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Scallop season base camp

A scalloping vacation rental with its own dock

Bayshore Getaway at 11885 W Bayshore Drive is a 5-bedroom waterfront house on a tidal canal that serves as a scalloping season base camp. The property features a private floating dock with boat lift, a heated dip pool, and a full game floor. It sleeps 11 and is minutes from the flats. Scalloping season runs July 1 through September 24.

Sleeps 11 · 5 bedrooms · 4 baths · private dock and boat lift

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5.0/5 from 15 guest reviews · from $500/night, about 7% below the platforms · Text us

Private dock detail at Bayshore Getaway, ready for your boat or a rental

Why a private dock changes a scalloping trip

Leave from the house, not a crowded ramp

The property has a private floating dock with a boat lift that guests may use with prior host approval. Boats 27 ft and smaller are recommended because the canal is shallow near low tide and in winter. You can load gear, coolers, and nets right from the dock instead of hauling them from a public ramp. The owner's personal watercraft and its lift are strictly off-limits.

The Navarre Canal is a no-wake zone, and the water is shallow at the seawall, so the dock area is calm for loading. For scalloping, the flats off Crystal River are 30 minutes or less by boat. The closest powerboat rental is Twin Rivers Marina, and Plantation Marina also offers rentals 5 minutes away. Crystal River Watersports is downtown, and Pete's Pier has the deepest water if you need a deeper launch point.

The Fort Island Trail public ramp is shallow at low tide, so check tide charts before heading out. The house is on a tidal canal, and tides affect water depth near the dock. Most scallopers launch from the house, spend the day on the flats, and return to the same dock. The wraparound porch and balconies offer canal views while you wait for the tide to turn.

The season, limits and rules

Scalloping season and regulations

Citrus County bay scallop season runs July 1 through September 24 each year. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission sets the dates, and 2026 is confirmed. The bag limit is 2 gallons whole in shell or 1 pint meat per person, with 10 gallons whole or 1/2 gallon meat per vessel per day. A Florida saltwater fishing license is required unless you are on a licensed charter.

Half-day charters typically run $400 to $600 with gear included. Aripeka Charters and Salty Aces offer charters, and Hunter Springs Kayaks runs seasonal scallop tours. Stay within 300 ft of a divers-down flag in open water. Do not discard shells in the rivers. The flats are close enough that you can launch in the morning and be back at the house by evening.

Manatee season runs from mid-November through March, with peak activity from late December to mid-February. Manatees gather in the canal in winter. The springs stay 72 F year-round. If you want to swim with manatees, the springs are minutes from the house, not from the dock itself.

After the flats

Clean scallops, grill, and game floor

The house has two kitchens. The main floor has a full kitchen for meal prep, and the ground floor has a bar kitchen with an ice maker, dishwasher, microwave, and air fryer. After a day on the flats, you can clean scallops outdoors at the bar kitchen area. The tiki bar and gas fire pit make evening gatherings easy, and the wraparound porch is ideal for watching the canal.

The heated dip pool is about 10 x 10 ft and 3 ft deep, with in-pool bar seats and a covered patio. It is a plunge or dip pool, not a lap pool or hot tub. There is also a putting green, cornhole, an outdoor shower, and dog-friendly turf if you have pets. The game floor keeps kids occupied on rain days with a full-size pool table, ping pong, air hockey, darts, arcade cabinets (Pac-Man, NBA Jam, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, Fast & Furious), and a four-TV jumbotron wall. The house has 12 TVs total and board games.

Nearby, Hunter Springs Park and kayak launch are 5 minutes away, and the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk is 7 minutes away. Downtown Crystal River is 6 minutes, and Publix is 6 minutes away. Fort Island Gulf Beach is 20 minutes, Tampa airport is 1 hour 30 minutes, and Orlando is 2 hours. The property is a three-level waterfront house with an elevator (2 people max) and 4 full baths plus 1 half bath.

Booking notes

Reserve your scalloping season stay

Scalloping season dates book first. The house sleeps 11 in beds with 5 bedrooms: a king primary suite, queen bedrooms, and a bunk room with a queen and twin. Direct bookings are 5% off the nightly rate vs Airbnb. A $500 cleaning fee applies. Check-in is 4 PM and checkout is 10 AM. Reviews are 5.0 on Airbnb, ranking in the top 5% of homes. No parties, quiet hours 10 PM to 8 AM. Up to 2 dogs at $150 pet fee, 25 lb each.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Crystal River?
It depends on what you want to do. For manatees, come November through March, with peak counts late December through mid-February. For scalloping, the season runs roughly July 1 through September 24 (the FWC sets the exact dates each year). The spring-fed water stays 72°F year-round, so spring and fall are ideal for kayaking and snorkeling with warm air and thinner crowds. Manatee season and scallop season book up first, so reserve those dates early.
When can I see manatees?
Manatee season runs roughly November 15 through March 31, peak January and February. They gather in Crystal River specifically because the springs hold 72° while the Gulf drops into the 50s. From May through October you'll occasionally see a year-round resident, but for the postcard experience, book in winter.
Are kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat included?
No. We do not keep kayaks, paddleboards, or a boat at the house. You're welcome to bring your own boat: tie up at the private floating dock or use the boat lift. To rent paddle boards or kayaks, Manatee Paddle (downtown Crystal River) will deliver them to the house and pick them up, which a recent guest did and loved; Hunter Springs Kayak Rentals, River Ventures, and Crystal River Watersports also rent kayaks and paddleboards. For powerboats, Twin Rivers Marina is the closest, with Plantation Marina, Crystal River Watersports, and Pete's Pier also renting pontoons and center consoles. All five to fifteen minutes from the house.
Can I launch a kayak from your dock?
We don't recommend it. The canal bottom near the dock is rocky and oyster-edged. Use Hunter Springs Park's free public launch or any of the rental shops downtown. Better water entry, no risk to feet or boards.
Can I use the dock and boat lift?
Yes. The floating dock is open anytime to tie up your own kayak or boat. The boat lift is available to guests too: send us a quick message and we'll get you set up, since it takes a specific two-button sequence we'd rather walk you through than have it jam. The canal is tidal and gets shallow around low tide, especially in winter. We recommend boats 27 feet or smaller for the canal; guests are responsible for checking tide charts, confirming their boat's draft, and planning both departure and return windows.

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Keep exploring

All 62 photos

Every room, the dock, the pool and the game floor, with bed counts per bedroom.

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The house

Highlights, amenities, house rules and quick stats.

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Crystal River guides

Manatee season, scalloping, springs, boat rentals and restaurants.

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Swim with manatees

Spring season guide for the Three Sisters Springs area, minutes from the house.

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