Tag: kayaking

Valentine’s Day at Castaways On The River

Valentine's Day-Castaways-Surprise
Surprise your sweetheart with a weekend getaway.

If you love being outside next to nature then The St. John’s River is the place to be on the day of love; Valentine’s Day at Castaways On the River. The St. John’s River area is truly a sample of old Florida’s pristine beauty. And what a wonderful backdrop to spend time with the one you love.

Your Valentine’s Day at Castaways on the River itinerary can include:

Surprise your honey with a weekend trip. Plan to arrive on Friday and spend the weekend away from it all. We offer a variety of cottages and motel rooms to accommodate guests.

A fishing excursion followed by cooking the catch of the day for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. You reserve the time to serve up a great meal. We have grills for guests to use or set up a romantic atmosphere in one of our guest cottages.

Spend the day on the boat. The whole day can be spent enjoying the beautiful St. Johns River. Cast off from our dock at first light and log the hours just relaxing on the water. Head north and explore Lake George or south to Lake Dexter.

Valentine's Day-Castaways-Snorkel
Snorkeling for two is a great way to spend the day.

Snorkel in one of the area springs. Just the two of you underwater taking in the sheer beauty can be a memorable time. These are valuable hours of alone time spent exploring nature.

Another favorite activity in this area is to look for manatees. This time of the year it is easier to spot them as they seek the warm waters of area springs when the outside temperature dips. Make sure to slow your boat down to idle speed in manatee zones.

Valentine's Day-Castaways-Boat
Spend the day enjoying a boat ride along the St. Johns River.

Enjoy the beauty of the area. While the river has a lot to offer, remember it’s in the middle of the OcalaNational Forest, so that means hiking, bird watching or other fun eco-related activities to enjoy for a day or over a weekend.

Bring your boat and we can launch it and store it for you while visiting. Or you can rent one of ours along with other water craft including kayaks. Give us a call at (352) 759-3422 and let us help you plan the perfect trip to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Summer Fun on the St. Johns River

School’s out and that means summer fun abounds! It’s time to soak up some sun, get out on the water, and relax! So head on over to the beautiful St. Johns River and see what’s in store at Castaways on the River during the lazy days of summer fun.

Whether it’s just for a few hours, an overnight stay, or a week or two, we’ve got accommodations to meet your needs. We’ve tried to think of everything. Each of our stylish furnished cottages of one, two, or three bedrooms includes a fully-appointed kitchen. The space will help make your stay more comfortable whether it’s for just a few friends or the whole family.

In addition, our recently renovated hotel offers a riverfront view for guests to enjoy. And if you want to bring your own accommodations, we rent RV sites too.

Don’t Forget Summer Fun on the Water!

We have a variety of boats, available for rent. A number of our boats can seat up to 10 people. You can go out for a few hours, a full day, or just a half-day. It’s up to you to map out your summer fun!

Freshwater fishing is a favorite summer fun pastime of many of our guests since the St. Johns River is known for its many varieties of Bass fish like the Black Crappie, also known as the Speckled Perch. Many of the regular fisherman in the area will be happy to share a tip or two before you cast your line.
summer fun image

Thinking of grilling out for dinner? Or perhaps you just want to take in the scenery? Guests at Castaways On The River have access to the propane grills set up around the resort. You supply the meal since we’ve taken care of the ambiance with the up-close view and access to the St. Johns River. Wave at a passerby in a boat or be entertained by the surrounding nature.

summer fun Pinterest pin
There is plenty to do at Castaways on the River to enjoy the St. Johns River.

We’re Convenient to Just About Anywhere

We may be tucked away in Astor, FL but we are on the way to just about everywhere from Daytona to Ocala along U.S. 40. We are located in the eastern portion of the Ocala National Forest and just a few minutes north of De Leon Springs State Park, both offering a host of fun activities to explore.

There is plenty to do here at Castaways on the River to enjoy the sun and water. Take a look at our cottages, hotel accommodations, and boats, and make plans to visit soon. In addition, join us on Twitter and Facebook to see what’s going on!

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Family Trip Ideas

Boat Ride – St. Johns River

Greenery on St. Johns River

St. Johns River is Florida’s longest river; forming a beautiful path that flows from Indian River County to northeast Florida and into the Atlantic Ocean. A boat cruise of the river offers many opportunities for an affordable family trip, as the river is known for its diverse wildlife and freshwater fishing, especially largemouth basses. The river is a haven for manatees and a variety of birds. Pass through Heritage Corridor, which offers views of Volusia County’s rich cultural heritage and national treasures.

Recreation –  Silver Glen Springs

If you are boating on the St. Johns River, plan to visit Silver Glen Springs, located just a few minutes up the river from Astor, FL. Silver Glen Springs is in the Recreational Area of the Ocala National Forest. The spring has a large semicircular pool that measures 200 feet from north to south, and 175 feet east to west. With such magnitude, the crystal-clear spring basin is popular for snorkeling, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming. Everyone will have plenty of room to splash and play!

Silver Glen Springs - Family Fun

Silver Glen Springs is an important archaeological site with hiking trails where you can explore and learn more about the history and ecology of the area.  The natural setting is surrounded by forests of oak, cedar and pines, providing the perfect scenery for photography and birding. If you happen to visit the Spring in the winter, you may see manatees visiting from the cooler waters of the St. Johns River.

Castaways on the River offers many boats for rent for your next cruise. Consider staying with us as well and wake up to beautiful sunshine in our many cottages and motel rooms that will accommodate almost any party size. We would love for you to come visit and experience the beautiful oasis Astor has to offer.

-Castaways on the River