Yes, we really swam with manatees!!!

 Friday, June 30

We left Cedar Key this morning for an easy 45 minute flight to Crystal River, FL (KCGC) As we took off, I began to understand why pilots often don't want to fly to KCGC. It's not the landing: it's taking off. You fly straight out over the bay and it's a little nerve-wracking to see nothing but water all around - unless you're on floats!

It was such a quick flight that I took very few photos, and Dennis says he doesn't remember taking any! As I flew, I was debating whether I should try and land on the salt flats or in the tree-covered bayou if my engine failed. I didn't come to a final decision.

We got into Crystal River a little after 9:00 a.m. and once inside the FBO Dennis started searching for swimming with manatee tours. We signed up for a 3 hour tour at noon. 

First we watched a mandatory video talking about manatee preservation and with lots and lots of "do not" and "don't". Then we were given wet suits (for buoyancy,) snorkels, and went out in a pontoon boat with 3 other "guests", the boat captain, and the dive guide. 

The captain drove the boat slowly, looking for manatees. Then he saw one, and quickly we all put on our snorkels, climbed down the outside ladder, grabbed a pool noodle (for buoyancy,) and dog paddled toward the manatee, who had a calf by her side! We were cautioned not to do any kicking with our feet, only dog paddle, since the splashing disturbs the manatees.

All the advertisements show crystal clear water and people almost nose to nose with one or more manatees. Here's an example:

Reality was much different: it was so murky in the water that I couldn't see more than 2' around me, and had to keep raising my head to see where the dive guide was and dog paddle in that direction.

[NOTE: These three photos are from Google. The water was even more murky than shown here.]

Then I bumped into a large algae-covered boulder - which turned out to be the mama manatee! [The photo below is what she looked like, but the water was more like the photo above.] I tried to back paddle quickly - but I never learned how to back-paddle while dog paddling!!!

In spite of the really poor visibility, we both had a great time, and both Dennis and I agreed that it was completely worth the $70/person.

We had decided to spend the night in Chrystal River and tomorrow we resume our journey. 

Here is our track for the day: