Fort Island Beach(Fort Island, Fort Island Beach, Fort Island Gulf Beach)

Located in the city of Crystal River, Fort Island Beach is a small, narrow, and remote beach situated in front of Crystal Bay at the northwestern end of Florida. Fort Island Beach was mentioned in "Healthy Beaches "by Environmental Health Department. Fort Island Beach is a well-known fishing destination and you can click Instagram-worthy pictures here. 

Fort Island Beach offers many amenities including restrooms, outdoor showers, picnic tables, barbecues, boardwalks, and a fishing pier named Roger Batchelor Pier. 

There are many fun activities at Fort Island Beach including swimming, fishing, hiking, photography, and beach walking. If you are looking for additional activities, you can also watch dolphins swimming offshore from the beach. Please note that Fort Island Beach remains open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. 

Getting to Fort Island Beach is very easy – the beach’s free parking lot is situated at 16000 W Fort Island Trail and is within walking distance to the beach.

If you are looking for nearby attractions, there are many within a 25-minute drive of Fort Island Beach. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge protects and acts as a natural habitat for many plants, birds, and animals. Crystal River Archaeological State Park displays exhibitions and artifacts related to the geological and archaeological history of Crystal River and the nearby area. Black Diamond Ranch is a beautiful waterfront golf club with an 18-hole golf course and was rated #1 Golf Community in Florida. Another great attraction near Fort Island Beach is Three Sisters Springs, an awesome tourist attraction site for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and other water-related activities.

If you get hungry, there are many restaurants within a 17-minute drive of Fort Island Beach. The Mexican restaurant Los Magueyes Crystal River features tacos, nachos, quesadillas, Pico guacamole, salads, burritos, and desserts. Seafood Seller & Café is an incredible waterside restaurant with a nice menu that includes surf ‘n’ turf, oysters, fish tacos, groupers, and shrimps. Another good restaurant near Fort Island Beach is Breakfast Station, a breakfast restaurant featuring pancakes, omelets, sandwiches, tacos, burgers, and homemade pies.

If you are looking for a hotel near Fort Island Beach, you can drive 14 minutes to the 4-Star pet-friendly hotel Plantation Inn & Golf Resort that is spread across 232 acres and features a pool, spa, gym, game room, 27-hole golf course, water sports equipment rental shop, three bars, two restaurants, and snorkeling, canoeing, boating, diving, fishing, and hiking tours. Plantation on Crystal River is a 3-Star hotel that welcomes pets and has a nice pool, spa, fitness center, restaurant, golf course, and tennis courts. If you are looking for an affordable hotel near Fort Island Beach, the 2-Star pet-friendly hotel Quality Inn Crystal River offers a pool and tennis courts.