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WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees

Photo gallery for WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees

A modern kitchen with a central island, bar stools, and a dining area with a patterned chair. - WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees (Homosassa)
A room with a ceiling fan, a round table with chairs, a sofa with a cushion, and a window with a view of trees. - WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees (Homosassa)
A modern kitchen with dark cabinets, a wooden countertop, and a built-in dishwasher. - WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees (Homosassa)
A stone facade with a blue door, two blue chairs, and a potted plant. - WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees (Homosassa)
A living room with a dark grey sofa, floral patterned armchair, and a coffee table with a blue tray. - WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees (Homosassa)
You can look forward to a firepit, a garden and laundry facilities at WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees. Guests can connect to in-room WiFi.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

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About this property

WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees

  • Come stay in this beautifully decorated, freshly remodeled home featuring a spacious and relaxing open floor plan with all new furniture throughout the house.

    Kayaks included! You can enjoy nature, fish and kayak right from the backyard.

    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 host,

    Joanne

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About the area

Located in Homosassa, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park and Crystal River Archaeological State Park are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Three Sisters Springs and Crystal River Preserve State Park. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and scuba diving nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and hiking/biking trails. Visit our Homosassa travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Homosassa
Map
Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

  • A close-up of a manatee's head underwater.
    Crystal River Preserve State Park
    20 min walk - 1.1 miles
  • A close-up of a manatee's head underwater.
    Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
    3 min drive - 2.2 miles
  • A manatee swimming underwater.
    Three Sisters Springs
    7 min drive - 5.8 miles
  • Clear water with submerged rocks and aquatic plants.
    Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
    7 min drive - 6.0 miles
  • A person paddleboarding on a clear river surrounded by dense vegetation and trees.
    Weeki Wachee Springs
    29 min drive - 28.4 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • RaceTrac
    3 min drive
  • Michael Anthony's Pizza
    3 min drive
  • McDonald's
    3 min drive
  • Moschello's
    3 min drive
  • Burger King
    4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Crystal River Preserve State Park and 2 mi (3.2 km) from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Citrus County Dog Park and Old Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Reviews

WATERFRONT • Beautiful Inside and Out! Kayaker’s Paradise • Fishing • Manatees Reviews

10

Exceptional

10

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

10

Staff & service

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 173 out of 183 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 183 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 183 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 183 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 183 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sitting by the water and watching the otters and fish was very relaxing.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location

We enjoyed our stay. The home was so clean and in a great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay! The home was exactly as described—clean, comfortable, and in a great location accessible to both Homosassa and Crystal River. It had everything we needed for a relaxing trip.A special thank you to Joanne, who was an exceptional host. She was incredibly kind, friendly, and amazingly responsive throughout our stay. Any question we had was answered quickly, and she genuinely cared about making sure we had a great experience. Her communication and hospitality were truly outstanding.Thank you, Joanne, for helping make our trip enjoyable!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Awesome!

Great location, super clean, loved kayaking!! Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful, clean, beautiful retreat

I loved kayaking the river and touring nearby springs. There is so much to do here. The neighborhood was beautiful and everything was perfect. My mom stayed with me and said that it was her favorite rental. The kitchen layout was awesome and we also loved the large yard. We would love to stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect place for a family getaway

Our family was looking for an all in one place by the river to stay, and Joanne’s house hit the mark. The house was large enough for a family of five to sleep comfortably, and with the water out back we spent hours fishing and kayaking. We also loved making s’mores each night at the fire pit. The property was calm, quiet, and beautiful, and from start to finish I couldn’t have been happier with communication and support from our host.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fall Getaway

We had a lovely time during our stay. The location was great and the neighborhood was quiet. The home was spacious yet cozy and everything we could have needed was provided. We kayaked in the mornings and explored the area in the afternoons. I was excited to get a manatee visit in our canal two times! The hosts provided great sightseeing and restaurant recommendations and honestly I didn't want to leave. I hope that we get a chance to return in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

6/10 Okay

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

Nice little hideaway

Enjoyed the house...clean...comfortable mattress which is rare in rentals anywhere these days [mostly cheap hard foam]...Kitchen well stocked/supplied... Covered parking was a nice touch...My only complaint was we couldn't cook our steaks/chicken properly on the worn out burners on the outside grill..Other then that small detail, I would definitely recommend this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fantastic getaway!

This house was a little slice of heaven for us. The property was great for fishing, kayaking, relaxing, and the location gave us perfect access to all things Homasassa and Crystal River. The host was super accommodating, easy to communicate with, and had fantastic reccomendations for local restaurants and things to do. Our kiddos loved visiting the emus via kayak and getting to see a few manatees. Our pups were comfortable and had plenty of room to run. The beds were amazingly comfortable. We look forward to staying here again in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful pet friendly spot!

