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Date:
2/17/2006
I couldn't wait to say "thanks" for the
Ultimate Manatee tour. It was the most
memorable time of our vacation.
I was a bit apprehensive about the tour
because I am a "plus sized girl" and I was
terrified of the wet suit. Let me say this
to all you girls out there: A wet suit is
very forgiving "stretchy" and it is black.
What could be better? LOL
Our guides were CAPT'S DON AND SHAROL and
they were very warm and welcoming. I can not
imagine ANYONE I would prefer to go out with
than these two. They make a great team and
compliment each other wonderfully. Captain
Sharol piloted the house boat to the perfect
spots, where we interacted with so many
manatees there was no need to "search" for
them. They were hanging off our boat the
entire time. Don and Sharol were very caring
and concerned about the manatee and you
could tell they really loved these helpless
creatures. We were advised several times (in
a warm and friendly way) that This is the
manatee's home and we are the visitors. They
instructed us in proper manners when
swimming and shared a true respect for the
animals.
I heard that this is one of the 10 best
"dives" in the world, according to a book
out of the UK, however, my husband and I
have no dive experience. We soon learned
that snorkeling is the best way to join with
the manatee, as they are frightened off by
the bubbles released from a tank. Captain
Don took us out and showed us the springs
(three sisters) and along the river. We had
as much freedom to interact as we wanted,
however following with Don we were guided to
the most wonderful places and saw the most
amazing things. He took his job very
seriously and was always watching out for
us. I felt completely safe in the water with
him. He even stopped a group of kids from
another boat from chasing a smaller manatee.
Nicely Done Don!!
I have yet to watch the DVD and may even
write again after I do.
All in all....I would ONLY choose Captain
Mike's Sunshine tours, and I would strongly
advise the "ultimate manatee tour". The cost
is not so much more than the big, open
boats, but the service, comfort, and
individual interaction is PRICELESS. If you
get Sharol and Don as guides, you are very
lucky indeed.
Don and Sharol: We wish you many wonderful
years together , and we are so glad to have
spent some time with you.
Joan & Randy
Date: 01/25/2006
I just wanted you to know that there is
another satisfied customer out here. We
viewed your dvd of our daughter swimming
with the manatees for the fifth time.
Exciting stuff.
We also appreciate your approach to
viewing the manatees and we wish you
continued success in your eco-education
business.
John
01/24/2006 A hearty hello to Captain
Mike,
I want to express my gratitude for the
exceptional time we had on your VIP
Manatee tour. Capt. Sharol and Don not
only showed us a great time, they built
in us a true understanding and
appreciation for the Manatees.
The DVD is precious and continues to wow
all that see it!
I hope to see you soon,
Matt (Sharon and Josh)
Date: 01/21/2006
Capt. Mike
Thank you for arranging our luxury
manatee tour on 11th Jan. Sheryl and Don
were great hosts and expert guides - we
had a fantastic interaction with the
manatees and an exciting snorkel
exploration of Three Sisters Spring. The
video is an excellent souvenir of what
UK divers rightly list as one of the top
ten world diving experiences.
My wife and daughter were initially
somewhat nervous (as non divers) but
thoroughly enjoyed their first
experience of snorkeling with Sheryl and
Don's friendly encouragement and
support. We will definitely be booking
another tour with you on our next trip
to Florida. We look forward to meeting
you then - probably Aug 06.
Please thank Sheryl and Don for us -
their friendly welcome and good
conversation gave us a truly memorable
day with the manatees.
Best wishes Neil, Annette & Emma
PS - a British dive expert Monty Halls
recently produced a series of TV shows
on the top ten dives of the world for UK
Channel Five. He included the Manatees
of Crystal River & a dive in the springs
- I am not sure who his guides were (but
suspect it was American Pro Divers). His
film was not as good as the video Don
took with us - we got more interaction
with the manatees and a better dive in
the springs.
Date: 01/11/2006
Hi there
Just wanted to say a very BIG thank you
to Cheryl & Don for giving us such a
great start to our New Year with our
very special manatee tour on 2nd Jan.
