Things to do
Swim the springs at Hunter Springs Park
You don't need a tour to get in the water. Hunter Springs Park has a free swimming spring, a small sandy beach, and a kayak launch right on Kings Bay, a few minutes from the house. The spring water holds 72 degrees year-round.
Host tip · Go early to beat the summer crowd and the parking crunch. The roped swim area is shallow and calm, good for kids, and you can paddle out toward Three Sisters Springs from the same launch. In winter the manatees move in, so swimming access shifts to protect them; check the current rules posted at the park.
Season
Year-round
Distance
5 min drive
You don't need a tour to get in the water. Hunter Springs Park has a free swimming spring, a small sandy beach, and a kayak launch right on Kings Bay, a few minutes from the house. The spring water holds 72 degrees year-round.
Related
More things to do in Crystal River
Swim with manatees at Three Sisters Springs
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.
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Kayak or paddleboard the springs
We do not keep kayaks at the house and we do not recommend launching from our dock — the canal is rocky and oyster-edged. Better plan: rent from a real launch point a few minutes away.
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Rent a boat for the day
Bring your own 27 ft-and-smaller boat and dock at the private floating dock, or rent one for the day. Crystal River has flats, channels, and the open Gulf within thirty minutes. Excellent for fishing, scalloping, sandbar days, and sunset cruises.
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Manatee season in Crystal River
Crystal River is the only place in the U.S. you can legally swim with wild manatees. Season runs mid-November through March. Here's how to plan it.
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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.
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