Month 1: Chassahowitzka & The Seven Sisters Springs — The Full Guide

This is Month 1 of the FLA Coastal Florida Springs Series: Part 1 — our 6-month journey through Florida's most breathtaking freshwater springs. Start with the series intro here.

Welcome to The Chaz 🌊

If you ask a Nature Coast local where they go when they want to disappear into the real Florida, they'll probably just smile and say two words: The Chaz.

Chassahowitzka — a Seminole word meaning "place of the hanging pumpkins" — is one of Florida's most pristine and least-commercialized spring systems. No waterslides. No gift shops. Just crystal-clear 72°F water, ancient cypress trees, manatees, river otters, and a labyrinth of spring-fed channels that wind through some of the most untouched wilderness on the Gulf Coast.

And tucked about two miles downriver, accessible only by paddle, is the crown jewel: The Seven Sisters Springs — a cluster of spring vents bubbling up from the limestone floor of the earth, forming one of the most stunning natural swimming holes in the state.

This is Month 1 of our Florida Springs Series, and we're starting here because this is our backyard. We know this water. We love this water. And we can't wait to share it with you.

Getting There

The Chaz is located in Citrus County on Florida's Nature Coast — about 75 miles north of Tampa and 90 miles northwest of Orlando. It's worth every mile of the drive.

• Address: Chassahowitzka, FL 34448
• Main launch point: Chassahowitzka River Campground — your base of operations for the day
• Paddle to Seven Sisters: Approximately 2 miles downriver — give yourself a full day

🥪 Pro tip: Grab your pub subs at Publix before you head out — pack a cooler and stay on the water all day without river fatigue. Coming from the south? There's a Publix on the way up. Coming from another direction? No worries — there's one a hop, skip, and a jump across US-19. Trust us on this one.

Where to Stay

If you're making a weekend of it (and you should), here are two great options:

Chaz River Lodges

Stay right on the river at Chaz River Lodges — a local gem that puts you steps from the water. Wake up, grab your paddle, and you're already there. It doesn't get more immersive than this.

Airbnb in the Area

The surrounding Citrus County area has some fantastic Superhosts offering everything from cozy cottages to waterfront retreats. Search for Homosassa or Chassahowitzka on Airbnb for options that put you close to the action.

The Seven Sisters Springs: What to Expect

The Seven Sisters is a hidden gem — but word is getting out. Depending on the day you arrive, you might have it nearly to yourself, or you might find a gathering of kindred spirits who discovered it just like you. Either way, the magic is real.

The spring vents create a series of crystal-clear pools connected by shallow channels. The visibility is extraordinary — you can see straight to the limestone bottom. Snorkeling here is otherworldly, and the cave pockets along the spring system are home to some of the area's most fascinating wildlife.

• Water temp: 72°F year-round
• Access: Kayak or canoe only — though jet skis, small mud boats and john boats with trolling motors have been known to navigate the area. Airboats, agile enough for the small cuts, occasionally make an appearance too. Whatever your vessel, be mindful — manatees call this water home year-round.
• Manatees: Present year-round, most abundant November–March
• Wildlife: River otters, manatees, turtles, herons, and more

Always remember: Protect, Preserve & Respect. Leave it better than you found it. These springs exist because generations of Floridians — and Florida lovers — have treated them with care. Be one of those people.

The Hidden Gem Within the Hidden Gem: The Crack

Think the Seven Sisters is off the beaten path? Meet The Crack.

Located just up from the Seven Sisters, closer to the Chaz campground and the Gulf of America, The Crack is the Chaz's most fiercely guarded secret. To get there, you'll need to either paddle under a canopy of trees that block the entry — or tie up your boat and wade through dark, shallow water in your frog togs until the world opens up into crystal-clear spring water that feels like it belongs to another dimension.

It's not easy to get to. That's exactly the point. The reward is a truly hidden slice of Florida that most people will never see. If you're willing to earn it, The Crack will not disappoint.

The Legend of Cracker Bob🍺

Every great place has a legend. The Chaz has Cracker Bob.

A larger-than-life local who grew up on this water, Cracker Bob is part tour guide, part Florida folklore, and entirely unforgettable. If you're lucky enough to encounter him on the river, pay attention — his knowledge of the Chaz runs as deep as the springs themselves.

And if you really want to see something special, watch for his signature party trick: he'll pop open a cold one, plug the top with his thumb, and swim through the longest cave system at the Seven Sisters — roughly the length of a school bus of pure underwater Florida magic. Keep your eyes on those cave pockets. You might just catch a glimpse of him and his otter buddies gliding through the crystal-clear water.

When he emerges on the other side? Be ready to cheers him. Because that thumb is coming off the top, and that refresher is getting finished. 🍺

You otter see it. 🦦

Video Credit: @FloridaSkiRiders 

After the River: Njoy Spirits 🥃

You've paddled the Chaz, you've swum the Seven Sisters, you've maybe even found The Crack. Now it's time to celebrate — and there's only one place to do it right.

Njoy Spirits is not your average distillery. It's a grandfathered-in gem tucked away off a limerock road, deep inside Chassahowitzka Wildlife Management Area. Getting there is half the fun — this is the perfect excuse to pop the doors and top off the Jeep and slow roll down a back road with the windows down and the Florida air doing its thing.

Once you arrive, you'll find:

• Mermaid Rum — their signature spirit, and yes, it's as magical as it sounds
• Wild Buck Whiskey — for the crew that runs a little wilder
• A beer garden — cold drinks, good vibes, open sky
• A gift shop — take a little Chaz magic home with you
• Guided distillery tours — see how the magic is made
• Cornhole & live music — most days there's a band keeping the energy right
• Food vendors on site — because you've earned a real meal

Njoy Spirits is the kind of place that makes you want to stay until the stars come out. Plan accordingly. 🌟

Fun Facts About The Chaz

• Local artists have filmed music videos on the Chassahowitzka River — and it's easy to see why. The scenery is cinematic. 
  
  
• Famous YouTubers frequent the Chaz for epic footage that showcases Florida's natural beauty to audiences worldwide.
• The name "Chassahowitzka" comes from the Seminole language and means "place of the hanging pumpkins" — a nod to the wild gourds that once grew along the riverbanks.
• The spring system feeds directly into the Gulf of America, making it a critical habitat for manatees, fish, and countless other species.

What to Wear & Bring

The springs are 72°F year-round — refreshing in summer, chilly in winter. Pack smart and you'll stay on the water longer:

• Performance rash guard or top — sun protection is essential on the open water
• Quick-dry leggings or shorts — you'll be in and out of the water all day
• Frog togs — if you're planning to find The Crack, you'll want them
• Water shoes — the spring bottom can be rocky
• Reef-safe sunscreen — protect yourself and the springs
• Dry bag — for your phone, keys, and valuables
• A packed cooler — pub subs, snacks, and cold drinks. Stay all day.
• Kayak or canoe — rentals available at the campground

At FLA Coastal, we design our gear for exactly these kinds of days — built for the water, the sun, and the Florida lifestyle that anyone can claim as their own. 🌊

The Chaz Is Calling

There are over 900 springs in Florida. We're covering six in Part 1 of this series. And The Chaz — with its winding river, crystal-clear Seven Sisters, the secret of The Crack, legendary locals like Cracker Bob, and the one-of-a-kind Njoy Spirits waiting at the end of a limerock road — is the perfect place to start.

Come as you are. Paddle in. Let Florida do the rest.

Tag us in your Chaz adventures using #FLACoastal — we want to see your crew on the water. 🌊

Next up — Month 2: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. Stay tuned.