January and February Events and Activities at the Villages of Citrus Hills

It’s a brand new year here at the Villages of Citrus Hills, and our friends at the Activity Center are already planning to make sure that 2022 is the best one yet for all of our residents.

Whether you are looking for exciting shows, fun social events, fantastic learning opportunities, some serious competition, or just a great meal, there is something for everyone happening around our community this month.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the activities and events you will want to put on your calendar in January and February of 2022.

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Swimming With Manatees Near the Villages of Citrus Hills

The sizable marine mammal known as the manatee is one of the most popular attractions in Citrus County.

It's almost impossible to go into a gift shop without seeing all kinds of manatee-themed souvenirs.

Manatees are a protected species found in areas throughout the Kings Bay, Crystal River, and Homosassa Springs areas – located within Citrus County.

They are attracted to the area's warm waters, especially in the winter.

From November to April, Kings Bay (about 15 minutes from the Villages of Citrus Hills) is the home to the largest manatee population in the world.

Swimming With Manatees

The Crystal River and Kings Bay area is the only area in Florida where swimmers are allowed around manatees in a monitored environment, making this opportunity highly accessible for the Villages of Citrus Hills residents.

There are dozens of manatee tour companies nearby that can help make your dream of observing these beautiful sea mammals up-close come true.

You should be aware of quite a few rules since manatees are a protected species.

You will want to enter the water quietly, without splashing when first getting into the water.

You will get the best results from swimming right at the surface level of the water and staying away from the floor.

To have the best possible experience swimming with manatees, you will need to practice what is referred to as “passive observation.”

Passive Observation is a practice that involves remaining as still as possible when you are in the water; You should always allow the manatees to discover and approach you, not the other way around.

In a nutshell, you try your best to allow the manatee to control the entire encounter.

That means that you should never confront a manatee that is resting.

It is also essential to avoid any practice that could threaten the animal, such as swimming after it, surrounding it with too many swimmers, or separating it from a group.

One of the most significant rules is never attempting to touch, grab, or ride a manatee.

Boating/Kayaking Near Manatees

Because there are so many manatees located in the waters throughout Citrus County, they can often be found in high-traffic boating areas.

For this reason, it is essential to observe all of the posted seasonal boating speed limits.

When boating in any area, you will want to be alert for idle/no-wake zones, minimum wake zones, and 25 mph speed limit zones.

Remember that you should be practicing passive observation, even if you are observing a manatee from your boat or kayak.

That means that you should never attempt to attract a manatee towards your boat or try to give a manatee food or water.

As far as dropping your anchor, ensure there isn’t a manatee resting underneath your vessel or about to pass by your boat.

If you don’t see one near, try to drop your anchor slowly, and ensure you aren’t running your propellers directly over a manatee.

Observing Manatees from Dry Land

If swimming and boating with manatees are a bit much for you, you might want to try observing them from dry land at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park.

There is also an underwater observation area for you to watch the manatees eat and play.

This will allow you to get close to these unique animals without worrying about hurting them or getting wet!

Whether you prefer to interact with manatees from the water, a boat, or dry land, observing them is a beautiful and relaxing experience unique to the Citrus County area.

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Community Newsletter - November and December 2021

The month of October flew right by, and we are already into November of 2021.

It seems to be one of the most exciting months at the Villages of Citrus Hills, as the holiday activities quickly approach.

We have got all the bases covered for everything happening in November and December between the exciting shows, live entertainment, social clubs and activities, educational opportunities, golf, tennis, pickleball, or just a fantastic meal with your friends!

Let’s jump right in and check out some of the events you won’t want to miss!

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2021 Manatee Season in Citrus County

There are dozens of reasons why Florida is a great place to live, but one of the top reasons has to be that the weather is nice and warm during the winter months.

Mother Manatee and Calf

Many of our friends and neighbors here in the Villages of Citrus Hills go north for the summer only to come running back at the first sign of winter.

Ironically, our local manatee population demonstrates the exact same behavior!

West Indian Manatees are prevalent animals in Citrus County due to their year-round population, especially during winter.

Manatee season in our area runs November-April, with the peak of the season running from December-February.

Another way that manatees are similar to our snowbird friends and neighbors is because once they find a place they like, they will return to the same spot year after year.

It is not uncommon for a mother and her calf to go their separate ways out at sea for the entire summer and then be spotted hanging out together in their usual winter habitat the following year.

As the manatees begin to migrate back towards our local springs for the winter, now is a great time to be planning your subsequent manatee encounter.

