Review by fiona rendell from wisborough green
We thought Crystal River was great, such a relaxing break after Orlando and the parks!! We spent days on a pontoon boat spotting the wildlife. The highlight had to be seeing 2 female manatees together with their babies, one of which was vERY young. Our children got to swim with one of these, she seemed quite happy to show her baby off! Swimming in Kings Bay was wonderful, the water is so clear and there is so much to watch, both in the water and out....and the flying fish which are both in & out! We spotted gators, turtles and porpoise....wonderful....we WILL be back.
Review by visitor
Crystal River is a small town centered around the magnificent Kings Bay which is home in the winter months to the lardest herd of manatee in the World. Crystal River is known as the gem of the Nature Coast of Florida.
The water in Kings Bay remains at 72 degrees summer and winter and is fresh since it is constantly fed by huge underwater springs which pump millions of gallons of fresh water into the Bay every day. However Kings Bay is connected to the Gulf of Mexico, which is only 7 miles away, by the Crystal River hence the Bay is home to salt and fresh water fish. Snapper, redfish, seatrout, bass, snook, cobia are all present as are tarpon. A great pleasure is to sit on a boat in the Bay and watch the dolphins hunting by driving schools of fish into enclosed areas where they can catch them more easily.
There is an abundance of bird-life as well, egrets and blue heron are domiciled here all year. Ospreys can always be seen diving in the Bay and fighting to save their catch from the gulls. There is a nesting pair of Bald Eagles which can be seen wheeling in the sky along with huge numbers of buzzards. In the warmer months the Humming Birds are out looking for nectar.
There are plenty of places to rent boats plus there are professional captains who offer excursions from watching or swimming with the manatee to off-shore fishing for grouper or shark.
Crystal River although small has an abundance of places to eat out from Cordon Bleu to Mum & Pap places. Fish and shellfish fresh from the boat is served in a number of seafood restaurants on the waterfront. Or you can buy fresh shrimp (prawns) directly from the fish landing. All the normal chains are present plus pizza and Chinese, Mexican, Thai etc.
Crystal River is the economic hub for the local area so all the normal shops are available plus smaller specialist stores for jewelry etc. The flea markets have international products as well as those made or grown locally.
Golf enthusiasts are spoilt for choice. There are 20 gold course within a short drive and most are of a high standard. The Dunes was voted best new course in Florida when it opened and World Woods has two courses one of which is in the top ten of courses in the USA !
However the Nature Coast is not for everyone, if you want beach side living then this is not for you. If however you want old Florida with an abundance of wild-life on your doorstep (but still within 90 minutes of Orlando and the Theme Parks) then this could be your ideal vacation spot.
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