Things to Do
Kayaking
Three kayaks and a canoe are provided for your enjoyment, and you can put them in right at the dock! It’s a one to two hour paddle through several miles of beautiful wilderness to the Ellie Schiller State Wildlife Park and excellent waterfront restaurants! This is Florida as it was hundreds of years ago where you will experience a unique ecosystem up close. The mix of fresh and salt water fish is astounding, Otters, Manatees, and birds of all kinds are present in great numbers depending on the time of year.
Boating
Whether you bring your boat or rent one, there are several boat ramps and marinas just ten minutes away! Launching your boat in the main river will give you quick access to Homosassa Springs and the Gulf of Mexico where you can snorkel, watch the manatees, fish, and hunt scallops! Boat access to our dock is limited to small, flat bottom boats due to the shallow nature of portions of the Halls River. Boat and boat trailer parking is provided on site for boats less than 30 feet in length. These rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
Scalloping
Go on an underwater treasure hunt for coquilles St. Jacques otherwise known as Sea Scallops. New to Scalloping? Select from several excellent scallop guides who will teach you how to snorkel and gather these mollusks in shallow water, you’ll be a scalloping master in no time!
FIshing
The Homosassa & Crystal River areas are some of Florida’s premier fishing grounds with Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and Amberjack in abundance! You can bring your boat or hire a guide all year round for exciting catches. But remember to check local regulations for season, size, and bag limits. Also, these rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
The Homosassa & Crystal River areas are some of Florida’s premier fishing grounds with Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and Amberjack in abundance! You can bring your boat or hire a guide all year round for exciting catches. But remember to check local regulations for season, size, and bag limits. Also, these rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
BEACHES
The Homosassa & Crystal River areas are some of Florida’s premier fishing grounds with Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and Amberjack in abundance! You can bring your boat or hire a guide all year round for exciting catches. But remember to check local regulations for season, size, and bag limits. Also, these rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
There are three Gulf beaches close to Homosassa and Crystal River, Fort Island Beach, Pine Island Beach, and Hernando Beach. These are off the beaten path and are great places to beach comb and watch the sun sets!
HIKING
The Homosassa & Crystal River areas are some of Florida’s premier fishing grounds with Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and Amberjack in abundance! You can bring your boat or hire a guide all year round for exciting catches. But remember to check local regulations for season, size, and bag limits. Also, these rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
Both Ellie Schiller and Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge offer hiking trails, but there are several others including Hog Pond Trail and Salt Marsh Trail. Hiking these trails will give you close up views of Florida’s flora and fauna.
NEARBY SPRINGS
Weeki Wachee is famous for its Mermaids but don’t forget The Crack, Hunter, Three Sisters, and Seven Sisters!
MUSEUMS &
THEME PARKS
The Homosassa & Crystal River areas are some of Florida’s premier fishing grounds with Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, and Amberjack in abundance! You can bring your boat or hire a guide all year round for exciting catches. But remember to check local regulations for season, size, and bag limits. Also, these rivers are notorious for rocky shoals so be sure to GPS locate them before you go.
Within a two hour drive, you will find museums and theme parks galore! The Tampa area offers the Dali Museum, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, The Museum of the American Arts & Crafts Movement and many others. The Orlando area is the theme park capital of the world with Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios. The perfect way to broaden your horizons or have the ride of your life!
Local Restaurants
There are many options for dining with a wide range of pricing and ambiance to enjoy. We’ve included a short list here which is not comprehensive but hits the highlights in Homosassa. Crystal River, which is just as close, offers a number of excellent options. Please search for Crystal River Restaurants on the internet. As far as we know, all of these restaurants include a full bar and most, if not all feature live entertainment.
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Wallace’s at the Greenhouse: Fine but casual dining just two minutes around the corner on Highway 19, a must visit for at least one dinner out!
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Margarita Grill: Mexican American dining in a casual atmosphere on the juncture of the Halls and Homosassa Rivers. A great American place to unwind!
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MacRae’s of Homosassa: Casual water front dining in the heart of the entertainment district. A good place to watch the monkey’s on Monkey Island!
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Crump’s Landing: Casual water front dining just across the river from Monkey Island. Dine on delicious and affordable fair under large open air Tiki Huts right on the river!
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The Freezer: Casual water front dining with menu items you won’t find anywhere else!