We thought Crystal River was a fab area
- we are real fans of the wonderful
manatee and your trip gave us the
opportunity to see them in a really
wonderful and very personal setting as
it was just the 6 of us - (plus Cheryl &
Don of course!)
The DVD is a great memento of a truly
memorable day .
Thanks again!
Mary, Andy & Emily. Lesly, Stuart &
Michael.
Date; 01/08/2006
Captain Mike,
Hi. Just wanted you to know that my
brother had the DVD reformatted, so now
it's working for him. Thanks for your
willingness to service us on this. Plan
to bring another brother one of these
days when he can get here from Michigan.
Sincerely, Sharon
Date: 01/06/2006
Captain Mike,
I just had to let you know what a
wonderful experience the manatee swim
was! My children and I had a great time.
They both said swimming with the
manatees was better than any of the
Disney World parks we visited. I can't
tell you how much I appreciate you
waiting on us-- especially since we were
delayed with bad directions & a speeding
ticket!! In spite of that- the manatee
experience was one of the best we have
ever had and a memory we will always
treasure. Thanks for such a great
experience.
Sincerely,
Carla
Date: 01/03/2005
Hi Captain Mike,
Happy New Year We had the sincere
pleasure of experiencing your ultimate
manatee tour on Dec 18th. I just wanted
to tell you that we enjoyed every
minute. We fell in love with the
manatees and will always remember them
and our special day. Cheryl took great
care of my husband, kids and I. Her love
and respect of the manatees was
contagious. Your houseboat was warm and
comfortable. We hope to be back again
sometime.
Sincerely,
Laurie
Monroe, Ct
Date: 01/02/2006
Captain Mike,
I just wanted to let you know my family
came had a wonderful time. I couldn't
come because I get extremely motion sick
so my husband bought the dvd of them
with the manatee. It was great. Thank
you so much. I sure it will be an event
they will never forget.
Sandra
Date: 12/28/2005
Dear Captain Mike,
Thank you so much for the trip on
Friday. Justin and I had an absolute
blast. We loved it and can't thank you
enough for the wonderful experience. We
are still talking about it and have the
wonderful DVD to remind us of the fun we
had.
Have a very Happy New Year and we look
forward to doing this again next time we
visit there.
Sincerely,
Sherri & Justin
Date: 12/22/2005
Hi Captain Mike,
Our three adult grandchildren are
winging their way back to Seattle after
having a never to be forgotten
experience of swimming with the
manatees. I had pulled up information on
the tours offered and yours seemed far
the best. You delivered on everything
promised including manatees everywhere.
It is hard for the elderly to come up
with exciting entertainment for the
young but, thanks to you, we delivered.
My wife and I owe you deep gratitude.
Yours,
Bob & Dee
Date: 12/20/2005
Please will you convey our thanks to
Capt Cheryl for the wonderful trip we
had last Friday (16 Dec), she was warm,
friendly, charming and very
knowledgeable. We truly did have the
'ultimate' manatee experience I believe
there were a record 108 manatees at our
location, but it was the quality of the
interaction which was most important.
We were involved with 3/4 very friendly
manatees and 2 particularly playful
young ones who were fascinated by
Cheryl's camera and my yellow mask.
Because we had the houseboat, we were
able to spend a long time in the water
and return to warm up indoors when we
got cold, and use the invaluable
'restroom' before setting out on another
swim after the crowds had gone. Most
were asleep or grazing this time, but
one of the young ones still wanted to
play. We were particularly privileged
not only to see a young manatee suckling
from his/her mother, but also later a
pair mating!
The DVD is a fantastic idea too, as we
can now watch the manatees, and us
interacting with them for ever. (it did
work on our English DVD player after
all)
An all round great day. If we ever get
the opportunity to swim with the
manatees again we will certainly do it
this way it is SO much better than the
usual boat trip, we got to spend more
time with these wonderful creatures, and
it is so much warmer and comfortable in
every way.
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