Discovering Crystal River: Florida’s Nature Coast

Written by SJ Morgensen

October 27, 2022
Home >> Destinations >> North America >> United States >> Florida >> Discovering Crystal River: Florida’s Nature Coast

Crystal River, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, is a premier eco-tourism destination. Here are the best things to do in Crystal River, FL.

Located on the gulf side of Florida near Tampa, Crystal River is a premier eco-tourism spot that’s a fantastic playground for outdoor lovers. It’s where you’ll find Florida the way it used to be. A land of untamed nature teeming with adventurous things to do, this is Old Florida at its best. Our recent visit convinced us that after we hit the beaches, this is what we’re looking for in a vacation: active, outdoor fun in a pristine, natural setting. Here are the best things to do in Crystal River, Florida.



Swim With Manatees in Crystal River, Florida

Our adventures started with a terrific morning spent swimming with the manatees, something I’ve always wanted to do. Hunter Springs Kayaks makes this possible. What made this once-in-a-lifetime adventure even more fun was that my 86-year-old mom went with us. Yes, she donned a wet suit and jumped into King’s Bay with the rest of the group. 

Crystal River is the only area in North America where it’s legal to swim with manatees, and they have the largest concentration of manatees in North America here. Because manatees need consistent warm waters, they migrate to the warm springs here every winter, where the water temperature is typically a toasty 72 degrees. During the migration peak, hundreds of manatees flock to this area. We were there a little past the peak season, but since some manatees call this area home year-round, there were still quite a few manatees here.

Be Kind to the Manatees

Our morning began with a pontoon ride out to the center of the bay. Here we were given our snorkels along with instructions from our guides. Manatees are protected animals, and you must be aware of many things, such as not trying to touch them and being very still in the water to not upset them. Our tour guides then jumped into the water, and we followed suit. These guides are knowledgeable about manatees and other area fish. We felt safe the entire time. Our small group was led over to a giant manatee! This massive creature was so fun to watch. Many people had underwater cameras and got great shots of the gentle giant. We were thrilled to see the manatees in their natural habitat. This was a thrilling experience and one I’ll remember forever. 


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Checking out the manatees, one of the many things to do in Crystal River, Florida.

Crystal River In Our Wetsuits for Manatees. Photo by SJ Morgensen



Airboating Adventures in Crystal River

Drive south from Crystal River to the tucked-away Ozello Keys, and you’ll find Ozello Keys Marina. This is where our next adventure began. After checking into the office and meeting our captain for the day, we were led to a large airboat. Our airboat captain, Billy, got us aboard, and off we went into the wild blue yonder. The boat made its way down the channel as we passed by modest homes directly on the river, many decked out with outdoor bars and most of them with boats of their own.  Billy kicked up the engine, and we were soon cruising through the mangroves of the Gulf of Mexico.

I felt peaceful and free with water birds flying overhead, twisting and turning through the shallow, still waters and seagrass beds. As we headed toward the great expanse of open water, the Gulf of Mexico, I swear we were on another planet. The water was so still that the horizon had simply disappeared. There was no delineation between water and sky. It was eerie and yet totally cool. 

Ozello Boats in Crystal River, Florida.

Crystal River Ozello Boats. Photo by SJ Morgensen

St. Martens Aquatic Preserve

Soon we stopped at the St Martens Aquatic Preserve. This 27-acre area in the Gulf of Mexico is home to a natural reef that we got to experience. From the airboat we had a chance to look straight into the shallow waters below and see the sponge and coral of the reef. With the crystal clear waters practically all to ourselves, save for many water birds, this was the way to reconnect with nature. Owner Gary Bartell and Captain Billy Fender were born and raised in the area and have been exploring the waters here since they were young kids. It’s safe to say they have a good feel for the area, and as Billy says, “Being out there in the mangroves is just like driving down the road.”

If you’re looking for an authentic Old Florida outdoor experience, see the guys at Ozello Airboat Tours at Ozella Keys Marina. We had a blast; it was a highlight of our trip. Whether you want to go deep sea fishing, get a scallop charter, rent paddleboards, or take an airboat ride, the folks at Ozello Keys can set it up.

