Spring-fed spots for clear water

If you want the gin-clear, see-the-fish-under-your-board water, you want the springs. These launches sit on the spring-fed rivers of the Nature Coast, where 72 degree water pumps up year-round and stays clear even when the Gulf is stirred up. The trade-off is the drive and, at Crystal River, a winter closure for manatee season.

Each spot page has the clarity notes, the tide quirks, and today's conditions.

• Crystal River (Hunter Springs)

  Spring-fed, gin-clear water. ~75 min drive, far north but worth it. Closed to paddle Nov 15 through Mar 31 for manatee season

• Kings Bay Park

  City park on Kings Bay, a separate lot and ramp from the canonical Crystal River / Hunter Springs launch on the same spring-fed...

• Old Homosassa Public Ramp

  Cherokee Way public launch on the spring-fed Homosassa River. This is the real public put-in, not the commercial Riverside rental...

• Chassahowitzka (The Chaz)

  County ramp at the head of the Chassahowitzka spring river. Small lot fills early on weekends.

• Weeki Wachee Springs SP

  Paid state-park launch at the spring head. You launch at the top and get shuttled back, same public-but-paid setup as Honeymoon...

• Rogers Park

  County park on the lower Weeki Wachee River, downstream of the spring head.