Oh how we wanted this to be a really cool experience, and I think it would have been if we had a different guide. Everything this company does is spot on, with the exception of having Madison lead families. We went on our last day of Spring Break back in March. We were the only family on board with kids younger than 20 (ours were 16, 12, and 10). We were on time (early) and we waited a little for a few stragglers, even though the directions were very clear. Ironically, those stragglers ended up getting in the water first, had significant engagement with the crew as they got their gear immediately (we had to wait), and any fears assuaged the entire boat ride out there. We were ignored for 90% of our ride out by our guide Madison. CJ was amazing and spoke with his group as did Charles. I remember thinking-I have kids here who are nervous even though they're awesome swimmers and live here in FL, not to mention it was super choppy so we were all feeling nauseous. We were literally the LAST group (of about 8) to get off the boat. Everyone left on board that was not crew waiting to get in the water vomited. The Captain (a not very friendly female) seemed irritated and constantly screamed-"the BACK of the boat if you're going to get sick!"
We BEGGED for them to get us in the water. Madison helped every single other group get in while we sat and watched. All the other group leaders got in and swam off. I get it-they have a system. It would've taken 2 seconds for her to explain the situation and let us know-hey, we are getting in last, if you feel sick, here are some tips, etc...but no. She literally sat and bs'd with the other groups/leaders leading them the entire time.
We never went to the Coral Reef of course, (like all the other reviews) due to weather. I told you it was choppy, so imagine being about 50 feet from the boat. Madison unhooks my 10 year old and says, swim back to the boat. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? She's a great swimmer but there are no life jackets on these kids and the waves were big! I said, ABSOLUTELY NOT. She will wait and stay tied. She looked right at me and said, well YOU just swam back and so did your other daughter (12). She was argumentative and bitchy at best.
Look, it would've been great if we didn't all feel like we were going to hurl for 30 minutes prior to getting in the water, then descend and try to enjoy it. I think in theory it is amazing. I just wish that we had a much more attentive guide. Madison was literally useless to us and unfriendly. We bought the pictures, tipped very well, and left. Hate to say this as a woman, but the men on the boat were the friendliest and the most engaging that day. The women were NOT. :(