When: January 14 - 17, 2024
Where: Crystal River, FL
Reservations Close and all Balances Due: December 15, 2023. 

Meet the Gentle Giants: Picture your family swimming with these gentle giants of the sea – the manatees! These peaceful and curious creatures, also known as sea cows, call Crystal River home during winter. Get up close and personal with these fascinating marine mammals, known for their friendly nature and heartwarming interactions.

We will start our trip with a manatee awareness program to learn about the habitat, behavior, and anatomy of manatees, as we learn interesting facts about how a salt-water mammal can survive in the freshwater surrounding the springs! 

Our water adventures with the manatees will include being outfitted with a wetsuit (provided for our travelers. They have a huge range of sizes - infant to xxxxxxxxxxl). You will have already chosen your family's mode of transportation at registration on how you will reach your spot in King's Bay, so we will divide  into groups and head out on the water.

Once we arrive at our various watery destinations in King's Bay, we will all be provided with noodles to float on and snorkel equipment (if you choose to use it). The manatees, just like us, are susceptible to cold and hypothermia and cannot survive for extended periods when water temperatures fall below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. These beautiful springs remain a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit providing manatees with a warm water refuge from the cold Gulf waters. Swimming with manatees is such an incredible opportunity to directly interact with and observe these gentle giants in the only place in the United States where it is actually legal to do so.

Crystal River and King's Bay Natural Springs

Crystal River is the Manatee Capital of the World. It is home to the only National Wildlife Refuge in the United States specifically created to protect habitats for Florida’s beloved official marine animal. Crystal River/Kings Bay is the second largest springs group in Florida, with more than 70 springs scattered within the 600-acre bay. The springs are the headwaters of Crystal River, which is a short, tidal river that flows seven miles from the headsprings to where it meets the Gulf of Mexico at Crystal Bay in Citrus County, Florida.

We will offer many ways to interact with the manatee at different locations around the Crystal River area. You can:

• Snorkel
• Swim
• Float on a Noodle
• Kayak (note we have a few brand new clear kayaks available to us. They will be offered on a first come, first served basis. So register now.)
• Paddle Boards
• Pontoon Boats

Mermaid / Merman Training

But Crystal River is not just the perfect place to swim with manatees; it's a stage for your mermaid training adventure as well! If you have ever dreamt of gracefully gliding through the water with a shimmering tail, now's your chance! Our Mermaid / Merman Training experience instantly transforms you into the mythical creature you've always admired. Feel the magic as you become part of this underwater fairy tale.

The team of professional mermaid instructors will guide us through the art of mermaid swimming. We will learn the graceful techniques, mesmerizing movements, and secrets to embodying the spirit of a mermaid. These experts will ensure you feel confident and magical in your newfound aquatic persona.

Snorkel Rainbow River

If being a mermaid / merman is not your thing, we also will be embarking on a guided snorkel adventure led by experienced and knowledgeable divers. Encounter an array of fascinating marine life, from playful turtles gliding through the water to schools of colorful fish dancing beneath the surface. Rainbow River is home to a diverse ecosystem, providing a captivating snorkeling experience for nature lovers and underwater enthusiasts alike.

Again, for this experience we will be in wetsuits provided to us. 

Crystal River Archaeological State Park

The park contains a six-mound complex, occupied from the Deptford period through Santa Rosa-Swift Creek culture and up to the Late Fort Walton period. This timespan makes it one of the longest continually occupied sites in Florida, believed to have been occupied for 1,600 years. We will be given a guided tour to learn about the Native Americans who lived in the Crystal River area and the ceremonial, burial and midden mounds they built. The grounds are lovely, and along with the variety of oak, sabal palm, cedar, magnolia and other Florida native trees, you will see many birds and butterflies throughout the year.

We will visit the museum to view a diorama that dominates the interior of the museum. It depicts a scale model of the site as it may have looked centuries before its abandonment. We will also view the exhibits that explain the history of the coastal dwellers who used the area in ancient times. Artifacts from pottery to projectile points found at the nearby archaeological site and view timelines that provide comparisons with historical events occurring in other parts of the world during similar time periods.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

We will learn all about the precious manatees in a spectacular setting. Situated right on King's Bay in the heart of Crystal River, the National Wildlife Refuge Complex and Visitors Center is not to be missed. The facility has interactive displays and exhibits about the Crystal River Wildlife Refuge.

Mosaic Art

We have a well-known and loved local artist guiding us in creating a mosaic manatee piece of art. This piece is a little more intricate than our normal painting and will take about 5 hours to complete over two evenings. 

Ready to Register?

Payments: Please see the information below for pricing and payment information. Each family will pay a non-refundable registration fee of $250 at time of registration. The balance will be due December 15, 2023.

I charge a registration fee of $250 per family, which is due upon registration. Because I can only accommodate a limited number of families on this trip, you’ll want to sign up and pay your registration fee to hold your spot as soon as possible. Also, please note teens are counted as adults for this trip, so you will see 2 adults without children (when that is one adult and one teen).

If you have a larger family than the numbers listed below, contact me so I can get you an exact quote. 

The price below does not include the non-refundable registration fee.

Accommodations

Meals

All meals are included in the Activity Fee. Included meals are listed below.

• breakfast every morning (Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday morning) Continental at hotel
• lunch every day (Monday and Tuesday)
• dinner every evening (Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday evening)

Payments, Cancellations, and Refund Policies

Your non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. I cannot make any changes after December 15, 2023. Note, I will need at least 20 families to register to be able to confirm this trip. Also, I have to place a cap on this trip due the space limitations in Crystal River. I encourage you to check into travel insurance. Click the image below to get your customized quote online.

Once you have registered and paid your registration fee, you will be added to a private Facebook group that is only for those adults who will travel to Crystal Springs, FL, with me. (I create a group like this for every trip.) This allows those who will be attending to start getting to know each other. It also gives me a place to share important information with those attending.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: It is required that you - or at least one adult who is attending the trip and who is doing the planning for your family - join this group since it is the way I communicate important information and details about the trip with the families who attend. If you don't have a Facebook account, you will need to create one to use until the conclusion of the trip.)

I’ve seen many life-long friendships begin on these trips, and I expect the same thing to happen in Crystal River! That is one of the most beautiful aspects of these trips... the community for families living the home education lifestyle. I can’t wait to meet you, if you are new to my trips... and I can't wait to see your family again if you are coming back. ♥ ♥ ♥

If you have any questions, please email me at Info (at) HomeschoolTravelAdventures (dot) com. Be sure to put “Crystal River Questions” in your subject line.

Add-on Events:

I do not have any add-on events at this point. If I add any, it will be announced in the group for you to register for it. The trip (except for any future add-ons) officially ends Wednesday before lunch.