I had been wanting to visit Crystal River for years but something always seemed to come up, mainly hurricanes. This February of 2024 was the year! The timing was perfect since it was one of the coldest winters in Florida for quite some time – perfect for seeing lots of manatees.
Our Itinerary in Crystal River, Florida
Day 1: Arrive in Crystal River
– Check-In at Plantation Resort
– Dinner at West 82⁰ Bar & Grill
Day 2: Swim with Manatees
– Breakfast in our room
– Walk around the resort to get our bearings
– Grab a quick lunch in the room
– Adventure Center to snorkel with manatees
– Dinner at Waterfront Social
Day 3: Kayak, Three Sisters Spring and Sunset Cruise
– Breakfast in the room
– Clear kayak to see manatees at Paddles Outdoor Rentals
– Lunch at the Tiki Bar
– Walk to Three Sisters Springs
– Sunset cruise at the Adventure Center
– Dinner at La Casa Di Norma
Day 4: Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
– Breakfast in the room
– Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park
– Lunch in the room
– Spa appointments at Spa Bleu
– Dinner at Cedar River Seafood
Day 5: Checkout and Drive Home
NATURAL SPRINGS
The Crystal River area is home to more than 70 natural springs pumping 580 million gallons of water per day into Kings Bay. As a result of these fresh springs the water temperatures remain at a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit. When the Gulf of Mexico gets cold, the manatees flock to the springs in search of warmth and food.
HOW TO GET TO CRYSTAL RIVER
As a resident of Florida, I embarked on this journey via car and picked up my friend Crystal and daughter at the Tampa airport (TPA). I would recommend flying into this airport if you are visiting from out of state. The airport is a straight shot to Crystal River and is about 1 hour away.
WHERE TO STAY
The town of Crystal River isn’t a very large one but does offer your standard hotel options, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, Best Western and the Plantation Resort on Crystal River. We chose to stay at the Plantation Resort since most of the activities we were interested in partaking in were on location.
PLANTATION RESORT
The Plantation Resort on Crystal River is a 3 star hotel that offers guests onsite dining, pool, spa, and golf. Since we arrived only 7 months after hurricane Idalia damaged Crystal River and the surrounding areas coupled with a tornado that slammed them just weeks after, the hotel and its grounds were far from picture perfect, but we understood this before arriving and were sympathetic to what the county had just gone through. The only thing we really cared about was filling our 3 days with manatee viewing and this place did the trick.
Water View Room
We chose to upgrade our experience and reserved a water view room. I was a little disappointed that we didn’t have an outside area to sit like the photos suggested, but the view in the morning was pretty. The room was a decent size with two double beds, which were very comfortable. The room offered a tv, mini fridge, Keurig, and microwave (by request). We did notice the first night that the walls were very thin and we could hear our neighbors conversation very clearly. Thankfully since we stayed in the middle of the week, the room next to us was pretty quiet for the remainder of our stay.
RESORT DINING
After checking in, we were starving and weren’t wanting to explore the area at night to find something to eat, so we checked out the resort’s West 82⁰ Bar & Grill. The atmosphere was nice and there were some other guests eating as well. I think because we were eating later than usual a lot of the items we were interested in ordering were sold out. We opted for the Alfredo pasta dish. It was pretty good, mind you I am not an Alfredo person, but the server was friendly and hey, beggars can’t be choosers.
The other dining option that was open during our stay was the Tiki Bar. I ordered the veggie burger one afternoon while my friend enjoyed their Pina Coladas. They do make some strong drinks, be careful! The veggie burger was one of the best I have ever had. We enjoyed our food and drinks poolside overlooking the river. Enjoyable place to eat lunch for sure.
They do have The 19th Hole Sports Bar & Grill, but it appeared that that part of the golf course had been damaged by the hurricane and was not open.
POOL & HOT TUB
Since it was February and like I had mentioned, it was a cold one for us Floridians, we did not get into the pool, but it was nicely done with plenty of chairs and umbrellas for guests. I was looking forward to the hot tub though. Unfortunately that was down for the entirety of our stay. Around the area they had picnic tables and little high tops for people to hang out at. They also had a large checkers board that Carabelle and I enjoyed for a bit. If it were warmer, I think we would have spent more time in this area for sure.
