Capt Mike's Ultimate Manatee Tour | VIP Tours

Good Morning, I just took the ultimate manatee tour with Capt. Jan on June 13, 2008. I cannot explain what a great time we had. You should be very proud to have an employee such as her. She was one of the greatest people I have ever met. She made our day one of the greatest days all of us have ever had in our lives so far. That coming from a 12 year old boy that spend the week at DISNEY. He said he would swim with the manatee again before he would go back to DISNEY. Please let Jan know how much we appreciate all that she did for us. Again it was awesome. If you could give me an address I would like to forward her a Thank You note.

Thank You again & let her know SCUBA STEVE said THANK YOU. (She will know what this means. )
Paul, Michele, PJ, Trevor

I have to write and tell you what an absolutely amazing time we had on one of your tours. Captain Jan was SO wonderful. She was professional from the moment she docked the boat to the time of unboarding. My son and I had the experience of a lifetime. I don't think we could do it again and get a better trip. We swam with manatee from the time we hit the water. We never went more than 10-15 minutes without someone swimming by a manatee. My son and I actually swam with them close enough to touch for over an hour. The three sisters springs swim was a joy as well, something out of a dream. Jan made sure we were dry, warm and fed! Our party ranged in ages from 13 to I'm guessing mid-60's and she was able to accomodate everyone. We all left totally thrilled and convinced we'd had an experience of a lifetime. I would highly recommend your firm, and especially Jan! I have cousins that have lived in the Orlando area for over 20 years and have never been, so I'm expecting them to make a trip booking soon.
Kristal

Dear Capt Mike,
Thank you for sending us Captain Doreen to take us on our Ultimate Manatee Tour yesterday. She was lovely and witty, a delightful lady undisturbed by the ebullience (and appetites-thank goodness she had a deep stash of snacks!) of our two sons, 6 & 7. She made sure that we had the best experience possible, even though the pickings were scarce due to the weather and winds, she persevered in scouting out the manatees and
provided us with an unforgettable experience that our family will never
forget. We will be sure to recommend you to our friends!
Keep up the efforts to protect these wonderful creatures and educate the
public.
Most sincerely,
The Clan

We were on Doreen's houseboat on January 25th. It was
my husband and I and our daughter and one other lady
and her two kids.
I just wanted to let you know that we had the best
time! My daughter decided she didn't like swimming
with the manatees but she still had a great time and
really enjoyed Doreen. Let me just say that Doreen
was an excellent captain, guide and nice person. I
came home and have told everyone what a wonderful
experience we had. We had no idea what to expect and
it far exceeded anything I could have imagined. I
have loved manatees for 20 years and I have always
talked about either swimming with them or going into
the wild to see them. This was the highlight of our
trip to Florida! When we went to Epcot and saw the
manatee there with no tail, we could tell people we
SWAM with a manatee that didn't have a tail.
Again thank you and lunch at Cracker's was great when
we finished.
Please let Doreen know what an awesome guide she was
for us. I plan on coming back next year!
Karen N

I just returned from your Ultimate Tour with Jake as our guide. Swimming with the manatees has been a dream of my wife for years and I arranged the tour for our 20 th anniversary. The experience far exceeded all or our expectations. Jake took us to an area away from all the crowds and spent a great deal of time with the manatees. We were very careful not to be too intrusive but they were so playful, we had them around from the time we got in the water until the time we left. We also had a great time with the other couple that was on the tour. We ended up having lunch together afterward and enjoyed a great time.
Most people can look back on their lives and count on one hand the truly special days they have experienced. I would have to say that this was one of those days. Thanks for a great experience and making our 20th anniversary a very special day; we want to come back again and bring our kids. I'm sure we will be calling you again.
Gary R
Stuart, FL 34994

We just completed our tour with Doreen and we wanted to drop a quick note of thanks and congratulations to both yourself and Doreen. My wife and I think you have one of the better / classier tours on the go and we found Doreen to be a fantastic captain and tour guide. Thanks again and a very Merry Christmas to yourself and all your staff.
Regards, Rob

