Heated pool, year round
A Crystal River rental with a heated pool and a private dock
Bayshore Getaway at 11885 W Bayshore Drive is a three-level waterfront house on a tidal canal. It sleeps 11 in five bedrooms, has a heated dip pool, a private dock with boat lift, a tiki bar and a full game floor, and it sits minutes from the manatee springs. Book direct and save 5% off the nightly rate.
Sleeps 11 · 5 bedrooms · 4 baths · private dock and boat lift
5.0/5 from 15 guest reviews · from $500/night, about 7% below the platforms · Text us
What the pool actually is
A heated dip pool, not a lap pool
The pool is a heated dip pool, about 10 by 10 feet and 3 feet deep. It is a plunge pool for cooling off and hanging out, not a lap pool and not a hot tub. The water is heated year round, so it works in the summer heat and on cool winter mornings when the springs are still 72 degrees.
There are in-pool bar seats built into the pool, so you can sit in the water with a drink and watch the canal. A covered patio sits next to the pool, which means you can stay dry and comfortable while the kids cool off. It is the kind of pool you use for a quick dip after a day on the dock or a long afternoon in the game floor.
We are honest about what it is and what it is not. It is not a lap pool, and it is not a hot tub. It is a small, heated pool that keeps the water comfortable all year and gives the house a real outdoor amenity that most Crystal River rentals do not have. If you are looking for a big swimming pool, this is not it. If you want a warm place to sit and cool off, it is exactly that.
The rest of the backyard
More than just the pool
The backyard has a tiki bar, a gas fire pit, a putting green and a cornhole set. The tiki bar is a real bar, not a table with a cooler, and it works well for evening drinks while the fire pit handles the cooler nights. The putting green is a short walk from the pool, and the cornhole set is set up on the turf for quick games between other activities.
There is an outdoor shower near the pool and dock, which is handy after a day on the water or a swim in the pool. The private floating dock has a boat lift that guests may use with prior host approval (boats up to 27 feet and 10,000 pounds). The canal is shallow near low tide and in winter, so check tides before you launch. The owner's personal watercraft and its lift are strictly off limits.
The wraparound porch and the balconies both have canal views, and the dog-friendly turf gives pets a safe place to run. The house has an elevator that fits two people, which makes the upper floors easy to reach for grandparents and anyone who would rather skip the stairs. The game floor is on the main floor, so you do not have to climb stairs to get to the pool table, the arcade cabinets or the darts.
Pool plus springs
The springs are minutes away
Hunter Springs Park and its kayak launch are about 5 minutes from the house, and the Three Sisters Springs boardwalk is about 7 minutes. The springs stay 72 degrees year round, which is why manatees gather there in winter. Manatee season runs from mid-November through March, with the peak from late December to mid-February.
You can rent kayaks from Hunter Springs Kayaks next to Hunter Springs Park, or book a guided manatee tour. Manatees gather in the canal in winter, and the springs, a few minutes from the house, are the best place to see them and the only place to swim with them.
Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim with West Indian manatees. November through March, hundreds gather in the 72° springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, five minutes from the house. The house is close enough that you can do a morning at the springs and be back for lunch. The heated pool is a good place to cool off after a day on the water, and the tiki bar is a good place to sit and watch the canal in the evening.
Book your stay
House basics and booking
The house has 5 bedrooms and sleeps 11. The primary suite has a king bed, the other bedrooms have queens, and the bunk room has a queen and a twin. There are 4 full baths and 1 half bath. The main floor has a full kitchen, and the ground floor has a bar kitchen with an ice maker, dishwasher, microwave and air fryer. The game floor has a full-size pool table, ping pong, air hockey, darts, arcade cabinets and a four-TV jumbotron wall. There are 12 TVs in the house.
Check-in 4 PM, checkout 10 AM. No smoking, events, or canal swimming. Children and pets must be supervised near the water, pool, dock, stairs, elevator, and balconies. Direct bookings are 5% off the nightly rate compared to Airbnb. There is a $500 cleaning fee. The house has a 5.0 rating on Airbnb and is a Guest Favorite in the top 5% of homes. Check in at 4 PM and check out at 10 AM.
Explore the property
See every room, the floor plan, and what is included with your stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is the pool heated?
Why book direct instead of through Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com?
Are there any Airbnbs available for lodging in Crystal River, Florida?
Are there pet-friendly vacation rentals in Crystal River?
Related
Keep exploring
All 62 photos
Every room, the dock, the pool and the game floor, with bed counts per bedroom.
Read →The house
Highlights, amenities, house rules and quick stats.
Read →Crystal River guides
Manatee season, scalloping, springs, boat rentals and restaurants.
Read →Swim with manatees
How manatee season works, where to go and what to book.
Read →