Located in Crystal Shores within a short walk of Crystal River Preserve State Park, this vacation home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Fort Island Trail Park. The vacation home includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a balcony.
Plantation Inn and Golf Resort - 7 min drive - 3.6 miles
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - 9 min drive - 4.3 miles
Three Sisters Springs - 10 min drive - 4.7 miles
Hunter Spring Park - 11 min drive - 5.5 miles
Crystal River Watersports Marina - 14 min drive - 8.3 miles
Getting around
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) - 95 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 10 min drive
Taco Bell - 10 min drive
Sara's Diner - 9 min drive
Bayside Kraft Kitchen - 10 min drive
Cracker's Bar & Grill - 11 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
3/2 Waterfront-Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-close to springs-great neighborhood.
Welcome to the Mermaid house. Come relax and enjoy the perfect setup for a great stay in Crystal River. This home is on Watersedge Drive so you are very close to everything by car or boat. We are a very short boat ride to King's Bay, Three Sister's Springs, Hunter Springs, also great kayak and paddleboarding area.
The Space Key Features: -Newly renovated home set up for entertaining -3 big bedrooms, primary with a king, a second with a queen and the third bedroom had 2 queen beds -2 full baths -Large open stocked kitchen with plenty of seating where everyone will gather -Large ice machine in the garage which holds 250 pounds -Second full fridge the in garage for all your extra supplies -Two video games in the garage to entertain the kids and young at heart -Heated pool in screen enclosure with plenty of seating for gathering or eating -Awesome tiki bar with 10 chairs set up with fans and lights, right by the grill -Two large floating boat docks for your use -Water and fish cleaning station on the dock for your use -Great neighborhood and we have beach cruisers for you or the kids use in garage
The primary bedroom is on the opposite side of the house from the other two. It has a view of the pool and the dock with a king size bed. This bedroom, like all the other bedrooms have a smart tv.
The second bedroom has a queen bed and is close to the guest bath. There is a small bed (twin) in the closet which makes a nice hide-a-way area for a child to sleep. Again, this room has plenty of space for your luggage and clothes along with a smart tv for your use.
The last bedroom is the largest and a great room for children with plenty of interesting stuff for kids. It is set up with two queen beds. It has plenty of room for people to store their luggage and clothes along with a smart tv for your use. This room has sliding glass doors directly to the pool area. In this room you will find many board games and puzzles for the rainy days, along with stuff for younger kids to keep them entertained.
Out back is a large screen enclosed deck/patio and heated pool (in winter months for extra charge) with outdoor furniture, eating area, and shower. This is another great hang out where you can eat at the table, relax on outdoor furniture and watch the activity in the pool. There is a large smart tv on the wall to entertain you while enjoying the pool area. There are fans to help in the summer and lights out back for the evening. This area is all screened and you can exit from the living room, the primary bedroom and the third bedroom to this area.
Heading toward the water and past the pool is a deck which leads to a large fixed dock and two floating docks. We have a nice outdoor tiki bar with seating for ten with lights, fans and power. Bring your Bluetooth speaker and have some drinks while lunch or dinner is being grilled or fish stories are being told. This is where we hang out a good bit and another great place to relax and enjoy the wildlife. The canal is nice and quiet and you will see all different kinds of animals. There are no houses across the canal so when you are out back it is nice and private. Also, there are not many houses past the mermaid house so very little boat traffic. Great to let the kids use the kayaks or paddleboard and explore the canal.
We have a gas grill under the tiki, a gas fire pit with chairs, a fish cleaning station and fresh water for cleaning the catch or the boat out on the end of the fixed dock. There is power and a large lights useful for when you get back late on the boat.
The two floating docks are perfect to tie your boat (can accommodate two boats) and launch the kayaks/paddleboards.
We have six kayaks for your use....two smaller ones, for kids or teens, three large single and a tandem kayak. Also there are two paddleboards, one for kids and the other rated for 240 pounds.
This house is right off Ft Island Trail and sits on Watersedge drive. It has a large driveway and is a very nice and quiet neighborhood.
