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You probably heard that Florida is “The Fishing Capital of the World.” So you and your pals charter a boat with us in sunny Tampa Bay. You’ve got the gear and the bait.

But you don’t have a clue about which fish of Florida to catch. You also don’t know where to look. Well, my fellow anglers, the first place to look for Florida fish is here.

So, before you tighten up the rod, take a moment to finish this Florida fishing guide. You’ll become an expert in fishing spots in Tampa. Then prepare to make lasting memories with us at the premier fishing spots in Florida.

Grouper fishing in Florida is popular during spring to early fall. You check numerous coastal water fishing spots in Florida for Groupers.

During the off-months, Florida usually closes Grouper fishing. That way, these fish can repopulate for fishing. Grouper is a Florida fish that top 100 pounds.

Grouper fish feed on reefs, crab, and squid. For catching these behemoth fish, we recommend the bottom fishing technique. This technique uses bait, like reefs and squid, to lure the Groupers.

If Groupers are your Florida fish, they come in different varieties. So, get the bait ready for these common Groupers.

The Snowy Grouper and Warsaw Grouper are other unique Florida fish. Take a strong rod because the Warsaw can top 400 lbs. You can find Grouper fish in shallow waters, especially with reefs.

Cobia Fishing in Florida works well for inexperienced anglers. It’s not uncommon for Cobia Florida fish to be over three-feet long. There are many fishing spots in Florida to catch Cobia.

Cobia fish move about the Florida coast in different parts of the year. But generally, you can find Cobia around reefs.

Cobia like to gather in the Florida Keys during the winter months. They are prevalent in Key West Harbor at the beginning of the year.

Cobia fish gather on Florida’s Atlantic coast towards the end of March. And come early summer, you can find them all through the coastal waters.

The Gulf is where you fish for Cobia all year long. During the summer, waters inland are home to many Coba fishing spots in Florida.

Fishing in Tampa means plenty of Snapper. The Mangrove Snappers is the most common variety. They also go by Gray Snapper. If you’re looking for fishing spots in Florida for Snapper, consider these varieties:

It is common for Snapper Florida fish to weigh over two pounds. Snappers like to hang around piers, bridges, and piles of rock. You can fish for Mangrove Snapper all year long in Tampa.

You might also hear Redfish go by Red Drum or Channel Bass. Redfish boasts many fishing spots in Florida. Anglers can turn to the Gulf Coast for these fish of Florida.

Anglers can readily identify Redfish with their white bellies and bronze skin tone. However, the male bull Redfish can easily weigh over 50 pounds.

The best fishing spots in Florida to catch them are grassy waters and shallow areas. The late summer months and fall is the best time to go Redfish fishing. Tampa’s shorelines and deep waters house abundant Redfish.

Most common types of bait are good enough to snag Redfish. Artificial baits also attracts Redfish. The fly and spinning fish techniques are ideal for capturing Redfish.

Tarpon Florida fish can top 100 pounds. Anglers also refer to Tarpon as Silver King. But prepare to work to catch them.

Tarpons can jump up to ten feet out of the water on a fishing line. Please know that Florida considers Tarpons as a catch and release fish. Additional fees are to keep Tarpons permanently.

The Florida Keys remain for Tarpons fishing in Florida. Florida’s Keys provide plenty of reefs and shellfish to draw Tarpons. Shrimp also works well for Tarpon bait.

Sandy Key and Rabbit Key in the Everglades are popular fishing spots in Florida for Tarpon. However, Boca Grande is the world’s most famous fishing spot for Tarpon. In particular, Homosassa Bay and Crystal River draw Tarpon anglers.

Other fish of Florida include Seatrout. The Spotted Seatrout is available in Southern Florida. However, they are highly abundant in Western Florida on the Gulf stream.

These silver-colored fish weigh a half-pound to over five pounds if you’re game enough.

You can catch Spotted Seatrout around creeks and shallow water in the Tampa area. Of course, you can discover our charters for fishing in Tampa for Spotted Seatrout.

