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Beaches, swimming and kayak launches on the Gulf side of Citrus, Hernando and Pasco County

This page goes county by county along the western, Gulf side, from Crystal River down to Holiday: where to swim, where to put in a kayak, what it costs, and which launches are wheelchair accessible.

Checked against the county, city, state park, and water management district pages linked here. Parks close for storm repairs and fees change, so check the park's page before you go. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026.

The short version:

Pasco County

What is the closest beach to New Port Richey?

Robert K. Rees Memorial Park, at 3503 Green Key Road in New Port Richey. It's a 45-acre Pasco County park with a beach, swim area, outdoor shower, kayak launch, boardwalk, observation deck, and restrooms. It's open from sunrise to sunset. The state birding trail's page for the park says its boardwalk through the mangroves is wheelchair accessible.

The county's page lists no entry fee. Pasco County's Gulf parks don't list a senior or disability fee exemption.

Farther north in Hudson, Robert J. Strickland Memorial Park at 6345 Clark Street also has a beach, swim area, boardwalk, observation tower, kayak access, and restrooms.

How much does it cost to go to SunWest Park?

$5 a day, paid by debit or credit card only, according to Pasco County's SunWest Park page. An annual pass is $30 for Pasco residents and $50 for everyone else, bought through the county's online reservations page.

The park is at 17362 Old Dixie Highway in Hudson, just off U.S. 19 in northwest Pasco. The county says it "has been developed around a former limestone mine," with white sand along "the shores of the 70 acre spring-fed lake." It's open dawn to dusk. No pets, alcohol, or grills.

The Lift Adventure Park runs the water activities at SunWest: a cable for wakeboarding, a floating aqua park, and kayak and paddleboard rentals. Its website lists paddle rentals from noon to 4 p.m. daily. 727-569-6472.

Can you swim at Werner Boyce Salt Springs State Park?

No. The park says to swim outside it, on Durney Key, and its kayak rental company says swimming isn't allowed because of the oyster beds.

It's a good place to paddle, though. The main entrance of Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park is at 8737 U.S. 19 North in Port Richey, near the Walmart at 8701 U.S. 19, with restrooms, boardwalks, trails, and a kayak and canoe launch. Entry is $4 per car, and the park is cashless.

Salty Dog Kayak Rentals rents inside the park, Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A single kayak is $27.99 for two hours, and a tandem is $38.99. If you bring your own kayak, you can launch there for just the park entry fee. The launch is about 150 yards from the parking lot, so plan on carrying or wheeling your boat that far. (813) 540-5778.

More places to launch a kayak in west Pasco

Pasco County's park rules page lists its canoe and kayak launches. On the Gulf side they include Robert K. Rees, Anclote River Park, Anclote Gulf Park, and Eagle Point Park in New Port Richey, which has Gulf access and three docks.

The City of New Port Richey says entry, parking, and launching are free at its parks, on the Cotee River:

The City of Port Richey lists its parks too, including Brasher Park on Koons Road with a launch for boats without motors, and Waterfront Park on Old Post Road with a kayak launch.

In Holiday, Key Vista Nature Park has a boardwalk that connects to Anclote Gulf Park's fishing pier, a short nature trail, an observation tower, and handicapped parking.

Hernando County

Can you swim at Hernando Beach, Florida?

We didn't find a public swimming beach in the community of Hernando Beach itself. Two Hernando County parks nearby on Shoal Line Boulevard have swimming areas. Neither has lifeguards on duty.

What's the closest beach to Spring Hill, Florida?

Hernando County's beach right on the Gulf is Alfred McKethan Pine Island Park, at 10840 Pine Island Drive in Spring Hill. It has a beach and swimming area, picnic shelters, grills, showers, changing rooms, and restrooms. It's open from 8:30 a.m. to sunset. Parking is $5 per car, by credit card only, and free for cars with a handicap placard and for disabled veterans. No RVs or trailers.

Bayport Park, at the west end of State Road 50, has a new boardwalk, a fishing pier, two boat ramps, and a kayak launch. It has no swimming area.

The Weekiwachee Preserve in Spring Hill is an 11,000-acre preserve with deep lakes left from limestone mining. You can carry a kayak or canoe to the lakes, but there's no boat ramp and swimming isn't allowed. It has about 5.5 miles of trails and a portable toilet. Its page lists bowhunting dates, so check them before you go.

Citrus County

Where can I launch my kayak in Crystal River?

The City of Crystal River has two launch parks, and its launch page says there's a per-boat launch fee at both.

From November 15 to March 31, the posted manatee sanctuary areas in Kings Bay are closed to boating, swimming, and all other use, and paddle craft can't go into Three Sisters Springs. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service explains the rules on its refuge activities page. Never chase, touch, or disturb a resting manatee.

Outside town, Crystal River Preserve State Park has a free kayak launch. Out on Fort Island Trail, Fort Island Trail Park has a swimming area, fishing pier, and ramp, and Citrus County lists it as handicap accessible. At the end of the road, Fort Island Gulf Beach is the county's Gulf beach, open while repairs continue, as of October 2026. Citrus County charges $10 a day to launch any boat, kayaks included, at both Fort Island parks. The details are on its launch fee page.

North of Crystal River, the Withlacoochee Bay Trail is a free, 5-mile paved trail to the Gulf, listed as wheelchair accessible. At its trailhead, Felburn Park lets you paddle Phil's Lake and has restrooms.

Farther south, Ozello and the Chassahowitzka River have free county ramps at Pirates Cove and at the Chassahowitzka River Campground. John Brown Park in Ozello is a rest stop on the 17-mile St. Martins Marsh Saltwater Paddling Trail. The state's saltwater paddling trail guide covers this whole coast, and it says much of this stretch is remote.

Watch the name: Citrus County's Hernando Beach park is in the inland town of Hernando, in Citrus County. It isn't Hernando Beach in Hernando County.

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