I just wanted to tell you how great of a time we had on the Ultimate Manatee Tour. We were guests of Capt Doreen on November 30th. All I can say it it was the best experince of our trip to Florida. My husband is still talking about it as well as my twin boys age 8. Capt Doreen was great. We have told 2 of our friends that will be travelling in Florida it is a "must do". Very reasonable for the money. Thank you again for a great family memory. Happy Holiday. Diane B.,Merrimac,MA

We just wanted to let you know how enjoyable our manatee tour was on
November 9th. Capt Doreen was absolutely the most personable and fun
loving guide we could have hoped for. She was knowledgeable and so cordial that we felt like old friends. It was an adventure of a lifetime for us and Doreen made it so. The other couple on board were to say the least, a little full of themselves and if it had not been for Doreen's pleasant demeanor we could have easily regretted the company. As it was, we all had a great time. We chatted with another boat captain, Wayne who photographed us and said he would get the pic back to Doreen to be forwarded to us. She can feel free to use this e-address if he does find the time to get the photo to her. Once again, thank you so much. You can rest assured that we will recommend you highly to everyone we know. A special Hi to Doreen with much thanks.
Randy and Kathy

I felt compelled to send this e-mail. We just completed our tour with
Capt. Doreen on 9/12/07. I just wanted you to know that I think Doreen is the best. She was patient, informative and you can tell that she loves her job and loves the manatees even more. It was such a pleasure to experience her joy for the animals while allowing us to have a great experience. She is very thorough and was great with my wife and I as well as the family of 4 that we shared her boat with that day. Even though it was the "off-season" and the manatee were not as numerous as one would hope - she found them for us, helped us find them with her (by showing us what to look for and such) and she made sure that everyone on the boat got adequate exposure to the animals. We were exhausted by the end of the experience but very satisfied. You will see us back next year - likely late October or early November - and we would very much like to have Doreen as our captain again.
Thank you for the opportunity to see and experience these wonderful
animals by doing what you do. I will forever be "altered" by my experience and have come to a new appreciation for the manatee and their needs for continued survival. Please share my appreciation for your services with Doreen - she really is A-number one!!

Sincerely,
Scott J., MD
Van Wert, OH

On August 1st, We took a private tour on your boat to swim with the manatees. We just wanted to let you know that was the best trip ever. Dorean our captain was the best. She actually got in the water with us. You have got the right Captain on that boat. We can see how much she loves the manatees. We will be back and hope that we have her as our Captain. Dorean even took us to the 3 sisters springs. That was beautiful. Thank you very much. Vicki D & Shirley

I just wanted to tell you about our enjoyable experience during our
ultimate manatee tour on Wednesday, July 25th, 2007. I was very impressed with Dee, her vast boating knowledge and her
exceptional pleasant personality. Everyone enjoyed the experience
especially myself and my wife, Kathy. We plan on returning sometime in the winter with our two sons to go on the tour when the water is clearer.

I let Dee use my Maui Jim sunglasses and she was able to see the manatees much clearer in the water. I know she would really appreciate getting a pair to use at work and while boating. She is quite an asset to your operation. Dee found at least ten different manatees for our group to swim with and she was very professional and courteous to us and the other boaters. There was even a group of two people that we ran into on the water and they remarked how nice and professional your web site
comes across to everyone who goes onto your web site. I agree, it is a top notch web site.

I plan on telling my friends of my manatee experience and sharing my
insight with them about your first class operation. Thank you for providing such an enjoyable and memorable service with your manatee tour. I will remember my manatee experience for the rest of my life.
Thank you,
Michael

Dear Capt. Mike, Just had to add our positive comments to the others you get...Capt. Doreen was WONDERFUL and the experience for my son Brian, my wife Elsa and myself was out of this world!!! One manatee was so cooperative that even Elsa, a non swimmer, was able to touch him from the boat as it played the ladder game!!! We WILL come back, hopefully during the winter, and appreciate so much the memories we have been given from this first time!!! Thanks again Doreen and thanks Capt. Mike for making this possible!!! Cal, Elsa and Brian