You can also add Snook and Jack Crevalle to your Florida fishing guide. Jack Crevalle is also typical for fishing in Tampa. Also, keep in mind the different guidelines for the fish in Florida.

Florida has licenses for saltwater and freshwater fishing. Always abide by these rules so you can sit back and relax on our PURRfection yacht.

We also offer cruising charters to picturesque Florida Sandbars. And yes, we can accommodate trips with our first-class sunset cruises.

So treat yourself to this luxury boat that comes with a state-of-the-art tracking system. Book your trip today and enjoy the best fishing spots in Florida.

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Many holidaymakers plan to visit Florida for its long stretches of beaches, and luxurious hotels - imagine unwinding over a cocktail drink near the pool. But the truth is that there is so much to explore beyond the touristy attractions and four walls of a luxurious hotel. Florida is also home to many green sanctuaries including the Great Florida Birding Trail, or even verdant springs like the Wekiwa Springs. Thanks to many conservation programs, the state has rich and unique wildlife. Studies have shown that people generally feel at peace when they connect with nature, and one way to spend a wonderful holiday in Florida is by indulging in activities such as snorkeling or kayaking right in the midst of nature.

THETRAVEL VIDEO OF THE DAY

A better way to rejuvenate oneself is by visiting green sanctuaries like the Crystal River and Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, where nature lovers will be able to get up close and personal with the wildlife such as the Manatees, flamingos, and alligators. The best part, of course, is embarking on a fun and epic airboat adventure tour, such as the one Viator offers while appreciating the wild nature surrounding.

Snorkel To Meet The Manatees At Crystal River

Located about 80 miles northwest of Orlando, the Crystal River is a true nature lover’s paradise. Dubbed ‘the Manatee Capital of the World’, Crystal River is a beautiful sanctuary known to be the only place in America, where swimming with the manatees in their natural habitat is allowed. The area is known for its balmy weather and warm, spring-fed waters from Three Sisters Springs, a hotspot of the manatees. With the luxuriant forests, aquamarine blue springs and vast backwaters, and wildlife, this place serves as a real buffer from the frenetic cities.

Gear up for exciting snorkeling or kayaking trip under the guidance of a Coast Guard Certified Captain and meet the amazing West Indian manatees right in their natural habitat at the Three Sister Springs, where water is crystal clear. While those who would rather appreciate the blissful nature in dry land can stroll along the boardwalk and even cycle to marvel at the sheer beauty of the sanctuary.

Encounter With Wildlife At Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

About a 16-minute drive from Crystal River lies the 210-acre Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. The park is a haven for numerous animals such as red wolves, alligators, bald eagles, wood storks, black bears, white-tailed deer, green sea turtles, and manatees. Birdwatchers will find various opportunities to take some great pictures of gorgeous flamingos and whooping cranes.

In addition, visitors will be able to visit Nature’s Fish Bowl, which is an underwater observatory nestled over the mouth of the main spring, where many fish can be spotted. Get an insight into the various conservation practices of the wildlife with the educational presentation at the park. After touring the park, visitors will enjoy a scrumptious seafood meal.

Enjoy A Thrilling Airboat Ride At Withlacoochee River

The Withlacoochee River (known by the Creek Indian as Little Big Water) is sourced by the Green Swamp which lies in Polk, Lake, and Hernando Counties. It’s a 30-minute drive to reach the wild and rustic Withlacoochee River from Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Here visitors will enjoy a thrilling adventure through the winding path of the dense swamps on an airboat. The airboat will glide through the waters at a fast speed kicking an adrenaline rush. Enjoy the refreshing sensation of the breeze right on the face and bask in the lush green view of the grand cypress trees and animals living here. Wildlife includes alligators, osprey, hawks, and turtles.

Guest columnist

The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department has started a new volunteer citizen science program to document how manatees are using North Central Florida’s rivers and springs.

