E X P L OR E
Images proivded by Visit Citrus, visitcitrus.com
CRYSTAL RIVER Just 10 miles north of Homosassa is Crystal River. Located around Kings Bay, the city offers a multitude of opportunities for boating, swimming, fishing and – of course – scalloping. Stay at the Plantation on Crystal River, an eco-friendly resort hotel. When you’re not looking for scallops, you can legally swim with manatees in the river or perfect your golf swing at the onsite golf course. For dinner, try Seafood Seller & Café for some of the best Cajun and seafood around. For those new to scalloping, while you can bring your own boat, most would recommend hiring a guide. There are a couple reasons for this: first, he or she will know the area like the back of their hand, and can take you to the best spots to catch the most scallops. Most guides will even take you on a tour of the surrounding area, where you can enjoy a scenic view of the gulf’s marine life. Second, the guides are experts when it comes to
78 | TheVillageJournal.com
fishing, so they can answer any fishing or scallop related questions you may have. And finally, most guides will provide you with everything you need for a successful day on the water, including a saltwater fishing license and equipment. If you choose to make the trip without a guide, each person must have a Florida saltwater fishing license to harvest the scallops, which can be purchased on the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website (myfwc.com) for $17.