I spent a week at "The Manatee House" in Crystal River and it has been one of my favorite VRBO rentals to date! After visiting family in the Florida panhandle, I decided to take time to explore the Nature Coast with a friend, and settled on Crystal River because of the manatees, and at the recommendation of a friend. It did not disappoint, and neither did the house! The house is located on a quiet cul-de-sac on a canal that leads directly to the Crystal River. The home is very private and serene. We enjoyed sitting out on the large covered porch listening to birds and watching for wildlife in the canal - manatees, dolphins, and alligators are known to visit. We heard big-horned owls at night, and saw osprey by day. Only a brief manatee sighting was had in the canal at the house, but we did have a dolphin encounter on a chartered river safari airboat tour of the Homosassa River estuary and mangroves! Also recommended for short walks and nature and wildlife exploration are the nearby Crystal River Preserve State Park (bring binoculars!) and Three Sisters Springs - you WILL see manatees. We opted not to do a swim tour - maybe next time, because we DO want to come back. There are also good walking and touring opportunities at Crystal River Archaeological State Park, which houses an impressive Pre-Columbian shell mound, with great views of the Crystal River, and more manatees! You could even kayak there, it's not far from the Manatee House, but we weren't brave enough to cross the Crystal River, preferring to stick to the calm canals in the neighborhood. Bring a second kayak if you have multiple kayakers - there was only one working kayak provided at the time of our stay.
We also explored the town of Crystal River and enjoyed a few beers at the Copp Winery (which is also a brewery). I would also recommend Steamer's for seafood in Cedar Key, The Freezer in Homosassa for steamed shrimp, and Cracker's for conch fritters and clam strips. Yes, we ate a lot of seafood!
Of course, the kitchen was well-appointed and had everything we needed to grill and cook, and the and beds were super comfortable. I look forward to returning, and would recommend it to friends. Thanks for a great stay at The Manatee House!