Boat rentals in Crystal River

What kind of boat for what trip

Pick the boat for the activity, not the brand. Most rental fleets in Crystal River are pontoons and small center consoles. Both have a place.

Where to rent

These are the rental outfits we send guests to. All within ten minutes of the house. Book ahead in peak season (Christmas to mid-February and July scalloping).

Bringing your own boat

If you trailer in, the house has a private floating dock to tie up to and a boat lift you're welcome to use for your boat (just give us a heads-up so we can walk you through it). Boats 27 ft and smaller are recommended for the canal. The owner's separate personal jet ski lift is private and strictly off-limits. The canal is a no-wake zone, so keep speeds to idle until you clear into Kings Bay. For powerboats, the closest public ramp is the Fort Island Trail ramp, which gets shallow at low tide, so check the tide before you launch or head back (the Tides Near Me app helps). Plantation is the next-closest ramp (also shallow at low tide), and Pete's Pier has the deepest water you never have to worry about at any tide. The closest public kayak launch is Hunter Springs Park (5 minutes). Trailer parking is allowed at the ramps.

Fuel up at Plantation Marina or Twin Rivers Marina before you head out. Gulf range from the house is about 15 miles to the scallop grounds at the back of Crystal Bay.

Safety and the regulations

Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs are federally protected manatee habitat. The whole area is no-wake zone speed-restricted, and parts of Three Sisters are closed to entry during manatee season. Rangers do enforce. Stay outside the marked sanctuary buoys.

If you scallop, the season is fixed by the state (typically July 1 through Sept. 24 in Citrus County). Limits are 2 gallons of whole scallops per person per day, capped at 10 gallons per boat. Bring a divers-down flag, it is required when anyone is in the water.