our pontoon boat. We can spend some more time with the manatee before a scenic afternoon cruise back to our cozy cabins. The late afternoon/evening will be at leisure. You may want to rent a canoe, go fishing or just enjoy the climate on your verandah. In the evening there are some great local restaurants to try....fresh sea food is abundant here.
Clear spring waters....
Day Five:
This morning we are off to swim with our manatee friends again. Maybe you'll recognize one from the day before. Don't forget to bring that camera along; if you bring an underwater camera even better. After another day with the manatees we will return to our cabins for a hot shower.
The early morning mists over the river are beautiful...
Please book early to avoid disapointment...remember space is limited to a maximum of eight places.
It's good to take a nap every now and then...
Where will we stay ?
We will be staying in two very diferent locations within Florida. Both areas are winter homes to huge numbers of manatee. The expedition will begin and end in Palm Beach. PBI is the local airport, but you can also fly into Ft Lauderdale or Miami and take the $5 Tri-Rail train to Palm Beach Mangonia Park Station (about 10 minits by taxi from Singer Island).
Our motel rooms in Palm Beach are on beautiful Singer Island and are just a couple of hundred metres/yards from two golden sandy beaches. Rooms have one or two beds, a/c and heat, color TV, microwaves, wireless internet, and private bathrooms. The beach, other motels and restaurants, cafe, gym, scuba dive shop, post office, bank, grocery store and 7/11 are just accross the street from the motel.
Our riverside cabins in West Florida have 2 large beds, a/c and heat, color TV, coffee makers, and private bathrooms, and are in a wonderfully relaxing setting, that puts me in mind of 'Huckleberry Fin'.
Pelicans in the branches...
6 nights motel accomodation
Marinelife Center day
Manatee expedition by boat to snorkel with manatee day 4 & 5
Picnic lunch on days 3, 4 & 5
State Park visit
Scenic Florida journey by road days
Scenic river cruising with great views of Monkey Island (yes lots of monkeys live there) and some great bird watching opertunities along the river banks.
Optional:
Scuba diving is available to certified divers in Palm Beach days 1 & 2 for extra charge.
Scuba diving is also available at an extra charge in Crystal Springs on morning of day 6 instead of the State Park visit.
Our first manatee of the day is always a wonderful sight. When we find a good area we will stop and anchor the boat and be free to enter the water to snorkel or photograph these gentle giants. We will spend most of the day in the manatee's favorite places, you can swim or stand with them in shallow 72f (20c) water. Hopefully we can get some wonderful photos of these amazing creatures. Some are sleepy, some are inquisitive and playful, others just love to have a belly rub and roll over with joy if you oblige.
Manatee like to floss daily...
Our group needs to be at least 5 participants to run the trip, so please do not book flights until I have confirmed to you that five deposits have been received. If we get less than five your deposit will be refunded.
A 3000 pounder gives Bob a hug...
Manatees are wild animals, and we can never guarantee how many we will see. However we always choose the best times of the year to visit them, and have not had a day without manatees so far.
Kazuyo is surrounded...
On the last morning we can all relax... Make the most of your riverside home from home... This morning I have included a visit to the State Park where we can see aligator and more manatee. There are many beautiful places to explore in and around the Crystal Springs area. Scuba divers can opt out of the State Park visit to go diving if they prefur.
This afternoon we will then head back on the 4-5 hour drive to Palm beach. Checking in at the Singer Island Resort once again for your final night.
Give me a tow...
Day Seven:
This morning is at leasure on beautiful Singer Island. Check out will be 12 noon.
Manatee LOVE ...
