Things to do in Florida
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Fort Lauderdale: Private Sailing Charter & Captain, 4 HoursYou’ll drift past wild mansions and mega-yachts on this private Fort Lauderdale sailing charter, maybe spotting dolphins or manatees along the way. Take the wheel if you’re brave, relax in shaded seats with your own snacks, and soak up quiet moments with a local captain guiding you through hidden corners of the waterway.
Destin: Crab Island Pontoon Rental, No Experience NeededYou captain your own pontoon from a private dock in Fort Walton Beach straight to Crab Island, with free fuel, parking, and a cooler included. The boat comes rigged with shade, a stereo, and life vests for everyone. No boating experience needed if your operator was born before 1988; otherwise, an online safety certificate is required. Arrive 30 minutes early for check-in, and plan for a damage fee or deposit hold at the dock.Is it for me?Right for groups who want to control their own pace and schedule on the water without hiring a captain or dealing with crowded tour boats. Plan for 30 minutes of check-in time before departure, and note that the boat operator needs a boater safety certificate if born after January 1, 1988—the online test is quick and available before you book.
Key West: Jimmy Buffett Walking Tour & Key Lime PieYou walk 90 minutes through Old Key West with a local guide, stopping at the bars, studios, and restaurants where Jimmy Buffett played and ate over five decades. You get key lime pie, a drink, and the actual geography of how his songs came to life. No driving, no waiting—just walking and listening, and you end the afternoon at a real saloon instead of a tour office.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to understand Key West through the one person whose music defined it, without arranging your own route or timing—the guide does the navigation and the storytelling, and the pie and drink are already paid for.
St Augustine: Ghost Tour Golf Cart & Haunted SitesYou ride through St Augustine's most haunted locations in an electric golf cart with a certified guide, covering Flagler College, the Spanish Military Hospital, Castillo de San Marcos, and two historic cemeteries. The cart covers more ground than a walking tour, stories happen as you move between sites, and you get photos included. No need to arrange your own transport or spend hours on foot.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to hear the paranormal stories of St Augustine's most haunted locations without spending hours walking—the golf cart is what makes it possible to see more sites in one trip and still have energy left at the end.
Crystal River: Manatee Swim Tour with USCG CaptainYou arrive early, board a small boat with a USCG captain and licensed dive guide, and motor into Kings Bay to find manatees in their natural habitat. You'll snorkel alongside them in shallow water while your guide teaches you how to read their behavior and interact respectfully. The tour includes a full wetsuit, snorkel gear, hot beverages, and access to heated changing facilities with showers. Small group size means the captain can keep watch on everyone and the manatees don't get stressed by crowds.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see manatees in their natural habitat without the chaos of a large group tour—the small boat size and professional guide training mean you'll actually understand what you're watching and the animals stay calm around you.
Dolphin watching tour Clearwater Beach: Guaranteed sightingsA dolphin watching boat tour at Clearwater Beach with a live English-speaking guide, running roughly 90 minutes and featuring guaranteed dolphin sightings. The boat carries coolers with ice and has a bathroom onboard. Tours work for all fitness levels, and infants can ride along if they sit on an adult's lap.Is it for me?Choose this tour to see dolphins and explore Clearwater's Gulf waters with a guide who knows where to find them, leaving your afternoon or morning free for beach time.
Key West Old Town: Food Tour with 5 Tastings & Cuban CuisineYou walk through Key West's Old Town with a local guide, stopping for five tastings that move from iced coffee and conch fritters through Cuban specialties to Key lime pie and a surprise final dish. The guide shares the island's real history—maritime, cultural, human—while you eat your way through the neighborhood. Plan for two to three hours of walking in comfortable shoes, and contact ahead if you have dietary restrictions.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste Key West's real food culture without planning five separate stops yourself—the guide knows where to go and the restaurants expect you, which means no hunting for lunch and no guessing whether a place is worth the wait.
Miami: 1-Hour Private Boat Ride Coconut Grove & Waterfront BarsYou board a private boat in Coconut Grove for a one-hour cruise past Miami's working marinas and waterway networks with a licensed captain and your own music playing. The boat includes ice, cooler space, and BYOB setup. You finish near the waterfront restaurants where you can grab a drink without backtracking. Schedule confirms closer to your date based on availability.Is it for me?Book this if you're in Miami for a short window and want to get on the water without committing to a half-day tour—the one-hour length and waterfront pickup location mean you can fit it between other plans and head straight to a drink afterward.
Key Largo: Dolphins & Manatees Eco Boat TourYou board a small boat in Key Largo and spend the morning searching the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for dolphins and manatees while the captain explains how the ecosystem works. Water and ice are provided; you bring a reusable bottle and any snacks you want. The tour moves at the animals' pace, not a schedule, and ends back at the shop with time to spare.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see dolphins or manatees without the crowds of a big tour boat, and you're comfortable with the fact that wildlife sightings depend on the day—the small group size and the captain's knowledge are what make that trade-off worth it.
Deep Sea Fishing from Madeira Beach: Half-Day CatchA half-day deep sea fishing trip from John's Pass in Madeira Beach puts you on the water for three hours targeting grey snapper, porgies, black seabass, hogfish, mangrove snapper and occasional mackerel or kingfish. Rod rentals and bait are included; a live English-speaking guide leads the outing. Your catch goes home with you or to The Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant, located next door to the marina, where the kitchen will prepare it for you to eat right there.Is it for me?Five hours total means three hours on the water, leaving your morning or afternoon free for other plans—pick this one if you want to fish without losing a full day, or if you're building a day around a meal at the restaurant next door.
