Waterfront home w/ boathouse, kayaks, & easy river access. Pet-friendly!

This cozy waterfront cottage is in the Ozello Keys, a quaint town within the city of Crystal River. This home is perfect for those who love nature and being on the water. Situated between Crystal River and Homosassa, you have immediate access to fishing, snorkeling, and scalloping without all the hustle and bustle of the neighboring towns. The home has waterfront views out front and a canal out back. There is a fully stocked kitchen and a grill where you can prepare your days' catch. Kayaks are on site as well as a boathouse to store your boat. You have direct access to the St. Martin’s River where you can be fishing in minutes. The front porch is a great place to drink your coffee in the morning and watch the sunset in the evening. Relax on the swing out back and watch the many birds that frequent this area.

***SCALLOPING and BOATING Considerations***
The 2024 scallop season in Citrus County is July 1 through September 24. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website is a good resource for more information. Ozello is a perfect location if you want to get to the scallop grounds quickly. You can expect a 20-30 minute drive to the scallop grounds (depending on motor size), compared to an hour drive from Crystal River and Homosassa, as there are no "no wake" zones or bridges. There are several tour guides in the area if you don't have your own boat. Ozello Keys Marina is a great resource!

If you are considering bringing your boat, please note that Ozello waters are not as deep as Crystal River and Homosassa. Deep V boats are questionable during the summer months and most likely out of the question during the winter low tides. We park a 21 foot bay boat easily in the boat house, but anything longer will likely have the back end sticking out uncovered. A final thing to consider is that a tower or t-top will not fit completely in the boathouse. You can tie up mid-way into the boathouse but will not be able to fit completely. You are also welcome to store the boat trailered at the house and launch at Ozello Keys Marina. If you are unsure if your boat will be a good fit, please reach out to ask questions.

Please reach out to me before you book if you are planning to bring your dogs. VRBO charges a pet fee of $100 to bring your pup, but I may charge an additional cleaning fee if you are planning to bring more than one. I will always provide this information beforehand. My family has four rescues, so I know the importance of traveling with pets.

There is a Smart TV and WI-FI but no cable. We expect you’ll spend more time outside than in. Bring your passwords so you can log in to your streaming apps. We have an assortment of children’s and adult books, as well as games and puzzles.

Each bedroom has a queen bed and the spare room also has a twin trundle that would be most comfortable for a child.

The bathrooms both have showers and are stocked with body products.

Enjoy the outdoor shower with hot and cold water after a long day on the water.

The kitchen is fully stocked with everything you need to prepare a full meal.

We hope you come to Ozello and fall in love with the town we can’t get enough of. The Ozello Marina is a half mile away where you can book scallop and fishing tours or airboat rides (a must do!), get fishing advice, or buy bait, gas, bagged ice, ice cream, beer, and souvenirs. The owners are very friendly and helpful.

There are three restaurants on the island itself so you never have to leave. Pecks Old Port Cove is the farthest away at mile marker 9 (we are at MM 6). The sunsets at Pecks are the best on the island, although we get great sunsets on the front porch. The Island Outpost is a local favorite where you can purchase convenience store items and order a delicious meal. Favorite dishes are the country scramble for breakfast, chicken wings, clam chowder, and their weekly specials. They also sell gas. Within walking distance of the house is Backwater Fins. They have a full bar and typically have live music on the weekends, as well as indoor and outdoor seating. Favorite meals are their stuffed angels (stuffed bacon wrapped shrimp) and their seafood platters.

Our goal is that you bring just the essentials and enjoy all that our house has to offer for a relaxing vacation. Please contact us if you have any questions and we hope to meet you soon!