Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise - Citrus County

See all properties

Save

Entire home

Guest photo. Kayaking the beautifulHalls River.

The backyard! This is the view from living room, kitchen & the riverside bedroom

This beautiful home invites guests with an open floor plan and private backyard

The living room has a fireplace & 49" TV & overlooks the river and wooded area

The kitchen and living room have views of the back yard and river

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6149 sq m

Popular amenities

Pet-friendly

Fireplace

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Explore the area

Homosassa, FL

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park3 min drive
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge8 min drive
Three Sisters Springs11 min drive
Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.)66 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Den

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise

Kayaks included! You can enjoy nature, fish and kayak right from the backyard in this beautiful waterfront vacation home.

Scenic and Relaxing, Halls River Retreat is located in the coveted north end of Homosassa Springs, only minutes from the centers of Crystal River, Homosassa Springs and Old Homosassa.

The Retreat is located on the Halls River, part of the Homosassa River, a pristine spring fed river where manatee come to give birth and relax away from the hustle and bustle of boat traffic on the main part of the river. It is a kayaker’s paradise.

The Halls and Homosassa Rivers offer year round world class fishing opportunities - and are home to an abundance of wildlife in the water, on shore and in the air!

AMENITIES and SPECIAL FEATURES

Kayaks for Guest Use. Single and tandem

Explore the unspoiled shores of the Halls River and the Homosassa River

Incredible Fishing and a Nature Lover’s Paradise

SWIM WITH THE MANATEE - Watch, get up-close, and swim with the Gentle Giants of Homosassa. Did you know that the waters of Citrus County (Homosassa and Crystal River) are the only place in the United States where you can legally swim with the manatee in the wild?

Kayak alongside Emu Island Florida and enjoy the antics of a mob of rare blue-eyed white and blonde emus

Screened room and a large outdoor deck overlook a spring fed canal where you can relax, fish and enjoy nature

BBQ grill in screened porch

Outdoor fire pit (we do not supply firewood 🪵)

Wi-Fi to keep you connected during your stay

Large fenced-in back yard

This waterfront home is only minutes from shopping, the world famous Three Sisters Springs, Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park and Crystal River. It is only an hour’s drive to some of Florida’s best theme parks, zoo, museums and attractions!

A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS. All of the nature photos on this page were taken either in the backyard or within a very short paddle from the Retreat.

Amazing, breathtaking, and captivating moments and memories await you at Halls River Retreat in Homosassa Springs Florida.

Prior to and throughout your stay, we are just a text or phone call away.

Your hosts,

Joanne and Gary

Additional notes about rates and cleaning policy:
1) House is to be left in the same clean condition as the time of check-in.
2) Rates are based on 4 guests; add $10.00 per night, per additional guest.

Property manager

Gary and Joanne Bartell

Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Of course we love kids!

Events

No events allowed

Wedding & Family events! Contact us for details.

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Smoking outdoors only. Must pick up butts.

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

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Note from host: Wedding & Family events! Contact us for details.

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 that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Homosassa

Located in Homosassa, this holiday home is on the waterfront. A Crystal River Kayak Company and Crystal River Perserve State Park Eco-Walk 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. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - 3 min drive
Plantation Inn and Golf Resort - 7 min drive
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - 8 min drive
Three Sisters Springs - 11 min drive
7 Sisters Springs - 14 min drive

Getting around

Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.) - 67 min drive

Restaurants

Moschello's Pizza - 3 min drive
McDonald's - 3 min drive
Sugarmill Restaurant - 5 min drive
Twistee Treat Homosassa - 3 min drive
Kelly's Half Shell Pub - 5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Waterfront • Scenic & Relaxing • Manatees • Kayaker’s Paradise located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 2 mi (3.2 km) from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and within 6 miles (10 km) of Old Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. A Crystal River Kayak Company and Crystal River Perserve State Park Eco-Walk are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Mark K.

28 April 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

“Old Florida” Getaway

Our stay at the house on the water was quiet and enjoyable. We got to see manatees right off the property seawall. Also got to see otters from the property. Kayaks available enabled us to see Emu Island and more manatees. Joanne was a great host and also interesting to ask questions to about the history of the area. We would definitely like to return for another stay to the house on the water!

Stayed 14 nights in Apr 2024

8/10 Good

Ginny H.

17 February 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Kayak from the house

Nice.

Stayed 16 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ann H., Lenexa KS 66219

30 January 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful location

Enjoyed our morning coffee on the screened in porch. Took the kayaks out 2 mornings. The emus at the end of the canal are a hoot!! Joanne is a 5 out of 5 host!!! Answered my questions about the area, things to do and recommendations of places to eat before we arrived and responded timely when we were there. Lastly, though it may seem trivial, the bath towels were simply the best we have ever had at a VRBO! So good my husband wants to buy some for home!!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hilda Kay C.

23 January 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Florida experience

The cottage is adorable - comfortable and clean. Location is very private but convenient to everything. Would definitely stay there again!

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte D., Southern Pines, NC

23 January 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little piece of heaven

Wonderful property. Most comfortable bed I have ever slept in away from home. Nice sheets and towels too. A lot of effort has been put towards guests comfort, inculding outside towels, bug repellent, lots of kayaks and paddles and life jackets. I would definitely stay here again! And we did get to see 2 manatees right at the back of the house, amazing!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

About the host

Hosted by Gary and Joanne Bartell

We'd like to introduce ourselves. We are Gary and Joanne Bartell and we are the property managers for Halls River Retreat in Homosassa Springs Florida. We moved to Homosassa in 1988 to raise our family and quickly got involved with local politics to help shape the future of our community. Gary served as a County Commissioner from 1990 to 2010 and was chairman of the Tourist Development Council for 14 years. Joanne was a founding board member of the Nature Coast Envirothon, a high school environmental education and scholarship program. We both enjoyed spending countless hours over the years educating the youth of the community about the rare and precious natural resources found in this area. Our vision has always been to protect and preserve these amazing natural resources for generations to come.
We are delighted with the opportunity to share this home and the beautiful surrounding area with you.

What makes this property unique

The Halls River is a rare piece of Old Florida. Largely undeveloped, the river is a birder's paradise, a fisherman's delight, and a photographer's dream. Blue Crab, Turtles, Bass, Redfish, Snook, Trout, Ladyfish, Mullet, Bream, Sunfish, and various other species of fish can all be seen swimming about in the Halls River. In the sky above you will find Bald Eagles, Green Herons, White Pelicans, Wood Storks, White Ibis, Roseate Spoonbills and many more species of fabulous waterbirds. Along the river you may find dolphin chasing mullet, experience a manatee nursing a newborn calf, or take delight in watching an ever playful family of river otter. Along the shore you will enjoy the antics of a family of emus and a flock of Welsh Harlequin ducks that free range along the shoreline and swim in the river. Most days the morning sunrises and evening sunsets are aglow with brilliant colors that will take your breath away. For the adventurous, night time kayaking reveals brilliant stars and planets above - and - with a flashlight shone on the water the surface appears as a sheet of glass and you can see fish, turtles, and other creatures underwater as if you are watching them through a window. Amazing, breathtaking, and captivating moments and memories await you at Halls River Retreat in Homosassa Florida.