Florida

February 29 - March 4, 2020
$695 plus transportation to Tampa
(Fly or card pool)

Join Marilou Maglione for a late winter getaway to snorkel and dive in crystal clear rivers and springs along the Gulf Coast of Florida. We will be hosted by Crystal River Water Sports, who will provide boats and guides for our spring and river adventures, where we’ll swim with manatees, drift along miles of clear river teeming with fish and wildlife and explore clear springs & caverns filled with fossils.

Swim with Manatees - During the winter months, Florida’s manatees leave the Gulf of Mexico to seek out warmer waters. Bring your camera for close up pictures of one of nature’s most unusual mammals. Out tour will bring us up close and personal, allowing us to mingle among them for hours, where we’ll likely see moms with calves and be investigated by the more curious of these chubby, whiskered Sea Cows.

The Rainbow River Drift Tour - The Rainbow River was designated a Registered Natural Landmark in 1972, an Aquatic Preserve in 1986, and an "Outstanding Florida Waterway" in 1987. We will drift along this crystal-clear river, exploring numerous springs of different sizes, enjoying a wide variety of fish, turtles and wading birds. Along the banks we’ll see beautiful flowers and trees such as live oaks, longleaf pines, magnolias, dogwoods and hickory, many draped in majestic Spanish moss.

Diving in Manatee Springs and Paradise Springs - These two springs are off the beaten path and not as busy as the more common tourist dive sites. By arranging these dives with a private guide, we can enjoy the peaceful beauty and exceptional water clarity, without crowds. In Manatee Springs, we’ll visit the Catfish Hotel, a 90’ dive aptly named for the large number of catfish that hang out there. In addition to the fish and rock formations, the surface is covered in Duckweed. As our bubbles break the surface and move the floating Duckweed around, light rays shine down through the holes as brilliant stripes. It’s a wonder to see! Paradise Spring is a geological wonder located on private property, offering a very interesting and unique dive. After descending to about 80’, it opens up into a huge cavern filled with fossils embedded in the walls everywhere you look. Bring a light to explore creatures of the distant past on this totally amazing and totally wonderful dive.

$695 Full Payment Required
To Hold A Space,
(All Trip Payments are Non-Refundable)

Included: