| Walking Tours Crystal River Archaeological State Park |
| ECO-HERITAGE TOURS |
| What exactly is an Ecotour? |
Crystal River Archaeological State Park
National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre,
pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial
mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area,
and a substantial midden.
The six-mound complex is one of the longest
continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600
years the site served as an imposing ceremonial
center for Native Americans.
People traveled to the complex from great
distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It
is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native
Americans may have visited the complex every
year.
National Historic Landmark, this 61-acre,
pre-Columbian, Native American site has burial
mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area,
and a substantial midden.
The six-mound complex is one of the longest
continuously occupied sites in Florida. For 1,600
years the site served as an imposing ceremonial
center for Native Americans.
People traveled to the complex from great
distances to bury their dead and conduct trade. It
is estimated that as many as 7,500 Native
Americans may have visited the complex every
year.
Crystal River Preserve State Park
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the
undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters, and
forests of this preserve are especially cherished
by nature lovers and photographers.
The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf
Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and
Homosassa. The park features a number of trails.
A place of exceptional natural beauty, the
undisturbed islands, inlets, backwaters, and
forests of this preserve are especially cherished
by nature lovers and photographers.
The park borders 20 miles of the northern Gulf
Coast between the two cities of Yankeetown and
Homosassa. The park features a number of trails.
Although some travel companies use the term loosely to mean 'adventure travel' or 'travel to nature', standards have been set to establish the definition of 'ecotourism'. An ecotour is a small, individually guided tour that takes into consideration conservation and preservation issues, donates to the local economy, and teaches the travelers something about the nature and culture of the area in which they are located. An ecotour will among other things always: * Minimize impact, * Emphasize passive observation, * Build environmental and cultural awareness and respect, * Provide positive experiences for both visitors and hosts, * Provide direct financial benefits for conservation, * Raise sensitivity to the host area's political environmental, and social climate. An ecotour will never encourage you to intrude on wildlife and never, ever encourage you to pet or feed wild animals. At Aardvark's Florida Kayak Company, we are founded on the core principles of Environmental Ethics and Sustainability. We believe that true ecotourism is an ethic, not just a marketing tool. |
| Hiking Tours Crystal River Preserve State Park |
| Kayaking Tours Do Not Disturb Manatee Tours |
Paddle with Manatees
With the onset of winter, these gentle giants migrate to the spring fed waters of Crystal River to seek shelter
from the cold. At a balmy 72 degrees, the springs provide them with life sustaining warmth. As spring moves to
summer, most manatees leave the area to feed in the shallow coastal waters ranging from Tampa Bay to the
Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
Keeping with the principles of true ecotourism, our encounters feature passive observation and a hands off
approach.
Seasonal: October - April
"Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals "love" them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let
them live normal lives, love them more." (Edwin Way Teale)
With the onset of winter, these gentle giants migrate to the spring fed waters of Crystal River to seek shelter
from the cold. At a balmy 72 degrees, the springs provide them with life sustaining warmth. As spring moves to
summer, most manatees leave the area to feed in the shallow coastal waters ranging from Tampa Bay to the
Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
Keeping with the principles of true ecotourism, our encounters feature passive observation and a hands off
approach.
Seasonal: October - April
"Those who wish to pet and baby wild animals "love" them. But those who respect their natures and wish to let
them live normal lives, love them more." (Edwin Way Teale)
| Kayaking Tours Rivers |
The Rivers of the Nature Coast
The term 7 Rivers is often associated with Citrus
County. They are the Withlacoochee, Salt, Crystal
Homosassa, Halls, St. Martins, and
Chassahowitzka. The Salt and St. Martins are
entirely salt water, forming the innermost part of
the estuary. The Crystal, Homosassa, Halls, and
Chassahowitzka are all spring fed tidal rivers. The
Wtihlacoochee is primarily an exceptionally scenic
blackwater river.
Also within the Nature Coast in Hernando, Marion,
and Levy Counties, we have the Weeki Wachee,
Rainbow, and Waccasassa/Wekiva Rivers.
Let us know what you'd like to experience, and we
can recommend the best place and time.
The term 7 Rivers is often associated with Citrus
County. They are the Withlacoochee, Salt, Crystal
Homosassa, Halls, St. Martins, and
Chassahowitzka. The Salt and St. Martins are
entirely salt water, forming the innermost part of
the estuary. The Crystal, Homosassa, Halls, and
Chassahowitzka are all spring fed tidal rivers. The
Wtihlacoochee is primarily an exceptionally scenic
blackwater river.
Also within the Nature Coast in Hernando, Marion,
and Levy Counties, we have the Weeki Wachee,
Rainbow, and Waccasassa/Wekiva Rivers.
Let us know what you'd like to experience, and we
can recommend the best place and time.
| Kayaking Tours Coastal Explorations |
The Coast
Citrus County has a unique coastline. We are
located in a transitional zone between temperate
and tropic climate zones. This creates a great
diversity in plant and animal life. Clear water
grassflats reminiscent of the Florida Keys
backcountry surround a myriad of mangrove and
palm hammock islands, forming endless mazes
to explore.
Pre-coluimbian shell middens offer a place to
stretch and explore a bit before wandering off.
Watch for geysers in the distance as bottle nose
dolphins slam schools of bait fish.
The Salt River (pictured above) creates a protected
inland passage between the Crystal and
Homosassa Rivers.
Here you'll find a portion of the Florida
Circumnavigational Saltwater paddling Trail.
Citrus County has a unique coastline. We are
located in a transitional zone between temperate
and tropic climate zones. This creates a great
diversity in plant and animal life. Clear water
grassflats reminiscent of the Florida Keys
backcountry surround a myriad of mangrove and
palm hammock islands, forming endless mazes
to explore.
Pre-coluimbian shell middens offer a place to
stretch and explore a bit before wandering off.
Watch for geysers in the distance as bottle nose
dolphins slam schools of bait fish.
The Salt River (pictured above) creates a protected
inland passage between the Crystal and
Homosassa Rivers.
Here you'll find a portion of the Florida
Circumnavigational Saltwater paddling Trail.