A partnership with Save the Manatee Club and the Florida Park Service, the Florida Springs Heartland Manatee Sighting Network will encourage citizens to report when and where they see these iconic marine mammals. During the winter months from October through March, Network volunteers will count manatees from the banks of area springs and rivers in and around Alachua County. Data gathered by this project will be used to influence and guide policies and restoration projects in our region.

Using graphics and QR codes linked to websites, the network is also encouraging boaters, paddlers and swimmers to show respect for these mammals by using good “manatee manners” that include keeping at least two kayak lengths away from them; not feeding manatees or giving them water; not following, chasing or touching them; and not walking on the submerged aquatic vegetation that they eat.

Manatee populations are monitored during the winter season by different agencies, but the focus tends to be on areas that manatees use as primary warm-water sanctuaries. The springs of the Suwannee, Santa Fe and Ichetucknee rivers are considered secondary warm-water habitats. These waterways do not have as many protections for manatees as do the primary refuges; however, the secondary sanctuaries may be increasing in importance, especially since poor water quality in other parts of Florida has contributed to destruction of the underwater plants that supply food for these large vegetarians.

Manatees are found in our area’s rivers and springs all year, but they are more common during the winter when they need the warm springs — greater than 68 degrees Fahrenheit — as refuges from colder ocean and river waters.

Unlike other marine mammals that have blubber or fur to stay warm, manatees have very little fat in their body. They are large because their intestines have to be long enough to absorb as many nutrients as possible from the plants they eat — their intestines are about 150 feet long and they need seven days to digest their food! Manatees also have long lungs that run the length of their body and a large, heavy skeleton to counteract the buoyancy caused by the gas that accumulates from digesting plant material.

To learn more about the Florida Springs Heartland Manatee Sighting Network, to find the volunteer form to complete and to find Save the Manatee Club’s form for reporting sightings, visit AlachuaCountyWater.org.

The network is funded by the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida’s Protect Florida Springs Tag Grant program.

Lindsey R. Kelly is a senior environmental specialist with Alachua County Environmental Protection Department’s Water Resources Division. She has a master’s degree in fisheries and aquatic science from the University of Florida and leads the Homosassa SpringsWatch citizen science group for the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute. This column is part of The Sun's Messages from the Springs Heartland series. More pieces from the series can be found at bit.ly/springsheartland.

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Floridians looking for an inexpensive way to get a dose of the great outdoors before school starts should check out the Real Florida Reader Day Pass.

The no-cost pass, available to those with a public library provides free park admission to Florida’s State Parks.

Florida has 175 state parks that showcase the state’s natural and cultural resources. With the Real Florida Reader Pass, you can continue your learning adventure while enjoying time exploring new places.

Passes are valid until September 12.

¦ Each library location has an allotted number of passes for checkout by library patrons, good for one vehicle, up to eight people.

¦ Excluded are Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife, Skyway Pier and Weeki Wachee Springs state parks.

¦ It does not include entry to federal parks, national forests or national wildlife refuges.

¦ For day use access only. Does not include camping or any other fees.

Check with your local library for guidelines and policies for returning your pass. Passes will need to be checked out and returned at the same library location.

The Real Florida Reader is a statewide collaboration between Florida State Parks and the Florida Department of State, Division of Library and Information Services to encourage visitation to libraries and parks this summer.

Library cards are free for Charlotte County residents at the county branches.

Cards may be obtained at the library with proper identification, or online at www.charlottefl.ent.sirsi.net.

If you apply online, you will be issued a temporary user ID. It will allow you to access digital resources immediately. Then present a photo ID and proof of residency to the library to obtain a permanent card. You may also use your temporary ID to place holds through the catalog. Temporary IDs are valid for 30 days. Check the website for the forms of identification required to obtain a card, and all other information. ¦

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents with children under the age of 18 left the workforce. With schools across the country shifting to remote learning, it made more financial sense for many parents to give up their job and stay home with their children rather than pay for child care - especially as child care costs skyrocketed during the pandemic.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank, a family with two children, age four and eight, is projected to pay an average of $16,659 on child care in 2022. This amount varies across the country, however, and in many major metropolitan areas, child care costs are thousands of dollars less than average.

