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Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun!

Photo gallery for Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun!

Water Fun!
Red, White, Blue
Property grounds
The best paddleboard to learn on!
Ahhh Shade!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Weeki Wachee, FL
  • Weeki Wachee River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Weeki Wachee Springs
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Pine Island Beach Park
    ‪13 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 2 Single Bunk Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Kitchen

About this property

Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun!

Welcome to Watch Me Weeki Wachee!
Old Florida charm meets modern comfort in this stylish 3-bedroom, 2-bath canal-front home—just 8 houses from the main Weeki Wachee River. It's close enough to the action for easy kayaking and boating, yet tucked away for peaceful mornings and quiet evenings. Keep your eyes on the water—manatees often glide right by the dock!

Inside, you’ll find 1,380 sq. ft. of thoughtfully updated living space with cozy coastal décor. The 200 sq. ft. Florida room is perfect for morning coffee, board games, or a breezy afternoon nap. Outside, enjoy over 400 sq. ft. of deck space to grill, lounge, and soak in the canal views—where manatees are frequent and unforgettable visitors.

Why you’ll love the location:
• Just west of Shoal Line Bridge—quick Gulf access for boaters
• Only minutes to Rogers Park (public beach, playground, and boat ramp)
• A short paddle to the winding, scenic part of the Weeki Wachee River
• Walkable to Upper Deck restaurant for great food, drinks & live music
• Front-row seat to manatees cruising the canal—right from the deck!

Whether you’re paddling, relaxing, or hoping for a manatee encounter, Watch Me Weeki Wachee offers the perfect blend of adventure, wildlife, and laid-back coastal vibes.

Property manager

Kelly Winterling
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Spring Hill

Located in Spring Hill, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Colorama Music and Show Palace Dinner Theater are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Nature Coast Botanical Gardens and Adventure Coast Fun Park.
Map
Weeki Wachee, FL

What's nearby

  • Weeki Wachee River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Bayport Park Boat Ramp - 11 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Weeki Wachee Springs - 12 min drive - 9.8 km
  • Pine Island Beach Park - 13 min drive - 10.2 km
  • Nature Coast Botanical Gardens - 18 min drive - 14.6 km

Getting around

  • Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Golden Corral - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Applebee's Grill + Bar - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Steak 'n Shake - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Upper Deck - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Family & Pet-Friendly River Escape w/ Kayaks, Manatees & Outdoor Fun! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Weeki Wachee River and within 6 mi (10 km) of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and Bayport Park Boat Ramp. Bayport Park Pier and Weeki Wachee Springs are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

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. 85 out of 88 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 88 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 88 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jade J.

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

Amazing

We truly enjoyed this home! The facts it came with kayaks & was a waterfront home, was everything to us! They let us do an early check in, due to no one staying the previous night, so thoughtful of them! Home came with everything! My girls truly enjoyed this home! We had the best time, the home was so clean (to the point we had to tap the sliding door to see which was open!) Will recommend over and over again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alan E.

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

Quiet weekend on the river.

Nice river themed house on a canal. With all the amenities you will need, Third time staying there
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kayla H.

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

Weeki weekend

Enjoyed the home and our stay! I would definitely stay at this home or another of their properties again! Owner was very responsive and the neighbors at the property were awesome too!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

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

5 stars

Great place to stay and great location! House had everything you need to be comfortable in the home and everything you need to play on the water. We can’t wait to come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa C.

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

Family time Labor Day weekend 2024

Fun Labor Day weekend with the fam! Kayaking, swimming, grilling and chilling. This place was well accommodated and the perfect spot to spend some time together.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luciana M.

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

A staycation weekend for a couple of Florida locals …

We had an absolutely wonderful stay! From the moment we booked, Kelly along with Sonia and the entire team at Hostaway demonstrated exceptional communication—providing every detail we needed ahead of time, checking in with us during our stay, and making the entire process seamless through to checkout. Their high standards and thoughtful attention to detail were evident throughout the home.The property itself was exactly as described—spacious, comfortable, and spotless. Located right on the beautiful Weeki Wachee River, it offered both relaxation and adventure. We made full use of the included water toys, took the kayak out daily, played on the water mat while manatees swam by, and fished from the dock with the gear we brought. The home also had a great selection of games that added to the fun. Kelly and Sonia shared restaurant suggestions and hot spots that only locals know about. The home is just minutes from Weeki Wachee Springs and Hernando Beach, making it the perfect base for exploring the area. My husband and I travel for our careers we were looking for a peaceful staycation, and this experience far exceeded our expectations. We left feeling recharged and grateful for such a memorable, well-hosted weekend. We are already looking forward to booking with Kelly many more times in the future! Signed, Your grateful guests, Ken & Luciana
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stacey R.

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

Couples Trip

I highly recommend this house; it is all you need for a great vacation!! The owners are super responsive and accommodating. We were three couples and had all the space we needed!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

John H.

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

Wonderful property

The property was so clean and well maintained and the owners were extremely accommodating and helpful.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Yadleris O.

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

Lil get away

The house was a beautiful house on the water it had kayaks we went down river an was a wonderful experience me and my family had. The rooms where so beautiful the kids loved the buckbeds and they had family game that the kids enjoyed we had a wonderful time definitely well do it again thanks Kelly
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deejah G.

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

Awesome river home

Our family really enjoyed this home. They had everything we needed and then some extras.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynn S.

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

Perfect weekend

Relaxing family vacation. Beautiful outdoor space & house is so cute. Loved waking up on the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beatriz V.

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

Awesome experience

We absolutely love it and we will be staying here again for the summer 10/10 would recommend it
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joanna L.

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

We will be back!

House was clean and had everything you needed! The water matt was a huge hit! We spent most of our time just swimming in the canal. The outside area was perfect for our dog! We will definitely come back. Thank you for sharing your home!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beverly G.

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

Relax & enjoy

What a relaxing place to vacation even if we had an unexpected guest (Hurricane Debbie). It rained the first 3 days we were there, but it forced us to relax. The water did rise & the wind blew but Kelly & Dave kept constant contact with us. We couldn't have asked for better hosts, accommodations & location. Everything you needed was there. Would definitely recommend this place & would stay again. Thanks for everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Britnie M., Gainesville, ga

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

Lovely place!

10/10 would recommend! It was clean and easy access to the river!! Will probably be booking again next year!! Also the owners were very easy to talk to if any issues came up!
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel N.

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

Tranquility

Excellent location, quiet and peaceful. Spent two months there, it had everything we needed. Nice neighborhood, access to the river was awesome and just sitting on the deck enjoying the sun was enjoyable.watching manatees or fishing.
Stayed 56 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle S.

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

Great Location

2nd year in this house and everything was still as advertised. House was clean and everything in good working order. We had a great time. Love the fact they allow pets.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judi S.

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

Enjoyed time with family

Overall, we had a good time with my family (adult children). We loved that dogs were welcomed. Plenty of beds for all and everything we needed in the kitchen. Will be back again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie A.

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

Great family vacation spot!

We had a great time at this home! It's decorated very cute and we liked the old Florida/Weeki Wachee prints hanging.There were plenty of supplies needed for the week and the hosts were super easy to work with. The kids loved playing in the water and kayaking!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ana M.

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

Florida Fun and Charm

Daily morning kayaking to visit the holes where we would see families of manatees. Swimming and playing in the water to refresh and enjoy in the afternoon. The house is clean and in a beautiful location, with lots of recreational things to do. We especially love the vintage Florida art and comfort of this charming home.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rob W., Clearwater, Florida

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

Amazing

Excellent property with tons of extras. This house has it all dog kennel, pack & play, games for all ages, numerous kayaks and paddle boards. Just remember to bring your fishing poles! House was super clean and communication with the property owners was excellent. Will definitely be coming back to this property!!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sydni F., Wildwood

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

Perfect Family Vacation

Our experience was nothing short of amazing. The location was great and the water up river (very short boat or kayak ride) is incredible with white sandy bottoms and crystal clear water. The home was very clean and had all of the kitchen accessories you could need. The communication with the home owners was also great and they were very kind and helpful. We will be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee-Ann T.

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

Outstanding!

This property was definitely high end beautiful. Nice neighborhood, nice neighbors, very wide and very clean canal. Even the manatees preferred it over the main river. The host was vigilant in making sure we had everything we needed or wanted. Would definitely stay there again. We rate it top of the line out of all of the places we have rented this far.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria T.

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

Nice winter getaway

Staying here in the WW Gardens neighborhood was a perfect escape from up north this winter. The house has everything you need regarding kayaks and river toys. We saw tons of manatees and chatted with the friendly neighbors. Nice clean beds as well. Would highly recommend staying here if you just want to be on the river the whole time and come back to a cozy house. :)
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sheila H.

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

Christmas Vacation 2023

I'm thrilled to share our experience at this amazing house on the river. Our family spent Christmas week here and had a fantastic time. The house was incredibly well-equipped, making it a breeze to prepare Christmas dinner. The back deck provided a peaceful retreat, and could often be entertaining as we watched people make their way on the river. We kayaked daily and enjoyed going to the hospital hole to see the manatees. The hosts were consistently helpful and prompt in fulfilling any of our requests and providing us with information. Highly recommended for a memorable stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kelly Winterling

Host profile image
We purchased this home as a family retreat for us our 2 kids and 2 dogs. We love exploring new places and meeting new friends. We work and live full time in Tampa but we enjoy our escapes to magical Weeki Wachee and we hope you do too.

Why they chose this property

We love the personal touches and communication when working with a private home owner rather than a property management company. We go out of our way to make our family's vacation home your family's vacation home.

What makes this property unique

Having the ramp for launching kayaks is very helpful.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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