Answering thousands of email questions over the past years from individuals and groups has prompted us to  put together  the following list of the most frequently asked  questions regarding our manatee encounters. Please take a moment and see if the answer to your question is on our list.

Q/ How cold is the water ?
A/ The waters that flow from the springs of the Homosassa and the Crystal River maintains a constant, year round temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Q/ How deep is the water ?
A/ The water depth can range from three feet to ten feet to 55 feet.

Q/ How do we get to where the manatees are ?
A/ You leave the dock on our U.S. Coast Guard certified boat with your licensed captain and guide. The boat ride takes approximately fifteen minutes.

Q/ Do we have to wear a wet suit ?
A/ We do require that you wear a wetsuit not only for warmth but also flotation.

Q/ What if we have our own wet suit ?
A/   You are welcome to use your own wet suit and snorkel gear or you may rent one of ours. We have a variety of sizes in full and short length.

Q/ Can we scuba dive ?
A/ You can not scuba dive with manatee in the wild. It is unlawful to pursue the animal underwater. There are other arrangements that can be made for a scuba dive trip.

Q/ How many people can go on a swim with the manatee trip ?
A/ We specialize in small groups of two to fifteen people per boat, catering to families and children. Our trips our narrated, informative and educational. It is important to us and to our customers that your encounter with manatees in the wild be an unforgettable and personal experience.

Q/ How many manatees will we see ?
A/ Since these are manatee encounters in the wild, it is impossible to predict what the population of the herds will be. Depending on water temperatures and weather conditions, you could see one or as many as three hundred or more. We can tell you that the Homosassa and the Crystal River are home to the Worlds largest numbers of wild manatee.

Q/ Do you have age restrictions to swim with the manatee ?
A/ You are never too old or too young to experience this wonderful sight. Very young children can stay on the boat with a parent while the other swims and then trade off, or because the depths of the water are fairly shallow, you can hold your child in your arms.

Q/ What if I don't want to swim with the manatee ?
A/ If you or someone in your party would prefer not to actually swim with the manatee you will still enjoy the beautiful scenery encountered on the boat ride. You can see the manatees from the boat when they are on or just below the waters surface and will learn much about the manatee and their habitat from your guide and the narrated tour.

Q/ Which is better, the Homosassa River or the Crystal River for seeing manatee ?
A/ We prefer Crystal River as it has a better year round population due in part to the more natural surroundings and overall better habitat.

Q/ What time of the day do the manatee swims take place ?
A/ Early morning hours are the best for viewing the manatee. They are more active and playful. We have scheduled trips that meet at 8:00am and the boat leaves the dock at 8:30am sharp. Later in the afternoon the manatee enjoy their naps after a long morning of eating and playing.

Q/ How long will the trip be ?
A/ You begin your experience in the dive shop. You will meet your guide and Captain. While they are assisting you with your gear, you will be asked to watch a short video with important information on how you should behave with these spectacular gentle giants. This entire process will take about 25 minutes. You will board your boat for the fifteen-minute journey up the river. When you reach the springs you can begin your swim with the manatee. You will be able to remain in the water for a little over two hours. You return by boat to the dock, take off your gear and change into your clothes. You should allow three hours for the whole exciting adventure.

Q/ What about lodging ?
A/ We can offer you a few different lodging sites. For rates and availability, contact our toll free reservation number 1-866-352-7946

Q/ What else does the area have to do ?
A/ You can book a guided fishing trip or fish on your own, rent kayaks, canoes. We are ten minutes from the Florida State Wildlife Park which is home to rehabiliationg manatees that have been injured in the wild. The park is a wonderfully educational and entertaining exibit of all that is natural and wild in our area. The cost is a very modest $4.00 for children and $7.00 for Adults. You should allow approximately 3 hours for this delightful experience.

Q/ How close are you to the airport ?
A/ We are 90 miles from The Orlando International Airport, and 72 miles from The Tampa International Airport. There is also a private airport located between Crystal River and Homosassa.