Manatee F.A.Q.s, Manatee Manners Video & About Captain Hank
At Manatee Connection, we strongly advocate in providing Manatee Education along with our Manatee Tours and Manatee Swims...
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has put together an excellent "Manatee Manners" video presentation that all Manatee Swim Participants are required to view before their Manatee Tour, Manatee Swim or any other Manatee Interaction. Manatee Connection strongly advocates the Manatee Interaction Behaviors presented in this video and any Manatee Tour Participant who violates this Manatee code of conduct will be removed from the water immediately. The safety and protection of our Manatee Swim participants and the Manatees and their offspring themselves are our highest priority. We look forward to meeting you and providing you with the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime Manatee Swim experience! If you would like to learn more about the Crystal River Manatees and our Manatee Tour Experience please check out our Manatee Tour FAQ's below by clicking here. |
Manatee Manners |
About Captain Hank
My
love of boats goes back approximately 40 years, to the age of 10, when
my mother bought me my first boat (a small 10 ft. Jon Boat with a 5HP
outboard). The boat allowed me to begin exploring the outdoors. At 17,
I decided to join the U.S. Navy where I served as a Search and Rescue
Swimmer with an H3 Helicopter Squadron out of Jacksonville, FL for 4
years. Upon leaving the Navy, I worked in other trades and careers,
but my love of the water always drew me back to Citrus County and its
unspoiled waterways.
In 1999, I received my Coast Guard 100-ton Master License and in 2002, started my Manatee Tour and Charter business, Manatee Connections. As a true nature and water lover, I am drawn to these gentle giants and enjoy observing them in their natural habitat and sharing these experiences with families from all over the world. I would love the opportunity to share my Manatee Tour with your family as well and I look forward to meeting you and providing you a once-in-a-lifetime experience you will never forget! - Captain Hank Sonnenreich.
Manatee Tour F.A.Q.s
We strongly advocate in providing Manatee
Education along with our Manatee Tours and Manatee Swims...
Here you will find the most commonly-asked questions of our Manatee Tour and Swim participants. If you have any questions, comments or would like to learn more about Manatee Connection or our Crystal River Manatee Tours, please feel free to contact us here. All Crystal River Manatee Tours are conducted in a lawful manner as we will be observing Manatees in their natural habitats and we must do this in a respectful manner to keep our swimmers and our local Manatees and their offspring safe at all times. Thank you, we look forward to meeting you...
Q:
How
cold is the water?
A: The waters that flow from
Crystal River and Homosassa River springs maintain
a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit / 22.2 degrees Celsius.
Q: How deep is the water?
A: The water depth can vary
anywhere from 3 to 10 feet. Kings Spring is 55 feet
deep, but most
manatee encounters occur in shallow waters that are 6
to 10 feet deep.
Q: Do we have to
wear a wet suit?
A: Yes, we do require that you
wear a wet suit not only for warmth but also flotation and safety.
Q: How many
participants at one time can go on a
manatee tour?
A: For the safety of our swimmers
as well as the local manatee population, we specialize in small
groups only (12 max.) but normally will have 6 to 8 swimmers. We
cater to people of all ages.
Q: How many
manatees can we expect to see during our
Manatee Tour?
A: Since our
manatee encounters
occur in the wild, it is impossible to predict the number of
Manatees we may encounter. We could locate 1 or 300 manatees,
depending on the time of year, the current water temperature and/or
location. Manatee Connection will try our best to provide you with
an exciting and enjoyable
Manatee Tour experience. The Crystal
River and Homosassa River are home to the
world's largest
population of wild manatees. These rivers are also the
only place (at this time) where you can legally swim with these
gentle creatures.
Q: Can we scuba dive?
A: No,
diving is not permitted with manatees in the wild as it may alter
their behavior which is illegal. Even when snorkeling we never break the surface.
Q: Are their any age
restrictions on your
Manatee Tour
or when swimming
with manatees?
A: No, you are never too old or
too
young to experience this wonderful
manatee tour encounter. However,
we do have some
additional guidelines for small children and infants. Most tours are not
suitable for infants unless you book one of our
private manatee tours.
Please contact us for details.
Q: What if I don't
want to swim with the manatees?
A: If you don't what to swim you
can participate in our
Manatee Tour as an observer. You will still enjoy the experience
as there is
much to see along the way. From beautiful scenery and abundant
wildlife to actual manatee sightings from the boat
as they are
usually near the surface and close by.
Q: What is the
preferred location to view manatees during a
manatee tour,
the Homosassa River or the Crystal River?
A: Both rivers are equally good
manatee tour
locations, however our experience has shown that the
Homosassa River is only productive in winter and
the Crystal River is active year round.
Q: What time of day
do your manatee swims take place?
A: Early morning hours are the
best time for viewing manatees, this is when they are
their most active
and playful. We have different departure times depending on location
and time of year.
Q: How long will
my manatee tour last?
A: You begin your experience at
the selected location where your captain will meet you. Our
standard
manatee tour lasts approximately 3 hours. Our
private manatee tours last longer depending
on which one you select.
Q: Do you provide
lodging?
A: There are many
visitor-friendly hotels/motels
in our area. We can provide you with a list of local hotels/motels
in the area.
(Contact Us)
Q: What other
types of entertainment, activities and amenities does the
Citrus County Area provide for vacationers?
A: Manatee Connection also offers
kayak rentals at
two locations,
fishing trips,
boat rentals,
scalloping trips,
airboat tours and drift trips down
the Rainbow River. We are located within
10 minutes from the Homosassa Wildlife Park which is home to
many rehabilitated manatees that have been injured in the wild. All types
of native Florida animals can be found within the park. It
is a wonderfully educational and entertaining exhibit of all that is
natural and wild in the Citrus County area. The cost is very inexpensive and we
have discount coupons for you if you are interested. Just ask and ye
shall receive!
Q: How close are you to
the major Florida airports?
A: We are 90 minutes from Orlando
airport and 75 minutes from Tampa International airport. There is also a private
airport located approximately 10 minutes from any of our locations.
Click here to contact Manatee Connection or to book your Manatee Tour today!
