Private excursion similar to Celebrity's "Big 3"?

[dread_pirate]

Celebrity has what they bill as the "Big 3" - snorkel, kayak & dolphins. This is their description:

 

This tour combines three very popular activities in the Florida Keys. First, you will head out by boat for the Key West National Wildlife Refuge, surrounding almost 400,000 acres of mangrove islands and marine waters. You will be given a kayak to paddle around the uninhabited mangrove islands, home to migrating birds and other wildlife.

You will then be taken out to a nice calm snorkeling spot, where you will be provided with snorkel gear for a quick snorkel in one of the reefs in the area.

You will also cruise by an area known as the "Dolphin Playground," which is home to a resident pod of bottlenose dolphins. Here you will hopefully catch a glimpse of the dolphins in their local environment. Please note that these are wild animals and the policy is to only observe and never to harass in any way. Also, because the animals are wild, there is no guarantee on which wildlife you will see.

 

Does anyone know a private excursion that's similar? (Or how the Celebrity tour is?)

 

Thanks.

[peter_krynicki]

Before posting web pages, there is the

 

1. Javacat which takes a max of 6 people and can do what you describe.

2. Echo II which takes a max of 11 people and can do the same.

 

The "can do" means you can ask for what you want to do but there is no guarentee unless you do a private charter. Java goes for a half or full day and serves what are basically snacks, and the Echo goes in increments of 2 hours. In 2 hours you can't do much but 4 or 6 would be a great day out.

 

3. Danger Charters half- or all-day trip which does the snorkel and kayak portion but if you see any dolphins it is by chance but they will stop for photos if you see any. The all day trip also includes lunch, and both are limited to 20 people.

 

4. Sebago's Island T'Ing which is very similar to #3 but also serves breakfast and is also limited to 20 people. Their boat, The Pelican, can go out to the reef or into the backcountry so your chance of a good snorkel spot is better. Danger can only go into the backcountry.

 

5. There are smaller private charters such as Breezin' which, for about $500.00 will do whatever you want except kayak for about 4 hours. Breez' draws too much water to go into the backcountry and so will snorkel at one of the spots at the reef.

 

Pjk

[dread_pirate]

Thanks! I'll check them all out!