Miami: 3-Hour Party Boat Cruise & Open BarYou board at Bayside Marketplace and spend three hours on the water with a live DJ, unlimited open bar, light snacks, and dance contests including champagne showers. The boat cruises Miami's skyline and Star Island while you choose your departure time: daytime (2–5pm), sunset (8–11pm), or late night (11pm–2am on select Saturdays). Groups run up to 120 people, so the vibe is high and the bar never closes.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to party without arranging a club, a table, or a group — the boat handles the music, the drinks and the crowd, and you just show up in the time slot that works for you.
Orlando: Small Group Manatee Kayak Tour at Blue SpringYou’ll paddle through Blue Spring’s clear waters near Orlando in a small group, guided by a local expert who knows every ripple and shadow. Expect close-up moments with wild manatees (sometimes right under your kayak), peaceful birdwatching breaks, and time to just float quietly — all gear plus snacks included. It’s less about adrenaline, more about feeling part of the river for a while.
St Augustine Nights of Lights Boat Tour: Holiday LightsA 75-minute boat tour of St Augustine's Nights of Lights Festival departs from Vilano Beach Fishing Pier and cruises through downtown's holiday displays aboard the Pellicano, a 50-foot vessel with padded seats and live commentary. The tour runs nightly during the festival season, subject to favorable weather; if canceled, you receive an alternative date or full refund. Bring your own beverages and snacks, or enjoy complimentary bottled water on board. Maximum 56 people per departure; children must be accompanied by an adult.Is it for me?Choose the sunset departure if you want the lights as they're turning on and the sky still holds color; pick the later Nights of Lights Adults Only option if you're traveling without children and want a quieter boat. The fixed 75-minute route means you see the full lit sections of downtown without the parking hunt or the walk—the reflections on the water do the work for you.
Crystal River: Manatee Snorkel Tour & Gear IncludedYou’ll float alongside wild manatees in Crystal River’s spring-fed waters with all your gear provided (even wetsuits). A local guide keeps things safe and fun for everyone — swimmers or just riders. Sip hot chocolate after your swim and relive it all on video if you want. It’s a gentle adventure that leaves you quietly awed.
Chassahowitzka River Kayaking: Clear Water & Hidden SpringsA guided clear kayak tour on the Chassahowitzka River near Homosassa, where you paddle in small groups from Seven Sisters Campground through limestone springs and hidden creeks, with time to swim in the clearest water. The tour runs year-round in two seasons: manatee-focused trips from November through March, and spring-hopping tours April through November. All equipment—tandem kayak, life jacket, paddles—is provided, and children from age 3 are welcome.Is it for me?The tour departs from Seven Sisters Campground, so if you're staying in the Homosassa area or driving from Orlando or Tampa, you'll meet the guide directly at the launch point without arranging separate transport to a distant hub. Small groups mean you're paddling with at most a handful of other people, which keeps the waterway quiet and the wildlife sightings more likely.
Fort Lauderdale: 60-Min Escape Room at Sawgrass MillsYou get sixty minutes locked in a themed room with your team, solving puzzles and following clues to escape. A game guide helps when you're stuck, and you choose from five different adventures—from time travel to underwater missions. Plan for ninety minutes total, including the briefing and photo time after. Ages thirteen and up are recommended, though younger players can join with an adult.Is it for me?Right for groups of friends, families, or coworkers who want a break from the mall and an hour of focused teamwork—the locked door and the clock are what make the puzzle-solving feel real, not gimmicky.
Fort Myers Beach: Dolphin Sightseeing Tour with RefreshmentsYou board at Moss Marina and spend two to three hours on a catamaran moving through the back bay toward Mound Key, watching for dolphins, manatees, herons and other wildlife among the mangrove islands and shoreline homes. Refreshments are included, and the boat stays under 16 passengers so you're not fighting for a view or a quiet moment.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to spot dolphins and manatees without fighting crowds or spending hours waiting in one spot. The small group size and slow pace through the bay are what make spotting wildlife actually possible instead of just hoped for.
St. Augustine Walking Tour: Sweets, History & TastingsA small-group walking tour of St. Augustine's historic downtown led by a local guide, with stops at partner establishments for pastries, chocolates and local sweets, plus an insulated bag of extras to take with you. The tour runs 90 minutes and includes coffee or tea at the start, bottled water throughout, and tastes at each location. Groups stay small and the pace is walkable through the city center.Is it for me?The 90-minute pace and small-group format work best if you want history woven into the walk itself rather than a lecture at a single site, and if you're comfortable on foot through downtown for an hour and a half. The nut-free option is available; other dietary restrictions cannot be met, so book a different experience if you need vegan, kosher, dairy-free, sugar-free or gluten-free accommodations.
Panama City Beach: Axe Throwing Event with Coach & Group AccessYou’ll step into Panama City Beach ready to try axe throwing with a local coach guiding you through every swing. Expect laughter, friendly competition, and plenty of chances to connect with your group—plus all equipment and guidance included. You might even surprise yourself with that first perfect throw.
Cocoa Beach Dolphin Cruise: 2.5-Hour Banana River Eco TourYou spend two and a half hours on the water in the Banana River Lagoon with a licensed captain and naturalist guide, watching for dolphins, manatees, and wading birds in their natural habitat. The vessel is spacious with an onboard restroom and refreshments for purchase. Parking is free, and the pace is slow enough to photograph and ask questions without feeling herded.Is it for me?Right for families and wildlife watchers who want to see dolphins and manatees without the theme-park feel; the 2.5-hour pace means you're out on the water long enough to spot something real, but not so long that restless kids lose interest.
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›
