homosassa river

Loved the Monkey Island next to kayak/boat rental place. Kept circling around it to take photos, but the monkeys were really moving fast. Kept going to see manatees; saw one. Going to the end will take paddlers to the wildlife park. Houses passed along the way were very interesting. All in all a great experience.

During February 2015 the manatees traveled from the cooler Gulf of Mexico into the 74 degree Homosassa River. Plenty of them to see and snorkel with. The warmer water in the upper end of the river is crystal clear fresh water. Nice!

There is not much to not like about this beautiful river. It is wide and clear in most spots to the bottom. You can see manatees, hawks, eagles, terns, egrets and many other species of wildlife at various times and places along the river. Can't say enough about this river.

Scalloping (July –Sept) in the Homosassa area is a lot of fun. Capt. Rick Burns, our scalloping guide (http://www.homosassafishingguide.com/), took us (group of six couples) out into the gulf about 9am where we searched for scallops in 3-5 ft. deep water. Besides finding enough scallops to enjoy for dinner we saw various fish, starfish, dolphin, many birds, beautiful Florida gulf landscapes, etc. Capt. Rick was informative about the area as well as encouraging to those who were hesitant to dive down to the sea floor to grab the scallops. We will go scalloping again with Capt. Rick next year with our grandchildren and/or additional couples. The next scalloping trip, we will try to find better snorkel gear. We rented our snorkel gear from American Pro Diving in Crystal River. The masks & fins were fine but the snorkels were too short and did not have a splash proof opening at the top or a one way water purge valve at the bottom. We were constantly coming up from below water with sea water in the snorkel and sometimes ended up swallowing before we were able to spit/blow the water out of our snorkel. Some of us just took the snorkel out before diving. The marina from which Capt. Rick operates has a bar/restaurant, MacRae's Shed, and bathrooms for changing. We hired someone to clean our scallops. Also, there is a local restaurant, Neon Leon's, that will cook and serve your scallops.

We went scalloping for Labor Day weekend and then swimming up near the springs. The river oviously was very crowded with boat traffic since it was a holiday but it is still a pretty ride out to the Gulf. It's just a long ride. With all of the boat traffic, I will say that there was quite a few people who probably should not be operating a boat.

We love coming to Homosassa. The river has so much to offer; kayaking, swimming in the spring, snorkeling, swimming with manatees, party by the spring, boating to the gulf to go fishing & scalloping. Fun restaurants along the water give you a place to enjoy food and drink after a great day on the water.

Go to River Safari and rent a boat! Great views! Manatees and dolphins will share the river with you!

We rented a pontoon boat from Riverside Resort, and with the suggestion of the attendant, we went to the end of the river to see more manatee than we had ever imagined. They were so friendly, graceful and just a joy to behold. Everyone was respectful of these gentle creatures and we had an experience of a lifetime. The entire river was a beautiful experience, but the manatees was the icing on the cake.

We had a wonderful time snorkeling with manatees...I got to rub ones side and belly when it rolled over for me....I can wait to do it again....Also saw about 10 dolphins who swam next to the pontoon we were on on the way back to dock...I had never really been able to relax enough to snorkel, but this time I did and really enjoyed the experience....

If you've been you know what we mean. If you haven't get down here and get out on the water or at least take the weight off your feet with a beer by the river. Great fishing, manatee in the winter half of the year, lots of bird and other wildlife. Rent a boat and guide from Old Homosassa for the day, go down river and out into the Gulf. Rent a kayak and go up all the way up river to the spring fed source - the river water is much clearer at the head of the river and nice to swim in.

A ride on the Homosassa river is wonderful. Of course, during the summer on holidays or weekends it is not as relaxing with huge numbers of boats but the rest of the year is terrific. Lots of fish to look at, eagles, osprey and there are a few resident manatees that you can see if you are taking your time. Almost always have dolphins at play or involved in the serious business of catching some fish.

My wife and I spent four days in the Crystal River area including the Homosassa River. The Homosassa River is another of the spring-fed rivers within the Springs Coast Watershed. The headwater springs of the Homosassa River are home to both freshwater and saltwater fish. This phenomenon is possible because the mineral content in the spring water resembles minerals found in salt water. The freshwater fish you'll find in the Homosassa River include bream, largemouth bass and gar. Some of the saltwater species you'll see include jacks, mullet, sheepshead and snook. The only problems with visiting this area in October are the swarms of no see ums (black flies) that vigorously attack humans.

My family loves to go to the river, it's very refreshing in the hot Florida sun. We go snorkeling and scalloping and it's a great time.

Minus the crazy boat traffic, the river brings back child hood memories of what Old Florida used to be like. A true vacation to enjoy nature can be had without a theme park, or the need for a map. Ask the locals where to eat, and take a drive, or a ride down the river.

Beautiful, long river flowing into the Gulf. Overnight lodgings and restaurant. Go boating and fishing.