6 minute read
CRYSTAL CLEAR
Crystal Clear
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26 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022
Better Off Wet Crew visits Crystal River Isles in Crystal River, FL What a beautiful late May afternoon, when the B.O.W. Crew arrived at Crystal Isles RV Resort, in Crystal River, Florida! Upon first arriving to the Resort, it was hard not to notice how impressive this place was. They have a boat ramp, tennis court, basketball court, sand volleyball pit, playground, dog park, and a ton more. Launching our 26 boat was no issue at all (the tide was in, when we launched. So, depending on your vessel, be sure to look at the tide tables and speak with the nice folks working at the Resort, before launching at low tide). A beautiful day, a beautiful Resort, and a beautiful Crystal Clear River, We sure feel Blessed, at Better Off Wet, to be in such a beautiful location.
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Crystal Clear
After taking a tour of the Campground, meeting some of the Resort Staff, launching the boat, parking our trailer, setting up the RV, and taking our dogs to check out the Dog Park, the tide had gone out. Not being familiar with the Resort Canal, and only seeing a couple feet of water under our boat, we decided to drive to dinner (We would later find out the center of the Canal is fine, even at low tide, just watch the edges). We decided on Waterfront Social, just down the road from the Resort, a few minutes, by car. If, you find yourself eating at Waterfront Social, We highly recommend the Kingfish Dip, it is phenomenal. What a wonderful afternoon, evening, and dinner we had. Off to the Resort and to get a good night’s sleep, to enjoy a beautiful King’s Bay and Crystal River day, in the morning.
28 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022
Crystal Clear
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Crystal Clear
30 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022
Crystal Clear
"King’s Bay is CrystalClear and very easy to navigate, even if it is your first time boating there.”
The next morning brought a beautiful sunrise, warm temperature, and a wonderful smell; eggs bacon, grits, and eggs were on the griddle, in the B.O.W. RV. After breakfast, we loaded up the boat and headed out of the Crystal Isles RV Resort canal and into Crystal River (just across the River from the Archeological Park) and headed towards King’s Bay. King’s Bay is Crystal Clear and very easy to navigate, even if it is your first time boating there. There are large signs indicating the No Wake Zones. There are a lot of commercial trapping vessels at work, so pay attention to your surroundings and you will do fine and have a blast. There are several buoyed areas, for swimming. We spent the
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Crystal Clear
32 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022
Crystal Clear
whole day exploring the nooks and crannies of the Bay, checking out the sailboats on hook, doing a little swimming, and fishing the seemingly never ending islands in and around the Bay. After we had a fun filled day in the Bay, we had another delicious seafood dinner at The Crab Plant (literally a crab plant), just North of Pete’s Pier. The Crab Plant was phenomenal. They have fresh Red Snapper and Grouper, right off the boats you will tie up next to, if you go by water. We have to brag on the hushpuppies and homemade shrimp dip. We were feeling blessed to start the day off so nicely and to finish the day with an incredible meal!
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Crystal Clear
34 BETTER OFF WET | JULY 2022
Crystal Clear
Our last day at the Crystal River Isles RV Resort was a little overcast and a little windy but, beautiful nonetheless. We spent the morning on Shell Island. After heading out of the Resort canal, turn your boat towards the Gulf and the last island to your Port side, will be Shell Island. You can anchor up on the East side of the island, easily (there are some large rocks and concrete pieces…easy to spot though with the water being so clear). Shell Island is fun to explore and has many small pockets of water. We saw one holding a large Redfish, on the Southeast end of the Island. There were several other folks there picnicking and fishing. If, you like a good adventure and have a good imagination, Shell Island will provide to be tons of fun. After a great day on Shell Island and a high tide, with us, we made our way back to the Resort to load up the boat and head back home. Our trip was only a couple of days and we had a blast! Please, make the most of your time in Crystal River, if you visit because the time will fly!
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