Waterfront Gulf Retreat: Heated Pool, Boat Lift

Property Details – The Floaty Potato

Bedrooms & Bathrooms
- 3 Bedrooms · 2.5 Bathrooms · Sleeps 8-9
- Primary Suite: King bed, ensuite with jetted tub, direct pool access, Smart TV
- Bedroom 2: King bed, Smart TV
- Bedroom 3: Two twin beds with twin trundles and a child-size fold-out chair (sleeps up to 5 children or 2 adults), Smart TV

Autism-friendly items available upon request: body sock, weighted blanket, sensory fidgets, peanut ball, and silencing headphones

Kitchen & Dining
- Fully equipped kitchen with stainless steel appliances, crockpot, griddle, toaster, blender and tea kettle (bring your own food and drinks).
- Coffee station with large starter supply of K-cups, grounds, tea, cocoa, creamer, and honey.
- Four dining areas: solid oak kitchen nook (4), bar (2), solid wood dining table (8), and patio table (4)
- Baby and child items: highchair, baby monitor, unbreakable BPA-free dishes, sippy cup, bib, and kids’ books

Living & Entertainment
- Open-concept living area with Smart TV, solid oak entertainment center with furniture covers and elegant coastal décor
- Garage games: ping-pong table and basketball arcade
-Indoor games: family board games
- Couch covers for furry friends or those with sticky fingers (located in entertainment center)
- Desk and computer chair with high-speed WiFi

Outdoor Living
- Screened-in SOLAR-HEATED pool included year-round. For an extra boost of warmth... OPTIONAL electric pool heat available November–March for $40/night (Added upon request. Must be paid in advance).
- Outdoor kitchen with grill, sink, and mini-refrigerator
- Floating and stationary docks with a fish-cleaning station
- Garage Fridge to store your catch or extra groceries
- Boat lift (bring or rent your own boat). Must sign additional user agreement before use. No extra cost.
- Fenced yard for privacy and safety
- Outdoor games: cornhole, chalk, and sports balls

Adventure Gear
- 3 fishing kayaks, 1 youth kayak, 1 paddleboard, life jackets for all sizes
- 3 adult fishing rods, 1 youth fishing rod, small assortment of tackle.
- 2 adult bikes, 1 tandem bike, and 1 youth bike
- Pool toys included
- Beach bag pre-packed with sand toys and beach blanket. We have two beach chairs and a large empty cooler in the garage ready for your own snacks for a day at the beach!

Extra Amenities
- Professionally serviced for pests (That said, it is Florida and on the canal. Bugs happen.)
- Pool professionally serviced with both solar-heat (year round) and electric (optional for an additional fee).
- 90% all-natural cleaning and bath products
- Smart thermostat and Wi-Fi
- Outdoor security cameras (front and canal areas only)
- Extra fridge in garage for fresh fish, scallops, or extra groceries
- All guests must sign rental agreement.

Guests have the entire house to themselves, including the private screened-in pool, private docks, and private boat lift (boat lift use by prior approval only). Please note there are multiple steps required to enter the home.

🪸 Getting in Touch During Your Stay

We want your stay at The Floaty Potato to be nothing short of 5 stars — calm, carefree, and full of memories worth floating about!

If you need anything during your stay, the best way to reach us is through Airbnb messages — we monitor them closely between 7 AM and 9 PM and usually respond within minutes. Whether you have a question, need a local recommendation, or just want to share a manatee sighting, we’re always happy to help.

For a lockout, please message us right away. There’s a backup key in the lockbox outside, and we’ll guide you through accessing it.

If you ever experience a true emergency (such as power loss or water issues), that number is listed in the Welcome Binder on the kitchen counter.

Our goal is to make your stay feel effortless, welcoming, and worthy of five sparkling stars!

Tucked near the end of a quiet dead-end street, The Floaty Potato offers peace, privacy, and convenience. Just 0.3 miles to the public boat ramp and walking distance to Crystal River Watersports — where you can swim with manatees, snorkel, scallop, or even try mermaid training! Stroll to The Biscuit Barn for a hearty Southern breakfast, or take a short drive to downtown Crystal River, Three Sisters Springs, and Hunter Springs for dining, shopping, and natural beauty.

While a car makes exploring Crystal River easiest, The Floaty Potato is perfectly positioned for both on-foot and on-water adventures. Walk to local tours, breakfast spots, and the nearby boat ramp, or drive just minutes to downtown. Feeling floaty? Kayak from the house to Three Sisters Springs or Hunter Springs—a scenic half-day paddle—or drive, rent, or launch from Pete’s Pier, Crystal River Kayak, or Hunter Springs for a shorter trip on the water.

WE ARE NOT JUST A PLACE TO STAY!! WE ARE AN EXPERIENCE YOU'LL WANT TO REPEAT!

Crystal River is the Manatee Capital of the World and the only place in the USA where you can legally swim with manatees, offering rare wildlife encounters, crystal-clear springs, Old Florida charm, summer scalloping, and world-class year-round fishing. The Floaty Potato elevates that experience with refined comfort and upscale touches—from solar and electric pool heat to a guest-usable boat lift, two docks (a stationary dock and a floating dock), and a full suite of elevated amenities for indoor and outdoor entertainment and adventure. As one of the few waterfront homes that has never flooded, it’s a dependable, luxurious retreat in every season. Every guest also receives a beautifully crafted guidebook filled with the best sights, restaurants, tours, along with a ready-to-go 4-day itinerary. We are also affiliated with a few different tour guides in the area. Check the guest guide for discounts (fishing, scalloping, manatee tours, airboat rides, scuba and more)!! You’ll even find our trademarked Floaty Potato Brand merchandise available to enjoy or purchase, adding a fun boutique touch to your stay.

The Floaty Potato is thrilled to announce that we’ve officially partnered with THREE (soon to be FOUR!) incredible local tour companies right here in Crystal River, FL

When you book with us, you’ll have access to exclusive guest discounts on:
• Swimming with manatees
• Snorkeling & river cruises
• Clear kayak tours
• Wildlife pontoon excursions
• Inshore fishing & scalloping
• And hopefully airboat tours coming soon!

HAPPY NEWS FOR GUESTS WITH BIG FAMILIES!!! WE DO NOT CHARGE MORE FOR BIG FAMILIES!!! We charge the same whether it is 2 guests or 8!!

All Guests are required to sign into the Guest Portal and Sign Rental Agreements as needed. Your ID will be collected. Additional agreements are required for individuals interested in using the boat lift or bringing a dog. The Guest Portal is also where you can add additional electric pool heat ($40), pay your pet fee, add early check-in, late check-out, and more.

We pair luxury with sustainability by using 90% all-natural, eco-friendly products that are gentle on both the environment and guests with sensitive skin. From natural toiletries to eco-conscious cleaning and laundry essentials, every detail is chosen with care, with traditional products used only when absolutely necessary. Float easy knowing your stay is clean, thoughtful, and luxuriously curated.

The pool is equipped with solar heating, which is provided at no additional cost year-round, and optional electric pool heat for $40 per night, delivered via an electric heat pump that operates during daytime hours. Because electric heat pumps rely on ambient air temperatures, cooler winter nights can slow the warming process and may limit heat retention, particularly at the start of a stay. The electric pool heat fee applies to the nights of the reservation and covers operation of the heating system; water temperature cannot be guaranteed. Our goal is to have the pool between 80-85 degrees. Cold winter nights of 45 or lower may hinder this goal from being achieved.

Safety & Caution: Don’t Be a Silly Spud!
At The Floaty Potato, we want you to have a fin-tastic time—safely! Before you cast off into relaxation, please reel in these important reminders:

🦦 Child-Safety Locks: Every door to the pool area has a secure child lock—because little spuds are curious swimmers who love to explore uncharted waters!

Supervision: Keep your eyes on your little guppies around the pool and docks—always hold their hand when walking on the dock so no one takes an unexpected dip.

Water Safety: Swim with a buddy—manatees (and smart anglers) never go solo! And please save the boat drinks (aka anything with a splash of rum or bubbles ) for after you’re done swimming or paddling.

Kayaks & Paddleboard: You’ll find them on the floating dock. Use the ladder carefully, and when you’re done, please secure and lock the kayaks and paddleboard back up so they don’t float off on their own adventure. Paddling is for daylight hours only—no kayaking after sundown, but you’re welcome to drop a line and do a little night fishing from the dock!

Boat Lift: The boat lift is available for guest use, but only after signing a separate user agreement. This ensures everyone knows the ropes (and keeps the manatees smiling). Please contact us before using it. A separate user agreement is required.

Slippery When Wet: Even seasoned anglers slip on deck sometimes! Dry those fins (okay, feet) before coming inside, walk carefully on the pool and canal edge.

Helmets are not provided, so please bring your own. Our tandem bike is a bit like a manatee dance - adorable but takes coordination! Best for confident riders. Enjoy the ride and splash into fun at your own risk!

🪸 Fenced Yard & Security Cameras: The fenced yard and screened lanai help keep your herd safe. Outdoor cameras monitor only the front entrance and canal areas for guest and property security. There are no cameras in the pool, grassy yard, or patio areas—your fish tales are yours to tell!

️ Couch Covers: Please use them to help keep our indoor and patio furniture looking bright and fresh—no one likes fishy fingerprints or soggy spud seats! (This is required for anyone with a pet or service animal).

