2024 Florida Wild Manatees Snorkeling & Springs Student

Crystal River, FL, United States

GE
193 reviews
Mar 1 - 5, 2019
Group size: 10 - 13
2024 Florida Wild Manatees Snorkeling & Springs Student
Crystal River, FL, United States

193 reviews

Mar 1 - 5, 2019
Group size: 10 - 13

About this trip

Join us for an unforgettable adventure into Florida's "Nature Coast" and be introduced to some of Florida's wild residents including the Florida & West Indian Manatees.


Fun outdoor local adventures like snorkeling with manatees, an airboat ride, kayaking in backwater springs, and nature hikes will reveal a Florida few people ever see. 


This adventure is designed for women to learn, explore, and discovery in a safe and supportive atmosphere. All skill levels are welcome. In addition to a fun trip, expect lots of laughs and to meet future life-long friends!


Trip Highlights


  • Experience the real Florida along the Nature Coast.
  • Learn about Citrus County's amazing springs and how people and animals depend on them for survival.
  • Go kayaking in the wild Chassahowitzka River, Florida's Amazon.
  • Life-changing in water guided encounters snorkeling with wild manatees.
  • A thrilling airboat ride over wetlands and through rivers to see wildlife not accessible by the prop boats.
  • Take a walk on the wild side with naturalist-led hikes to learn about ecology of upland Hammock Forests.
  • Pontoon boat cruise into the Gulf in search of dolphins at sunset.
  • Visit to the Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park for a closer look at native Florida flora and fauna.

What’s included

  • Meals
    All meals from dinner on arrival day to breakfast on departure day.
  • Lodging
    Double occupancy at Plantation Resort & Spa
  • Activities
    All scheduled activities & equipment
  • Transportation
    Airport and local transfers

What’s not included

  • Airfare to Orlando
  • Spa Package Upgrades
  • Alcholic Beverages
  • Gratuities
  • Travel Insurance

Available Packages

Trip Price
$1,795
Deposit:$500

Available options

OPTIONAL Single Supplement
$300

Itinerary

Arrival Day
Dinner & Orientation
Welcome to Florida. Participants will be transferred from Orlando to Crystal River by 12 seat mini bus. Move in, dinner, and enjoy the resort's pool, Jacuzzi, and other amenities.

Your Organizer


GE
Green Edventures Eco Tours & Expeditions
193 reviews
Fun, active, and educational nature-based group eco-adventures for people to connect with wild places and animals in extraordinary environments. Specializing in women's adventure travel groups, and teacher-led student groups. Inquire about custom and co-ed trips.

