Local Diving Road Trip - Manatees + Whale Sharks & Giant Manta Rays

The two parts of this local diving road trip can be either one or both. Start with a road trip to Crystal River, Florida for a snorkel tour with the Manatees. The second part of the road trip will arrive in Atlanta, Georgia for a SCUBA experience at the Georgia Aquarium in their Ocean Voyager aquarium called Journey With Gentle Giants. The trip is suited for both divers and non-divers to enjoy and find a welcome break from old man winter.

Manatee Snorkel Tour, Crystal River

Plan on 3 hours for this experience. All equipment and wetsuit will be provided. Bring your swimsuit and towel. Tours begin at 7:00AM, 10:30AM, and 2:00PM.

Crystal River Manatee Tours

Dive With Gentle Giants, Georgia Aquarium

Plan on 3 hours for this experience, 30 minutes underwater. All equipment and wetsuit will be provided. You can use your personal dive mask and dive computer (they will be disinfected by staff before entry). Bring your swimsuit; towel will be provided.

We have reserved 8 divers for 11:00AM. Maximum 8 divers. Additional divers will be on the 3:00PM dive.

Journey With Gentle Giants - Dive

Ocean Voyager Exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium

Video - Journey With Gentle Giants dive experience

Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday, 1/28/2027 - Travel day to Crystal River, FL and check-in to hotel. Drive time: Lexington, KY to Crystal River, FL ~11:31.

Day 2 - Friday, 1/29/2027 - Manatee Snorkel Tour (3 hours) for your scheduled time.

Possible group lunch, at your expense, to follow.

Travel to Atlanta, GA and check-in to hotel. Drive time: Crystal River, FL to Atlanta, GA ~5:51.

Day 3 - Saturday, 1/30/2027 - Georgia Aquarium and Dive With Gentle Giants for your scheduled time.

Plan for group dinner, at your expense, that evening.

Day 4 - Sunday, 1/31/2027 - Travel home. Drive time: Atlanta, GA to Lexington, KY ~5:50.

Explainer for Accommodation Packages and Fees

• Pricing is based upon the club group rates and includes fees, sales tax, $10 Trip Admin Fee, and expected WeTravel fees.

• The Trip Admin fee of $10 per traveler and any WeTravel booking fees incurred will be deducted from your Trip Rebate (see next section for details).

• Debit/Credit Card Payments are subject to additional fees which will be shown at checkout. Non-payment fee options include eCheck (online), physical check or On Account transfer.

• Paying by paper bank check OR On Account transfer, contact webmaster@bluegrassdiveclub.com to initiate booking. Booking complete after receipt of deposit by Treasurer.

Your Club has reserved

{open} Manatee Snorkel Tours with American Pro Diving Center

16 Dive With Gentle Giants at the Georgia Aquarium

Unbooked packages will be released on or before December 29, 2026

For bookings after this date see the Available Space & Roommates section below.

Final Payment is due 15 December, 2026

Cancellation by 29 December, 2026 0% penalty

You must be a current paid member of the BGDC to register for this trip. Membership dues can be paid as part of your trip registration.

The Bluegrass Dive Club is working with Georgia Aquarium group sales and with American Pro Diving Center directly. The pricing of packages is at Club Group Rates and includes taxes and expected fees. Rebates will likely not apply to this trip, as the pricing already reflects the group savings.. Any savings in pricing for group sales will be according to club policy is shared among the trip participants as Rebates.

The club will deduct from your trip rebate the Trip Admin fee of $10 per traveler and any WeTravel booking fees (2% of amount + $0.30 per transaction) for payments made through WeTravel. Payments made from On Account balance or by paper check are not subject to WeTravel fees.

The Bluegrass Dive Club has a policy and successful history of returning dive discounts in the form of post trip rebates to our trip participants on a pro rata share based upon each participants specific booking. Trip rebates are not guaranteed and based upon meeting requirements of our contract with the resort. These rebates come from commissions and comps, which are earned by the club. Our only promise is that any rebates are calculated in a fair and equitable way. The club Bylaws, Article XI. Compensation, Section 1.B. govern our rebates program.

Debit / Credit Cards, eCheck - Online

You may pay for your booking using a credit card (subject to additional fees which will be shown at checkout), eCheck electronic draft from your bank account, or mailing payment to the Club Treasurer. Online bookings can only be made if paying by eCheck or credit card.

Physical Bank Check Payment

If you wish to pay for your deposit by mailing payment, please contact the Webmaster or via Contact Us to initiate your booking. Go ahead and mail the appropriate deposit amount to the Club Treasurer as well.

Apply On Account Balance As Payment

Contact the Club Treasurer to facilitate the use of your On Account balance towards payment on a Trip Booking. Reach the Treasurer at treasurer@bluegrassdiveclub.com .

Mailed cash or check payments payable to:

Bluegrass Dive Club Inc.

c/o Dan Miller

824 Gunpowder Dr.

Lexington, KY 40509-1754

The club will designate a preferred hotel for both Crystal River, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia.

Booking of hotel rooms and charges are up to the traveler.

We will put trip participants in touch with each other for arranging any car pooling.

We strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance and Dive Insurance to protect your trip investment and your health. These policies give you a safety net in the event of unforeseen circumstances. To maximize your protection against the volatility of possible changes in travel plans before you depart (beyond the scope of traditional coverage), consider enhancing your Travel Insurance protection by adding a “Cancel For Any Reason” (CFAR) upgrade. You may also want to consider adding a “Liveaboard Rider” to your coverage that will address unique situations when traveling on Liveaboards compared to land-based adventures.

Your club partners with both Dive Assure and the Divers Alert Network (DAN) to provide access to these products while benefiting your club at no additional cost to you.

• Dive Accident Insurance available from our partners Dive Assure or DAN.

• Trip or Travel Insurance available from our partner Dive Assure or DAN Trip or DAN Annual. 

• Or visit our page with more information about Dive Accident and Trip Insurance.

Your trip deposit and payments are subject to the rules below. Your deposit may be refundable if someone else from the club wishes to book space for which you have already paid a deposit.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• Fully Refundable until December 29, 2026, except the $10 Trip Admin fee and club dues paid are retained.

• Beyond December 29, 2026 a cancellation penalty of 100% of package. Your deposit or payment may be transferred to someone booking your space.

The details:

• Trip Refund and Payment Policy

• Club Liability Waiver is required. You will be shown this for your acknowledgement following your booking.

• In case of overbooking, we have the following policy - Trip Lottery Policy.

Bring your Diver Certification Card or proof, if you are planning on diving.

Water Temperatures

Crystal River, Florida - you can expect water temperatures from 68 - 74 degrees Fahrenheit. You will be in a tour provided wetsuit appropriate for the exposure.

Georgia Aquarium - temperatures appropriate for the aquarium exhibit animals. You will be provided a wetsuit appropriate for the exposure.