This area on Ft. Island Trail is a great spot. There is a great boat ramp a mile further down Ft. Island Trail 11978 W. Blue Bayou Ct., Crystal River, FL: 34429. A little further down is Twin River's Marina, 2880 N. Seabreeze Point, Crustal River, FL. 34429. A great spot to put your boat in if you need gas or supplies.
A little further down the road is Ft. Island Beach, 14024 W. Ft. Island Trail, Crystal River, FL 34429. This is a large sandy beach area where you can spend the day enjoying the beach.
This area is called the Nature Coast and there is plenty of exploring to be done. Right be the house is Redfish Hole Trail Park. This will lead you out to a great spot to fish or explore. But wear bug spray and waterproof shoes or something similar. This is tidal as so the water comes up and this trail can get wet and muddy.
Back the other way on Ft. Island Trial and just three miles from the house is the Plantation Hotel and golf resort. It has a great restaurant, a fun tiki bar, a large pool, a scuba and snorkeling center and they have charter fishing and manatee trips.
Please note, this canal can get shallow in winter at dead low tide. I have a 25ft offshore boat and in winter I have to pay attention to the tides but most of time I don't have a problem. I do have a large lift in the photo of the fixed dock but at this time it is not part of the rental and it is non-operational.
Legend has it sailors who had been at sea many months would see mermaids and bring these stories back to shore. It is now believed what they might have been seeing were manatees as they inhabit many areas around the world. Here in Crystal River we have manatees!!!!
WINTER AND EARLY SPRING The manatees flock to this area for the warm spring water and you have to be careful...they are everywhere.......
SUMMER Summer is scallop season (July through September) and it is very fun to go scalloping. They are out in the gulf in the grass flats in an area which varies in depth from 3 to 8 feet. This makes scalloping fun for all ages! There are a few full time resident manatees who stay in Crystal River year round. You have to keep a very keen eye out to see them.
Please contact me if you would like to look into a month or longer rental. We do rent out for a month or longer and can discount the price depending on the length of stay.
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The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a balcony or patio, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a Smart TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a washing machine, and a fenced private yard.
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If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
No elevator (single-level property)
Wheelchair accessibility
Smoking not allowed
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Safe
Location highlights
Near a hospital
On the waterfront
Things to do
Bicycles
Fish cleaning table
Heated pool
Kayak
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkeling nearby
Swimming nearby
Water tubing nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
Bicycles
Garden
Unit size: 1,700 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 24
Check-out
Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Rules
If you opt to bring your dog, please make sure to clean up after them including outside and please don't allow them in the pool.
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Dogs only
2 total pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: $150.00 per pet non-refundable deposit is required
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 10:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 24
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.
This vacation home is situated in Crystal Shores within a short 14-minute walk of Crystal River Preserve State Park. You'll also find Fort Island Trail Park and Plantation Inn and Golf Resort within a short drive.
Is parking available on site at this vacation home?
Yes, there is a garage.
Is this vacation home associated with a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is an outdoor pool.
What will couples enjoy most about a stay at Summer dates-3/2 Waterfront w/ Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-great neighborhood.?
This waterfront vacation home offers many amenities for couples such as a private pool, private pools in some accommodations, as well as an outdoor pool.
Are there hot tubs at Summer dates-3/2 Waterfront w/ Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-great neighborhood.?
No, but this vacation home does have a heated pool.
Does this vacation home offer breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?
No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
Are there rooms with balconies at Summer dates-3/2 Waterfront w/ Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-great neighborhood.?
Yes, every accommodation at Summer dates-3/2 Waterfront w/ Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-great neighborhood. comes with a balcony with some featuring water views.
Reviews
3/2 Waterfront-Heated Pool-Tiki Bar-Kayaks-close to springs-great neighborhood. Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
10/10
Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 267 out of 276 reviews
10 - Excellent
267
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 276 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 276 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 276 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 276 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Gina R., Newberry Florida
Sep 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect, we've stayed at the Mermaid House before and are already planning a trip or two for next year. Chris, the host is quick and easy to communicate with. House is well appointed, pretty much everything you need for a stay. The pool is my favorite, listening to nature, floating with a cocktail, you can't beat it. The tiki bar is also amazing! Plenty of room, house is kept spotless and has beautiful finishes inside.
