Wildlife You’ll Likely See While Kayaking in the Chaz
Calling all wildlife lovers! Did you know that there is a hidden oasis for nature and wildlife only known by locals? If you’ve never heard of the Chassahowitzka River, affectionately known as the Chaz, you’ll want to read this!
Where Is The Chaz?
The Chaz is located in Homosassa, Florida, not too far from Crystal River! It is an underrated location, not well known by tourists but dearly beloved by locals! This gives it Old Florida charm–immersing you in beautiful cypress trees surrounding crystal clear springs–and offers excellent opportunities to view wildlife and enjoy nature away from big crowds.
If this sounds like your kind of place, keep reading to see what you can expect from our tour!
Why The Chaz Is The BEST Location For Wildlife Viewing
The Chaz is one of Florida’s most scenic locations for wildlife viewing, giving you an opportunity to enjoy all that nature has to offer while not being overrun by water traffic and large groups. Because this location is so quiet, you have a much better chance of seeing a wider variety of wildlife when compared to more well-known locations!
At the Chaz, you will be surrounded by whimsical cypress trees, mangroves, and seagrass, this environment offers endless opportunities to spot wildlife—not just in the water, but on land as well! From aquatic life to a wide variety of unique terrestrial species, every minute on the river brings the chance for a new and special encounter! The habitat is rich and you’ll be blown away by its wild beauty.
Wildlife You Can See On Our Clear Kayaking Tour
- Manatees are a common sight during the cold months of the year, when they travel from the cooling waters of the Gulf to the warmer spring water within the river. Be sure to come on a cold day to see whole groups of them!
- Dolphins can often be found hunting through the river as they chase fish from the Gulf into the smaller channels!
- Alligators love to hide in the dense vegetation along the banks of the Chaz, but they also enjoy lying out to sun themselves! Keep a sharp lookout, and you may be able to spot one (or a few!)
- Crabs are bountiful in the Chaz and are commonly trapped by locals to make for dinner! As you paddle through the river, pay attention to the riverbed in the clear water. You’ll see some scuttling around!
- Fish of all kinds call the Chaz their home. Keep an eye out for various species like mullet, red drum, tarpon, mangrove snappers, and even spotted gar!
- Aquatic and shore birds of different kinds love to hang out at the Chaz for its richness in fish and other food! Look out for white pelicans, great blue herons, little blue herons, green herons, wood storks, belted kingfishers, and anhingas!
- Birds of prey are also a common sight on the Chaz, where you can easily spot out and hear the calls of osprey and bald eagles!
- Otters playing along the shoreline are sometimes found on especially lucky days of wildlife viewing and are such a treat to enjoy!
- Bobcats and bears are some of the rarest sightings at the Chaz, but you could be the lucky ones to see them!
Why Clear Kayaking Is The Best Way To See The Chaz!
Booking a clear kayaking tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking not only guarantees that you will have experienced guides that love what they do and know just where to look for the best wildlife viewing, but that you will also have a unique experience in one of our incredible clear kayaks! This lets you have a 360° view of the water around you, giving you a first-hand look into the shallow waters to see crabs scuttling around, fish swimming under you, and even curious manatees squishing their nose against your kayak!
If you want an experience unlike anything you’ve had before, book a clear kayaking experience with Get Up and Go Kayaking – The Chaz! Depending on the time of year, you’ll want to book either The Chaz River Tour (April to mid-November) or The Chaz Manatee Tour (mid-November to March)!