The perfect way to cool off in the summer is by kayaking Crystal River and Three Sisters Spring and it is an amazing day trip from Tampa or Orlando. Not to mention, during the winter months it is filled with manatees and this is a great place to see these beautiful animals up close.
Kayaking is such a great way to get outdoors and be active almost any time of year in Florida. Luckily there are so many wonderful places to kayak in Central Florida. At the top of that list is Crystal River thanks to the opportunity to see manatees and the crystal clear waters of Three Sisters Spring which is located right along the river.
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Crystal River Location
Crystal River is in a great central location in a town called Crystal River near Homosassa, FL. It is about an hour and a half north of Tampa, an hour and a half south of Gainesville and 2 hours northwest of Orlando. This makes it an easy day trip from Tampa, Gainesville or Orlando, wherever you are located. The best way to get there is by car, I don’t know of any public transportation that could get you there.
When to Visit
The water is a consistent 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year round making it comfortable to swim in during the summer when you want to cool off and a little chilly during the winter.
If you want to make sure you catch the manatees then you need to visit in the winter when the temperatures drop. This usually occurs sometime between December and March. Otherwise, the rest of the year it is just a great fun place to come kayaking and swim.
I would recommend trying to visit on a weekday to avoid the crowds and river traffic that happens on the weekends. It is still an enjoyable trip on the weekend though if that is the only time you can come. Just make sure to make your rental reservations in advance as they do book up on weekends and holidays.
Manatees in Crystal River
During the winter when the ocean cools down manatees head into the springs to take advantage of the warmer waters.
You can kayak with manatees in Crystal River but you can do so much more too! Crystal River is the only place in Florida where you’re legally allowed to swim with manatees. You are not supposed to initiate contact with these gentle animals but they are naturally curious and may come up to you.
You can arrange gear and tours to swim with manatees at most places you rent kayaks from.
See the Spring & River From Above
If you don’t want to kayak and would prefer to keep your feet on dry ground there is a boardwalk that will allow you to view the springs and the manatees from above. It is located in the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The entrance fee is $7.50 in summer, $15 in winter and includes a trolly that will take you to the springs and back.
Then you can enjoy the walking trails and beautiful views without getting wet.
Fun Activities Nearby:
- Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Show Near Tampa, FL
- Day Trip Guide to Devil’s Den, FL – A Prehistoric Spring
- 13 Flower Farms in Florida to Visit Today
- 6 Must Visit U-Pick Orange Groves in Florida
Crystal River Kayak (and Paddle board) Rentals
There are several different options for places to rent a watercraft to use on the river. This article by Discover Crystal River Florida is a great resource to find the best fit for you. We decided to use Crystal River Kayak Company because of their proximity to Three Sisters Spring and their price point.
At Crystal River Kayak Company you can rent kayaks from them or bring your own.
Rental Price:
The spring is free to enter so your only cost should be renting some sort of water craft to use or the cost of launching your own craft from a launch point.
It costs $6 to launch your own watercraft from Crystal River Kayak Company’s dock.
The price to rent varies based on the type of watercraft you rent and the length of time you rent it for. As a reference point a double kayak for three hours starts at $55.
But they also offer single kayaks, clear kayaks, pontoon boat tours and even diving.
You can find out more on their website or reserve a spot today.
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Points of Interest Along Crystal River
One of the best things to see along Crystal River is Three Sisters Spring. The water is crystal clear and bright blue. It is absolutely beautiful even if it is slightly chilly. Don’t miss stopping here and swimming around for a little while.
As you head out away from Three Sisters Spring and towards Pete’s Pier Marina there is a small sandy beach area on the left. This is a great place to stop and take a break and eat a snack. You can play in the sand here if you’d like or keep paddling through King’s Bay.
If you keep paddling and turn right as you go around the marina then you can see two more springs. Hunter Springs and Jurassic Springs are two other great places to stop and swim in cool clear water. I will say it takes a while to get to them though. We ran out of time on our rental while trying to reach them and had to turn around. Make sure you have one of the longer rental times if you want to see them all.
Helpful Tips:
Crystal River is dog friendly and if you rent from Crystal River Kayak Company like we did they are allowed to go on the kayaks. Dogs can go into Three Sister Springs but they cannot enter the water there. A popular swimming spot with dogs is right at the mouth of Three Sisters Springs before you actually enter or the beach area I mentioned above.
The kayak rental is for 3 hours, 5 hours or all day. I recommend 5 hours if you plan on going beyond Three Sisters Spring plus time to stop and swim. You don’t want to feel rushed and there is so much to see.
Make sure you bring water, sunscreen and a waterproof bag! There is not much shade and you are working hard in the sun so you need to stay hydrated. I would leave everything else in the car except the car keys and your phone. The waterproof bag makes sure everything is protected as you get in and out of the kayak or potentially fall in. You can dry off at your car though so don’t pack in towels.
Kayaking on Crystal River
I hope you enjoy your day on the water as you are kayaking Crystal River! If you are going in the winter I hope you get to see so many manatees. Happy and safe travels!