Gina R.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Justin B.
Sep 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
This house is amazing, it’s in a central location on crystal river. The pool and patio are nice to come back to after a day on the water. Chris is a great host, we will definitely be back!
Justin B.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
8/10 Good
rachel s.
Aug 26, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
rachel s.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jamie S., Tampa, FL
Aug 25, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
This house is PERFECT!!!! We have stayed at numerous river houses in the past 10 yrs and this was #1!! Best stocked, all you need is your clothes and food they have ALL the things you need!!! The most spacious, the open layout in the kitchen and living room area makes cooking and socializing easy!!! The pool, floats and towels were all supplied!! There were extra blankets for couch sitting, extra towels for showering, full size shampoo/conditioner/body wash, hair dryers, extra floor fans and the ice machine made it easy to keep cold drinks outside in coolers, which they also supplied!! The house was decorated perfectly for a Mermaid get away!!! Chris was very easy to communicate with for anything we needed. The only thing I would suggest is a launch for the kayaks but other than that......chef's kiss!!! We will definitely be booking again!!! Thank you for sharing your home with us!!! 10 STARS!!!!
Jamie S.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sarah D., Florida
Aug 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect scalloping HQ!
Sarah D.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Margaret M.
Aug 16, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house, fully stocked. Faves were the pool and tiki bar!
Margaret M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Lisa B.
Aug 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice home we enjoyed our stay
Lisa B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Monica S.
Aug 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Monica S.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Mary W.
Aug 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Well worth every Penny!
Such a beautiful property and our family loved this house. We loved all of the amenities and ease of how close it was to get out to the channel. 10 out of 10 recommend
Mary W.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tamera F., Gainesville, FL USA
Aug 3, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
We absolutely loved our stay at this home and can’t wait to book again! The host was incredibly accommodating and thoughtful, providing everything we could possibly need. Our group included four adults, two toddlers, and two dogs, and there was more than enough space for everyone (and all our belongings, including 2 vehicles and boat trailer). The home was comfortable, well-equipped, and perfect for families. My husband was especially impressed with the ice machine — such a convenient bonus to have on site!
Tamera F.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Denise M.
Jul 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
The Mermaid House is Awesome! It has everything you need and then some! The pool is wonderful, crystal clear with an abundance of pool floats and toys! The beds are very comfortable. The driveway has plenty of room for our trailer and 3 vehicles. The ice machine is a big plus! This owner goes all out with entertainment for children. The two floating docks are very easy to access! We really can appreciate the care the owner takes in making your stay enjoyable!
Denise M.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Nicole H.
Jul 22, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
We had an incredible time at this Crystal River house! It was spotless, beautifully appointed, and truly felt like a home away from home. The kids were obsessed with the game room, and my girls especially loved the great selection of board games.After our scalloping adventures, the pool, fire pit, tiki bar, and fish cleaning table were absolute perfection. We also sincerely appreciated how well-stocked the kitchen was (just missing a strainer—but we made do!), along with the abundance of towels and even laundry detergent, which made it easy to refresh our pool towels throughout the trip.The number of trash cans might sound minor, but with a big family, it’s a huge stress reliever—not having to worry about overflowing bins was a win!This house is a solid 10 out of 10, and we’re already looking forward to booking with you again. Thank you for such a wonderful stay!
Nicole H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Devin O.
Jul 19, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Annual Family Scallop trip
The mermaid house checked all the boxes for our annual scallop trip, from the bedrooms for the kids, to the pool to enjoy after a long day on the water, to the convenience of the floating dock so we can keep our boat right out back. It was great, clean, and everything worked. There are also added conveniences such as a game room and an ice machine in the garage. It has a Tiki bar, BBQ, and fire pit to add to the fun of those relaxing times with the family. We are grateful for the attention to detail and all the added items the owners thought of to make it the perfect scalloping retreat with the family.
Devin O.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kevin F.
