I checked out the web site and I do have one question, I went on the Lamanai tour last year. Great tour, no complaints at all but, our guides pointed out that the water was very dark (I think from the mangroves) and not beautiful clear blue water as seen in the Manatee photos. I don't know what the chances of seeing Manatees are but could someone enlighten me? I am a manatee freak but even so, just seeing a swirl of water and a glimpse of tail does not really work for me having dived with them in Florida.

I've seen quite a few in the New River. The water is tea coloured but you can still see them. The pictures you saw were probably taken in open water inside the reef, not in the river.