In the Homosassa Springs metro area, located in Florida, child care costs are considerably lower than the national average. According to the EPI's Family Budget Calculator, child care in the metro area for one 4-year-old child and one school-age child will cost an average of $11,285 in 2022.

As is often the case with factors that affect the cost of living, child care costs appear to be driven in part by what parents can afford. Just as child care costs are lower than average in Homosassa Springs, so too are incomes. Based on five-year estimates from U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 American Community Survey, the typical area family earns $57,253 per year, well below the national median family income of $80,069.

Most people know that winter is the best time to see manatees. But where can you see manatees in Florida, any time of year? The answer is Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park.

Spark some romance and hit the road. A day trip is a great way to connect with your honey. Put together a playlist, grab a few of your favorite road trip snacks, and make the hour and 45-minute drive to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. There are multiple roadside stops along the way if you want to make it a real road trip, plus other springs and parks nearby if you'd like to make it a weekend getaway.

Homosassa Springs Things To Do

There is so much to love about Florida's State Parks, and Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park is a shining example of what makes our state parks so special. You get a little bit of everything here — natural springs and a river view, wildlife, boardwalks, and walkways. It's pretty easy to explore the 200 acres of this park.

We parked in the parking lot on US Highway 98. This parking lot has a Welcome Center with restrooms, a small shop, and a few exhibits showcasing the park's history of nearly 100 years. From here we boarded a tram that drove us down to the park's visitor center and entrance. Expect crowds on the weekend. After purchasing our tickets ($13 per person), we passed through the doors and into Florida's beauty.

The Underwater Observatory in the “Bowl” of the springs is one of the very first attractions added to this park during its early years. In 1968 the underwater “fish bowl” was installed, back when this park was a roadside attraction, rather than a state park. This bowl is a great place to start your day.

By visiting the Underwater Observatory first, we caught some views of manatees in the wild before they moved on in the afternoon. We also enjoyed the boardwalk leading up to the Underwater Observatory. There are multiple photo opportunities here.

This simple spot, billed as a floating observatory, was once a main attraction for this part of the state of Florida.

After viewing the manatees and plethora of fish, we continued walking past the observatory, towards the river. Soon we came to a lovely wooden pavilion that enabled us to look out over the Homosassa River. Plenty of boaters enjoyed the weekend and safely moved slowly along the river to be mindful of manatees and other wildlife. It's important to enjoy the spring water safely.

We backtracked and followed the walkway along the riverbank. We saw turtles sunning themselves on logs and a few more manatees in the wild. Hiking along the park's walkways is fairly easy.

We noticed a few people crowding along a bridge-like structure and soon found that this is where some of the rescued manatees dwell.

Animals at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

There are lots of animals to see at the Wildlife Walk. This winding walkway makes a complete circle, so there's no way to lose your way. All the animals along this lovely Wildlife Walk are rescued from various places around the state. As much as possible, such wildlife is rehabilitated and sent back into the wild.

However, if it is not safe for an animal to return to the wild for whatever reason, it finds a home here. Along our walk, we spotted Florida alligators, river otters, pelicans, flamingos, owls, deer, black bears, a Florida panther, and more. What a cool mix of native Florida wildlife and other fascinating creatures.

Some might compare this part of the park with visiting a zoo, and the experience is similar, but to see a sample of Florida's diverse wildlife in one spot like this is truly special. Speaking of special, you won't be able to overlook Lu the Hippo. A former animal actor, Lu is over 60 years old. He is a reminder of when this land was used to show off animals that were trained to perform in movies and television. Hippos certainly are not a Florida animal, but Lu the hippopotamus is considered an honorary Florida resident.

What a way to enjoy a blend of old school tourist attraction and beautiful natural habitat in Florida.

