About This Trip
- Named one of National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime" in 2015!
- Snorkel alongside large groups of manatees in crystal-clear springs.
- Visit a historic, private, family-owned tree farm with 1,100 acres of sustainably managed habitat that is home to abundant native wildlife.
- Enjoy multiple activities including guided nature hikes or airboat excursions, and learn about local ecology and conservation.
This educational, 4-day trip (which is a great trip for families) allows you to snorkel with Florida's manatees while also learning about their ecology and conservation. Participants can also visit Espedeco Tree Farm, a private, family-owned property with >1,100 acres of sustainably managed habitat. The highlight of our trip will be two mornings spent snorkeling with manatees in their warm water winter refuge. The manatees are part of the Crystal River herd, which makes up roughly 25 percent of the United States' manatee population.
>> Watch a video from our Florida manatee trip.
In the afternoons, we will explore the grounds of Espedeco Tree Farm, and you will have the option to take a naturalist guided airboat excursion (at an additional cost). Espedeco's forests protect a disappearing habitat where many of Florida's native species can still be found in abundance, including alligators, bobcats, endangered gopher tortoises, armadillos, opossums, white tailed deer, foxes, and a wide variety of birds including osprey, owls, and hawks. Espedeco's open fields and wild meadows are also home to many species of butterflies.
Through this experience, participants will have an opportunity for full immersion in this Florida ecosystem and will get to see that sometimes you do not have to go across the globe to see vital wildlife communities and learn about conservation challenges.
Notes on Trip Costs
Participants will arrange their own accommodations at nearby hotels and provide their own transportation (rental car). We recommend that guests stay at Plantation Inn in Crystal River. Request a detailed itinerary for complete pricing details. Click here for our full expedition terms and conditions.
Conservation Impact
Founded in 1969, Oceanic Society is America’s oldest 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. As pioneers of “eco travel,” our expeditions have been designed to directly support our mission. They not only positively impact our travelers, but also the people, places, and wildlife we go to see. Trip fees from this trip support Florida non-profit organizations that work to conserve manatees or the special habitats that they require. In past years, both Save a Manatee and Friends of Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park have been the designated recipients of group donations. We work with Friends of Homosassa on all of our manatee expeditions, and our groups are visited by one of their wildlife experts. And Oceanic Society's earnings from this trip are invested back into our global research and conservation programs.
Dates & Prices
Jan 17-20, 2025
Book this TripItinerary
Day 1: Arrival Arrive in Crystal River, Florida. The closest airports are in Tampa and Orlando, just over an hour away.
Day 2: Snorkeling with Manatees & Exploring the Farm Depart at 8:00 am for the boat harbor. Board a dedicated manatee viewing boat and spend the full morning snorkeling with and viewing manatees (with a personal tour guide/naturalist). Later in the afternoon, explore the conservation areas of the sustainable tree farm on a guided nature tour.
Day 3: Snorkeling with Manatees & Group Dinner (D) Depart at 8:00 am for the boat harbor. Board a dedicated manatee viewing boat and spend the full morning snorkeling with and viewing manatees (with a personal tour guide/naturalist). There will be time to discuss and answer any questions you may have about what you have seen. Enjoy the free afternoon or take an optional swamp airboat tour (at an additional cost), followed by a group dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 4: Departure Guests depart when ready or further explore the area on own.
Accommodations
Participants will arrange their own accommodations at nearby hotels and are responsible for their own transportation (rental car). We recommend that guests stay at the charming Plantation Inn in Crystal River.
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
