A friend and I decided to take this tour for a couple of reasons. One, I still live in the NE and had never seen a manatee and two, we are two adventurous, nature loving people.
The trip was the second one out that chilly, chilly but sunny morning. Our first stop was a bust after the 10 of us got into the water. A few of the tour were able to get a glimpse of a tail. Back on the pontoon with Captian Rhonda. Now we are all shivering as we make our way to Three Sisters. At this point, I didn't even want to get back in the water, it was so cold. However, seeing manatees was more important. This location was SUPER crowded with other tours, some of which apparently didn't have the "respect" video before they launched. People were standing, talking loudly and crowding the animals.
Staying still in a dead-man's float and shivering badly, there was finally rewards as these beautiful, docile sea creatures swam under and by me. One actually came up to my snorkel for a "scritch" on his/her head, but I was so stiff from cold I couldn't move my arm in time to have that experience.
After a time, and before I was shivering too badly to swim, a few of us headed back to our pontoon, where cups of hot chocolate were provided. However we were shivering so badly it was difficult to hold the cups.
I opted to purchase the video/photos. Not worth it. Video and photos taken by our guide seemed concentrated on a few of the younger women on our tour. I didn't see any of myself and maybe one of the friend I was with. If possible, bring your own camera to use underwater.
Wetsuits are provided, be sure to get one that is in good condition. Mine was very thin in the crotch area so water was coming in.