Kayaking Crystal River to Three Sisters Springs
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Kayaking at Crystal River
My family and I chose to kayak the serene waters of Crystal River, Florida. Here adventure awaits as we kayak in the renowned crystal-clear springs, with abundant wildlife, and tranquil paddling opportunities. Join us as we embark on a journey through this picturesque waterway, exploring the hidden cove of Three Sister’s Springs and surrounded by mangrove forests.
Kayak Rental
We rented our kayaks from Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center.
Address: 1422 SE US Highway 19, Crystal River, Florida
Hours -They are open 7 days a week from 8am to 4pm. Reservations are required. You must arrive by 1:15pm, the latest, in order to take the kayaks out and you must return by 3:30pm.
No reservations are needed for self-launch. Fee is $10 per kayak if you bring your own.
Cost is between $47 and $115 depending on length of time and size/type of vessel. You can also rent mask and snorkel gear ($13) and wetsuits ($15). You can rent kayaks/canoes/SUP for 3 hour, 5 hours, or all day. You can rent single, tandem or triple kayaks. You will need to watch a mandatory video on paddling around manatees before you can begin your journey. The video is on their website (link above) so you can watch it ahead of time.
Once we arrived, we parked our van in their parking lot, and then went inside to pay for our kayaks and then headed straight to the location of entry into the canal. The staff were very friendly and helped us get into our kayaks. They provided a map for us, so we didn’t get lost once in the canal. It was super easy to navigate, and I wouldn’t need a map next time.
Kayaking from this location was extremely easy. The trip to Three Sisters Springs was easy and a short distance of less than 10 minutes. I was able to fit a small cooler on our kayak to put some snacks in that we could eat during our time at the springs.
Three Sister’s Springs
Three Sisters is open from sunrise to sunset.
Once you get to the entrance of Three Sisters Springs, you can only take Kayaks or float into this area (no motorized vehicles). This is a protected area for the manatees by the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. There are guards there to make sure the area is protected. During manatee season, November 15 to March 31, you cannot take kayaks into this area for protection of the manatees. If you go when Three Sister’s Springs are closed you can still kayak the Crystal River’s waterways, you just cannot enter Three Sister’s Springs at that time.
Three Sisters Springs is a natural gem renowned for its pristine beauty and crystal-clear waters, offering the perfect area to kayak. This area is surrounded by lush vegetation and towering cypress trees, creating a serene and immersive experience in nature. The water is a cool 73 degrees year-round and is home to several wildlife, including manatees, fish, and various birds.
Three Sister’s Springs has several locations where you can access the springs. If you have your own kayaks/boats, you can choose a public launch location listed below.
Other public kayak launch areas
King’s Bay Park: Address: 268 NW 3rd Street, Crystal River
Hunter Spring’s Park: Address: 104 NE 1st Ave, Crystal River
Items needed for kayaking
You can see the bottom of the springs as you float around this area. It is so peaceful and quiet despite the other people in the area. Many people hang around the springs and either float in their kayak or swim/snorkel. We swam in this area for a couple hours before returning our kayaks. My kids enjoyed snorkeling and swimming in the springs while we were there.
Kings Bay map
Map of Kings Bay area
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Visiting the pristine waters of Crystal River and venturing into the serene area of Three Sisters Springs is a fun experience. Despite the water being cool my kids jumped right in and enjoyed every moment of it, either on their kayak or floating in the water.
Renting the Kayaks was so easy, and I would recommend this company if you do not have your own. They are the closest kayak rental from Three Sister’s Springs. There is more to explore within Crystal River that you could spend several hours here. You can also walk around Three Sisters Springs on the boardwalk to see the manatees if you do not want to kayak.
I hope you can find time to take your kids on this exciting adventure. Whether it is their first-time adventuring, or they are seasoned kayakers, Crystal River and Three Sister’s Springs promise an unforgettable journey within the natural beauty of the area.
Enjoy the journey,
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Meet the author: Jennifer 💚
I’m just a girl who loves to travel. My favorite travels have been traveling across the US in a campervan, visiting all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, marking National Parks off my list, & many smaller trips. I love to share my adventures to inspire others to travel more. If you can dream it, you can do it! Want the whole story?
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