There is nothing like hopping into a 72-degree spring on a hot, humid day to cool the body and soothe the soul. Florida is graced with many natural springs, providing crystal clear, cool (some would say cold) water and the Nature Coast has a great concentration of these magical geological phenomena.

Although we tend to think of a spring in the singular form, most of the Nature Coast springs are groups of vents in Florida’s karst, or porous limestone rock foundation, where pristine water pushes out of the aquifer, or underwater river, below at immense pressure. Each spring vent, or each group of spring vents, is usually known by a singular name.

Let’s explore the largest of the Nature Coast’s springs today.

Florida’s Nature Coast Springs

Chassahowitzka Springs

Chassahowitzka Springs form the headwaters of the Chassahowitzka River, which flows westerly to the Gulf of Mexico approximately 6 miles through low coastal hardwood hammock and marsh. Purchased in the early 1990s, this property is part of the National Wildlife Refuge that protects the Chassahowitzka Swamp ecosystem and wildlife resources. Here is a map of the entrances.

This is a first magnitude spring, which means that more than 64,600,000 gallons of pure water go through its spring vents daily.

The Chassahowitzka River’s headwaters, several tributaries and springs are within this tract and are known locally for their great sportfishing and crabbing. The vast expanse of salt marsh, hardwood swamps, crystal-clear springs, and river are a boater’s paradise.

Chassahowitzka Springs and River are within the Chassahowitzka Riverine Swamp Sanctuary (Southwest Florida Water Management District), and the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge (US Fish and Wildlife Service). They are used for swimming, snorkeling, and pleasure boating, with small boat rentals, camping and river tours available.

In 2013, the Chassahowitzka Springs Restoration Project was conducted to remove accumulated sediments. Artifacts dating as far back as 100-1500 AD were discovered in the process. Check out some of the amazing discoveries here. You can visit the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in Inverness to see them in person.

Homosassa Springs

The Homosassa Springs are located in the town of Homosassa Springs on the Homosassa River. The Spring vent, through which all three vents issue, is just below the underwater viewing platform in the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, known as “The Fishbowl” where freshwater and saltwater fish can be observed, as well as manatees.

The actual spring vents are within a cave system, and there is no swimming or boating allowed in the park’s protected area.

However, this first-magnitude springs system forms the head of the Homosassa River and Halls River, which are rich in sport fishing and recreational opportunities. Most weekends you will find boats anchored throughout the rivers’ open areas with recreational activities from swimming to waterskiing abounding. During scallop season, vessels are traversing the river to get out to scallop hunting grounds.

There are several restaurants, bars, and lodging opportunities along the rivers. It can be rowdy on weekends.

Captains are available for fishing charters for both inshore and offshore excursions and most leave out of the public boat ramp at the end of Yulee Drive.

King’s Bay in Crystal River

King’s Bay is the head of the Crystal River. There are about 30 known springs, including Tarpon Hole and Hunter Spring, that either issue from the bottom of King’s Bay or flow into the bay from side creek heads. Their combined flow feeds Crystal River, which flows approximately seven miles west to the Gulf of Mexico.

There are many ways to enjoy King’s Bay, as the City of Crystal River borders most of the bay. A boardwalk runs along a nice part of the bay, adjacent to US 19 just north of the downtown. You can park at one of the restaurants or hotels and enjoy a walk, stopping for a bite, drink or a little shopping.

Hunter’s Spring has a city park built around it where you can passively observe manatees from a boardwalk, swim with them in the spring, and put your kayak, canoe or SUO in the water at the free public launch. If you want to visit Three Sisters Spring, the boardwalk is open daily from 8:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m., with an entrance fee of $7.50 per person or an annual pass of $25. Click here for more details. From October through May, a trolley ride is available from downtown Crystal River

Manatees use the springs to keep warm and rest in the winter months. King’s Bay springs have been home to over 800 manatees in a single day during the winter months.

Weeki Wachee Springs

While Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home of the famous mermaids, the underwater theater in which they perform is a first magnitude spring. Weeki Wachee Spring is one of Florida’s 33 first-magnitude springs.

In the park, you can rent tubes and have a short tube run around the swimming area of Buccaneer Bay onsite. It is refreshing and relaxing.

The spring, plus a second-magnitude spring in the park and several smaller springs outside the park, combine to form the 7-mile-long Weeki Wachee River. This river is a wonderful resource for kayaking, canoeing, swimming, tubing, and fishing. Many manatees have been seen while enjoying the river, as well as dolphins, otters and a myriad of shorebirds. Kayaks and canoes can be rented by several local outfitters.

The Weeki Wachee Springs have an amazing underwater cave system that has been mapped and filmed by several divers. It goes right underneath US19! You can see it here.

Salt Springs

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs Florida state park comprises 3,296 acres, including 4 miles of coastline.

Salt Springs is a second-magnitude spring, with an oval-shaped pool only 80 feet by 60 feet, but it is an amazing 320 feet deep. Water flows strongly in the short spring run, which is bordered by live oaks, cypress trees, and sabal palms, and on into the estuary and the Gulf of Mexico beyond.

It is a beautiful example of how swamp lands move to coastal plains and there are four great hiking trails and a natural kayak launch.

The park was recently opened to the public and is a wonderful place to get away from the more urban buildup of west Pasco and US 19. Just turn west off U.S. Highway 19 at Regency Park Boulevard and travel a quarter-mile to the intersection of Scenic Drive and Cinema Drive.

Crystal Springs

Crystal Springs flows into the Hillsborough River approximately 3 miles south of Zephyrhills.

This second magnitude spring system discharges 30 million gallons of water per day and is part of Crystal Springs Preserve, a 530-acre sanctuary devoted to environmental education and preserving Florida’s natural environment. Nestle Waters N.A. supports the Crystal Springs Preserve.

Crystal Springs Preserve offers miles of wooded trails, river boardwalks, unique nature center, wilderness pavilion and extensive butterfly gardens to groups of 15-100 by reservation. There are educational programs for all ages, as well as Master Naturalist programs and Project WET workshops. You can find out more about Crystal Springs Preserve by clicking here.

There is a lot of information out about preserving our springs. It is important we do so. Please, whenever you visit a spring, take everything out that you brought in. Be sure to watch for wildlife and try not to disturb while you observe.

There are several good tips on preserving our springs by the Southwest Florida Water Management District and they can be found by clicking here.

There are many, many more springs in the Nature Coast area, so we will write more as time permits. Meanwhile, please share any stories about your trip to a spring or locations of “secret springs” in the comments below.