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The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay

Photo gallery for The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay

View from the canal, back of the house
View of lanai and canal from the boat house
Room for 8ppl in kayaks. 3 tandem, 2 single.
5 bicycles, equipment for water sports and safety gear for both.
NEW: picnic table for outside dinners

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 8223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Crystal River, FL
  • Plantation Inn and Golf Resort
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Three Sisters Springs
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Ocala, FL (OCF-Ocala Intl.)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

About this property

The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay

Welcome to the Otter House! Our house is suitable for large families and sleeps 8 people in 6 beds! If that isn't your style the house is still great for couples and smaller groups that like the quiet atmosphere and sounds of nature! We have very few neighbors and are surrounded by undeveloped preserves on two sides. This four bedroom house comes with all house basics to keep you comfortable during your stay plus a few extras we enjoy and hope you do too. We have included a washer, dryer, cable TV, wireless internet and even a grill for your convenience. There are kayaks in the garage for your enjoyment, enough for the whole family (up to 8) to enjoy!

There is a boat house available as well that is suitable for small skiffs and pontoon boats to dock. The tide goes in and out regularly so we recommend shallow hulled boats less than 21 ft. If that doesn't work there is plenty of boat parking in the driveway and a ramp less than 5 minutes away!

We are just outside of town, but a bike path leads right to the heart of Crystal River or ten miles out to the public beach at the end of Fort Island Trail. If you are visiting to see manatees the main springs are a 20 minute kayak from the house, and sometimes they come up the canal to say hello!

During your stay make sure to keep a lookout the back lanai for wildlife! We named the house after a family of playful otters that live up the stream. Manatees, large fish and even dolphins have been up the canal, and there are always egrets, herons, ospreys and owls!

Property manager

Kevin and Emily

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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Miscellaneous

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  • Washer
  • Dryer
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9.2 out of 10, (71 reviews)
3 Br/2 Ba Waterfront Surrounded By Nature Close To Plantation Inn/ Kings Bay

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No parking on the street, keep to the footprint of the driveway please.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Crystal River

Located in Crystal River, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Crystal River Archaeological State Park and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Plantation Inn and Golf Resort and A Crystal River Kayak Company. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Crystal River, FL

What's nearby

  • Plantation Inn and Golf Resort - 20 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge - 5 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Hunter Spring Park - 7 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Three Sisters Springs - 7 min drive - 4.8 km

Getting around

  • Gainesville, FL (GNV-Gainesville Regional) - 91 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cody's Original Roadhouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Sara's Diner - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Cracker's Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Arby's - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Otter House - Wild views and direct access to King's Bay located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Plantation Inn and Golf Resort and within 3 miles (5 km) of Crystal River Preserve State Park and A Crystal River Kayak Company. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge and Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 80 out of 85 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 85 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great trip! I would stay here again!

Worked out great for our family scalloping trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susanne T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Super easy check in, friendly
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brian M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great river location

The house was great. Everything we needed for kayaking, bicycle riding, and cooking/cleaning was available at the house. It was very comfortable just like home.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tony G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice Spacious Home

Spacious Clean Home in a Nice Location. We went Boating every day so having water access is big plus. The kayaking would be fun from there, but we had our own boat. Went to the Boil Yard Restaurant down the street, Would Highly recommend it .
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely vacation!

Beautiful home with use of kayaks and bicycles for the family. Location was perfect; within 15 minutes of everything that we needed. Cant wait to come back next year! May God bless the owners and everyone who walks in the door!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house

We loved the house, and owner was great when my phone went swimming before check in. Only warning is the canal does get very shallow at low tide, so plan your comings and goings!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just what we needed

Perfect location and a great house with the best host. Our family had such an amazing time!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angelique R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Family fishing trip. Great location and access to stores, restaurants and the boat ramp and charter company. Definitely need to follow the guide they give for boat size, when the water goes to low tide a large boat would be difficult to get in and out of canal. We rode the bikes and used the kayaks and had a great time enjoying the screened in lanai in the evenings and mornings.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Thanksgiving space for our family of 6

We had more than enough space for our family of 6. Clean, lovely home right on waterway leading to Kings Bay. Convenience of kayaks and bikes made our trip so much more enjoyable. Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house. Great location.

The house is great. Layout is great. Everything was very clean. The location of the house is perfect for all Crystal River exploring. We loved the use of the kayaks and bikes.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

kelly j.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Will book again!