GIFT SHOP & STARBUCKS
In the main lobby there is a little coffee shop that serves some Starbucks beverages and whole fruit and bottled juices. We stopped there a few times for a morning coffee and an afternoon pick-me-up. The gift shop also in the lobby provided some novelty ice cream options for Carabelle and souvenir type items. You can also book a sunset cruise here as well with the person behind the counter.
SPA BLEU
The spa was a nice touch, perfect for our rainy day! I had a chakra balancing massage with Natalie. One of the best I have ever had!!! If you are staying at the resort or in the area, I highly recommend booking a massage with her. We also sampled their manicures, pedicures, reflexology, and facial between the three of us.
ADVENTURE CENTER
The adventure center is on-site and a short walk from the hotel lobby. Here we were able to check-in, wetsuit up, and head out for our snorkeling with manatees adventure as well as take a sunset cruise all without getting in our vehicle. The convenience of the center as well as the amazing staff made this experience magical.
LOCATION
The location of the resort was pretty central to everything we wanted to accomplish. The adventure center allowed us the opportunity to interact with the manatees and see the beauty of the area at sunset on the water. A short walk away (1 mile) was the Three Sisters Springs. Dining options were a short drive in either direction. The Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park was a short drive as well 15 minutes.
OUR EXCURSION EXPERIENCES
Swimming with the Manatees
Our first day exploring Crystal River, we chose to swim with the manatees. We had a 1:30pm time slot and were a bit apprehensive about how chilly it was still. Apparently they recommend the first session of the day at 6:30am for the best manatee viewing. I believe it was a balmy 42 that morning. Even with a wetsuit in 72 degree water, I wasn’t up for that. We booked the semi-private tour that had at most 6 people on the boat with us. This was $105/pp. It worked out great. The tour included the three of us and another mother/daughter pair. Our guides were awesome and super helpful. We drove out to the first location and were able to get in the water with the manatees within 15 minutes.
I really appreciated the efforts of the guides and the town of Crystal River in protecting the manatees and allowing them their space by roping off “manatee sanctuaries” near the spring heads so that they wouldn’t be disturbed. The manatees had a choice to come and interact with us if they wanted to. There were at least 100 manatees on site in and around the sanctuary area. The guide that was in the water was taking videos and photos for us. The guide driving the boat would give us a heads up where the manatees were swimming and if they were near us. Floating around and having the manatees swimming under you and around you was a really incredible experience. Some would get close enough to touch or rub your body. We were instructed not to touch them but to keep our hands and legs up so that we don’t kick the manatees or kick up the mud on the bottom which would cloud our vision. As a bonus, we had a couple of dolphins swim by us as well. The tour took about 3 hours time from putting on our wetsuits to coming back. The water was definitely cold, and the wetsuits helped, but we were happy to partake in their complimentary hot chocolate and a hot shower back at our room.
Clear Bottom Kayak Tour
This excursion was off-site and about a 3 minute drive from the resort. We booked the Clear Kayaking Manatee Ecotour with Paddles Outdoor Rentals for roughly $89/pp with launch fees and credit card fees. The tour was to last 2 hours. We scheduled ours from 9am-11am. Upon arrival we had to check in and make sure we watched the safety videos and signed our waivers. We were then loaded onto the van and driven to the kayak launch with about 6 other people. After arriving at our destination of Kings’ Bay Park I was happy to see that we did not have to walk our kayaks into the water. I was a little concerned about getting wet due to the cold weather. I had jeans and a sweatshirt on and had contemplated wearing my winter coat that morning. The kayaks were flat bottomed and were quite roomy. There were no shoes of any kind to be worn in the kayak so we had to leave them behind at the park. We set out with our guide who was fairly new to the area and was still learning about Florida, but he was pretty knowledgeable nonetheless. He was on a stand-up paddleboard so that he could spot any manatees from above. We went across the bay and learned some local history on the way, including the Christmas house on its private island that has since been taken over by pelicans. As we approached the springs where the water was crystal clear, we began to see manatees swimming under the water. The clear kayak really made this experience more enjoyable as we could see the manatees swimming under us and around us. Apart from the manatees we also saw fish and birds swimming! As we approached the outside area of the Three Sisters Springs there were many more manatees sleeping in the “manatee sanctuary” areas as well as a lot more people snorkeling and kayaking around the area. It was a beautiful way to see the manatees, the area by water, and get some exercise. I would definitely recommend this excursion with a guide.
