ON THE WATER: BEACHES & BAYS 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. Christ of the Deep, Key Largo, photo by Peter W. Cross & Patrick Farrell 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. Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway on Anna Maria Island, photo by Lara Cerri History and wildlife collide when you CATCH A FERRY to Egmont Key near the mouth of Tampa Bay. OFFICIAL FLORIDA VACATION GUIDE ✹ 21
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