Swim With Manatees in Crystal River — From Your Own Waterfront Home.
Crystal River Manatee Palace is a waterfront heated pool home on Kings Bay, sleeps 12, with kayaks and paddle boards included. The smart base for swimming with wild manatees and Crystal River scallop season.
"Wake up on the water, swim with the manatees, and relax by the pool."
Your private waterfront retreat in the Manatee and Scallop Capital of the World.
Welcome to Crystal River Manatee Palace — a spacious, beautiful 4-bedroom waterfront home in the most peaceful part of the Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary.
Four large bedrooms including a huge upstairs master suite overlooking the river. Perfect for multi-family groups or big family vacations. Bring your boat, use the included kayaks and paddle boards, then relax by the heated pool after a day on the water. Minutes by bike or car to local restaurants and shopping.
King bedroom with en-suite (shower + tub) + two king bedrooms sharing a bathroom.
Massive master suite with two king beds and large en-suite (double sinks, shower + tub).
Sun-drenched spaces & river views
Built for the perfect waterfront escape
Open year-round. Jump in the moment you wake up or unwind after a day on the water.
Private dock right on the Manatee Sanctuary. Bring your boat or launch nearby.
Paddle straight from the dock to swim with wild manatees at Three Sisters Springs.
Everything you need to cook for the whole family — stainless appliances, ample counters.
King beds throughout including a massive upstairs master suite overlooking the river.
Stay comfortable and connected. Washer/dryer, parking, and outdoor grilling too.
Right inside the Manatee Sanctuary.
You're steps from Crystal River Preserve State Park with Three Sisters Springs, Kings Bay, and multiple manatee tour operators only minutes away. This is the real Florida Nature Coast experience.
The only place in the United States where you can legally swim with wild manatees.
Crystal River, Florida is the only location in the entire US where visitors can legally get in the water and snorkel with wild West Indian manatees in their natural habitat. Every winter, hundreds of manatees migrate into the warm 72°F springs of Kings Bay and the Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary — and Manatee Palace sits right in the middle of it.
Paddle a kayak or paddle board straight from our private dock toward Three Sisters Springs, or launch your boat and be at the top-rated manatee tour operators in minutes. Peak manatee season runs November through early April, but resident manatees are spotted year-round.
- Kayaks & paddle boards included with the house
- Private dock in the Manatee Sanctuary
- Minutes to Three Sisters Springs & Kings Bay
- Guided manatee snorkel tours 5–10 min away
Crystal River is home to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the only federally protected refuge established specifically for the Florida manatee. Under strict "passive observation" rules, snorkelers can float alongside manatees in designated areas — an experience found nowhere else in the country.
Citrus County (Crystal River / Homosassa) opens earlier than most of Florida's Gulf coast. Check the current FWC season dates before you book — we're happy to help time your stay.
A preferred base for Crystal River scallop season.
Manatee Palace is a top pick for scalloping families because of the waterfront location and direct boat access toward the Gulf of America. Load the boat at our private dock, run out to the shallow grass flats off Crystal River, and you're snorkeling for bay scallops within the hour.
After a day on the flats, everyone rinses off in the heated pool, cleans the catch at the outdoor space, and cooks fresh scallops in the full kitchen. Sleeps 12 — bring the whole family or split it between two boat crews.
- Private dock with boat access
- Straight shot toward Gulf scalloping grounds
- Full kitchen to cook your catch
- Heated pool to rinse off after the flats
Frequently asked questions
Is Crystal River really the only place in the US where you can legally swim with manatees?
Yes. Crystal River, Florida is the only location in the United States where the public can legally enter the water and snorkel with wild West Indian manatees in their natural habitat. It's protected under the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge — the only federal refuge established specifically for the manatee.
When is the best time to swim with manatees in Crystal River?
Peak season runs November through early April, when hundreds of manatees migrate into the 72°F springs of Kings Bay to escape the colder Gulf. Resident manatees can be spotted year-round, but winter offers the highest concentration.
How close is Manatee Palace to Three Sisters Springs and the manatee tours?
Manatee Palace is inside the Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary at 1128 N Circle Drive. You can paddle a kayak or paddle board from our private dock, or drive/boat to Three Sisters Springs and the top-rated manatee snorkel tour operators in Kings Bay in about 5–10 minutes.
When is scallop season in Crystal River?
Citrus County (Crystal River / Homosassa) scallop season typically runs from around July 1 through late September, opening earlier than much of Florida's Gulf coast. Always confirm current dates with FWC before your trip.
Is Manatee Palace a good base for scalloping?
Yes — it's a preferred base for Crystal River scallop season because of its waterfront location and direct boat access toward the Gulf of America. Load up at the private dock, run out to the grass flats, and be snorkeling for bay scallops within the hour.
How many people does the house sleep and what's included?
The house sleeps 12 across 4 bedrooms (king beds throughout, including a huge upstairs master with two kings). It's a waterfront home with a private heated pool open year-round, kayaks and paddle boards included, private dock, full kitchen, central AC, Wi-Fi, and washer/dryer.
Where exactly is Manatee Palace located?
1128 N Circle Drive, Crystal River, FL 34429 — inside the Crystal River Manatee Sanctuary in Citrus County, on Florida's Nature Coast. Steps from Crystal River Preserve State Park.
Do you offer direct booking?
Yes. Book direct with owner Andrew at (305) 923-6480 or andrewlippi@gmail.com and skip Airbnb/VRBO service fees. Better rates for longer stays.
What families are saying
"One of the most beautiful houses in Crystal River. The pool and dock were the highlight — we paddled out and swam with manatees right from the backyard."
"Booking direct with Andrew was easy and saved us hundreds. The master suite upstairs is enormous and the river views are unreal at sunrise."
"Perfect for a multi-family trip. Twelve of us fit comfortably, kids lived in the pool, and the dock made boat days effortless. We're already planning our return."
Ready to swim with the manatees?
Book direct with Andrew for the best rates — no Airbnb or VRBO service fees.