We had a fabulous time in this tranquil cottage! Joanne really goes out of her way to be sure the guest has a great experience. Upon arrival it was very clean and all the essentials present. We were traveling with our pets and they were so happy to play in the fenced backyard. We also took a trip on the river with the kayaks. It was a really hot day and we meet some local folks who parked their boats for a swim or float in the shallows. We would love to stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is the best VRBO stay we have ever had. The host was exceptional. The house is amazing and so incredibly clean. We had excellent communication, they provided great recommendations, and were so thoughtful throughout our stay. We were able to get out and use the kayaks and enjoy the natural surroundings. It was so nice to have so many to choose from. We did see a few manatees swim right by in the morning. We are truly going to miss this home when we leave. And hope to visit again the future. Every inch of the space is comfortable and being right on the water was such a treat. It also appears to have the nicest view in this area. Top notch and a bit more high end with amenities and furnishings than most. You cannot go wrong with this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

So Chill

Our family of four had a wonderful, relaxing time @ this river house! Ms. Joanne is an exceptional hostess & is very responsive in all communications. I don’t know how else to explain it but the vibe in this house is so chill. There are kayaks on site for use which is awesome! The house is clean, comfy & is equipped w all the essentials for a home away from home. The neighborhood is quiet & close to anything you want to do in the area. Thanks, we’d definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

This place was great, close to everything and still a 5 minute kayak from a beautiful river. The place looks better inside than outside, and was well furnished and clean. The coolest thing was the Blackstone grill. I do wish the creek in the back had a nice clean bottom, instead of the mucky murky one, but the water was clean at least. We never did see any manatees, because apparently the usually come up river in the winter time.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Magical

We came to celebrate our girl turning 7 by seeing manatees. It has been a bucketlist item for us and when our daughter asked, we agreed!! This is the most amazing property with the best host, sweet Joeann. She made sure everything was perfect for our arrival and even added balloons and party goodies to celebrate our daughter. We saw manatees directory off the house dock and many more out in the water. Perfect central spot to discover every adventure!! We will absolutely be back!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful Retreat

My wife and I along with our 2 small dogs had a very relaxing, peaceful week at Hall’s River Retreat. This is our 2nd time staying and we will be back. Joanne is an exceptional hostess and she had everything clean and stocked when we arrived. Beds are very comfortable and the fenced in yard was perfect for our two shorkies. Kayaking right from the back yard was amazing, and she has multiple single and dual kayak and paddles available from the kayak launch (right in the backyard !). We enjoyed Crumps Landing, the Cracker, and Wallace’s Green House (amazing pork chop) for dinner, and the Tangerine Tree for lunch. So much to do within a short drive…3 sister springs, airboats, and pontoon rentals from Homosassa to Crystal River. Great hidden gem !
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful paradise

The property is perfect! The house and yards were immaculate. Very clear river. We enjoyed swimming and catch and release fishing. Spent a wonderful day kayaking to and from Homossassa Springs. The emu farm just a short paddle down was a great experience for my 7 year old granddaughter. The host has everything noted as to where everything is located in the house so you don’t even have to think about where anything you need is located. I can’t express how helpful and kind Mrs. Joanne was to our family. The property is nothing short of beautiful perfection!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Have to buy kayaks now!

So my husband, young daughter and I decided to take a last minute trip and ended up in Homasassa Springs. Wanting to do something a little outside of the normal beach trip. This was an amazing experience. The house is exactly as advertised and probably the cleanest of any vacation property we have ever stayed in. The kayaks were a total game changer. They gave us something fun to do (even had some awesome neighbors who joined us on a jaunt up the river). Joanne was exceptionally communicative, and was kind enough to give us recommendations for places to visit and eat. The experience from beginnig to end was 5 stars.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
What a wonderful find! The river cottage is in a gorgeous, peaceful setting on Halls River. When we arrived, a feeling of calm came over both my friend and I while sitting by the river, just watching the turtles and fish slowly swim by, and that is exactly what we both needed. Although I didn't see a lot of wildlife on my excursion, kayaking down the river to explore the scenery was easy and equally soothing. The cottage is clean and extremely well-stocked with kitchen and bath supplies. Both beds were soft and comfortable, which is always a plus for us, and there was plenty of storage room in the closets and dressers. Having various streaming channels available on the TV made for restful evenings watching favorite shows. Since the cottage is located right off the highway, it's easy to get to local attractions, restaurants and stores. We enjoyed the nearby manatee tour and the snorkel float down Rainbow River, both of which were only 10 minutes from the cabin. I would recommend this property to anyone looking for a quiet, family friendly retreat.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay! Joanne's home is freshly painted, clean and bright. The decor is very nice and the beds are extremely comfortable! We used the kitchen and the Blackstone to prepare some meals but the house is situated near many restaurants as well! It is a quiet location but close to everything you could need. There is lots of room to park and sitting by the water out back was really relaxing! The fenced yard was perfect for our 2 dogs. We enjoyed kayaking and even saw a manatee in the canal behind the house! Joanne is a very helpful host and very quick to respond to any questions. We are looking forward to returning!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Joanne the host was wonderful! The house is clean, spacious and quiet. Great location to attractions in the area. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay at this property. The host, Joanne, was very responsive and helpful. The kayaks were quite good and we spent several days exploring the water ways. The house looked newly renovated and the decor was very tasteful. The kitchen was great and gave us more than we needed. The homosassa and crystal river area had a lot to offer, with springs near by and many good restaurant choices. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026