Island home on Kings Bay - manatees at the dock!

We were looking for a place with boat access, a pool, and a home large enough to invite an extended set of family or friends! When we found this home located on a small crescent-shaped island, we knew it was perfect. Finding out our cove was actually a spring and one of the secret places that the tour companies bring people to swim with manatees - was a bonus! I hope you enjoy it! ...If planning to book it is important that you KEEP READING. There is important info.

ABOUT THE SPACE:

There is LOTS OF INFO HERE!!! Please read thoroughly before booking - or asking questions. We have had guests miss out because they were asking questions that were already answered here and someone else took their dates. Read on!

NOTE: This home was damaged by Hurricane Helene. It has been available again since Christmas. Some of the furniture and decor is different than the current photos. Most things you might never notice the difference unless we pointed them out! We will have new photos as soon as possible and this message will go away!

This home is perfect for families, vacationing couples, and groups of friends who love the water! It is not available for what Airbnb terms 'events'. Which are loud disruptive parties. We like our neighbors and want them to like us.

Are you 2 couples that like to vacation together but would still like some privacy? You could consider the layout as essentially 2 king suites plus guest rooms.

Overall, there are 2 king bedrooms and 2 bedrooms each with 2 queen size beds. Beyond that, there are 2 sofa sleepers, 1 in each of the living areas. A total of four bedrooms, 8 beds, and 2 baths. So, 16 sleeping spaces are available as long as your group is configured accordingly. Two or three families or generations of family could easily vacation together in this fabulous home.

And how about some other important amenities? The dock, the pool, and the patio?

The dock is floating and the water is still 3 ft deep at low tide. Access to put your boat in the water is nearby, as is the outlet to the gulf. Easy to head out to your favorite scalloping spot, while knowing you can come back to an exclusive, quiet retreat. There are always plenty of fish near the dock, so you can fish from there or take out one of our fishing-outfitted kayaks or your own boat.

In photos, you may see a boat lift. It will be available for month-long stays only, but is currently waiting for repair.

The unique, combo spa and heated salt water pool is accessible from the sunroom and from one of the master bedrooms, and visible from the wall of windows surrounding the sunroom along the entire back of the house. As i mentioned, the pool is unique. Around 3/4 of the edge is a spa-like bench with jets. Hence, it is a combo pool and spa! And it has a waterfall. There is plenty of room for sunbathing after you have finished splashing.

Prefer the sand? Just down the road a few miles is Fort Island Trail Beach. A very nice gulf beach with great sand and great sunsets!


ACCESS INFO:

You will have access to the entire home and grounds with one exception being a storage room for our cleaners. The front door will be accessed with a personalized code for the smart lock. There are two outdoor closets with push button locks that hold items for the pool and kayaking, etc. Our 6 kayaks are available for an additional $20 per day. They will be secured with a cable and a combination lock.


TRANSIT:

We're not far off of US19/98. So it's easy to get around. But not a mecca for public transportation. US19 takes you to Homosassa Springs and Weeki Wachee to the the south and Three Sisters spring, etc in Crystal River just to the north.

Tampa is the nearest major airport. The best way to get there is via the Suncoast Parkway (SR589). You currently catch it just East of Crystal River by taking W Venable St. The Parkway takes you straight to the airport.

This is also the fastest way to get to Clearwater area beaches

That expansion also brings the Suncoast Trail trailhead to within a few miles of our home. Just another example of the broad access we have to outdoor activities.

OTHER NOTES:

This final section will briefly cover some of the house rules and other important things to know.

We are not a party house and do not allow gatherings of more than 20 people - even just during the day. If you have a larger group than our maximum occupancy, and you were hoping to make it easier to share the cost of an exclusive home like ours - we're sorry. We aren't interested in alienating our neighbors or having our listing suspended for you.

On our island, the county says pools are not allowed to have screens. If you've ever had a pool you know it can take more work sometimes than a once-a-week visit from 'the pool guy'. While you're staying you may need to do a few maintenance things to ensure that it is available when you want it. For example, there are lots of trees and leaves get in the pool. You will need to empty the skimmer basket and use the net to remove leaves from the bottom. The easiest thing to say is, let us know and we will talk you through what you can do. And none of it is hard. There is more about maintenance in the house manual.

Regarding pool heating, we have an electric heat pump for the pool. During the warmer seasons, additional heat may not be needed. But some still prefer it. The electric heat can get it up to 85 on cold days. Use of the electric heater costs $20 per day according to the electric company. Select it as on EXTRA on the Guest Portal if you want to use it. You will not need it most of the year. But please be aware, if it is unseasonably cold, even the electric heat pump is not guaranteed to reach a specific temperature. Please note you are paying for the electricity, not for an outcome, so there will be no refunds.

There are security cameras on the front door, and showing the dock. But none inside! We had to install the cameras, not only for trespassers but because we've had guest counts that exceeded what was reserved. This is not nice. Please be honest. And please note: We price based on how many are staying in the home. And we make sure it is a good value for either a retired couple of snowbirds or a big family on an adventure-filled vacation. The base is for 8 guests. It is disclosed and calculated as part of pricing as you complete your booking. And, even if you leave our home as clean as when you arrive, as required, the size of the group still makes a big difference in how much time and work our housekeeper has to do with laundry, etc.

And then there are pets. Please don't try to sneak any in without including them in the booking. We need to make sure they are included in your damage insurance. All pets must be crated if left alone in the house. And sorry, no cats period. I am deathly allergic to cats.

Once your booking is complete, please be aware that we require additional steps to complete your reservation of this property. You will receive a link to our Rental Agreement. Once completed, you will receive a link to our Guest Portal where you will find access to additional information and will be asked to reserve certain free amenities and have the opportunity to purchase "Add ons". A short time before arrival we will also request and require a payment source to reserve a Security Deposit for your stay.

For direct bookings and bookings through services that do not require positive identification in order to book, we will require a photo ID to be provided through the guest portal. This will consist of uploading a scan of your passport or driver's license along with a 'selfie'.

The House Rules are also available for you on the Guest Portal. The House Rules are an easy-to-read addendum to the rental agreement that outlines the information that is applicable to all guests. We will also send you a copy and ask that you download and share this document with all other guests.

We provide additional services offline. We call these Add Ons.

"Add ons" include both certain free amenities and items available for a fee. All can be easily arranged through our Guest Portal. This is the site that you access immediately after you sign our Rental Agreement. We will send you a link. You will be able to: 1) request optional free amenities like setting up a port-a-crib, etc. and 2) select and pay for things like: kayaks, a late checkout, a supply of breakfast groceries waiting for you in the fridge in case you arrive too late to go to the store, a cleaning by our housekeeper during your stay, electric heat for the pool, etc. If you have questions or can't find these on the guest portal, reach out and ask about any of these items of interest. Our guest portal is a separate system, so purchases will require separate payment (credit card) arrangement.

We have purchased Damage Protection Coverage on your behalf. This policy covers the first $1500 worth of accidental damage. It excludes damage by unregistered pets, and linens. Please let us know right away if anything happens. You would remain responsible for anything beyond this coverage. Please note, while booking you may be offered a 'trip interruption' policy. It's not a damage policy, but may be a good purchase if you are worried about events that might lead to cancellation. We especially recommend it to all of our long-term guests because of the alternate cancellation policy for long-term stays.

For long-term stays during the months of January - April we have a specific cancellation policy. The first 30 days is the deposit. It is due at booking and is non-refundable. The remaining dates are refundable until 60 days before check-in. To reiterate, we recommend that anyone considering a long-term stay purchase a trip interruption insurance policy. Ask and we can refer you.