174.8K Chassahowitzka Area Swimming Holes by freearenas
first prev 1 next lastCrystal-clear spring swimming on Florida's Nature Coast around Homosassa and Crystal River, where constant 72-degree springs bubble up into the rivers of the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa area.
Crystal River
Crystal River, Florida
0.8 miles S of Crystal River, FloridaCrystal 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 wraps around Kings Bay, a broad, roughly 600-acre basin fed by more than seventy freshwater springs that pour out a constant 72-degree flow, and in the cold months hundreds of manatees crowd into that warm, clear water. The crown jewel is Three Sisters Springs, a cluster of gin-clear, teal-blue spring vents ringed by cypress and palm, so vivid the water looks almost tropical.
Three Sisters can only be reached from the water. Motorized boats are not allowed inside the spring run, so swimmers and snorkelers paddle in by kayak or arrive on a guided manatee tour; most people launch from Hunter Springs Park, a public beach and kayak ramp about a thirty-minute paddle away, or from one of the other public ramps on Kings Bay. There is also a boardwalk at the Three Sisters Springs refuge property on Three Sisters Springs Trail, but it is a land viewing area only, with no water access. Other publicly accessible springs in the bay, including Hunter Spring, King Spring, Jurassic Spring and Magnolia Spring, give paddlers and strong swimmers more clear water to explore.
Peak manatee season runs roughly November through April, when Gulf temperatures drop and the animals pack into the springs; that is the classic time for a snorkel tour, though also the busiest, and it comes with seasonal rules and roped-off sanctuary areas that close entirely to protect resting manatees. The many local outfitters run tours that launch early, since the calmest water and best encounters come at first light, and most rent wetsuits and snorkel gear along with kayaks. In summer the manatees thin out but the springs stay a steady, refreshing 72 degrees, and paddle access inside Three Sisters is generally open from spring into fall.
The whole area sits within the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, so passive-observation rules apply, no chasing, feeding or touching, and reading the current signage before you get in is part of the deal. For clear, warm spring water and a genuine chance to share it with a manatee, Crystal River is one of a kind.
Houseboat Springs
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
4.8 miles W of Sugarmill Woods, FloridaHouseboat 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.
Blue Spring and The Crack
Sugarmill Woods, Florida
4.8 miles W of Sugarmill Woods, FloridaBlue Spring and The Crack are unique turquoise pools on the tidal river Chassahowitzka. This section of the Chassahowitzka River is shallow, usually about four feet deep, with a sandy bottom and scattered coral and rock. Kayakers and paddle boarders enjoy the calm clear shallow water, observing the deeper pools and unique mix of wildlife from above. Kayakers should also keep their eyes on the trees and try to spot the bald eagles that also frequent this area. This river is usually very easy for kayakers of all levels, but kayakers should also be conscientious of tides and kayak at their own risk.
Blue Spring and The Crack are also popular areas for swimming. The shallow river and deeper spring fed pools make for an interesting area to explore and view the variety of wildlife in this area. This area of the Chassahowitzka River is also a popular place to see and swim with the manatees, they frequent this area and are most of ten spotted in the winter.
Swimmers and kayakers should both be cautious in this river as there are alligators in this area.
