The Kayak Shack guidebook
Sightseeing
Captain Duane has different boats for different adventures.
For a scallop trip or nature tour, there's a pontoon boat. For fishing the flats, there's a microdraft fishing boat perfect for the shallow Chassahowitzka River or try the motorized gheenoe for back country redfish or exploring the creeks.
windsplitter Charters Fishing and river tours.
8536 W Miss Maggie DrCaptain Duane has different boats for different adventures.
For a scallop trip or nature tour, there's a pontoon boat. For fishing the flats, there's a microdraft fishing boat perfect for the shallow Chassahowitzka River or try the motorized gheenoe for back country redfish or exploring the creeks.
Kayak on weekdays to skip the crowds. Right here in Chass, kayak from your yard to gin clear frosty cold springs, right from the aquafer. A popular party spot on weekends & in summer but afternoons we sometimes have it all to ourselves...
9 locals recommend
7 Sisters Springs
8600 West Miss Maggie DriveKayak on weekdays to skip the crowds. Right here in Chass, kayak from your yard to gin clear frosty cold springs, right from the aquafer. A popular party spot on weekends & in summer but afternoons we sometimes have it all to ourselves...
Old Florida roadside attraction that is a great put in place for kayak or canoe trips on the Weeki Wachee River
556 locals recommend
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial WayOld Florida roadside attraction that is a great put in place for kayak or canoe trips on the Weeki Wachee River
A great day trip with a zoo featuring Florida wildlife info, a boat ride & a beloved hippo who is over 60 years old!
37 locals recommend
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park West Entrance
9225 W Fishbowl DrA great day trip with a zoo featuring Florida wildlife info, a boat ride & a beloved hippo who is over 60 years old!
Great place to grab a brew & listen to live music on the weekends, overlooking the Homosassa River with pelicans, osprey & cormorants. Public boat launch too!
12 locals recommend
Shed
5300 S Cherokee WayGreat place to grab a brew & listen to live music on the weekends, overlooking the Homosassa River with pelicans, osprey & cormorants. Public boat launch too!
Closest local beach, boat ramp, great place to fly a kite, have a picnic or relax. All the beaches on the gulf coast are shallow for miles.
55 locals recommend
Fort Island Beach
W Fort Island TrailClosest local beach, boat ramp, great place to fly a kite, have a picnic or relax. All the beaches on the gulf coast are shallow for miles.
My better half owns & runs this guide service on the Chassahowitzka River.
windsplitter Charters Fishing and river tours.
8536 W Miss Maggie DrMy better half owns & runs this guide service on the Chassahowitzka River.
Out back is an enclosure with live alligators you can see up close, free! Interesting gift shop with manatee, alligator, mermaid & other river critter goodies.
17 locals recommend
River Safaris & Gulf Charters, Inc.
10823 W Yulee DrOut back is an enclosure with live alligators you can see up close, free! Interesting gift shop with manatee, alligator, mermaid & other river critter goodies.
Cool place to watch the sun set, with dolphins, pelicans & palm trees in neighboring Hernando County. Stop at the Bayport Inn or one of the other Hernando Beach restaurants for a fun meal.
69 locals recommend
Pine Island Beach Park
10800 Pine Island DrCool place to watch the sun set, with dolphins, pelicans & palm trees in neighboring Hernando County. Stop at the Bayport Inn or one of the other Hernando Beach restaurants for a fun meal.
Waterfront bar with barfood. Have a few brews, listen to live music on weekends while watching pelicans & boats.
12 locals recommend
Shed
5300 S Cherokee WayWaterfront bar with barfood. Have a few brews, listen to live music on weekends while watching pelicans & boats.
Kitschiest of the kitschy! Old timey Florida roadside stand deals, ice cream parlor & a small petting zoo. Stop by here on your way home from Tampa for ice cream, laughs & bizarre gifts.
16 locals recommend
Boyett's Grove And Citrus Attraction
4355 Spring Lake HwyKitschiest of the kitschy! Old timey Florida roadside stand deals, ice cream parlor & a small petting zoo. Stop by here on your way home from Tampa for ice cream, laughs & bizarre gifts.