Jul 16, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent spot for a scalloping trip. We had 2 families staying with kids aged 4 thru 9. The house is great for boaters, with floating docks in a very calm and quiet canal that fit our two boats. There is almost no idle time to get to the main river where you can run. And there is a very large clean and well functioning ice machine in the garage. The outside is well appointed with a pool, tiki hut with bar and grill, horseshoe pits, pool toys, kayaks, other yard game, etc. The garage also has several games that the kids loved. We already booked again for next summer, highly recommended.
Kevin F.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Dana B.
Jul 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Our Favorite Vacation Home!
This was our 3rd year staying at the Mermaid House. We love it so much, we've already booked for next summer. So many great things to point out:- It's always Super Clean when we get there. - It's always ready on time. - The game room in the garage is a HUGE favorite of the men and kids. (Thanks for the new Galaga game- a crowd pleaser!)-The kitchen is always stocked with everything you need. -The location is ideal. Right off the main channel and in a great, quiet neighborhood. - Plenty of kayaks to go around. - The bikes were perfect for family rides. All in all, this is a winner for us and I'm sure it will be for you too.
Dana B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Courtney C.
Jun 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the home and the proximity to the neighboring springs! Our kids swam to their heart's content and we took advantage of the ease of boating and the excitement of fishing! Comfortable, clean, and stocked home that welcomed us after a day on the Water- Wed totally book again! Thank you for the visit!
Courtney C.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Crystal C.
May 28, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous Getaway!!
We booked this home for our annual Girl's Trip & it did not disappoint. We had a blast!! Home was very clean & had everything we needed to enjoy one another's company for a few days. Lots of kayaks, the springs were beautiful. The outdoor Tiki bar was so charming & fun. Loved all the little brown anoles & the lovely plant life. Lots of things close by as well, there's even a gulf accessible beach just a few minutes up the road so get out & explore. Would definitely come visit again. Thank you for your hospitality!!
Crystal C.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Keith W.
May 24, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Summer kick-off on the water
Property owners thought of every need for their guest. Great location for boating and easy access to Crystal River. Lots of activities for adults and children with a long driveway to handle multiple cars and boat trailer. We will definitely be returning to this location. Onsite ice machine was a huge value add for boaters.
Keith W.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Amy H., Avon
May 15, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Getaway!
The Mermaid House was everything we could have wanted for our multi-generational family trip! The house was spotless, incredibly well stocked with anything one may need or want, and the layout was perfect for our group. We took advantage of everything: the pool, kayaks, lawn games, board/card games, bikes, grill, tiki bar, outdoor relaxation areas and charming neighborhood areas! While the weather over our weekend was frequently rainy we were never bored! My hubby and teen sons fished off the dock with worms and shrimp and caught several varieties of fish and even a baby sting ray (unintentional of course!). We saw dolphins and manatees while kayaking and enjoyed the views of the beautiful waterfront homes. Highly recommend taking a trip into town and checking out Heritage Village and surrounding area. The Biscuit Barn was fantastic --the biscuits melted in your mouth and hands down the best cinnamon rolls we ever had! We will certainly return again!
Amy H.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ruby F.
May 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
We enjoyed every minute of our stay, was just what we wanted. Thank you so much for letting us use the beautiful house.
Ruby F.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
MICHAEL B.
May 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
House was stocked with everything you could need. Very clean and owner was very responsive.
MICHAEL B.
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tiffany G.
May 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Mermaid for life
The Mermaid House is amazing. Very clean & well stocked. I would definitely stay again.
Tiffany G.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Christine C.
Apr 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Spring Break 2025
Chris was an amazing host! The amenities this house had was fantastic. They thought of everything to make our stay away from home just like home! The kayaks was our favorite - we utilized them everyday. The ice machine too!
Christine C.
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
ben b.
Apr 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Fishing trip
Great place to relax after a long day on the water. Amenities are great with ice machine and fish cleaning station. Will definitely stay here again in the future.
ben b.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
10/10 Excellent
Graham B.
Mar 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Choice
This home offers comfort, convenience and cleanliness. Our group of four had ample space. We enjoyed relaxing in the pool and spending time watching the beautiful surroundings from the deck. We look forward to returning for future memories. memories.
Graham B.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2025
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