Homosassa is an old Nature Coast fishing village where the spring-fed Homosassa River runs out to the Gulf -- a low-key, salt-life kind of place built on manatees, fishing, and waterfront seafood. Unlike its neighbors, it has a spring park where you can see manatees year-round, plus a tiny island of monkeys that locals will happily tell you about.
What is Homosassa known for?
Manatees and the river. The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is the anchor -- a spring-fed wildlife park where rehabilitating manatees live year-round (so you can count on seeing them in any season), alongside Florida wildlife and "Lu," the beloved resident hippo. Out on the river, Monkey Island is exactly what it sounds like: a tiny island that's home to a small troop of monkeys, one of the area's quirkiest landmarks.
Things to do in Homosassa
Visit the wildlife state park and its underwater observatory for the year-round manatees, cruise the river to spot Monkey Island, and walk the Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park for a look at the area's 1800s sugar-plantation past. The river is the real draw -- fishing, scalloping in summer, and boating are the local way of life here.
Where to eat in Homosassa
This is a waterfront-seafood town. Crump's Landing and Seagrass Waterfront put you on the water, Marguerita Grill is the busy local favorite, and the Old Mill Tavern and Grumpy Gators round out the casual bar-and-grill scene. For a change of pace there's Moschello's and Michael Anthony's for pizza, and Twistee Treat for the soft-serve finish.
When to go
Year-round for manatees -- the wildlife park's resident animals make Homosassa a sure thing when the wild manatees thin out elsewhere. Summer is scalloping season on the Nature Coast and prime for river time; fall and winter are mild and quieter. Fishing is good across the seasons.
Planning your visit
Homosassa is on the Nature Coast in Citrus County, about 90 minutes north of Tampa and a short hop south of Crystal River. The wildlife park, the river, and the seafood spots cluster near the water, so plan to drive between the highway and the riverfront. A boat or a guided river trip unlocks the best of it.
The bottom line
Homosassa is the Nature Coast at its saltiest -- year-round manatees, an island of monkeys, and seafood on the river. We surface what's worth the trip; you choose the dock. See what's on this week at the Lineup.