Three Sisters Springs
After we returned from the kayak tour and had a bite to eat, we decided to walk to the Three Sisters Springs park. It was a nice walk from the resort. It took us about 25 minutes since we stopped to look at the beautiful vegetation and little turtles and birds along the way. The entrance fee was $20/pp. Thankfully they took Apple Pay since we had forgotten our purses back at the resort! The park was nicely landscaped with native trees, flowers, and grasses. The trails consisted of gravel, sand, and wood. The main trail was a wooden walkway that looped around the spring. The water was the bluest water I had ever seen. Crystal clear!! You could see the manatees swimming along with a few snakes. This time of year the water is closed off from people since this area is vital for manatees and their livelihood. They open the spring up later in the spring season when the Gulf of Mexico has warmed up enough for the manatees to return and find food elsewhere. On the far side of the park we could see where we had kayaked just a few hours ago. It was neat to see the area from another point of view. We saw a bunch of manatees huddled up sleeping against the rocks. It was an enjoyable afternoon and I loved the close proximity to the resort.
Sunset Cruise
The sunset cruise is another on-site excursion option. We walked from our room just in time to head out for the evening ride. The captain was the same as our swimming with the manatees captain. You can tell he truly has a passion for the manatees and cares about the area. He was full of information about all the area does to help the manatees survive. As a result of the last hurricane’s flooding of the bay with salt water, the natural grasses that feed the manatees and filter the water to showcase it’s crystal clear nature were killed off. They have provided tons of lettuce to feed the manatees and are in the process of vacuuming the bottom of the bay to clean up the sludge that has poisoned the bay. They are also replanting grass on the bottom of the bay and various waterways. They have metal covers for the newly planted grass patches so that the manatees do not eat the grasses prematurely killing them before they are able to take root and thrive. The local businesses of the area also support education and pay for children to visit the area to understand what they are doing and how to preserve the area and save the manatees for the future.
Our captain drove to a few various locations in search of manatees but they were very hard to see in the twilight. We were able to spot a few swimming, but the star of the cruise was the full moon sunset. The colors of the sunset were beautiful and pairing that with the bright full moon was stunning.
Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park Visitor Center
Our last Crystal River excursion actually brought us just outside the town of Crystal River to Homosassa. A 15 minute drive brought us to this Florida State Park. This place is definitely worth the drive. The entrance to park can be accessed via tram or boat. We wanted to see both options so we opted for the boat ride there and the tram back. We were some of the first visitors to the park. I highly recommend going as early as possible to enjoy the peace and serenity before others arrive. It just so happened the day we were there was field trip day for over 300 area students. Talk about some energy!1!
The boat ride to the entrance was beautiful and tranquil. The guide was very knowledgable about the parks history and residents. The park was privately owned at one time before the state purchased it. Here is an excerpt from the Florida State Parks website:
“Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State park has been a tourist attraction since the early 1900s, when trains stopped to let passengers off to walk the short trail to the first-magnitude spring. The tracks ran alongside what is now Fishbowl Drive. While passengers enjoyed a view of Homosassa Spring and its myriad of fresh and saltwater fish, the train’s crew were busy loading their freight of fish, crabs, cedar and spring water aboard the Mullet Train.
The 50-acre site and surrounding 100 acres was purchased in the 1940s and was operated as a small attraction. In 1964, the Norris Development Company bought the property and expanded it as Homosassa Springs “Nature’s Own Attraction,” with an emphasis on entertainment and with a variety of exotic animals and some native species. Ivan Tors Animal Actors housed their trained animals at Homosassa Springs Attraction for several years.
These animals were trained for television shows and movies. When they were not performing they were kept at Homosassa Springs. One of the most popular of these animals was Buck who was a stand-in for Gentle Ben in the famous television series.
Lu, a hippopotamus, was one of the Ivan Tors animals and still resides at the park after being declared an honorary citizen of the state of Florida by then Governor Lawton Chiles. Norris owned the attraction until 1978.
From 1978 until 1984, the land went through several changes in ownership. The Citrus County Commission purchased the attraction to protect it as an environmentally sensitive area until the state of Florida could purchase the property as a Florida State Park.
Modern thinking about captive wildlife has influenced how the park is now managed. Both visitor safety and animal welfare are of utmost importance at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.”