Local mermaid show in a small venue with touch tanks, fun for mermaid fans of all ages
Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
4100 W Gulf to Lake HwyLocal mermaid show in a small venue with touch tanks, fun for mermaid fans of all ages
Restaurants of Interest
Great pressed Cubans, guava pastry & a cool museum of the evolution of the printing press across the street from the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park.
9 locals recommend
The Museum Cafe
10466 W Yulee DrGreat pressed Cubans, guava pastry & a cool museum of the evolution of the printing press across the street from the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins State Park.
Only the locals know about this place! Duane eats here every chance he gets, loves their fresh & delicious fare next to Shelly's Seafood, overlooking the Homosassa River. Duane recommends grilled shrimp tacos.
11 locals recommend
Wild Sassa Seafood Truck
5380 S Boulevard DrOnly the locals know about this place! Duane eats here every chance he gets, loves their fresh & delicious fare next to Shelly's Seafood, overlooking the Homosassa River. Duane recommends grilled shrimp tacos.
If you are going to cook your own food, this is the best place in town to get fresh fish, live blue crabs & seasonal items like Stone Crab Claws & oysters. Always immaculate!
15 locals recommend
Shelly's Seafood & Fish Market
5380 S Boulevard DrIf you are going to cook your own food, this is the best place in town to get fresh fish, live blue crabs & seasonal items like Stone Crab Claws & oysters. Always immaculate!
Pricier but nice waterside tiki bar with live music on the weekends, sometimes a wait to get in.
74 locals recommend
Crump's Landing
11210 W Halls River RdPricier but nice waterside tiki bar with live music on the weekends, sometimes a wait to get in.
Cool vibe, funky gift shop, outside, inside & patio dining with full bar, garden & place to feed turtles.
42 locals recommend
Silver Dolphin Restaurant
4036 Shoal Line BlvdCool vibe, funky gift shop, outside, inside & patio dining with full bar, garden & place to feed turtles.
Others like this tiki bar, but my caveats: it is cash only (they have an ATM), no tableside service (you stand in line to order food & drinks) & it is often crowded & loud. Limited menu, but steamed shrimp is biggest draw. Steamed blue crabs are good when available.
89 locals recommend
The Freezer Tiki Bar
5590 S Boulevard DrOthers like this tiki bar, but my caveats: it is cash only (they have an ATM), no tableside service (you stand in line to order food & drinks) & it is often crowded & loud. Limited menu, but steamed shrimp is biggest draw. Steamed blue crabs are good when available.
Cajun flavors for dine in & we buy boxes of raw oysters to go in the winter.
40 locals recommend
Seafood Seller & Cafe
300 Southeast US Highway 19Cajun flavors for dine in & we buy boxes of raw oysters to go in the winter.
Friendly snacks & lunches, shady outdoor dining in Ol' Homosassa
7 locals recommend
Nauti Time Seafood n Wings
10317 West Yulee DriveFriendly snacks & lunches, shady outdoor dining in Ol' Homosassa
All you can eat shrimp or fish, plain but plentiful, on the way to or from watching the sunset at Pine Island in Weeki Wachee
40 locals recommend
Bayport Inn
4835 Cortez BlvdAll you can eat shrimp or fish, plain but plentiful, on the way to or from watching the sunset at Pine Island in Weeki Wachee
Kelly's Half Shell Pub
390 N Suncoast BlvdLove their oysters! Irish Pub
Captain Duane likes this breakfast & lunch place. We both like the joke of the day posted by the register.
33 locals recommend
Breakfast Station
11352 N Williams StCaptain Duane likes this breakfast & lunch place. We both like the joke of the day posted by the register.
Winding drive through marshes of Ozello Trail leads to a remote rustic seafood place with live blue crabs, seafood platters. Go when you are not in a hurry, enjoy the drive & relaxed atmosphere.
45 locals recommend
Peck's Old Port Cove
139 N Ozello TrailWinding drive through marshes of Ozello Trail leads to a remote rustic seafood place with live blue crabs, seafood platters. Go when you are not in a hurry, enjoy the drive & relaxed atmosphere.
Food scene
Live eels, crawfish, fish, lobster, clams, mussels in addition to all things Asian in nearby Springhill, 16 miles south on Hwy 19
HL Asia Supermarket
5526 Commercial WayLive eels, crawfish, fish, lobster, clams, mussels in addition to all things Asian in nearby Springhill, 16 miles south on Hwy 19