Kate Bradshaw 2018-12-11 06:56:26
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN FLORIDA Coastal or inland, water is integral to the Florida lifestyle. From the sparkling beaches that hug the state’s 1,197 miles of coastline to the cool, crystalline water that filters through the state’s many freshwater springs, the Sunshine State flows with aquatic experiences, and the perfect one for you awaits. RELAX The sound of gentle surf combined with the scent of salty air provides instant stress relief — especially if you’re lucky enough to find a stretch of quiet shore you can call your own. Lucky for you, Florida’s coast is lined with beaches that are perfect for relaxation no matter your style. If you dream of lounging on a secluded gulf shoreline, you’ll want to steal away to a beach like Caladesi Island near Clearwater in the Tampa Bay area. This uninhabited island will make you feel like a castaway — even if it’s just a short distance from your hotel. This island is accessible only by boat, but you can catch a ferry here from Honeymoon Island State Park, or paddle out by kayak. Your toes will love the powder-soft quartz sand on Siesta Beach near Sarasota. To the south, Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer miles of shoreline perfect for bird-watching and scanning the sand for rare shells. If a peaceful Northwest Florida getaway calls, head to Grayton Beach, a low-key seaside community along the beaches of South Walton that’s known for its funky vibe, towering trees and colorful cottages. Much of the town lies within a state park of the same name, where you’ll find wildlife, trails and untouched beaches — and plenty of room to recline in the sun. A little farther west, beachfront resort community Sandestin offers extensive amenities to help you get away from it all. On the Atlantic side, Flagler Beach near Jacksonville beckons solitude seekers with miles of shoreline perfect for a long stroll. Looking for a Florida relaxation session with a side of luxury? Few places are as synonymous with splendor as Ponte Vedra Beach southeast of Jacksonville. Beachfront resorts here offer high-end amenities, including world-class spas as well as renowned golf courses. Also known for opulence are The Palm Beaches, where exclusive resorts line the shore. For more on Florida’s many relaxing beaches, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. MOVE Florida’s beaches are a haven for active types, no matter the chosen activity. Start your day with a morning run on a long stretch of shoreline like Fort Lauderdale Beach, where you’ll find a paved walkway in case you don’t want sand in your sneakers. Or, grab your buds and go bodysurfing at Ocean Inlet Park in Palm Beach County. Then, there are all those beaches for hanging ten. New Smyrna Beach on the Treasure Coast reliably offers choice swells. Cocoa Beach is great for beginners, and you’ll find some of the best waves at Sebastian Inlet. If stand-up paddleboarding is more your style, you can often rent a board from vendors operating right on the sand, or have a rental shop deliver it to you. Looking to bump, set and spike in the sand? You’ll find beach volleyball courts — and pickup games — on beaches up and down Florida’s coastline, namely at Hollywood Beach, Daytona Beach, Clearwater Beach and Panama City Beach. In search of an activity with a little more horsepower? Rent a jet-ski at Boynton Inlet — or off Fort Myers, right where the Caloosahatchee River meets the Gulf of Mexico — and get shredding. For more on active beaches, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. EXPLORE You don’t have to be a conquistador to turn your Florida travels into memorable, discovery-filled adventures. Grab a mask and fins (and, if you’re certified, some scuba gear) and be amazed by what’s beneath the surface in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park near Key Largo. See colorful fish scurry along the reef past the towering Christ of the Deep statue. You’ll find a hike with gorgeous vistas just east of Key West, where a historic trail along a former thoroughfare at Bahia Honda State Park offers stunning views of the water and the dramatic remains of what was once the Overseas Railroad. History and wildlife collide when you catch a ferry to Egmont Key near the mouth of Tampa Bay, where you can walk among the ruins of a Spanish-American War-era fort as well as a still-functional 160-year-old lighthouse. On the brick paths, there will be chances to snap photos of the island’s resident gopher tortoises. History and wildlife collide when you CATCH A FERRY to Egmont Key near the mouth of Tampa Bay. If your travels take you to Northwest Florida, rent a kayak to paddle the rare coastal dune lakes of South Walton, a phenomenon you’ll find in only a few other places on Earth. If you’re a history buff, check out Castillo de San Marcos, a centuries-old fort on the water in St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S. A few hours south on the Treasure Coast, you can explore the shore by horseback on Hutchinson Island. For more great beaches to explore, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. SAIL Partially enclosed by miles of coastline, Florida’s bays offer a trove of aquatic possibilities for adventure-seekers. Given how they tend to be shallow and surrounded on multiple sides by land, bays are rarely choppy and they teem with wildlife. The same characteristics that make them ideal for raising young manatees also make them a perfect setting for a kayak or sailboat. These diverse bodies of water are each