Why book direct instead of through Airbnb, Vrbo, or Booking.com?

Same house, same calendar, same hosts. Direct skips the guest-side fee every platform tacks on. Airbnb charges guests ~14% in service fees. Vrbo charges 6 to 12%. Booking.com varies by listing, typically 0 to 15%. On a typical $2,500 week with us, direct saves you roughly $200 to $400. The booking engine on this site is wired straight to Hostaway, the same backend that powers our Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com listings. We're routing it through our own domain so we don't have to pay the platform tax.

Is the calendar real-time?

Yes. Availability and pricing on this site pull live from Hostaway. If a date shows available here, it's actually available everywhere.

How many people does it sleep?

Eleven, across five real bedrooms. King primary suite on the main floor. Two queen bedrooms with private baths on the third floor. A queen-twin bunk room on the third floor. A fifth bedroom on the ground floor with its own full bath. Six beds total.

What do guests have access to?

The full home, driveway parking, outdoor living areas, balconies, heated dip pool, dock, game room, bar kitchen, tiki bar, fire pit, putting green, dog turf area, and waterfront spaces. You also have full use of the washer and dryer, both kitchens, the elevator, and the entertainment level (ping pong, arcade games, darts, board games, the four-TV wall). Three small areas are locked for owner storage: one closet in the master bedroom and two downstairs storage closets. Everything else is yours.

How do check-in and check-out work?

Self check-in via a Yale smart lock. You'll get a door code 24 hours before arrival that works for your entire stay. Check-in 3 PM, check-out 10 AM. We almost always say yes to a late check-out if the calendar allows. Just ask.

Are you available during our stay?

We want guests to have a smooth, private, relaxing stay. You won't see us, but we are available by message before and during your stay. If something comes up at the house, message us right away and we'll handle it quickly.

Yes. Maximum two small dogs, 25 lbs each. $150 pet fee per stay. No cats or other animals without prior written approval. We have a dog-friendly artificial turf area with bags, an outdoor trash can, and a hose for cleanup. Please supervise pets, keep them off furniture and beds, and clean up after them. Guests are responsible for pet-related damage or extra cleaning.

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 and use our boat lift and jet ski lift. To rent: Hunter Springs Kayak Rentals, River Ventures, and Crystal River Watersports rent kayaks and paddleboards. Plantation Marina, Crystal River Watersports, and Pete's Pier rent pontoons, center consoles, and jet skis. 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 boat lift and jet ski lift?

Yes, with care. The lifts must be operated correctly to avoid misalignment or damage. We'll provide written instructions before arrival, and we ask that guests follow them exactly. Press both buttons simultaneously when raising or lowering. 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.

How does the elevator work?

Three stories, fully operational, available for guests who need help with stairs or for moving luggage and groceries between floors. Three rules: maximum two people at a time, every elevator door on every floor must be fully closed before it will move, and children may not use the elevator without adult supervision. If the elevator won't move, walk each floor and confirm every door is shut.

Yes, but the heater takes time to warm up. If you want the pool heated for arrival, message us a day or two ahead so we can run it in time.

Anything I should know before arriving?

A few practical notes. (1) On the ground floor, only the middle sliding doors open; the side sliders are decorative. (2) The ground-floor mini-split remote must be pointed directly at the unit to change settings, it looks like a thermostat but it's a remote. (3) As with any Florida waterfront home, mosquitoes and no-see-ums are around at dawn, dusk, and after rain. We provide bug spray; bring your preferred repellent if you have one. (4) Please do not flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, or anything other than toilet paper.

Are there security cameras?

Exterior cameras only, located outside the property for guest safety and property protection. There are no cameras inside the home or in any private guest areas.

What's the cancellation policy?

Flexible. Full refund up to 14 days before check-in, partial refund within 14 days. Specifics confirmed at booking.

Minimum stay varies by date and season. The booking calendar pulls the live Hostaway minimum-stay rule for the arrival date you choose, including PriceLabs seasonality and orphan-night settings, before it shows a quote.

Driveway parking is included. The converted ground-floor game room is open for guest use but is not available for vehicle parking. If you have extra vehicles, ask us before arrival and we'll point you to overflow.

Wildlife

Manatee season in Crystal River

Crystal River is the only place in the United States where it is legal to swim with wild manatees. From mid-November through March, several hundred manatees move into Kings Bay and the spring-fed canals to escape the cooler Gulf water. Three Sisters Springs is the heart of the refuge. The canal behind the house is a daily pass-through.

Peak season is December through February. Cold fronts push manatee counts higher. The best snorkel mornings are the first warm sunrise after a cold snap.

When the manatees show up

Florida manatees migrate when the Gulf drops below about 68°F. The springs in Kings Bay hold a steady 72°F year-round, which is why they cluster here. Most years you will see early arrivals in mid-November and a peak count between Christmas and Valentine's Day.

November 15 – December 15 · Early season. Smaller crowds, fewer manatees but they are around every morning.

December 16 – February 14 · Peak season. Book tours and dates early. Cold mornings produce the biggest gatherings.

February 15 – March 31 · Late season. Warming days mean fewer manatees but easier tour bookings and calmer water.

April – November 14 · Off-season. A handful of resident manatees, but the legal swim-with program is suspended in summer.

Where to actually swim with them

Three Sisters Springs is the most famous spot but you cannot enter the spring run when manatees are present. You snorkel from the buffer zone or watch from the boardwalk. The legal swim is anywhere in Kings Bay outside marked sanctuary areas.

Most guests book a sunrise guided tour. Tours launch from Pete's Pier, Plantation, or one of the downtown outfitters and run 2 to 3 hours with wetsuits and snorkel gear included. You move slowly, stay horizontal, and let the manatees come to you. Touching is permitted only with one open hand if the manatee initiates contact.

What to bring

Most tour operators include the wetsuit, mask, snorkel, and a noodle for floating. Bring a swimsuit, a quick-dry towel, a warm change of clothes for after, water shoes if you have them, and your phone in a waterproof case. The water is 72°F. The air at 6 a.m. in January is colder than the water. Plan a hot shower at the house when you're back.

Rules that matter

Manatees are federally protected. Passive observation only. Do not chase, ride, dive down, separate a mother and calf, feed, or give water. Tour guides will repeat this and the rangers do enforce it. Following the rules also produces the best encounters. A still snorkeler is what a curious manatee approaches.

Three Sisters Springs, what to know before you go

Three Sisters Springs is the centerpiece of the Crystal River manatee refuge. Here's how to access it, when to go, and what to bring.

Read →

A family trip to Crystal River with kids

Crystal River is built for family vacations. Here's a kid-friendly itinerary plus what's at the house: pack and play, baby monitor, highchair, game room, pool.

Read →

Scalloping and fishing on the Crystal River coast

Scallop season runs July 1 to September 24. Fishing is year-round. Here's licenses, charters, and what's on the menu for a Crystal River water day.

Read →

Book the right dates for manatees

Our calendar shows live availability. Mornings on the dock during peak season are part of the experience even if you skip the tour.

Book direct →

Manatee season in Crystal River

When the manatees show up

Where to actually swim with them

What to bring

Rules that matter

More Crystal River guides

Three Sisters Springs, what to know before you go

A family trip to Crystal River with kids

Scalloping and fishing on the Crystal River coast

Book the right dates for manatees