January 13-17
Price:  $249 per diver
PADI Drift Dive specialty available for additional $59

Join us this January for what is always one of our most popular trips!  Each January we make a pilgrimage to the Crystal River, near the gulf coast of Florida.  During this time of year the relatively warm, spring-fed Crystal River provides sanctuary for hundreds of endangered West Indian manatees.  After a day with the manatees we’ve added a new treat: a drift dive down the Rainbow River.  We’ll conclude the MLK-holiday weekend with a day in the Florida Springs near Williston, namely Blue Grotto or Devil’s Den. 

Particulars:

&     We’ll make the drive down to the Crystal River on Thursday, January 13th.  We’ll travel on our own, but can arrange carpools for those who wish to share the drive.  We’ll take advantage of the holiday on Monday, January 17th (MLK Day) for our return, thus allowing an extra day in Florida!  Friday we'll snorkel with the manatees and on Saturday do  2 drift dives down the Rainbow river. We'll spend all day at Blue Grotto on Sunday and travel back Monday.

B        While we’re at the Crystal River, we’ll be staying at the Best Western Resort.  In additional to nice, clean accommodations, the Best Western is ideally situated on the river.  Thus it’s only a short walk from the room to the dive center.  And the large Jacuzzi is always a favorite after a day of snorkeling.  In Williston we’ll be staying at the Best Inn, convenient to the springs, the interstate, and, most importantly, close to Billy Jack’s. 

ô     Forget the crowded 30+ passenger pontoon boats on the Crystal River.  We’ll have our own two 10-passenger boats provided by the Crystal River Dive Lodge.  That means we’ll be able to set our own itinerary and avoid the crowds.  Sorry, but given the manatee-safe speed limits water skiing is out of the question J.  On Saturday we’ll be taken by boat up the Rainbow River and will drift dive back to our vehicles.  Finally on Sunday we visit the freshwater springs near Williston.  Depending upon conditions we’ll spend the day at either Blue Grotto or Devil’s Den.

 

Price Includes:

ü      Boat Charters on the Crystal River

ü      Boat transportation on the Rainbow River

ü      Dive Floats for the Rainbow River drift dive

ü      2 nights (double occupancy) at Best Western Crystal River

ü      2 night (double occupancy) at Best Inn Gainesville

ü      Admission fees to either Blue Grotto or Devil’s Den

Traveler’s are Responsible for:

ü        Transportation from Raleigh (typically we are able to help arrange carpooling amongst the group)

ü        Meals

ü        Admission to a second dive site on Sunday (for instance, if you want to dive BOTH Blue Grotto and Devil’s Den, you’re responsible for admission to the second  Spring

 

 

Phone: 852-5333
E-mail: travel@downunderscuba.com
www.downunderscuba.com