Mike's Nature Coast Adventure Guide
White Sand beaches
These are the beaches accessible by traveling up and down US 19 not in any particular order
If you are heading down to Weeki Wachee for the day and If public access to a beach with fresh water from the Weeki Wachee spring is what you prefer, this could be the park for you. There is also a kayak launch nearby
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Roger's Park
7244 Shoal Line BlvdIf you are heading down to Weeki Wachee for the day and If public access to a beach with fresh water from the Weeki Wachee spring is what you prefer, this could be the park for you. There is also a kayak launch nearby
If you spend the day in Weeki Wachee this is the Closest beach on the gulf from there. Similar to Fort Island Trail Beach near our home. Not large, but clean and shallow. Great for kids. Great for sunset watching. Playground, picnic shelters and a take out restaurant. $5 for parking.
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Pine Island Beach Park
10800 Pine Island DrIf you spend the day in Weeki Wachee this is the Closest beach on the gulf from there. Similar to Fort Island Trail Beach near our home. Not large, but clean and shallow. Great for kids. Great for sunset watching. Playground, picnic shelters and a take out restaurant. $5 for parking.
This is listed in the beach category because of the attached waterpark. Bucaneer Bay. At the time of this writing Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is only open for kayak launching
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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial WayThis is listed in the beach category because of the attached waterpark. Bucaneer Bay. At the time of this writing Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is only open for kayak launching
This beach is the nearest gulf beach in the Crystal River area if you want to cool off a little or watch a sunset. It is free and no parking fees. On the way to it there is also a great park of the same name with fishing piers, boat ramp and picnic pavilions. Also, a few restaurants that you will drive past including "Shrimp Landing"
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Fort Island Strand
W Fort Island TrailThis beach is the nearest gulf beach in the Crystal River area if you want to cool off a little or watch a sunset. It is free and no parking fees. On the way to it there is also a great park of the same name with fishing piers, boat ramp and picnic pavilions. Also, a few restaurants that you will drive past including "Shrimp Landing"
This is one of two 'access by boat or ferry only' beaches on our list. Over an hour away. If you can imagine you will not have to fight the crowds on this 4 mile long beach. But you will need to take your own provisions. There are none here. There are bathroom facilities on both ends of the island
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Anclote Key Preserve State Park
1959 West 47th StreetThis is one of two 'access by boat or ferry only' beaches on our list. Over an hour away. If you can imagine you will not have to fight the crowds on this 4 mile long beach. But you will need to take your own provisions. There are none here. There are bathroom facilities on both ends of the island
The name says it all about the biggest reason that most people head to the beach late in the day. Florida sunsets are epic. This little beach juts out from Tarpon Springs a little less than an your south
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Strand bei Sonnenuntergang
1800 Gulf RdThe name says it all about the biggest reason that most people head to the beach late in the day. Florida sunsets are epic. This little beach juts out from Tarpon Springs a little less than an your south
This beach is very near to Sunset Beach. Quite a bit larger with a good size parking area.
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Fred Howard Park
1700 Sunset DrThis beach is very near to Sunset Beach. Quite a bit larger with a good size parking area.
The best and largest beach north of Clearwater. I think it's better than those more famous beaches. It is an island 4 miles long with hiking and biking trails, kayaking, a place to fish, and a beach for pets. It also provides access to the final beach on our list Caledesi Island
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Honeymoon Island
The best and largest beach north of Clearwater. I think it's better than those more famous beaches. It is an island 4 miles long with hiking and biking trails, kayaking, a place to fish, and a beach for pets. It also provides access to the final beach on our list Caledesi Island
The other "boat or ferry only" beach. Pristine white sand and a great getaway from the crowd. Ferry travels from Honeymoon Island. There are fees.
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Caladesi Island
The other "boat or ferry only" beach. Pristine white sand and a great getaway from the crowd. Ferry travels from Honeymoon Island. There are fees.
If you have kids that want water with sand, and you don't have time to head to one of the big beaches this is the closest destination
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Hunter Springs Park
18 NE 2nd StIf you have kids that want water with sand, and you don't have time to head to one of the big beaches this is the closest destination
Biking and Walking Trails
If biking or walking for exercise with the bonus of great scenery is your jam. These are the best choices. Most of these selections are very long trails so you can choose how far you go
41 mile long trail that follows the Suncoast parkway. Currently, closest trail head at US 98 and SR589 interchange East of Homosassa Springs
Suncoast Trail
Suncoast Trail41 mile long trail that follows the Suncoast parkway. Currently, closest trail head at US 98 and SR589 interchange East of Homosassa Springs
The Withlacoochie Trail is 46 miles long making it the longest paved 'rail-trail' in Florida. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest.