Whether you are looking to swim alongside the manatees, kayak near them, or observe them from dry land, there are great places to do all of those in Crystal River and Homosassa Springs!

Crystal River

Swim with Manatee Tours

The best places to see manatees in the Crystal River area are Three Sisters Springs and the Kings Bay Manatee Sanctuary.

Both of these places are best accessed by boat, but you can only get so close. To get up close and personal, you will have to be in a kayak or canoe.

Several tour companies operate out of the Crystal River area that specializes in manatee tours.

These companies can take you right up to the popular manatee areas, and many will instruct you on swimming right along with the manatees!

Homosassa Springs

Underwater Manatee Observatory

If you are looking to learn more about manatees, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is the best place in the region.

There is a daily educational program that gives visitors some background on manatees, including their history and the rehabilitation efforts conducted at the park.

The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park also has the “Fish Bowl,” which is an underwater viewing area similar to what you would expect to find at an aquarium.

This gives visitors the chance to get up close and personal with manatees without even getting wet!

Tampa Electric Company

Manatee Migration

Because manatees are attracted to warm waters, they also tend to be attracted to power plants. One fascinating place to observe them is from the Tampa Electric Company near the mouth of the Hillsborough River.

The warm water that the power plant discharges into the river is like a magnet for manatees. The company has built a visitor center, overlook, and walkway for visitors to observe this phenomenon.

Whether you prefer to break out your kayak and meet the manatees in their natural environment in Crystal River or stay on dry land and observe them from a distance at Homosassa Springs or the Tampa Electric Company power plant, make sure you take some time to get out and see these amazing sea mammals near the Villages of Citrus Hills this winter.

2021 Stone Crab Season

Stone Crab Season Usually Runs 10/15 - 5/2

(These dates are subject to change)

Florida stone crabs are known around the world for their delicious claw meat.

But did you know that many of the stone crabs on menus around the country come from right here near the Villages of Citrus Hills?

Whether you prefer them served cold with mustard sauce or warm with drawn butter, the experience of cracking and eating these crab claws is something you will never forget!

ABOUT STONE CRABS

One of the most exciting aspects of Florida stone crabs is that they are a renewable resource.

When the crabs are caught in the traps of professional stone crabbers, the crabbers only take one claw from each crab, and the crabs are then returned to the water.

Thus, stone crabs can survive losing a claw as a defense mechanism and regenerate that claw in about a year.

The average stone crab has a lifespan of 8-9 years, and they are generally found in sandy ocean bottoms and seagrass beds along Citrus County’s coastline out to a depth of about 20 feet.

Giant stone crabs can weigh as much as one pound.

They feed on oysters, snails, and various other small marine life.

Female stone crabs can spawn as many as six times each year, producing up to one million fertilized eggs each time.

In addition to humans, stone crabs can also find themselves being hunted by octopuses and grouper.

CATCHING STONE CRABS

The Florida stone crab harvesting season lasts about seven months.

In June 2020, the FWC voted to shorten the regular stone crab season, preserve the species, and give the female stone crabs more time to lay their eggs.

The stone crab is not in “crisis” yet but has declined since the 1990s due to overfishing.

The FWC hopes that these extra 14-days of protection will allow the stone crab numbers to rise.

During the fishing season for stone crab, many amateur fishers also hunt for stone crabs.

Amateur crabbers must hold a saltwater fishing license from Florida, and they must adhere to specific regulations.

For example, they are limited to a total of five traps, and they cannot catch more than one gallon of claws per day.

In addition, the claws must all be a minimum of 2-3/4 inches.

EATING STONE CRAB

While some enjoy catching their stone crab, many others prefer to let the professionals catch and focus on the eating.

The most popular place for stone crab near the Villages of Citrus Hills is Charlie’s Fish House & Seafood Market in Crystal River.

The restaurant was initially started as an oyster bar by Charlie Kofmehl back in 1960.

The oyster bar was an immediate success, serving the best fresh fish and seafood in Citrus County.

Then, in the early seventies, Charlie turned the oyster bar over to his two sons, Jimmy and Phil.

After years of growing the business, Jimmy and Phil decided to build a brand-new restaurant in 1990.

The new waterfront restaurant had seating for 160 guests compared to 30 in the old oyster bar.

In honor of their father, Jimmy and Phil changed the name to Charlie’s Fish House.

Since then, the family business has continued to grow, and guests can now find a third generation of Kofmehls working there.

One of the unique and natural treasures of the Citrus County area are the cherished fishing seasons. There is nothing like a fresh stone crab!

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