CAPT. TRACI WOOD
I was “born” in the Spring of my 28th year, coming home to a place I had been once before. I visited the manatees in March 1999, I was lucky enough to experience some interactions with the manatees, afterwards I began to cry, which turned into a sob, in which speech was nearly impossible. After I composed myself, I decided that living in Citrus County was my destiny. I moved, from Michigan in June of 1999, and made my dream come true. I have always had a passion for marine mammals, but the manatee experience made me change my life, forever.
25 years later, I still recall my first time seeing these magical animals, sitting the boat, anxious and excited, and so ready to get up close and personal with the manatees!
I decided to use my passion, knowledge and experience to share the magical Homosassa River, and it’s inhabitants with all of you, while ensuring education and preservation is foremost in each tour.
I consider myself very lucky, and smart, that I was able to find a career that I truly love and enjoy every day. Sharing this beautiful piece of paradise with people from all over the world provides a feeling which cannot truly be described.
All of our captains enjoy our “Job” and consider it a privilege to be able to share our passion with all of you.
Owner/Operator of the Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center, LLC
25 Ton Captain Deneen "D" Obuchowski
Originally from Chicago, Homosassa has been a second home. My first visit was at age 3, then in my teens I was able to spend summers here, with my grandmother, and as an adult, I could share with my daughter the fond memories of the place I love the most.
In the summer of 2021 during a “Memory Lane” trip with my daughter, I was finally able to swim with the manatees, and check this incredible experience off of my bucket list. I was happy to have found the Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center, booked our mother/daughter adventure, not realizing how much it would change my life.
Upon returning to Chicago, I found myself yearning to be back on the beautiful Homosassa River, and to be around the manatees, every day.
I called Captain Traci, and she became my mentor, and helped me realize my new path to becoming a manatee tour boat captain.
I work hard every day to be the best tour captain I can be, by learning about the manatees, the Homosassa River, all of the local wildlife and the history of this incredible piece of paradise, and of course strive for the best customer service, in this place I call home.
I hope when my customers, from all over the world return home, they will share their experience with others, as I hope to bring as much education, preservation and awareness of the manatees to as many people as possible, so they can be shared with future generations.
Captain Tiki Fiorentino
I am from Key West, I became a captain in 2007 and I ran an eco tour boat in the Keys for 13 years, then decided to move away from the bustle of the Keys, to Homosassa in 2020. Having grown up on the waters of the Gulf and the Atlantic provided me with a love and respect for the water, so my natural choice was to incorporate my love for, not only the water, but all of the creatures above and below, into a way of life, and the best career choice. After I moved to Homosassa, I contacted Captain Traci, we became friends and I now work with her and the Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center.
