| Tour Descriptions and Driving Directions |
No experience is necessary, but some physical fitness is required. Your guide will meet you at the launch site. See addresses and driving directions below. Tours last 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Price is $40.00 per person and includes kayak and all necessary equipment. Start times 7:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. |
Hunter's Spring Park: 104 NE 1st Ave. Crystal River, Florida 34429. If heading south into Crystal River on Hwy. 19, turn right at N Citrus Ave. Turn left at first stop sign (3rd Street). Turn right at next stop sign (NE 1st Ave). Hunter's Spring Park is at the end of this road. If heading north into Crystal River on Hwy 19, turn left at the Hwy 19/ 44 east intersection (NE 5th St.). (Please note: do not turn at the Hwy 19/ 44 west intersection. The Hwy 19/ 44 east intersection is further north). Turn left at the first stop sign (NE 3rd Ave.). Turn right at the next stop sign (3rd St.). Turn left at the next stop sign (NE 1st Ave.). Hunter's Spring Park is at the end of this road. |
Chassahowitzka River Campground: 8600 W. Miss Maggie Dr. (480) Homosassa, FL 34448. At the intersection of Hwys 19 and 98, drive West on Miss Maggie Drive/ 480. The launch site is 1.5 miles from the intersection. Turn right after the Chassahowtizka Hotel, past the campground on the left, and continue to the parking area at the end of the road. $3.00 parking fee. |
Ozello Community Park: 410 N. Pirate Pt. Crystal River, FL. South of Crystal River about 1 mile and North of Homosassa about 3 miles on Hwy 19/98. Drive West on Ozello Trail to the end (approximately 9 miles). Turn right at the 'T' and follow the paved road to the parking area at the end of the road. |
| Spruce Boat Ramp: 4863 E. Spruce Dr. Dunnellon, FL. Hwy 200 immediately South of the Withlacoochee bridge, turn West on Spruce Dr. Drive a short distance to the parking area on the right. |
The town of Inglis has one traffic light in town at the intersection of Hwy 19 and Hwy 40. Drive West on Hwy 40 (also known as "Follow That Dream Parkway") to the end (approximately 7 miles). Park at the end of the parking lot farthest from the boat ramps. |
12199 N. Goldendale Ave. Dunnellon, Florida. West of Hwy 41 in Dunnellon on 488 about 2 1/4 miles. Goldendale Ave. is on the right. Travelling East on Hwy 488, Goldendale Ave. is about 5 miles from the Citrus Ave (Hwy 495) and Hwy 488 intersection. Follow Glendale Ave to the boat launch at the end of road (approx 1/4 mile). |
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Kayak, life vest, and paddle are provided. You will need to bring
Polarized sunglasses allow you to see past the reflection on the surface of the water. They can sometimes mean the difference between seeing fish, turtles and manatees clearly and not seeing them at all. |
| What to Bring |
| Tour Details |
Please Note: Waterways tend to be less crowded on weekdays and earlier in the day. |
| Sunrise Tour Highly recommended (starts at 7:00 a.m.) The air is cool and still and the water smooth as glass. Mist rises and birds welcome you with music. Wildlife is waking up and starting their day. Manatees and dolphins swim by to investigate their visitors. Otters play while raccoons and wading birds look for breakfast while you silently glide by. Because there is less boat traffic and human activity, early morning is the ideal time for wildlife observation and photography. |
| King's Bay, Crystal River Winter refuge to nearly 400 manatees! Fish and Wildlife Service viewing guidelines are followed to insure that these gentle giants aren't disturbed or harassed. A special and unforgettable experience! |
| Chassahowitzka River Undeveloped and unspoiled. This beautiful narrow river is surrounded by hardwood swamp with unforgettable scenery and wildlife. Small side creeks invite exploration. |
| Ozello On the Gulf of Mexico. Clear water,salty air, mangroves, dolphins and shell islands |
| Withlacoochee River East Beautiful cypress trees line this winding tannin stained river. Otters, alligators, turtles and a variety of wading birds are common sights. |
| Withlacoochee West This trip offers a scenic variety; From marsh grass and palm trees to hardwood swamp. Eagle and osprey nests sit atop bare trees and a flock of roseate spoonbills make their summer home here. |
| Lake Rousseau The Withlacoochee and Rainbow Rivers converge and flow into Lake Rousseau. Turtles, alligators and an abundance of wading birds thrive among the emergent vegetation, cypress, and trunks of old pine trees that dot this man made lake. A spectacular sunrise tour and a birder's paradise! |