I would highly recommend. House had everything we needed..plenty of space for the six of us. Location great..Hosts were very nice. Thank you. The Jones Family
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Brett S., Florida

Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Crystal River 2022

House is older but comfortable little noisy the canal is tidal dependent be careful
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mendy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location

The property had fantastic amenties such as bijes and kayaks that were in good shape with plenty of paddles and life vests. Plenty of indoor and outdoor areas for your group to spread out. The location was within bike riding distance to the town of Crystal River and the springs, within a comfortable distance to all the prime kayaking locations, and across from a wildlife refuge! Also within a short driving distance to some places I recommend- Withlacochee Bay Trail for biking, Silver Springs and Rainbow river for kayaking, Homosassa or Ozello for airboat rides, and the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park for a great experience with wildlife including Lu the hippo
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay at Otter House

We overall had a great stay Otter House. We made use of the kayaks, bikes, and grill. There were plenty of dishes and cookware to prepare meals and the provided staples, detergents, trash bags were much appreciated. The location was great and close to a grocery store. The view out the back door was lovely; and we saw turtles, manatees, and fish in the canal. The only negative is that there is a house being built next door which generates loud noise during working days. We were only there for the weekend; and they took Saturday and Sunday off, but you could not enjoy the outside patio on Friday until they knocked off work.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carl H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great week on the water in Crystal River

We loved our stay at the Otter House! The kayaks were perfect to get on the water and paddle out to see tons of manatees, birds and other wildlife. The house was comfy, spacious, and well appointed. The kitchen was well stocked and there were many family meals we all enjoyed. The lanai area was perfect for hanging out in the shade during the afternoon. We were able to dock a boat there as well, and it worked smoothly to run out to the gulf and fish for seatrout, mackerel and other species. The game room area worked well to separate out different family activities. We hope to be back in the future for more fun and relaxation!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jana H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Manatee Christmas

We had a relaxing and fun-filled holiday gathering at the Otter House. Kevin and Emily were super responsive and when we had questions. The house sits on a quiet channel off of Kings Bay. It was lovely to wake with a cup of coffee sitting in the screened room and watching the local birds hunt for breakfast. The kayaks were an awesome addition! We loved kayaking to Three Sisters to paddle amongst the manatee. We even rented a pontoon boat for a day to explore Kings Bay. The kitchen is well stocked for food preparations and local restaurants were enjoyed on days we didn't feel like cooking. We are already discussing a repeat visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Exceeded expectations!

I had high expectations for the Otter House based on the photos and reviews -- and it did not meet them -- it exceeded them! The house is amazing: spacious, clean, well maintained, and with cute decor. We especially loved the screened-in patio area including a balcony off the master bedroom. The house is right on the canal, and we saw two manatees right in front of the house, as well as turtles, several species of birds, and lizards. The kayaks were a big selling point and we took full advantage, paddling down the canal and out into the bay. The owners are extremely communicative, friendly and helpful, answering questions promptly both before and during the visit. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet. Our family had a wonderful time at the Otter House and we are already talking about coming back!
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kay T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing, comfortable place to stay

Kevin & Emily were great hosts! The house was very comfortable, and well stocked with anything you’d need at your own home. Even little things like chip clips and tape were available, which was a nice change from what we usually encounter. The setting is ideal. Loved the privacy of the canal! This was a place that helps you catch your breath and unwind. We were on a mission to find what I call “Old Florida”, you know, without high rise buildings everywhere you go, and a sense of quaintness. Not that modern isn’t there, it is, but just not visible every minute. Found it! Usually when we vacation, we do a lot of home cooking. That was easily accomplished here. We also ventured out to several of the places recommended. We were especially taken in by a restaurant called Peck’s Old Port Cove in Ozello, a short and pleasant drive. If you want a glimpse of Old Florida, too, go there! Very scenic and reminded me of the old days. Food was delish! Thank you, Emily and Kevin! You made everything easy for us to enjoy our time in the area!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Deborah B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Getaway

We enjoyed our stay at the Otter House. We used the kayaks and saw manatees. The house was a perfect location for the Stone Crab festival.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kenneth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We Loved It!

Great house in a great location. We were very impressed with how clean everything was. The house was also well stocked with everything we needed and excellent communication from the owners. Great experience and we will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Darrel B., Yorkville, IL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place to Stay!!

It's a bonus when the house/property adds to the overall enjoyment of a trip and the Otter House did just that! We loved hanging outside to see the wildlife in the channel and woods out back and the kayaks were the best for exploring out into the bay, seeing manatees and more. The house is well kept and had everything we needed. The beds were comfortable too. I'd certainly stay again and will be sure to recommend
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sue S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Father, Son, Son-in-Law, and his Father Fishing Trip

Perfect, close to restaurants and Pete’s Pier
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So much fun!

We took our first trip to Crystal River and absolutely loved this house. It has lots of room for everyone to stretch out and relax and the backyard is so fun to sit and watch the wildlife. The owners were easy to communicate with and extremely helpful. Having the kayaks there to use was really nice. Skip the tour guide, hop on a kayak from your backyard and go exploring. You’ll find what your looking for. There is good fishing too, our son caught a bass that made his trip. Alligators and manatees are also in your backyard. Thank you for sharing your house with us. We made some incredible family memories.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Craig S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Golf gathering

Really enjoyed our 3 night stay for an annual golf outing of friends. Would definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anita B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great trip!!! The house was very convenient and nice.

Super easy.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kevin and Emily

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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