Reviews

Visiting the Galapagos had been on my bucket list for years, and this trip exceeded all expectations! The breathtaking landscapes, unique wildlife, and the sense of being in such a pristine, untouched environment made for an unforgettable experience. Our guide, Kristin was phenomenal—extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and honestly really fun to be around. The staff at GreenEdventures did an excellent job planning the trip, ensuring everything ran smoothly from start to finish. I would highly recommend both the company and Kristin to anyone considering a visit to this remarkable destination. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
By Megan B for Galapagos 2024: The Galapagos Islands Explorer for Women on Dec 04, 2024
I have just returned from the Green Edventures women’s Iceland November 2024. This tour promises a lot, hot springs, mindfulness and Northern Lights. I can say that the reality was so much more. Green Edventures put together a tour of experiences that at once awed and centered me. It is not hyperbole to say that the experiences of this tour changed my life. It seems impossible that the tour was less than ten days. In that time the group bonded, we stood by each other and supported each other through joyful experiences, such as walking fearlessly into the Atlantic then the Arctic oceans (in November!). We witnessed a mind-boggling display of the Northern Lights dancing and weaving overhead. We enjoyed the bathing culture of Iceland and relaxed in hot springs and pools on the oceans edge. We participated in floatation therapy which is an Icelandic development that is similar to sensory deprivation while simultaneously enhancing appreciation of the world around me. Sound bathing in a yurt, which was one of my favorite experiences. The varying sounds of gongs, chimes, flutes, and percussion blend into a blanket of surround and hold you. The tour is well planned and expertly guided. I went on this tour with some hesitation, would it be too “woo-woo?” I went on this tour with challenges and questions about myself. I retuned with nine new dear friends and tools to carry me forward. If you are considering this tour, take the plunge. You will not regret it!
By Amy G for Iceland 2024: Hot Springs & Northern Lights Mindfulness Tour on Nov 05, 2024
Overall, this trip is great. Tracey is outstanding. Americo and Guido are incredible. We couldn't have had three better people. Smart, caring, attendant, engaged, and funny. Killa Travel: Super treatment. Change needed for departures: Travelers should not be dropped at CUS more than two hours before domestic flights. You cannot check in until two hours before, and toilets are the only amenities offered. Sitting physically outside of the airport for hours (chair outside) with no access to food or WIFI (safety) was tricky. Killa would know the two-hour limit; whereas, travelers would not. Yes, we could have taken a taxi somewhere, but we would have had no idea of a destination, so we couldn't really leave. Consequently, other than a couple of mini protein bars, I had nothing to eat after breakfast until 15.30 - and that was a only a protein drink only because the Cusco airport only has candy, coffee, and snacks. The first proper meal Melanie and I had was 12 hours after breakfast at at the Lima - far too long for anyone to go without access to non-trail/junk food. Recommendation: Killa could/should return us to their offices from the Ollantaytambo ride, say "shop/eat lunch/whatever till X time, return to the office, and we will put you in a taxi to the airport." ***The point is not to "strand" folks at the airport before they can go through security at the two-hr mark.*** Food: We wasted a lot of the sack lunches/breakfasts packed for us either because it was just too much food for us or we were (varyingly) too ill to eat. I hated throwing out food. I do not know what the recommendation should be; I just hate throwing out food. Shaman day: On the one hand, I loved this day. On the other hand, I would have preferred it to be about two hours shorter (the shaman part, not the lunch part). We had a lot of down time where we didn't know what he was doing and were simply sitting around chatting (albeit we were in a gorgeous spot to be sitting around). That mountain lunch was one of my fav experiences. Cusco: I would like to have had more time in Cusco beyond the evenings when we were exhausted. If nothing else, a city tour by Guido before we headed to wherever. I would love to have gone to the Machu Picchu museum and the chocolate museum. , but we didn't learn much about the city itself except in bits and bobs. Granted, had I not been so sick upon arrival, perhaps I could have done some of that on my own. But, the itinerary could/should mention that to do on your own, so we could plan. On the Zoom call, Tracey and Tara really discouraged us from doing anything on the days we first arrived, though, so it is a bit tricky. I just know I would like to have seen/known about a bit more of Cusco. (Then again, maybe we did see everything worth seeing? I don't know.) Salt mine: LOVED this stop. Loved the two history/heritage days. Machu Picchu: 1. Don't give us an option for when to get the bus to the entrance (do it at 7/7.30/8am, painful as it is). 2. Book the latest train possible back to Ollantaytambo. Because we had to wait so long for the bus and because of our train time, we were at a slow sprint thru the ruins. Since I had to opt out of the Inca Trail hike and since we lost so much time because of the bus line, I feel I missed out on the whole point of my trip because I spent fewer than 2 hours at MP. I still loved it, but I am disappointed that I did not get to just stand and be quiet and let it all sink in for a nice chunk of time. Granted, the trail part is my own problem from being sick, but an earlier bus might have meant fewer people/less time in line and more time inside the park. Rainbow mountain day: Tracey and I talked about this, and no easy answer exists. That 8+ hours in the van is *tough* and makes a hard day harder. Maybe an upgraded (fancier/cushiony-er) van for that day (if such a thing exists in Cusco)? Aguas Calientes: The butterfly garden was super. You don't need much time there (an hour?). The baths, not so much. I would skip. It was really, really crowded when we visited and not the relaxing hot spring experience your N American customers might be used to. You cannot take a hotel towel, and the spa does not provide them. You rent them for 5 soles at several stalls right at the entrance to the baths. It wasn't a bad time, but before you go with another group, I would check it out yourself. You 100% need someone to sit with people's belongings while others are in the baths. The lockers were full, and it would not be worth assuming you'd have any available should you return. The baths had a bar on the second floor. It looked entertaining, but we did not go up to it. As we left, a load of school kids came in. That right there would turn me off. I wish we had got to do the waterfall hike, but it rained. Tracey took such good care of me - of all of us. She is fantastic. Other trips I have been on I can guarantee that I would not have been helped so much with feeling rotten. I cannot thank her enough. I will say to Tara what I said to Nyra about Guido and Americo: Pay Tracey whatever she asks for!
By Kristi N for Peru 2024: Women's Machu Picchu Inca Trail + Optional Lares Trek on Oct 10, 2024
Wonderful trip! As always Green Edventures has gone above and beyond to provide a once in a lifetime trip. Great guides, great leader, great experiences. I travelled solo but definitely not alone on this adventure and they made it very easy to do so.
By Melanie T for Peru 2024: Women's Machu Picchu Inca Trail + Optional Lares Trek on Oct 06, 2024
Five stars are not enough to rate this trip. The planning was perfect, the details spot-on. The local guide was knowledgeable and warm. She invited us into her home and life, even making us a traditional local meal in her kitchen. The addition of a local designer who is also a poet/philosopher added another dimension of local connection. This is a first-rate trip for anyone interested in learning about Iceland and the country’s history and current connection to textiles. This is not an adventure trip, but the trip is a fantastic adventure.
By Mary Ellen K for Iceland 2024: Magic Yarn Knitting & Northern Lights on Sep 19, 2024
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References

I went on an amazing trip with Tara to Baja, Mexico in 2020. This was a dream trip for me being a wildlife lover. It was incredible to be able to swim with whale sharks and sea lions and get up close with gray whales. Camping on the beach was amazing. We had a great group of women and everyone vibed well and all of the tour guides including Tara, Alex and Chabello were so fun, friendly and helpful every step of the way. The food was great at the campsite and at the restaurants we got to try. When our trip plans initially got derailed waiting on a negative Covid test and we had to get a different flight, Tara did everything in her power to accommodate us and make sure we got to enjoy every part of the trip, including setting us up with another whale shark swimming tour after we had missed the initial one with the group, and she spent time waiting for us to finish before leaving for the airport. I definitely recommend Green Edventures, especially the Baja Mexico trip!
By Katie M on 14 Feb, 2022
I just returned from the Wisconsin Women's Tour and couldn't have asked for a better trip! For me, the amount and type of activity were perfect. Who know there was so much to discover practically in my own backyard?
By Cynthia Casey W on 22 Oct, 2020