Monkey Island

A small artificial island in the middle of the Homosassa River, just outside the Riverside Resort, populated by a colony of spider monkeys who have lived there for sixty years. They have a small lighthouse, a faux castle, palm trees and not a lot to do — but they are easy to see, easy to photograph, and a useful argument with children that the world is sometimes very strange.

You cannot land on the island, but boats stop at the dock of MacRae's nearby for views from the river. Sunset is a good time — the monkeys are active, and the resort bar serves drinks on the deck.

things to do sight wildlife
A story
The first monkeys were placed on the island in the 1960s by entrepreneur G. Allen Norris, after one too many of them escaped his nearby attraction and raided the local bait shop. Their descendants — squirrel monkeys and spider monkeys — still rule the rock today, fed daily by their human caretakers.