If you are in Homosassa Fort Island would be your closest actual beach. You head North up Hwy 19 to Crystal River where you turn west on Fort Island Trail. The nine mile Fort Island Trail winds through saltwater marches and has beautiful views of Crystal River as well as the Gulf of Mexico. This road will take you to the end of the peninsula and to Fort Island Beach. The beach is family friendly with restrooms, showers and there is plenty of parking, the parking if free which is a huge plus. There is also a pier there where you can fish or catch blue crab off of. The swimming area is roped off and if the tide is low this does not give you much swimming room.  The beach is nice but just under the sand gets very muddy and the swimming area is more muddy than sandy. The reason for this is the sand has been brought in from other sources because the curvature of the seafloor surrounding the beach prevents sand from washing ashore. The beach is small and can get crowded. Unlike many other beaches there is no chance of rip currents at Fort Island Trail Beach. Lifeguards are also on duty during peak beach times. There used to be a food vendor there but for some reason they are no longer there. So remember to bring your own food and drinks for a day outing. Some of the covered picnic tables on the beach are located near charcoal grills for family beach cookouts. There is sometimes a boiled peanuts truck there but not much else.  Besides swimming Fort Island Trail Beach offers a winding boardwalk that ends at a fishing pier. The bottom line is that this is not the greatest beach but it is close, pretty to go for a walk, nice and safe for kids and the sunsets are spectacular.