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.

The house

Bayshore Getaway

Built for groups where everyone wants a thing to do. Grandparents take the elevator. Kids take the bunk room. Cousins take the boat lift. You take the wraparound porch with a coffee and watch the canal wake up. Five real bedrooms across three floors, two kitchens, a king primary suite, two queens with private baths, a queen-twin bunk room, and a ground-floor fifth bedroom. Sleeps eleven.

Owner-hosted by the Hopkins family. Not a management company, text us with any question.

WaterfrontBoat + jet ski liftGame floorHeated dip poolElevatorSleeps 11

What makes this house different

The game floor

Pac-Man, NBA Jam, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, Fast & Furious. Pool table, ping pong, air hockey, darts, board games. A four-TV jumbotron wall plus a bar kitchen with ice maker, microwave, air fryer, and dishwasher. Twelve TVs in the house total.

Five bedrooms, three floors, one elevator

King primary suite on the main floor with double vanity, two-head walk-in shower, soaking tub, and balcony. Two queen bedrooms with their own bathrooms on the third floor. A queen-twin bunk room for the kids. A ground-floor fifth bedroom with full bath.

Working dock in a no-wake zone

Private dock on the canal with a boat lift and a jet ski lift you are welcome to use. Boats 27 ft and smaller are recommended for the canal. Bring your own boat or rent one from Plantation Marina five minutes away. Manatees gather in the canal from mid-November through March.

The outdoor side

Heated dip pool, tiki bar, gas fire pit, putting green, cornhole, swings, lounge seating. Artificial-turf dog area with bags, trash can, and a hose for cleanup. Wraparound porch with rocking chairs.

Quick stats

Sleeps

Bedrooms

4.5

Baths

Beds

Everything in the house

Real list, no fluff.

Private dock on the canal
Boat lift + jet ski lift (boats 27 ft and smaller recommended)
Heated dip pool
Tiki bar (outdoor)
Gas fire pit
Putting green
Cornhole + swings
Wraparound porch + balconies
Three-story elevator
King primary suite with soaking tub + walk-in shower
Two queen bedrooms (each with private bath)
Queen-twin bunk room
Ground-floor fifth bedroom + full bath
Pool table
Air hockey
Ping pong
Dartboard
Arcade: Pac-Man, NBA Jam, Big Buck Hunter, Golden Tee, Fast & Furious
Four-TV jumbotron wall
Twelve TVs total
Main-floor chef's kitchen (double oven)
Ground-floor bar kitchen
Whole-house audio
Washer + dryer
Gigabit Wi-Fi
Yale smart-lock self check-in
Pet-friendly (up to 2 small dogs, 25 lbs each)
Pack 'n play / portable crib
Non-WiFi baby monitor
Highchair
Kids' plates and silverware
Dog-friendly turf area with hose

House rules

A few things to know before you arrive.

✓Maximum 2 small dogs, 25 lbs each. $150 pet fee per stay.
✓No cats or other animals without prior written approval.
✓Pets must be supervised, cleaned up after, and kept off furniture and beds.
✓Children and pets must be supervised near the water, pool, dock, lifts, stairs, elevator, and balconies.
✓Elevator: maximum 2 people at a time. All elevator doors must be fully closed before it will move. No play.
✓Boats 27 feet and smaller are recommended for the canal. Check tide charts before departing and returning; the canal is tidal and can get shallow.
✓No swimming in the canal. The bottom has oysters, shells, rocks, and marine life that can cut feet.
✓Do not flush wipes, feminine products, paper towels, or anything other than toilet paper.
✓Only the middle sliding doors on the ground floor open; the side sliders are decorative.
✓The converted ground-floor game room is for guest use only, not vehicle parking.
✓Exterior security cameras are present outside the property; no interior cameras.

Distances

From the house

Drive times to the things guests actually ask about.

Springs, manatees, and the water

Why most guests come here. All of it is on the same west side of Crystal River as the house.

Hunter Springs Park (swim beach + manatee launch)
5 min · 1.8 mi
Free public park, sandy beach, kayak rentals next door.
Three Sisters Springs boardwalk + visitor center
7 min · 2.6 mi
Shuttle from the visitor center; manatee-season hours fill fast.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge HQ
8 min · 3.0 mi
Plantation Marina (boat + pontoon rentals)
5 min · 1.9 mi
Half-day and full-day rentals, gas, scallop charters in season.
Pete's Pier (manatee tour launches)
6 min · 2.2 mi
Fort Island Gulf Beach (sunset, only beach in Citrus County)
20 min · 10.6 mi
Straight west on Fort Island Trail. Calm, kid-friendly, dog-allowed off-leash zones.

Downtown, food, and groceries

Walkable in pieces but mostly a quick drive. Everything is on the same US-19 / Citrus Ave corridor.

Downtown Crystal River (Citrus Ave shops + restaurants)
6 min · 2.3 mi
Cafe on the Avenue (breakfast + brunch downtown)
6 min · 2.4 mi
Crackers Bar & Grill (waterfront seafood)
7 min · 2.8 mi
Vintage on 5th (dinner, walkable from downtown)
6 min · 2.3 mi
Publix Super Market (480 N Suncoast Blvd)
6 min · 2.7 mi
Largest grocery in town. Open until 10 PM.
Winn-Dixie (closest grocery alternative)
7 min · 3.1 mi
Walmart Supercenter (US-19 N)
9 min · 4.0 mi
Open 24 hr, full grocery + everything-else aisle.
Crystal River Mall + Target
8 min · 3.8 mi
Crystal River Brewing Co.
6 min · 2.5 mi

State parks and day trips

Within an hour of the house, all worth a half-day.

Crystal River Preserve State Park (trails, paddling)
10 min · 4.2 mi
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park (manatees, gators, panthers)
20 min · 12.0 mi
Underwater manatee viewing tank. Great rainy-day backup.
Rainbow Springs State Park (Dunnellon, glass-clear swim)
30 min · 22 mi
Withlacoochee State Trail (46-mile rail-trail spur)
10 min · 4.5 mi
Inverness historic downtown + Fort Cooper SP
22 min · 13 mi
Weeki Wachee Springs (mermaid show, river paddle)
45 min · 33 mi

Practical (medical, fuel, services)

Things you only look up when you need them.

HCA Florida Citrus Hospital (ER, 24/7)
9 min · 3.7 mi
Walgreens 24-hour pharmacy
6 min · 2.6 mi
Closest gas station (Wawa, US-19)
5 min · 2.0 mi
UPS Store (ship-from for guests)
8 min · 3.5 mi
Crystal River Veterinary Hospital
8 min · 3.4 mi
Dog-friendly stay, the closest vet if you need one.

Airports and gateway cities

Drive times outside Crystal River. A rental car is the right plan.

Tampa International (TPA)
1h 30m · 85 mi
Best flight selection. All major rentals on-site.
Orlando International (MCO)
2h 00m · 110 mi
Gainesville Regional (GNV)
1h 15m · 55 mi
Small airport, limited flights, closest.
Tampa (downtown)
1h 30m · 80 mi
Orlando (downtown, theme parks)
2h 15m · 115 mi
St. Petersburg / Clearwater beaches
1h 45m · 95 mi
Jacksonville
2h 50m · 165 mi
Miami
4h 30m · 290 mi
Atlanta, GA
7h 00m · 430 mi