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Welcome to the Springs and Manatees of Florida Adventure.
I hope you will consider joining us as we explore the Florida Springs!
I saw my first manatee at age eleven. I was surf fishing in a quiet lagoon with my father. I wil never forget my father's startled expression as a massive, unidentifiable creature surfaced next to us in the warm Gulf waters of Florida. I have been swimming with these gentle animals nearly every winter since.
TRIP DATES: FEBRUARY 14th-19th, 2012
Each winter as the Gulf temperatures begin to drop, The West Indian Manatees migrate into the clear warmer springs of Florida. By February, the manatees have been in Crystal River for several months. Most of the population will leave the river for the Gulf waters by late March. February is an excellent time to visits these springs. The weather in February can be very pleasant and there are typically plenty of manatees basking in the spring-fed water. We may experience daytime temperatures ranging from the 50's to70's.
Our trip will also include two days of exploring Ocala National Forest and the spectacular wilderness canoe run, Juniper Springs. During our canoe trip we may drift by basking alligators, river otters and a multitude of wading birds such as little blue herons, white ibis, great egrets and limpkins. By joining us in the wilderness of Ocala, you will be experiencing a slice of Florida that most visitors to the state never see.
TRIP COST:
The cost of the Florida springs trip is $1395 per person. This price includes: 5 nights of lodging, van transfers in Florida, 5 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, canoeing, three guided snorkeling tours via pontoon boat , permits, naturalist -led programs and the extraordinary experience of snorkeling with a 2000 pound mammal! This price does not include air transportation, snorkeling gear, or personal liquor. Farmer Jane style wetsuits are provided and full wetsuit may be rented on site if additional warmth is preferred. All meals are included with the exception of lunch on Day 3, dinner on Day 4 and 5. We will be dining at restaurants for these three meals or you may relax at the hotel and order food to be delivered (dinner 4/5).
There are several options for travel to Tampa International Airport (airport code TPA). Please make arrangements so that you can meet the group between 5:30 and 6:00pm outside baggage claim on February 14th. Our trip ends at 11:00am at Tampa International Airport on February 19th allowing people to catch afternoon flights.
PLEASE DO NOT BOOK YOUR RETURN FLIGHTS BEFORE 1:00 PM ON FEBRUARY 19th. We suggest that you follow our recommendations below regarding travel insurancea. I have found great flight deals on Kayak.com.
For our first three nights, we have rented a private waterfront home on a tributary of Crystal River. The location is fabulous and our comfortable Florida style home has several rooms which sleep 4-5 people as well as a few beds tucked away throughout the house. Your Blue Water Ventures staff will be cooking most meals at the house. The rental house is cozy and somewhat like a big slumber party! In Ocala, we have reserved double occupancy rooms at the newly renovated Hampton Inn. You may take a look at our rental house and our accommodations at the Hampton Inn in Ocala.
To secure your place on this trip, please submit a non-refundable reservation fee of $100 to Blue Water Ventures, 108 Mason Street, Santa Cruz CA. 95060.
Payment Schedule if paying by check
$100 non-refundable reservation fee due upon registering for trip
$400 Due August 14th, 2011
$400 Due December 1st, 2011
$495 Due: January 3rd, 2012
Payment Schedule if paying by Pay Pal please visit our Payment Center
$103 non-refundable reservation fee due upon registering for trip
$412 Due August 14th, 2011
$412 Due December 1st, 2011
$510 Due: January 3rd, 2012
(An additional 3% is added to cover PayPal's service fee. Rather than building a 3% increase into the trip cost, we have given people the option to pay by check
and avoid this service fee).
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Due to the complexity of arranging out of state programs the following cancellation policy is required. If cancellations are made over 60 days prior to the starting date of the program, you will be granted a full refund minus the $100 non-refundable reservation fee. If cancellations are made less than 60 days prior to the starting date, you will be charged a handling fee of $500. No refunds are given when cancellations are made less than 6 weeks (42 days) prior to the starting date.
At anytime, you may find a replacement for your spot if you need to cancel at no extra charge.
Blue Water Ventures (BWV) recommends that participants consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Please consult your travel agent or online services regarding this matter. Policies vary and arrangements may need to be made within two-three weeks of your first payment. Many of our clients have been very happy with CSA Travel Insurance or Travel Guard.
BWV is not responsible for any expenses incurred by participants related to a canceled program or one they participated in, costs such as airline tickets, flight change fees, lost luggage, missed flights, transportation, lodging, etc.
BWV reserves the right to cancel a trip before it's departure date for any reason. Blue Water Ventures does not assume responsibility for program changes or trip cancellations due to situations such as those related to weather, natural disasters or political events (i.e. war, terrorism) or any other reason.
Please don’t hesitate to give me a call if I can be of any other assistance.
Very Sincerely,
Owner, Operator & Naturalist
Blue Water Ventures
bluewaterventures@sbcglobal.net
108 Mason St, Santa Cruz, Ca 95060
