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Snorkel with the Manatees in Your Back Yard - Kayaks Included

Snorkel with the Manatees in Your Back Yard - Kayaks Included

Photo gallery for Snorkel with the Manatees in Your Back Yard - Kayaks Included

Fish Bowl House with carport
Front view
Dining
Dining area of Fish Bowl House
Living area

Overview of Snorkel with the Manatees in Your Back Yard - Kayaks Included

Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 484 sq m

Popular amenities

  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Homosassa, FL
  • Popular LocationHomosassa Springs Wildlife State Park1 min walk
  • Popular LocationYulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park3 min drive
  • Popular Location7 Sisters Springs13 min drive
  • AirportTampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.)66 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Snorkel with the Manatees in Your Back Yard - Kayaks Included

One of a kind rental, because it is on a canal off the headsprings of the Homosassa River. Swim with the manatees very near the house in the winter months. They gather in the clear waters just 300 yards away, a short kayak paddle, and kayaks included. The water is always 72 degrees so don't let the cold air scare you off, it is quite pleasant. You are also allowed a 10% discount at Bird's Underwater Dive Center who manages the house. You can take a tour with them on the Crystal River with your discount or they will loan you masks and snorkels if you would rather go it alone from the house. This clean, popular house has been a rental unit for 11 years and many people return very good reviews. The Homosassa Springs State Park is across the street and over a short footbridge. There are two docks, you can fish, or sit and enjoy a fire on the LP gas burning fire pit. This is the Only vacation rental unit in Homosassa within 300 yards of the clear freshwater springs. Two-night minimum stay. Screened-in back porch overlooking the canal. Spacious backyard with banana, grapefruit, and fig trees. Canal has direct access to the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of unique waterfront restaurants that specialize in fresh seafood in this little old Florida town.

Paddle to the clear freshwaters of Homosassa River outside of the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, see their website. Manatees gather 300 yards from the house to winter in 72-degree water. You may swim with manatees. House owned by Bird's Underwater Dive Center, see the website, who will rent you necessary snorkel gear and explain rules of engagement with manatees.

Great swimming in summer. Great fishing. Walk to state park two blocks away to view manatees and other indigenous animals.

Keywords: Waterfront House

Property manager

Diana Oestreich

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Water view
Guest photo. Kayaking the beautifulHalls River.
Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, (141 reviews)
Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please see the attached PDF for house rules, sign and return to ----@--------.---

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Homosassa

Located in Homosassa, this vacation home is on the waterfront. Riverhaven Marina and A Crystal River Kayak Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Three Sisters Springs and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - 1 min walk
  • Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park - 3 min drive
  • Homosassa Butterfly - 7 min drive
  • 7 Sisters Springs - 13 min drive
  • Three Sisters Springs - 14 min drive

Getting around

  • Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA) - 66 min drive

Restaurants

  • Moschello's Pizza - 3 min drive
  • McDonald's - 3 min drive
  • Sugarmill Restaurant - 5 min drive
  • Two Guys From Italy - 5 min drive
  • Twistee Treat Homosassa - 3 min drive

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 113 out of 128 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 128 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 128 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 128 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 128 reviews" "

9.6/10

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Place!
Second time staying, and we really enjoy the house and garden.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great trip
Everythung at the house was fine, the manatees were friendly, and the food, service, and entertainment at MARGUERITA GRILL was GREAT !!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Manatee
The opportunity to be so close to the reserve was idyllic. We were able to take the kayaks for a paddle and within 1000 yds we were watching the Manatee stay warm at the entrance to the State park’s water side!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another great weekend !
We got there later than normal, because, due to the inclement weather, we decided we wouldn't try to swim with the manatees. I love the keybox entry. The house was clean and orderly, it had everything we needed. We always enjoy our stay here, whether we swim with the manatees or not!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Another excellent stay
We stay there every Thanksgiving and have not been disappointed! See you next year!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Diana Oestreich

Host profile image
Bill and Diane Oestreich own Bird's Underwater Dive Center in Crystal River. Originally from Elkhart and LaPorte Indiana, met in high school. After 11 years on the road as musicians, we settled into the Crystal River, had one son, adopted 4 more boys over the years, who are now moving on. Still active in scuba diving, Bill "Bird" teaches cave, re-breather, and other technical diving. We also have two other rental houses listed on VRBO as 12055 and 1019739

Why they chose this property

When you rent one of our houses you also get 10% off a Manatee Tour with Bird's Underwater and 10% off a Scalloping Tour (July - Sept) as well as use of the kayaks at Bird's Underwater which is located on King's Bay.
For groups larger than 5 persons see our VRBO listing #12055 located on the Hall's River in Homosassa, FL.
Our newest addition is a small blockhouse on 5 acres of land in Branford Florida, not far from Gainesville, Ginnie Springs, Poe Springs, and Ichnetucknee Springs parks. Great places to dive, snorkel, fish, kayak and other water-related sports. Listing number 1019739

What makes this property unique

Short walk to the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Wildlife State Park.
Kayaks included.
Waterfront has access to the Gulf of Mexico, very popular during scallop season July 1 - Sept. 24th. Disadvantage: If you have a fly bridge or hardtop on your boat you cannot get under the Fishbowl Drive bridge.
See manatees near the house in the wild in the cold winter months.
Fishing
bike rentals in Crystal River
Great waterfront restaurants in Homosassa, easy to Google.

Languages:

English
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