Special note – Homossas Springs Wildlife Park is adorned with Christmas lights in a few spots during the holiday season.

Where to See Manatees in Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park

One of the must-do experiences in Florida is seeing manatees in the wild. These native animals are so special. When entering Homossa Springs park, head to the left to the Underwater Observatory. Both inside the observatory and along the boardwalk leading to and from the observatory you may spot some manatees.

First thing in the morning and cool weather days are your best bet for catching views of manatees in the wild at Homosassa Springs. However, you can also view a few rescued manatees that remain at the park year-round. Their habitat is near the center of the park.

The manatee programs at this state park are crucially important.

Due to multiple environmental reasons, including over-development throughout Florida, wildlife experts are concerned about the increased mortality rate of manatees. One way to bond together is to do some good together, so I would encourage you and your honey to learn more about manatees and how we can help them.

Practicalities: Parking, Food and Beverage, and Restrooms

Don't expect anything fancy at this state park. However, there are plenty of creature comforts. There are restrooms near the center of the park, as well as the Welcome Center at the Highway 98 parking lot, and the Visitors Center that you must pass through before entering the park itself.

There are two parking lots – one off County Road 490 and the other on Highway 98. Since we came from Orlando it was easiest for us to park at the parking lot on Highway 98. This is where the Welcome Center is, and where you will board a tram to head to the park entrance itself. The trams come and go about every 15 minutes. There is also usually boat transportation, but this is temporarily unavailable.

The parking lot off County Road 490 is smaller, but it does put you next to the park's actual entrance and the Visitor Center, with the ticket counters. At this visitor center, there is a casual cafe with sandwiches and snacks, as well as a gift shop. Some of the t-shirt designs in this shop are fun and attractive.

Dogs are not allowed in the park, but there is a kennel at the Welcome Center where your pup can hang out while you explore.

There is also a small snack stand near the center of the park. This is a good spot for a midday snack with cold drinks, ice cream, hot dogs, and other quick snacks.

Pack some water to keep yourselves hydrated. You don't want to feel rushed as you explore this lovely park.

What's Near Homosassa Springs State Park

Driving to Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park from Orlando takes about an hour and 45 minutes. It's not a very quick trip, but it is worth the drive. And if you want to make it a full day or a full weekend getaway there is plenty nearby.

Along the drive, my husband and I took note of some places that would be fun to stop in next time. On our recent visit to Homosassa Springs we hadn't built enough time to stop along the way. But, there is plenty to see.

Within 10 – 20 minutes drive of Homosassa Springs State Park, you'll find plenty of other parks, activities, and restaurants.

This state park is also an easy trip from Cedar Key, Florida if you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway.

Dress comfortably and enjoy being in Florida's natural beauty, together.

HOMOSASSA, Fla. - In the middle of the Homosassa River sits an island of monkeys.

Florida's own version of Alcatraz started out as a pile of submerged rocks in the 1960s and has transformed into a quirky historical fixture. It's an old tale – a story that is told numerous times by the locals and remains an attraction that both surprises and delights visitors far and wide.

The story of Monkey Island started when a well-known developer sought to fix two seemingly simple problems. Little did he know, he would create an iconic part of the Nature Coast's identity that will stick around decades later.

A lighthouse, wooden hut, swinging ropes, and palm trees sit on top of that pile of sand and rocks. Over the years, several monkeys have called it home.

The first problem

A Citrus County developer, G.A. Furgason – nicknamed "Furgy" – was involved in establishing the areas around Homosassa River back in the 1950s and 1960s, explained Marie Straight, secretary of the Historic Monkey Island board. He worked for 36 years until his retirement in 1983.

Furgy put together land deals and even created an animals and plants attraction, known today as the Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park. It's located about 2.5 miles – by road – from Monkey Island.

During the 60s, he also worked with Norris Cattle Company, which owned land in the area, Straight said. At one point, the company was about to send Furgy away for business.

