Your Guide to Outdoor Activities in Florida
Florida claims the title of the southernmost state of the US, jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and forming the eastern boundary of the Gulf of Mexico. Because of its peninsular formation, Florida is host to hundreds of miles of beaches and is known as “The Sunshine State”. In fact, Florida has the longest coastline in the contiguous, boasting around 1,350 miles of beach. United States Home to world-famous theme parks, Latin cultures, and a vivacious nightlife, Florida is famous as a vacation and retirement getaway.
Beaches
With so many miles of coastline, it’s no wonder that Florida is known for its tropical and subtropical beaches. Due to warmer conditions, many of the waters off the coast of Florida are nearly crystal clear. Here are some of our top picks for beaches to visit in Florida:
Clearwater Beach: Located on a 3 mile stretch of Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is in close proximity to Tampa and offers visitors many opportunities for outdoor activities such as volleyball, parasailing, and even dolphin watching. Here, you can also walk to the end of the famed Pier 60 to watch the sunset off of Florida’s clear waters.
Sanibel Island: Abundant amounts of seashells wash ashore from the Gulf, offering tourists the opportunity for unique collection of shells while enjoying the pristine white beaches.
Captiva Island: If you’re into fishing and boating, then Sanibel Island’s sister Captiva Island is the place to be!
Paddleboard
Everglades National Park is a 1.5-million-acre wetlands preserve on the southern tip of Florida and has been compared to a slow-moving river through grasslands and mangroves. Among the Everglades' abundant wildlife are the endangered leatherback turtle, Florida panther, and West Indian manatee - all of which can be viewed via a paddleboard tour!
Paddle or pole the old fashioned way across open grass prairies or through mangrove tunnels with a naturalist guide from Everglades Adventure Tours. This outdoor activity is recommended for experienced paddle boarders, but is welcoming to amateurs who possess a certain amount of balance as well as upper body strength.
Zipline and Canopy Tours
If you’re looking for a little more excitement and thrill during your Florida stay, then ziplining through towering cliffs, sparkling lakes, old growth oak trees, and massive canyons can get your blood pumping! Take in the scenery with one-of-a-kind aerial views during your zipline and canopy tour via the watchful eye of trained experts and guides.
One can choose from a variety of different guides and tours that offer many spectacular views of the wildlife and geography that Florida has to offer. Additionally, many of the zipline tours can also be combined with rope bridge experiences, horseback tours, and fly ziplining adventures.
