Tidewater Purple Loop

When the ocean becomes too cold for the manatees, they take refuge in the 70 degree water at Three Sisters Spring. So, the best time to see the manatees in the spring is just after a cold front has come through. We also learned that they will swim back out to the ocean before low tide to avoid becoming trapped in the spring.Not owning our own boats, we started our adventure at Hunter's Kayaks j...

Three Sisters Springs is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Crystal River, Florida.

Take Fort Island Park Rd (Hwy 44) all the way until it dead-ends, it will end at Fort Island Park. The park also has a sandy entrance for paddle or small crafts to the left of the main boat ramp. This area is very popular for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and boating.Leaving from the boat ramp or beach entrance, Shell Island is directly North of Fort Island. It is a 35-45 minute kayak paddle dep...

Located in central Florida, this prehistoric spring is a MUST to add on your bucket list. Devil’s Den is a cave that has an underground spring inside. The spring is crystal clear and is a stable 72 degrees F year round. This spot is well known to local divers as it’s depth is 200 feet. Open swimming is unfortunately not allowed - but they do allow snorkeling. In order to access the cave for sno...

Homosassa Spring State parks showcases native Florida wildlife including the manatees which can be seen from an underwater observatory in the main spring. Other animals you will see will include black bears, panthers, bobcats, flamingos, alligators, American crocodiles, river otters and many different types of birds. This is also home to "Lu" the oldest living hippo in captivity. He turned 57 i...

The Dames Caves and Lizzie Heart Sink Loop Trail in Lecanto, Florida is a moderate difficulty hiking trail that spans approximately 4.02 miles. The trail is known for its unique geological features, including a series of caves and sinkholes that are scattered along the route. The most notable of these is the Lizzie Heart Sink, a large sinkhole that is a popular spot for photography. The trail ...