"Before Furgy left," Straight explained, "he kept hearing of a pile of rocks in the middle of the river and it was causing trouble for the fisherman."

Those rocks were shallow enough for boats to run into, and deep enough where fisherman couldn't spot them with the naked eye. So, Furgy and Norris – the owner of the company he worked for – directed one of his dragline operators to pile some dirt around the rocks for boaters to spot them and avoid a collision.

"So, what happened then – how Monkey Island came to be – is these dragline operators got a little bit carried away," Straight explained, "and put a lot of dirt on these rocks. Thereby, they created the small island in the river which is just outside the Riverside resort today."

When Furgy returned, he noticed the "island" wasn't very attractive.

"It was just a bunch of dirt in the middle of the river so he enhanced it by building a lighthouse on the island," Straight said.

That lighthouse still stands on Monkey Island today.

The second problem

Meanwhile, the monkeys that would eventually call that manmade island their home were brought to America by a naturalist, John Hamlet.

Furgason ran into Hamlet in South Dakota and convinced him to come to Florida to work with him. The naturalist brought along monkeys too.

Straight said the monkeys' purpose was to perfect the polio vaccine back in the 1950s.

"The idea was that the monkeys would do like most Floridians – retire – after their purpose was satisfied with the polio vaccine and then they would be retired to the Homosassa State Wildlife Park," she explained.

But, like in the movies, the monkeys were quite mischievous, escaping their cages.

"They would get in [visitors'] cars. They would steal candy. They would even bite some of the tourists," Straight said. "So, now we have a problem. The way the legend goes, it says that he had often thought of sending them to Alcatraz."

But then Furgy realized, he had his own little Alcatraz right in Homosassa River. So, the primates – three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys – moved in and the Monkey Island we know today was established.

The permanent solution, decades later

Today, Monkey Island remains one of the most unique sites along Florida's Nature Coast. The original group of monkeys lasted for 12 years before they began dying. They were replaced with younger monkeys over the years.

MORE: Monkey Island in Homosassa is getting a major overhaul in 2022

Now, only a handful of spider monkeys remain.

Blake Lowman and his family took over the resort in late 2019 and, no, he never thought he would ever own an island of monkeys.

"We’re from the area. We’re from Hernando County," he explained. "We’re only 30 minutes away and my family is involved in multiple businesses and just saw an opportunity. It sounded like a pretty cool thing to try and get into so, yeah, we purchased it."

With that ownership, the Lowman family and community made big plans to maintain Monkey Island. He said he wants to make sure it can last another few decades for future generations of monkeys to live and for the community and visitors to enjoy.

Owning Monkey Island comes with guidelines in order to maintain an ownership license. Unlike decades ago, there are now regulations and rules to follow set by the United States Department of Agriculture and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that the owners must follow.

To start: food. The monkeys are fed twice a day. Their diet includes fruit, vegetables, and a USDA-approved "monkey chow" with a blend of nutrients they are required to consume.

But the fun part is how they are fed. The marina staff employees – who are cross-trained to feed the primate residents – pile into a boat and depart for Monkey Island.

While they are out there, employees circle the island, looking for any hazards or trash.

"Then we throw out the food to them. We try to scatter around so they kind of have to dig, and play, and search for their food," Lowman explained. "Usually, at least once a week we try to get on the island to do any repairs, try to clean up any trash or anything that might be hazardous to them. Basically, people kind of throw things on the island so we have to go clean that up. It’s just sad. Very sad."

He said every day is different. His family meets people from every state, every country – all walks of life.

"They’re pretty shocked if they’ve never been here before and they see an island right off of our property with monkeys on it," Lowman said. "You always explain the story of how they got there and the history behind it."

He said the best way to see Monkey Island is from the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar on the resort property, which is about 30 to 40 yards away.

To learn more about conserving Monkey Island, head over to the Historic Monkey Island website or the Florida Cracker Riverside Resort website.

