The Manatees &
Springs of Northern Florida, USA
Crystal River, Florida

January 11 -14, 2007

PAST TRIP REPORT

The weather was perfect for this years Manatee Experience. We were treated the first day to nearly 80 degree weather and a huge amount of sunshine, unseasonably warm for the area and with the warmer weather came the possibility that the Manatees were not going to be in their usual spot. With hopes rising, we went to Three Sisters Spring and found about 10 manatees in the area, many of which were interacting very well with the snorkelers. Everyone in the group had an opportunity to interact with these huge and gentle creatures. There were lots of tummy rubs, and backs to scratch. It is hard to explain it to people who were not there. These gentle animals are a fantastic tribute to the underwater world and everything cool about it.

After it got a little crowded at the spring with all of the snorkelers, we headed over to the bigger spring. The warmer weather made the Manatees somewhat scarce but we were treated to a variety of bizarre looking fish including the Giant Tarpon. These fish were HUGE... as big as a medium sized manatee. They kept circling us and seemed to be as curious about us as we were awed by them.

The second day of the adventure was not as spectacular. Since the weather was so nice there were scores of boats and hundreds of snorkelers. We looked at the springs and the fish of the area and found a few manatees but it was not until we went to a place that was not as clear and as crowded that we had an opportunity to interact with them again.

The trip is something we look forward to every year and we are looking forward to going back there next January. Hope you can join us.