️ Quick Note About No-See-Ums:
Like many coastal areas in Florida, we occasionally have tiny midges called no-see-ums. They can leave small, itchy mosquito-like bumps, but they’re completely harmless. Although The Floaty Potato is professionally serviced for bugs, no treatment can remove them entirely from the canal unless the entire city focused on eliminating them. Using a little repellent, long sleeves and pants if fishing in the evening, turn on the patio fans, and keep doors closed is usually all it takes—most guests hardly notice them and enjoy their stay comfortably.

Pet Policy — Dogs Allowed With Prior Approval

We welcome well-behaved dogs on a case-by-case basis. Please message us with your dog’s breed, age, and weight for approval before booking or adding a pet to your reservation.

Rules & Requirements
• Dogs only — no cats (owner allergies).
• Maximum of 2 approved dogs per stay.
• Combined dog weight must be 110 lbs or less.
• If over 110 lbs combined, you must bring or purchase an additional kennel.
• Dogs must be kenneled anytime they are left unattended inside the home.
• Provided kennels: 24”, 36”, and 48”.
• Provided for your convenience:
• Dog bowls
• Leash
• Kennel mat
• Paw-cleaning tools
• Mandatory couch covers (must be used if dogs are on furniture)
• Fenced backyard with waste bags and scoopers.
• Please clean up after your dog.

All pet owners must sign a pet agreement. We strive to keep The Floaty Potato clean, safe, and enjoyable for all guests—both human and canine!

🦮All guests with a service dog are asked to read the Service Pet Information. These requirements comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and exist only to ensure safety and cleanliness — no fees or deposits are charged for legitimate service dogs.

Final Splashdown
Now go make some memories and reel in the good times, spud!
Wishing you smooth sailing, sunny skies, and plenty of Floaty Potato fun.

Unique Benefits

Unique Benefits You Won’t Find at Most Florida Rentals

Discounted Tours and Charters with 4 different companies offering swimming with or kayaking with manatees, fishing, scalloping, and airboat rides! Only for our guests!!!

Boat Lift Available for Guests
Bring your own boat or rent locally—no trailering or crowded ramps. Just lower, launch, and start exploring.

Never-Flooded Home (Rare for This Area)
Peace of mind is priceless—our home has never taken on water, even in major storms.

Pre-Packed Beach & Water Adventure Gear
Beach chairs, umbrellas, sand toys, snorkel gear and more—already packed and ready to grab for effortless outings.

Large Cooler for Full Day Adventures
Perfect for boating, spring hopping, scalloping, sandbar picnics, or sunset cruising.

Waterfront Fun for All Ages
Kids can drop the crab trap, paddle the kids’ kayak, or cast a line with the kids’ fishing rod—all from the private dock.

Solar-Heated Pool for Year-Round Swimming
No “too cold to swim” surprises during winter stays.

Indoor + Outdoor Games for Rain or Shine
Ping-pong, basketball arcade, corn hole, sports balls, sidewalk chalk, and tons of pool toys keep everyone entertained.

Bikes for Every Adventure Style
Two adult bikes for cruising, a kids’ bike for younger riders, and a tandem bike for the daring—perfect for exploring the neighborhood or trail.

Life Jackets in Every Size
From toddlers to adults—no need to pack or purchase.

Autism-Friendly Amenities by Request
Thoughtful sensory-considerate options help neurodiverse guests feel safe, regulated, and welcome.

BPA-Free, Non-Breakable Dishes + Baby & Toddler Sets
Relaxed meals with no worries about glass near the pool.

Family-Focused, Relaxed Atmosphere
Peaceful, safe, and far from party-house chaos.

Why Kids Love It

Kids fall in love with our place the moment they arrive! They can splash in the solar-heated pool with tons of pool toys, drop the crab trap off the dock, paddle the kids’ kayak, ride the kids’ bike, or cast a line with the kids’ fishing rod for real waterfront adventure.

Inside, the fun keeps rolling with ping-pong and the basketball arcade game, and the outdoor play continues with corn hole, sports balls, and sidewalk chalk—so there’s always something to do, rain or shine. Parents relax knowing kids don’t have to worry about dropping a glass or shattering a plate—we stock BPA-free, non-breakable dishes plus baby and toddler options for easy mealtimes.

Families also love that we provide life jackets for all ages and offer autism-friendly amenities by request, helping every child feel comfortable, safe, and included. Whether they’re spotting wildlife, winning a friendly competition, or floating like a happy “potato,” kids make the kind of memories here they can’t stop talking about.

Attractions Within Walking Distance

Crystal River Water Sports
Biscuit Barn

Favorite Places To Eat

Guests who stay will get a guest guide with all the info you will need!

Inside Scoop

Those who stay will get a guest guide full of all the info you will need!