Things to do in Florida
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Weeki Wachee: Clear Kayak Ecotour with Wildlife & Tandem BoatsYou’ll paddle clear kayaks through Weeki Wachee’s glassy waters with a local guide who knows every twist in the river. Spot manatees if they feel like showing up, count turtles and fish below your feet, and learn stories about these springs along the way. This tour mixes gentle adventure with those small moments that stick with you long after you’ve dried off.
Fort Lauderdale: Snorkel & Seabob Reef Tour Small GroupYou’ll ride a Seabob scooter over Fort Lauderdale’s reefs with a small group and local guide—no swimming skills needed. Learn how to use your gear on the beach, then glide above tropical fish and maybe spot sea turtles or conch shells below. Expect laughter, salt on your lips, and a new way of seeing Florida’s underwater world.
Cypress Springs kayaking & snorkeling near Panama City BeachCypress Springs Eco Adventure is a guided kayaking, snorkeling and paddleboarding tour near Panama City Beach that takes you down Holmes Creek to a natural spring with 100-foot visibility. You choose your watercraft—kayak, canoe or stand-up paddleboard—and the guide handles all setup and gear; lunch and snorkeling equipment are included. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours depending on departure time, with a 45-minute drive each way from the beach.Is it for me?The tour involves paddling upriver and spending time in the water, so it's built for travelers comfortable with moderate physical activity on the water. The guide handles all the heavy lifting—gear setup, demonstrations and navigation—so you're free to focus on exploring the spring itself.
Marco Island: 2-Hour Dolphin & Shelling Tour with NaturalistYou'll spend two hours on a naturalist-led boat tour through the Ten Thousand Islands, searching for dolphins, manatees, sea turtles and wading birds, then land on a barrier island to collect shells and learn about coastal ecology. The guide is a Florida Master Naturalist, the captain and safety gear are included, and you get bags to keep your finds. Morning departures are recommended June through October.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see dolphins and wading birds without spending a full day on the water, and you'd rather have a naturalist explain what's happening than figure it out yourself — two hours is enough to feel like you've entered a different world without the commitment of a longer excursion.
Naples Sunset Cruise: Gulf of Mexico & Port Royal MansionsYou board the Double Sunshine at Tin City, cruise the Gordon River and Gulf of Mexico for 90 minutes while a captain narrates the history and points out dolphins, manatees and Port Royal's millionaire estates. The boat is wheelchair-accessible, parking is free, and you return to Tin City with time to shop or eat before heading out. Children under 15 need a guardian; minimum drinking age is 21.Is it for me?Book this if you want a structured evening on the water without arranging your own boat or timing—the fixed departure one hour before sunset is what lets you plan the rest of your night around it.
St. Petersburg: Downtown Golf Cart Tour & Local Art StopsYou’ll ride through downtown St. Pete in a comfy golf cart with a local guide, stopping for waterfront views, colorful murals, and quiet parks. Expect stories you won’t find online, surprise art moments, and that feeling of being part of the city instead of just passing through.
Kayaking and SUP in New Smyrna: Dolphins and ManateesKayak and stand-up paddleboard through New Smyrna's waterways on a guided adventure with a live English-speaking guide, paddles, kayaks and life vests included. You paddle at a relaxing pace through channels where dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, bald eagles, pelicans and ospreys live, and stop on islands to learn the town's history. New Smyrna is one of only a few places in the world where you can see the West Indian Manatee. Children from age 4 are welcome.Is it for me?The paddling is relaxed and the pace is set by the guide, so this suits anyone comfortable being on the water for two hours—no kayaking experience needed, and children from age 4 can join.
Crystal River: Manatee Swim Tour & Heated Boat ExperienceYou’ll float alongside wild manatees in Crystal River’s clear springs with just a handful of fellow travelers and a local guide leading the way. Expect quiet moments underwater, warm laughs on a cozy heated boat, and stories from people who know these waters best. It’s gentle, real Florida — something you’ll remember long after drying off.
Crystal River Manatee Wildlife Boat Tour: 1.5-Hour CruiseA 1.5-hour narrated wildlife boat tour through Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge with a USCG-licensed captain and naturalist guide, where you watch manatees, bald eagles, herons and other birds in their natural habitat. The refuge spans over 80 acres and holds a resident herd of 40–60 manatees that stay year-round in the warm spring waters. Tour boats are covered, stable and roomy; free parking is included with no marina fees.Is it for me?Most Crystal River tours operate seasonally and fill with winter visitors chasing peak manatee numbers. This one runs year-round with a resident herd that stays put, so you can book any month and still encounter them without the crowds or the premium winter pricing.
Dry Tortugas National Park: Catamaran Day Trip & Fort JeffersonYou board the Yankee Freedom III in Key West and spend the day at Dry Tortugas National Park: a guided tour of Fort Jefferson with a naturalist, snorkeling in clear tropical water, and meals included. The 30+ mph catamaran gets you there and back in one day, and the National Park entry fee is already in the price.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Fort Jefferson and the Dry Tortugas islands in a single day without arranging your own boat or managing the logistics — the catamaran's speed and included meals mean you spend your time on the water and the islands, not waiting or planning.
Kayaking Shell Key Preserve: Mangrove tunnels and sandbarA small group guided kayak tour of the Shell Key Preserve, a protected 1,800-acre nature preserve at the mouth of Tampa Bay. You paddle stable double kayaks through hidden mangrove tunnels and seagrass meadows, then beach on Shell Island for swimming and shell hunting. The tour runs three hours with a guide, all equipment, and a boat ride to and from the launch site.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and leads the whole group together, so anyone comfortable following along in English and paddling for three hours will track the tour without strain. Children from age 8 paddle in doubles with an adult, which keeps the pace manageable for families.
