Houseboat Springs
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
| Address: | 8690 Co Rd 480, Homosassa, FL 34448, USA |
| State: | Florida |
Swim
Houseboat Spring is one of the spring pools of the Chassahowitzka River on Florida's Nature Coast near Homosassa, reachable only by water. The spring opens into a wide circular basin more than twenty feet deep, clear enough for snorkelers to explore the underwater ledges and vents, and it is one of a cluster of springs, along with Blue Spring and The Crack, that feed the short, shallow, spring-fed Chassahowitzka River as it winds through the 5,000-acre Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge toward the Gulf.
Like the rest of the "Chaz" springs, Houseboat is accessible only by boat: canoes, kayaks and small rowboats launch from Chassahowitzka County Park, the river's main put-in, and paddle up the spring runs to reach it. The water holds a constant, cool spring temperature year-round, the surrounding refuge is rich with birds, fish and the occasional manatee, and the whole river is a quiet, wild, undeveloped paddle. Come by kayak, bring snorkel gear, and treat the springs gently, since they sit in protected refuge waters.
More Information
Chassahowitzka River And Springs – The Florida Guidebook
The Chassahowitzka River is located in the city of Homosassa on Florida’s central gulf coast. It’s located in Citrus County.
https://www.florida-guidebook.com/chassahowitzka-river-springs/Chassahowitzka Springs Group: The Crack | Discover Crystal River
"The Crack" is a secluded sulfur spring which can only be accessed by paddle craft and is located on the Chassahowitzka River in the southern region of Citrus
https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/directory/chassahowitzka-springs-group-the-crack-epic-springs/Chassahowitzka Springs, Citrus County | WaterMatters.org
Made up of a dozen springs, Chassahowitzka Springs is the headwaters of one of the most ecologically healthy rivers in west-central Florida.
https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/springs/chassahowitzka
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Directions
From Sugarmill Woods, Florida
- Head northeast on Honeysuckle Ct S (177 ft)
- Turn right to stay on Honeysuckle Ct S (463 ft)
- Turn left onto Honeysuckle Dr (499 ft)
- Turn left onto Corkwood Blvd (0.9 mi)
- Turn right onto W Oak Park Blvd (2.3 mi)
- Slight left to stay on W Oak Park Blvd (0.4 mi)
- Turn right onto W Ponce De Leon Blvd (0.4 mi)
- Continue straight onto W Miss Maggie Dr (1.6 mi)
- Turn right to stay on W Miss Maggie Dr (0.3 mi)
Other Swimming Holes Nearby
The Devil's Punchbowl
Homosassa, Florida
0.4 miles EA 100-foot-wide, 25-foot-deep turquoise spring pool on the Chassahowitzka River with coral tunnels to explore and unique freshwater-saltwater wildlife — parking is $1.50 per car.
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Blue Spring and The Crack
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
0.5 miles SETurquoise pools and shallow clear river on the Chassahowitzka, popular for kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming — bald eagles overhead and manatees in winter. Note: alligators are present.
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Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
12.2 miles NCrystal River, on Florida's Nature Coast about ninety minutes north of Tampa, is the swimming destination famous around the world as the only place you can legally swim with wild manatees. The town...
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Rainbow Springs State Park
Dunnellon, Florida
27.3 miles NA large first-magnitude spring feeding the crystal-clear Rainbow River — swim, snorkel, or rent a canoe to paddle downstream past the headspring through gorgeous water the entire length.
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