I just had to e-mail to thank you on behalf of myself and my boyfriend
Stephen. We visited Florida a few weeks ago and spent the most wonderful day out on the Crystal River with Capt. Doreen (or perhaps Dorleen or even Darleen) - the crazy blond one anyway!!!
Stephen had never seen a manatee before but turned out to be the best
'manatee spotter' on the boat. I really cant thank you enough for such a
fantastic experience, and wanted to let you know that we have already
booked our next trip to Florida (this time in the Winter thanks to those
fantastic photos of Manatee tours in Winter time!) and we will be certain
to get straight on the phone to make a reservation with you guys when we get there.
Once again, thank you and see you in November 2008!
Kind regards, Michelle & Stephen
Top Manatee Spotters, England, UK, June 2007

Captain Mike,
I just wanted to thank you and Doreen for the most wonderful day I have had in a very long time. My Best Friend popped into town unexpectedly a few days before my Birthday from California to surprise me. We decided to take you private tour to swim with the manatee. What a wonder experience we had.
We enjoyed all the lovely accommodations on your ever so clean house boat. We just could not believe how prepared your Captain Doreen and the boat was for us on the day. ( Coffee, Tea, Soda, Water, Snakes, Wetsuits..........etc.). I have to tell ya, THAT IS THE WAY TO DO BUSINESS!!
Doreen was our Captain for the day and she was cheerful and very knowledgeable. What a great person. She was so wonderful to stay and honor us at lunch which we had forgotten was included as well in the tour.
WE CERTAINLY FELT AS THOUGH WE GOT OUR MONEY'S WORTH AND THEN SOME.
Thanks Again!!!
We are looking forward to coming back to Swim with the Manatee with your company.
Best Regards, Kat B

We just wanted to ensure that you know that Doreen made our day trip fantastic! Our swim with the manatees day was the highlight of our 2 week holiday. Thanks Sylvia

Just returned from a Florida vacation having included as part of it an ultimate Manatee Tour with Yourselves(10th April).What a fantastic experience & it was great to get away from the crowds & see another part of the country.Great tour, great boat & please pass our thanks on to the other "Captain Mike". My 10 year old daughter Katie who has been looking forward to theme parks etc for the last 5 months rated this the best part of her vacation. Why people would pay £160 for 15 minutes stroking a trained Dolphin at Discovery Cove when they can interact with these beautiful creatures in their natural environment for a number of hours beats me! & at a fraction of the cost. "3 Sisters" was spectacular. I unreservedly recommend this tour.
Very Best Regards, Helen, Katie & Peter UK

We had a wonderful trip last August on your Ultimate Manatee tour and have been meaning to forward this picture to you.
It is of our son in the water with the name of the tour in the background....it may be useful for you to use on your website!
It is very cold, damp and windy in the UK at the moment so it cheers us up to look at our holiday snaps.
All the best for the new year.

We were EXTREMELY pleased with our 6 hour private manatee tour we took on 11/27/06. We went out with Captain Doreen who took us on an adventure which far exceeded our expectations. I will recommend this trip to anyone seeking a truly unforgettable experience. I think it's important to state that we now have a greater respect and appreciation for manatees, and all wildlife because we went on your tour. I realize the Florida fish and wildlife dept keeps a close eye on these magnificent creatures and they should know what a truly thought provoking service you provide. They should allow these trips to go on forever, for it was our trip to the manatees that gave us such respect for them. My entire family will now be "manatee protectors" even from here in Maine. Thank you for what you do.
James B
Burnham, ME

Just what to say thank you for a wonderful trip my daughter and myself took on July 6th, it was fantastic and we are planning on coming back next year to do it again. You are a FIRST CLASS OPERATION!!!!
Thanks again
Mark

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful time that my family (two boys ages 7 and 12, my husband) and I had on March first. We went out on the ultimate Manatee tour and I think that this was the best $400 dollars that we spent during our two weeks in florida. We were so excited to go and see the manatees and the hospitality of our captain and the accomidations on the boat made it perfect. We love the DVD! I think that we have seen it four times allready. The lunch at Crackers was a nice way to tie it all up. Thanks again for the very memorable and exciting day. Thanks again. Kip, Anna, Patrick, and Kreig

Hi,
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

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.