Florida Nature Coast Crystal River Airboating

Florida Nature Coast while airboating in Crystal River, Florida. Photo by Sarah Morgenson



Kayak the Chaz in Crystal River

I am not a kayaker, but the prospect of paddling down the famed Chaz over shimmering springs and through the backwaters of this pristine natural wonder was too much to resist. The folks at Get Up And Go Kayaking got us outfitted in a glass-bottomed kayak, and away we went, looking for birds, manatees, dolphins, turtles, fish, alligators, and all kinds of plants. With our guide and a small group of people, we paddled towards “The Crack” the destination for our water tour today. A deep natural spring on The Chassahowitzka River, The Crack is a secluded sulfur spring that can only be accessed by kayak or canoe; we were dying to see it.

Kayaking Skills

Kayaking takes a particular knack, and once we were on the water, it was clear that I didn’t have the knack.  My husband even accused me of never having kayaked before. Let’s just say that some bumping and banging into other kayaks on the Chaz could have been my fault. But this kind of activity is expected and adds to the overall charm of the experience. While I don’t think I’ll kayak again anytime soon, I’m glad to have had the experience. Being able to see this unspoiled piece of paradise was worth it. 

Amazing views while kayaking in Crystal River, Florida.

Crystal River Kayaking Views. Photo by SJ Morgensen

Crystal River Dining

While in Crystal River we had several memorable meals at great local spots. I always like to eat locally. I love small mom-and-pop diners and restaurants. Crystal River offers a variety of these places. Our dinner at Vintage on 5th was perfect for unwinding and relaxing after a long day outside. We stopped here with wine on our minds and ended up having one of the best meals of our trip. Vintage on 5th is an intimate, cozy place in what used to be a private home. Known for their large selection of wines, they offer over 25 wines by the glass and many more by the bottle.

We enjoyed sipping our wine while discussing our day’s activities. Our waitress was fabulous, carefully reviewing an extensive list of daily specials and offering her opinion on some of the appetizers since we couldn’t decide. She also told us about an appetizer that wasn’t on the menu. We settled on this special appetizer, the smoked fish dip, which was terrific. 

Vintage on 5th Restaurant.

Crystal River Vintage on 5th Restaurant. Photo by SJ Morgensen

Stop for a Spot of Tea

Another day, we walked down Citrus Avenue and into the local tea shop, Tea House 650. They’re tea experts here, and they offer a wide variety of every kind of tea imaginable. After chatting with the shop owner, I learned she opened the shop almost  20 years ago to focus on teas. She even offered tea classes in the early days to share knowledge and build her business.

As the business grew, there was a demand for baked goods so people could enjoy a homebaked goodie and a cup of hot tea. Eventually, the business grew even more and has evolved into a classic lunch spot in town. Delicious options include an array of sandwiches, soups, salads, and sweet treats galore. We liked the avocado toast on warm toasty wholegrain bread. There is also a large variety of scones on the menu. Tea House 650 offers a host of flavors, including cherry almond, double chocolate, cherry, blueberry lemon, and cranberry orange walnut, to name a few. 

Tea House 650 Strawberry Smoothie.

Super Strawberry Smoothie Tea House 650. Photo by SJ Morgensen

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Discovering Crystal River

We had the time of our lives in Crystal River. Many unique activities can be found here: swimming with manatees, airboating and kayaking magical rivers,  and e-bike tours. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you want a taste of Old Florida fun, check out Crystal River. When planning your trip to Crystal River, Florida, the Florida Keys, or anywhere else in Florida, let Wander with Wonder be your guide.

On Florida's Gulf Coast, Crystal River is a premier eco-tourism destination. Here are the best things to do in Crystal River, FL. for your eco-tourism beach vacation in Florida.

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Discovering Crystal River: Florida’s Nature Coast



Written by SJ Morgensen

SJ is a freelance writer based in Omaha, specializing in travel and food. Whether she's on an undiscovered beach in Florida or an off-the-beaten path trail in the White Mountains of Northern Arizona, SJ likes the unexpected travel experience. She especially enjoys exploring sunny U.S. destinations, chatting with locals, and digging into creative cuisine. Follow her travels on Instagram at @theprosperousblonde and on her website, TheProsperousBlonde.com.

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