Florida Vacation Ideas
There is no one article that can cover the vast beauty and brilliance of Florida.
It is a magical place where the whitest and softest sand hiccup dunes over and over on a beach with the most spectacular views. Then there are the Everglades, which is equally as powerful an experience.
Florida, being a rather large peninsula, is an ideal place for water sports. Try your hand at Surfing, Wind Surfing, Kayaking, Water Skiing, Scuba Diving and Boating of all sorts.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Near Pensacola Gulf Island National Seashore is Nearly 6,000 acres of public land and 19,000 acres of water along 52 miles of Gulf and bay shoreline. These three Florida islands and some mainland coast line are some of the most intriguing terrain and opportunity that Florida has to offer.
East of Fort Pickens, between Pensacola Beach and Navarre Beach, the Opal Beach Area Gulf Islands National Seashore is alluring with its uninterrupted stretches of wind-sculpted dunes as far as the eye can see.
Naval Live Oaks Reservation
A small beach with an emphasis on nature hiking and education waits for you to explore. Five miles of trail penetrate a live oak forest that is home to the gray squirrel habitat. While you explore you will pass the shell middens left by ancient American Indian cultures.
Perdido Key
Acres of stunning dunescape are a popular spot for beach-goers, but six miles of beach makes it easy to lose the crowds.
Homosassa River
Need a secret getaway? Close your eyes and imagine yourself cruising along the Homosassa River, relish the cool breeze, Spanish moss dangling from branches of oak trees that line the river.
Now you are in the right frame of mind to enjoy some of the best light-tackle fishing in the world. Homosassa's sandy flats and rich sea grasses are known for their swarms of bullish redfish and tenacious trout.
Summer represents the best time to target redfish around Homosassa, and trout take center stage in early spring and fall, so plan accordingly.
This is the place where fly fisherman make pilgrimage. A true test of skills, some of the lucky will battle 150 pound tarpon. Many world records have been recorded in Homosassa.
At various times throughout the year you can also find bluefish, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Spanish Mackerel, Grouper and Cobia. Like the rest of Florida, Homosassa is a cornucopia of opportunities.
Nearby Homosassa is Crystal River where swimming with Manatees is not so far fetched.
A kayaking trip is also a good way to spend your time just about any place in Florida.
In fact fishing from kayaks continues to grow in popularity. The quiet craft draw only inches of water, Giving you access to places most anglers can’t get to as well as a silent craft that makes sneaking up on fish easy.
Pensacola and Panama City
The beaches between these two cities are some of the prettiest in Florida. Miles of snowy white sand, rolling dunes and overgrown sea oats make a dreamscape that you don't want to wake from.
Just when you think you can't handle any more good news you find out that you are in a great scuba diving spot.
From depths shallow enough for novice divers to reefs and wrecks that require advanced diving skills, Florida will not disappoint.
Visit in the fall and winter months or dive in with the crowds during the summer months. If the crowds are not enough reason to hold off till winter than maybe knowing that the cooler water often brings greater visibility will change your mind.
Everglades
"...Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park near the Everglades town of Copeland is our very own Amazon, with more species of native bromeliads and orchids than anywhere else in the United States." Says Sandra Friend of visitflorida.com (July '08)
Naples' Collier-Seminole State Park
Here is where camping gets interesting. Camp beneath the largest stand of native Florida royal palms in the state and get ready to explore. Don't worry you won't be alone, there are plenty of swamp creatures to keep you company.
Day or night you can hike or take a canoe and paddle through mangrove tunnels.
Estero Bay Preserve State Park
Florida's first aquatic preserve will make a memory you will never forget. The maze of mangrove islands protected by the barrier island of Lovers Key will lead you to mystifying places like Mound Key
Archeological State Park. Then make the journey to this massive shell mound, which marks the remains of the capital of the ancient Calusa culture, established in 100 A.D.
Oscar Scherer State Park
Put away your swim fins and paddles and strap on you hiking boots and explore the wild scrub. Nearly 12 miles of trails follow shady creeks, pine flatwoods and scrub.
I have only begun to scratch the surface of what Florida has to offer. Don’t hesitate to make plans for any time of year.