Fort Lauderdale: 2-Person Mini Powerboat Self-Guided RentalYou captain a mini-powerboat through Fort Lauderdale's canal system without prior boating experience—the staff teaches you everything before you leave the dock. Your rental includes safety gear, fuel, and a navigation map with suggested routes. You control the pace and stops across 165 miles of waterways, seeing mangroves, wildlife, and residential waterfront at your own speed. Drivers must be 18+; those born after 1987 need a temporary boater's license obtained online before arrival.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to explore Fort Lauderdale's canals at their own pace without joining a guided group—the self-guided format means you control where you stop, how long you stay, and which routes you take.
Key West: SNUBA Dive Adventure & Coral Reef ExperienceYou’ll slip beneath the waves on a guided SNUBA dive off Key West—no certification needed—and float among colorful coral and schools of tropical fish. A local instructor helps you get comfortable with the gear before leading you through underwater scenes you won’t forget soon. All equipment is included, plus filtered water when you resurface—just bring your curiosity.
Fort Lauderdale: Private Everglades Airboat & Gator ExhibitYou get a private airboat ride through the Everglades with a captain who moves at your pace, plus a guided walk through the Alligator & Reptile Exhibit. The whole boat is yours regardless of group size, so you're not waiting for other tourists or competing for the captain's attention. Pick your time at checkout and arrive ready to go.Is it for me?This works best if you want to move through the Everglades at your own pace without the noise and crowd of a shared tour—the private boat is what makes that possible, and it costs less per person the more people you bring along.
Fort Myers: Sunset Sail on 36ft Catamaran & DrinksYou board a 36-foot catamaran in Fort Myers for a two-hour evening sail timed to catch the sunset. Soda and water are included, and the crew—fourth-generation local sailors—handle the boat while you stand on deck and watch the sky turn colors that don't photograph right. No experience needed, and the protected waters mean a smooth ride from start to finish.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to see a Southwest Florida sunset without standing on a crowded beach or arranging your own boat—the catamaran gives you open water and a stable platform, and the timing is already built around the light.
Parasailing Fort Lauderdale: 400 feet above the AtlanticParasailing in Fort Lauderdale means flying 400 feet above the Atlantic Ocean on a tow from a state-of-the-art CWS Ocean Pro boat, departing from Bahia Mar Resort & Marina. You choose single, tandem or triple flights; the full adventure runs 90 minutes and includes a scenic cruise through the Intracoastal canal system. Ages 5 and up can fly, and observer seats are available for non-flyers. All Coast Guard approved safety gear is provided, and the captains hold US Coast Guard certification with 15+ years of experience and zero incidents on record.Is it for me?Fly 400 feet above the Atlantic with unobstructed views of the Gold Coast skyline and mansions—departing from Bahia Mar puts you airborne faster than operators elsewhere, backed by 15+ years without incident and US Coast Guard certified captains.
Everglades Day Safari from Fort Lauderdale: Airboat & WildlifeYou ride an airboat across sawgrass prairies, drive through Big Cypress National Preserve with a naturalist guide, walk through cypress forests, eat lunch at a waterside cafe, tour a historic trading post, and cruise through mangrove channels watching for dolphins and manatees. The full day includes all transport from Fort Lauderdale, entry fees, and a guide who knows the land and its history. Bring sunscreen and a hat—you'll be in the sun and wind most of the day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Everglades as a working ecosystem and cultural landscape in one day without arranging transport, park entry, or timing yourself—the fixed itinerary and included guide handle all of it, and the mix of airboat, drive, walk, and boat means you experience the swamp from multiple angles rather than just one.
Fort Lauderdale: New River Museums Walking Tour & HistoryYou’ll wander riverside paths in downtown Fort Lauderdale, step inside three historic museums with a local guide, peek into pioneer homes and an old schoolhouse, and hear stories that bring Florida’s past alive. Expect small surprises—like touching sun-warmed banisters or hearing laughter echo off wooden floors—that linger long after you leave.
Orlando Airboat Ride: 30-Minute Wetlands Tour & Gator ViewingYou’ll race across Florida wetlands on a real airboat ride near Orlando, spot alligators up close with a local guide, wander through butterfly gardens, and end up sharing lakeside BBQ under open skies. Every moment feels hands-on—wind in your hair, mud on your shoes—and leaves you with stories to tell back home.
Fort Lauderdale Boat Cruise: Yachts, Sandbar & Dance PartyYou get a guided cruise past Fort Lauderdale's most expensive real estate, a swim stop at the sandbar with floats included, and a dance party back to shore. Bring your own food and drinks, use the onboard bathroom and cooler, and plan to arrive 30 minutes early. The 10am, 1pm, and 4pm times include the swim; 7pm is a sunset cruise through downtown instead.Is it for me?Book this if you want a party atmosphere on the water without the formality of a dinner cruise or the cost of renting your own boat — the crew's job is to keep the energy up, which is what makes a random afternoon on the water feel like an actual event.
Destinations
- Boca Raton›
- Cape Canaveral›
- Clearwater›
- Cocoa Beach›
- Crystal River›
- Daytona Beach›
- Destin›
- Everglades National Park›
- Fort Lauderdale›
- Fort Myers›
- Gainesville›
- Islamorada›
- Jacksonville›
- Key Largo›
- Key West›
- Miami›
- Naples, Florida›
- Orlando›
- Panama City Beach›
- Pensacola›
- Sarasota›
- St Augustine›
- St Petersburg›
- Tallahassee›
- Tampa›
- Vero Beach›
- West Palm Beach›