special in their own way and are key to making each of Florida’s coastal regions unique. Biscayne Bay in Miami is a venue for world-class sailing. No sailboat? No problem. The area abounds with charters that’ll take you and your crew for a breezy ride. On the Gulf Coast, go for a sunset sail on Sarasota Bay, and take in sweeping, unforgettable views of the downtown Sarasota skyline. To the north, Tampa Bay is a large estuary that’s a nursery for all kinds of sea creatures and an excellent place to go wildlife spotting as well as a popular place to fish; locals will often cast a line from a bridge or pier. Seafood aficionados will want to head to Northwest Florida’s Apalachicola Bay for the region’s world-famous oysters, then head to Destin, the “world’s luckiest fishing village,” which sits on Choctawhatchee Bay. Plenty of companies offer daily guided fishing trips as well as boats you can charter. In summer, locals grab their snorkels and fins and head to Homosassa Bay on the Nature Coast in search of bay scallops. On the east coast, Palm Bay sits along the Indian River Lagoon, which is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems of its kind in the world — great for viewing from a kayak. Wherever it is you end up along the Florida coastline, bays make for some of the best kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and wildlife spotting you can find. For more on Florida bays, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. LAUNCH Thousands of vibrant freshwater lakes dot the landscape that constitutes the Florida peninsula. Thank the state’s geography; the porous limestone underlying much of Florida is the source of the state’s freshwater bodies — and memorable treks for locals and visitors alike. Perhaps the most famous of them all is Lake Okeechobee, that round body of water just north of the Everglades. A 109-mile hiking trail winds around its shores. While you’re in the area, Fisheating Creek, a tributary to the massive lake, is worth a kayaking sidetrip for the busy wildlife and majestic cypress trees. You’ll find a handful of fish camps on the shores of Lake Istokpoga in Central Florida’s Highlands County, which is known for bass, crappie and bluegill. Just to the north, launch your canoe or kayak from the shores of Lake Kissimmee, a 35,000-acre lake popular for wildlife viewing and bass fishing. You’ll find several neighboring lakes within the bounds of Lake Kissimmee State Park. Between Jacksonville and Orlando lies Lake George, Florida’s second-biggest lake. Bordering Ocala National Forest and connected to the St. Johns River, the lake (originally named Welaka) is popular for boating. If you don’t have a boat, no worries. Plenty of companies offer charters and tours, including airboats for groups large and small. For more on lakes, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. REFRESH Countless gallons of fresh, cool water flow from Florida’s limestone aquifer every day. The state’s springs are a key water source throughout the state, while their banks are prime recreational gateways. Whichever waterway you choose, you’ll spot birds and other wildlife — including, if you’re lucky, West Indian manatees. In the winter, spring-fed Crystal River is one of your best bets for manatee spotting. The springs that feed it flow out at 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, and the gentle creatures take refuge in the water’s relative warmth when temperatures dip. In warmer months, manatees scatter, but you can spot them in warmer waterways. Florida’s springs also offer unparalleled paddling and diving. Head to the legendary Suwannee River for a kayaking expedition, or dive to the bottom of the river at Gilchrist Blue Springs Park, where you can see springwater bubbling up from the riverbed for yourself. You don’t have to escape the city to have fun on a Florida river, though. Urban river adventures include kayaking on the Middle River, which snakes through the Fort Lauderdale area, and pedaling a water bike along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. For more on rivers and springs, go to VISITFLORIDA.com. Get your paws sandy Doggies love their beach time, too. That’s why you’ll find dog beaches up and down Florida’s coasts, where pups can zoom along the shoreline and splash in the surf. Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg has a stretch of beach where pups can run off leash and a fenced-in park with a freshwater wash-down area. Dog Island near Apalachicola is accessible only by boat, but offers extensive space for you and your furry BFF to roam. Other notable pup-friendly beaches include Hollywood Dog Beach, Gulfside Beach, Jupiter Beach and Brohard Paw Park. Happy splashing! Go with the flow: River tubing is Florida’s best-kept secret Come summer, Floridians know how to chill out: they go tubing in one of the state’s many spring-fed rivers. When temperatures are north of 90 degrees, an afternoon spent floating on turquoise, 72-degree water is the essence of refreshment. Bring a large, inflatable tube — or rent one — and hop on; the current will do the rest. If you rent a tube, you’ll either park at the starting point and get a ride back up when your floating session ends, or park, then get shuttled up-river and float back to your vehicle. The most popular spots for tubing expeditions are Ichetucknee River, Ginnie Springs and Rainbow River. For tips on planning your tubing trip, go to VISITFLORIDA.com.
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On The Water
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