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Withlacoochee State Trail
Withlacoochee State TrailThe Withlacoochie Trail is 46 miles long making it the longest paved 'rail-trail' in Florida. It follows along the Withlacoochee River and passes through the Withlacoochee State Forest.
On the Way to Fort Island Trail Beach. The trailhead is in the Dixie Shores neighborhood. Part of the "Great Florida Birding Trail"
Dixie Shores Trail
West Dixie Shores DriveOn the Way to Fort Island Trail Beach. The trailhead is in the Dixie Shores neighborhood. Part of the "Great Florida Birding Trail"
One of the most unique trails in Citrus County is the Withlacoochee Bay Trail that runs along the Cross Florida Greenway, which is a man-made stretch of water that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River
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Withlacoochee Bay Trail
Withlacoochee Bay TrailOne of the most unique trails in Citrus County is the Withlacoochee Bay Trail that runs along the Cross Florida Greenway, which is a man-made stretch of water that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Johns River
Parks
If you want to get out and hit some trails that may also include attractions or other activities, these parks have something for you.
Lots of trails. Including Dames Caves and Lizzie Hart Sink Loop Trail
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Withlacoochee State Forest
15003 N Broad StLots of trails. Including Dames Caves and Lizzie Hart Sink Loop Trail
Crystal River preserve has three easy trails. The Preserve Loop Trail which is 7.3 miles long. The Crystal Cove Trail (2.0) and The Redfish Hole Trail (1.4)
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Crystal River Preserve State Park
3266 N Sailboat AveCrystal River preserve has three easy trails. The Preserve Loop Trail which is 7.3 miles long. The Crystal Cove Trail (2.0) and The Redfish Hole Trail (1.4)
The Mound Trails is a lovely trail with paved walkways and historical burial sites, and a wonderful view at the top of the look out. It's about 50 or so steps up, but is a beautiful view of the Crystal River.
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Crystal River Archaeological State Park
3400 N Museum PointThe Mound Trails is a lovely trail with paved walkways and historical burial sites, and a wonderful view at the top of the look out. It's about 50 or so steps up, but is a beautiful view of the Crystal River.
The park is one of the best places in the state to view manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on a floating observatory. Black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, and river otters can also been seen in the park.
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Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
4150 S Suncoast BlvdThe park is one of the best places in the state to view manatees. Visitors can get close to the animals on a floating observatory. Black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, and river otters can also been seen in the park.
Known for its live mermaid show. Also home to Buckaneer Bay and the Weeki Wachee Springs. Currently the only thing open is access to the river
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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial WayKnown for its live mermaid show. Also home to Buckaneer Bay and the Weeki Wachee Springs. Currently the only thing open is access to the river
On the way to Fort Island Trail Beach. nice park with fishing pier, shelters, rest rooms and water access
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Fort Island Trail Park
12073 W Fort Island TrailOn the way to Fort Island Trail Beach. nice park with fishing pier, shelters, rest rooms and water access
Kayaking and Manatees
There are lots of great things to do along the Nature Coast of Florida, also known as the Adventure Coast depending on who you talk to. But the two biggest reasons are spending time on the clear spring fed water and looking for manatees. If you come with your own kayaks or stand up paddleboards there are plenty of free and inexpensive places to access the water. If not, there are plenty of places to rent watercraft
The prime location for kayaking and manatee watching in the Crystal River area. access the water at Kings Bay park, Pete's Pier or Hunters Spring Park if your goal is to visit Three Sisters Spring. This is the most popular destination and the most likely place to see manatees. If you want to stay dry there is a boardwalk trail surrounding Three Sisters Spring. There are plenty of other coves and inlets to explore from Kings Bay. If you are a more experienced boarder/kayaker then you may want to travel between Kings Bay and other waterways near Ozello, Homosassa and Chassahowitzka
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Kings Bay
The prime location for kayaking and manatee watching in the Crystal River area. access the water at Kings Bay park, Pete's Pier or Hunters Spring Park if your goal is to visit Three Sisters Spring. This is the most popular destination and the most likely place to see manatees. If you want to stay dry there is a boardwalk trail surrounding Three Sisters Spring. There are plenty of other coves and inlets to explore from Kings Bay. If you are a more experienced boarder/kayaker then you may want to travel between Kings Bay and other waterways near Ozello, Homosassa and Chassahowitzka
A little further south. (Hwy 480) Take it west to the Chass.. River campground. You can park there for a fee and they'll give you a map. Awesome. You can explore springs and the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
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Chassahowitzka River Lodge
8501 W Miss Maggie DrA little further south. (Hwy 480) Take it west to the Chass.. River campground. You can park there for a fee and they'll give you a map. Awesome. You can explore springs and the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge
Clear spring water, manatees and other incredible sites await on this waterway. There are a variety of places that you can access the water including at the headwaters within Weeki Wachee State park. This is currently the only thing open at this park
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Weeki Wachee River
Clear spring water, manatees and other incredible sites await on this waterway. There are a variety of places that you can access the water including at the headwaters within Weeki Wachee State park. This is currently the only thing open at this park
Food scene
Only including places we have visited. Working our way around the area for you. It's a tough job but someone has to do it!