After arriving at the park entrance, we enjoyed walking the trails and seeing all of the residents of the park. As much as I loved hanging with the manatees over the past few days, it was nice to see some furry animals. There was a bobcat, panther, fox, owls, eagles, and other birds. The star of the park was a hippo named “Lu”. Lu is America’s oldest hippo. We were there just in time for his feeding and he was very entertaining to watch. He definitely looked content and to be enjoying life. Here is a bit of fun info on Lu from Steve Steiner with the Chronicle reporter:
“Lu was born in 1960 in San Diego and was originally an actor with Ivan Tors Animal Actors. His talent company relocated him to Homosassa Springs in 1964. Here, Lu starred in Hollywood films including “Cowboy in Africa” and “Daktari” and the TV shows “Art Linkletter Show” and the “Herb Alpert Special.”
In 1989, Lu faced eviction from his Homosassa Springs home. The Florida Park Services had taken over what is now known as the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and planned to move all non-native species out of the state. This included Lu, since he was born in California.
However, Lu was so beloved and had become a staple of Homosassa, residents decided to take measures to keep him in the park. Members of the community rallied together and sent a petition to the governor of Florida at the time, Lawton Chiles.”
We ventured through the reptile building as well as down into the Fish Bowl. The Fish Bowl is an underwater aquarium to view all sorts of aquamarine life including fish and our beloved manatees. After about an hour and a half we were ready to return back to the resort. The tram runs every 15-30 minutes. I did not see a schedule for the tram but I know we waited about 20 minutes for it to arrive at the station. The tram ride was nice, but the boat ride was much more scenic. If you are looking for snacks or a quick bite, the park exit has concessions along with restrooms.
DINING IN CRYSTAL RIVER
Waterfront Social
https://waterfrontsocialcr.com/
After having a heavy pasta meal our first night, we were looking for something a bit healthier on the second night. We ended up at the Waterfront Social known for their Poke Bowls. This was just a 5 minute drive from our resort. Don’t let the rundown motel next to the restaurant fool you. This place was great! We ordered the shrimp and salmon poke bowls. The seafood was amazing mixed with the fresh vegetables and rice. To top it off, Mother Nature put on a stunning sunset show. The view from the outdoor dining was gorgeous! If it gets chilly, they also have portable heaters to keep guests comfortable. Not only was the food and view top notch, but our server was also very friendly and attentive. I could have eaten here every night!
La Casa Di Norma
https://www.facebook.com/lacasadinorma/
We chose Italian the night of our sunset cruise since one, we were starving and two, it was a bit late and didn’t want to travel too far. La Casa Di Norma was just a few minutes down the road from the resort. The restaurant is nestled in the end of the strip mall. The atmosphere was very cozy and quiet. We ordered the gnocchi with a cheese sauce, a side of pasta with marinara for Carabelle, and I had the mushroom risotto. The food was very good and tasted homemade. The server was new but friendly and attentive. The overall price of the meal was also very reasonable. I would recommend to anyone looking for an authentic Italian meal while in Crystal River.
Cedar River Seafood
https://www.cedarriverseafood.com/
On our last night in the area we wanted to try out some local seafood. We headed down the road a few minutes to Cedar River Seafood restaurant. They were busy but were able to seat us very quickly. The hosts and server were super friendly. I ordered two mahi dinners for Carabelle and I and Crystal ordered the grouper. If I had known how large the portions were, I would have definitely split my meal with Carabelle. The two filets of fish came with two sides. I ordered a side salad and mashed potatoes. Carabelle ordered fruit and applesauce. The fish was seasoned very well. The filets were a little dry but tasted fresh. The salad was also fresh and came to the table quickly. The meal came with complimentary hush puppies! Yum! For the price of the meal, I can say I was pleasantly surprised. The only downside to dining here was the lack of acoustic absorbing panels or something to dull the echo of the dining area.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE OF CRYSTAL RIVER
We had a great time in Crystal River. Despite the hurricane and its impacts on the area we were still able to enjoy what we came for. I loved learning about the history of the area and the environmentally friendly efforts the community performs to help save King’s Bay and the manatees. The various outdoor activities were abundant and I thoroughly enjoyed all of them. The one thing that I was not anticipating was the color of the bay and the Crystal River area. On the internet you see these crystal clear waters. This is only a very small portion of the area and the rest was sort of a brown murky color. Just know that the photos online are just near some of the springs like the Three Sisters Springs. Also know you are not allowed in some these areas until late Spring when the manatees head to the Gulf of Mexico. I would also recommend bring breakfast and lunch food to your hotel room at the resort if you would like to save on money and time. The mini-fridge saved us lots of moolah and time.