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Experience the best of Crystal River

Crystal River is a small town on Florida's Nature Coast, famous for clear spring-fed waters where manatees gather in winter.

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Crystal River lies on Florida's Gulf coast north of Tampa, where many springs feed Kings Bay with clear water that stays at a steady 22 degrees Celsius all year. As winter cold chills the Gulf, West Indian manatees crowd into the warm water, and Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge protects them. Three Sisters Springs, a cluster of crystal-clear pools, is a manatee refuge in the cold months.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park preserves a complex of mounds and a temple platform built by native peoples over some 1,600 years. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park lies a short drive south, with an underwater view of fish at spring level, and the Chassahowitzka River is a favourite paddling stream. The seagrass flats of the Gulf hold scallops, and scalloping is a summer pastime.

Waterfront restaurants serve grouper, stone crab and oysters, with fried catfish, hush puppies and key lime pie to follow. Manatees are the draw from December to March. Afternoon storms roll in on summer days, and spring and autumn are pleasant.

  • Free cancellation on 97% of experiences
  • 4.8 across the top 24

Top experiences in Crystal River

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61

Nature and wildlife tours in Crystal River

27

Signature experiences in Crystal River

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