Before we even moved here, this was the first place in Crystal River that we ever ate. While we were waiting to be seated (it was packed at 3 PM on a Sunday) someone came by offering us a sample of their crab dip on a cracker. OMG. Incredible. Had to have an appetizer. A pound of crawfish.
Yummy. When we ordered, I had the blackened shrimp. Can't remember ever having better. My wife had fresh flounder. It was awesome.
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Seafood Seller & Cafe
300 Southeast US Highway 19Before we even moved here, this was the first place in Crystal River that we ever ate. While we were waiting to be seated (it was packed at 3 PM on a Sunday) someone came by offering us a sample of their crab dip on a cracker. OMG. Incredible. Had to have an appetizer. A pound of crawfish.
Yummy. When we ordered, I had the blackened shrimp. Can't remember ever having better. My wife had fresh flounder. It was awesome.
So, this is a unique place in Homosassa Springs that I just have to plug. Under the category of "if you're really hungry and can't afford fresh seafood every meal" At lunch they have a buffet. It is an excellent buffet. But there was not a single item that I would call Italian. Shouldn't Luigi's be an Italian buffet? Guess not. But it is really good and a really good price for the buffet.
Luigi's Pizza
4538 South Suncoast BoulevardSo, this is a unique place in Homosassa Springs that I just have to plug. Under the category of "if you're really hungry and can't afford fresh seafood every meal" At lunch they have a buffet. It is an excellent buffet. But there was not a single item that I would call Italian. Shouldn't Luigi's be an Italian buffet? Guess not. But it is really good and a really good price for the buffet.
Always packed. Great clam chowder and gumbo. Right on the water
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Charlie's Fish House Restaurant
224 US-19Always packed. Great clam chowder and gumbo. Right on the water
Popular sports bar and grill. Great wings.
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Norton's Riverside Sports Bar and Grill
16 NE 5th StPopular sports bar and grill. Great wings.
Most incredible meal I have had in the area so far. I had a crab boil. It was delicious, plentiful and extremely messy covered with what I can only describe as a cajun butter sauce
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Boil Yard
1601 Southeast US Highway 19Most incredible meal I have had in the area so far. I had a crab boil. It was delicious, plentiful and extremely messy covered with what I can only describe as a cajun butter sauce
don't know how to pronounce it but the food and atmosphere are great. very festive. great fajitas. we got for 2. awesome
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Los Magueyes Crystal River
6875 W Gulf to Lake Hwydon't know how to pronounce it but the food and atmosphere are great. very festive. great fajitas. we got for 2. awesome
always people waiting outside to get in. great home cooking.
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Grannie's Country Cookin’ Restaurant
1712 SE US Hwy 19always people waiting outside to get in. great home cooking.
This is one of the places several locals recommended to us. It is fantastic. Sit outdoors right by the water or indoors near their aquarium of blue crabs
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Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello TrailThis is one of the places several locals recommended to us. It is fantastic. Sit outdoors right by the water or indoors near their aquarium of blue crabs
We went to see Monkey Island. So fun. Get a drink. Get some food. Sit and watch the monkeys.
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Monkey Bar
5297 S Cherokee WayWe went to see Monkey Island. So fun. Get a drink. Get some food. Sit and watch the monkeys.
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River RdGreat Tiki bar style restaurant and bar. Right on the river