Monkey Island is a unique attraction in Citrus County, Florida. It is a tiny island in the middle of the Homosassa River, inhabited by five monkeys. I loved watching them frolic from the restaurant window. While viewing Monkey Island was not part of a sponsored tour, the Swim with Manatees Tour at River Ventures, Ozello Boat Tours, and the dining places were subsidized. The opinions about them are my own.

History

How the monkeys came to live on their own little island in the middle of the Homosassa River is an interesting story. Originally, the island was a pile of rocks just below the water’s surface that damaged many tourists’ boats. In the late 1960s, Mr. G. A. “Furgy” Furgason was a developer who owned much of the area.

Furgy owned an attraction called Nature’s Own Attraction. He also owned what is today the Florida Cracker Homosassa Riverside Resort. Boaters were unhappy when their boats were damaged by the rock outcropping that lurked just below the waterline. That did not help Furgy’s businesses. He solved the boaters’ problem by having his workers dump some mud around the rocks to make them visible. The workers got carried away and dumped a lot more than he intended. The result was an unattractive, muddy island in the middle of the river. To improve the view, he had a small lighthouse built on it.

Meantime, he was having a problem at his Nature’s Own Attraction. He had a few monkeys in the park. Dr. John N. Hamlet, a naturalist who worked for Furgy at his wildlife attraction, had provided the monkeys. Hamlet had captured those monkeys previously for research on the polio vaccine. The monkeys were not working out well. They kept escaping from their cages and stealing visiting kids’ candy bars, getting into cars, and even biting visitors.

Furgy kept saying he “wanted to send them to Alcatraz.” With his new island, he realized he had his own version of a monkey prison. He exiled three spider monkeys and two squirrel monkeys to the island. When he added a hut for them to live in and some climbing toys and netting, he realized he had created an additional tourist attraction. The tradition has continued for over 40 years and today, when I visited, I saw five happy spider monkeys — Ralph, Sassy, Ebony, Eve, and Emily — playing on their island. They seemed to enjoy watching us, too. Homosassa Riverside Resort feeds them a specially-prepared diet daily. The island is currently being upgraded to keep the monkeys safe and happy.

Viewing

You can watch the monkeys from the pier in front of the Riverside Resort or anywhere along the riverbank. If you want to eat or drink, you can watch from the open dining area at Riverside Resort’s Country Kitchen or Monkey Bar. The monkeys are a “Look-but-don’t-touch” attraction. You can rent or launch your own kayak, canoe, or boat and glide around the island. You cannot land. The island is under camera surveillance, and you will get arrested if you attempt to dock.

Other attractions

What was once Furgy’s Nature’s Own Attraction is now Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park. It houses manatees that cannot be returned to the wild because of injuries, as well as a variety of other native Florida wildlife including panthers, bears, otters, bobcats, deer, eagles, alligators, wading birds, and birds of prey. I entered the park on its pontoon boat from the entrance on Highway 19, but you have a choice of entering on a tram if you prefer.

After seeing manatees in the park, I got to see them in the wild on my Swim with Manatees Tour at River Ventures. It was an exciting adventure as Captain Laura found plenty of manatees still playing in the waters even though it was late in the season. Being under the crystal-clear water allowed me to see the gentle giants in every detail.

Captain Greg at Ozello Boat Tours gave me an airboat ride over the shallow wetlands. There were wading birds all around. My biggest thrill was seeing and photographing an eagle perched in an old dead tree at the water’s edge.

Dining

There are many dining choices. Seagrass Waterfront has a tiki hut, music, and wild bird viewing. Seafood Sellers is not on the water but offers real Cajun food.

Timing is everything with manatee viewing in the wild. Manatees come into the inland waters when the ocean becomes cold in winter, so October through February is the best time.

About 46 percent of Citrus County is park and preserve land, making it a nature lover’s paradise. Manatee sanctuaries are set up in the waters of Crystal River, Kings Bay, Chassahowitzka River, and other waterways the manatees frequent.

Florida has many unique areas to see nature and wildlife: