Homosassa brings together two distinctive perspectives on nature: views of manatees beneath the spring’s surface and a river landscape whose water changes in character. There is also a designated hiking trail, the history of a steam-powered sugar mill and an annual festival. This gives you a choice of different focuses for your stay: wildlife watching, water, walking or culture.
Springs, Manatees and Nature on Foot
At Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, visitors can observe fish and manatees below the spring’s surface from the Underwater Observatory. The park also offers a Manatee Educational Program, which provides the opportunity to observe manatees up close in their natural habitat. These are two distinct ways to watch wildlife: looking beneath the spring and observing the animals directly as part of the program.
The Homosassa Wildlife Management Area offers a different kind of activity: hiking is permitted there, and there is a designated trail. If you would rather explore nature on foot, this is a clear alternative to watching wildlife on the water.
The Homosassa River and Experiences on the Water
The Homosassa River is a first-magnitude spring system and has its source in western Citrus County. After joining the Halls River, it widens and changes from a clear freshwater spring into a tannin-colored brackish river. This transition is important to understanding the river: its described water characteristics are not the same along its entire course, but change after the confluence.
A guided clear-bottom kayak tour on the Homosassa River offers views of fish, manatees and underwater springs. Monkey Island is located in the middle of the Homosassa River in Homosassa and can be visited by kayak or on a boat tour. The experiences have different focuses: the kayak tour centers on views beneath the water, while Monkey Island itself is the destination to visit.
Mill History and Festival
Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It preserves the remains of a steam-powered mill where sugar cane was processed into syrup, molasses and rum. The site thus connects a specific historical function with the place that remains. The park also has a picnic pavilion, picnic tables and grills—facilities where you can take a break during your visit.
The Homosassa Arts, Crafts, & Seafood Festival takes place annually on the second weekend in November in historic Old Homosassa, at the Homosassa Civic Club festival grounds. The program includes a juried art show. Exact dates can vary from year to year; if you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year.
One historical reference point for the festival is the “Spring Fling Art Show” held on May 3, 1975. Eppie Boatwright, then president of the Homosassa Civic Club, organized the art show as a community fundraiser. That date belongs to the earlier event; today’s recurring festival takes place on the second weekend in November.
Discover more destinations: Crystal River, Floral City, Hernando, Inverness, Lecanto.
For the main travel overview: Citrus.
