Crystal River Nov 11-14 2021

SOLD OUT!

Itinerary:

Nov 11: Travel day (most driving down, carpool in van available) / check in hotel @ 4p (Holiday Inn Crystal River)
Nov 12: Snorkeling in Crystal River w/ manatees / followed by entry into Homosassa park which is a manatee sanctuary / voluntary family dinner
Nov 13: Drift diving/snorkeling at Rainbow river / KP State Park exploration
Nov 14: Check out by 9a / travel day / on the way back, dive/snorkel at Devil's Den  

Does NOT include:

-travel (ride-share in the van is available)
-dive gear
-gratuities
-meals
-stuffed manatee

About Crystal River:

The Crystal River and associated natural springs are famous for swimming with manatees because during the coldest times of year (November - February), manatees escape cooling gulf coast waters to the region’s consistently moderate temperature springs. However, manatees don’t just like warm water, they LOVE IT and will choose to be in the warmest water they can find, wherever that is. Sometimes winter in Florida can be pretty warm (big shocker) and the manatees’ stay in the Crystal River springs can be short lived or sporadic. 

About Homosassa Park:

An astounding number of fresh and saltwater fish still congregate in the natural spring bowl — large jacks, snapper, snook and others. Gaze down into the depths of the first-magnitude spring and perhaps catch a glimpse of fish and manatees in their natural habitat.

The park also features a variety of captive animals such as alligators, black bears, red wolf, Key deer, flamingos, whooping cranes and the oldest hippopotamus in captivity. The native wildlife that reside in the park serve as ambassadors for their species, providing visitors face-to-face connections with the animals and their habitats. Each with a unique life story, all of the animal inhabitants are here for the same reason: They are unable to survive in the wild on their own.

About Rainbow River:

The Rainbow River, is located, in Dunellon, Fl, about 20 miles southwest of Ocala, in Marion County. The headspring, Rainbow Spring, is a 1st magnitude spring that ranks 4th in the state for volume, discharging 400-600 million gallons of water a day! The spring is composed of numerous vents rather one single vent. There are many smaller springs along the river, discharging water from numerous caves, crevices and sand boils. The river is 5.7 miles long, flowing into the Withlacoochee River, where it’s crystal clear water meets the dark tannin water of the Withlacoochee.  The river hosts an abundance of wildlife and diverse vegetation. The water clarity is extraordinary!

About Devil's Den:

Devil's Den is a prehistoric spring that reaches a depth of nearly 60 feet. It was created when the roof collapsed over a subterranean river, causing the opening from which visitors can enter and exit the cave. The opening to the cavern is 120 feet in diameter, which creates a striking visual once visitors descend to the cavern below. Once inside the cave, stalactites, fossil beds, and prehistoric rock formations are visible, which speaks volumes about the age and condition of the cave. What many people don't realize is that the cave was also the sight of early human remains, and artifacts dating back to the Pleistocene Age have also been discovered there. The spring itself is privately owned today but offers tours in a myriad of ways, not all involving scuba diving.