Believe it or not, there’s more to Florida than major amusement parks and warm sandy beaches. If you’re looking for a little adventure during your next visit to the sunshine state, consider exploring a little bit of the incredible beauty that Mother Nature has to offer.

From horseback riding to scuba diving, Florida’s 663 miles of incredible beaches have tons of pure natural beauty just waiting to be visited. Check our favorite Florida destinations on your next trip.

Birds Underwater

The late fall through winter months are the best time to migrate towards sunny Florida, when warm temperatures provide fast relief to those suffering from the cold around the rest of the country. The waters off the shores of Crystal River are home to West Indian manatees during those harsh winter months, where water temperatures up to 72 degrees offer a safe harbor for the endangered species.

Birds Underwater is a popular Florida tour group providing guided adventures through the waters to visit the manatees. Your excursion begins with a video that teaches visitors how to behave amongst the 1,200 lb creatures. You’ll then board a pontoon and head out for a three-hour excursion where you’ll have the opportunity to snorkel and mingle with the manatees. The tour itself is a mere $35 – a great value for the time and attention you’ll receive!

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is located just under 40 miles outside of Miami and serves as the quiet home to dozens of aquatic and wildlife species. You have a couple of options for exploring the park once you leave your car behind at the Shark Valley entrance.

Those with an adventurous side will enjoy renting a bike from the main kiosk and hitting the trails. As you glide the park paths you’ll be amazed at just how beautiful swampland can be. Keep your eyes open for ibis, great white herons, alligators, wood storks, and more. Biking isn’t your thing? Take the two-hour tram tour, looping throughout the interior of the park, and keep your eyes peeled for the same incredible creatures.

No matter which method of touring you choose, be sure to stop off at the observation tower. Standing 65-feet in height, it’s one of the tallest in the country and provides a panoramic view of the outdoors like no other.

Myakka River State Park

Alligators aren’t nearly as scary as the movies make them out to be, but we still don’t recommend taking a swim with them. Instead, try visiting Myakka River State Park where you can rent a canoe or kayak. You’ll have the opportunity to travel down the 14-mile stretch of the river visiting with not only the alligators but with incredible bald eagles, ospreys, and cranes as well.

The park is an incredible destination for both couples and families. Visit for the day or stay overnight in one of the campgrounds. The kids will enjoy the park’s junior ranger program and the entire family will have fun on an airboat ride, on a bicycle hike, or relaxing with a fishing pole on the banks of the cooling river.

Biscayne National Park

Biscayne National Park is one of the most protected coral reefs off of the coast of South Florida. Only miles away from Miami, Biscayne seems like it’s in a world of its own. The park is open 24 hours a day, except for Adams Key which is only open during the day because of its boat-only accessibility. The visitor centers have hours from approximately 7:00am until 5:30 pm depending on where in the park you are, but if you can catch them while they’re open they’ll help you plan boat trips or rent you a kayak.

Take advantage of any opportunity you can get to explore the park. The lack of boat traffic has given the incredible coral reefs plenty of time to grow and it is here that you’ll be able to see sergeant majors, midnight parrotfish, and even barracuda! There is one snorkeling boat that carries visitors to the reef during the latter half of the week, leaving you with the chance to swim with the colorful fish and dolphins.

Kelly Seahorse Ranch

Amelia Island is truly a special place. Consisting of 200 acres of land, the island sits close enough to Jacksonville to make a visit worthwhile, yet far enough away to make you feel as though you’re in a world of your own. Kelly Seahorse Ranch runs regular horseback riding tours around the incredible hardwood forests and along the beach.

Take advantage of this opportunity – Amelia Island is the only beach in Florida that allows horseback riding. From the beach you’ll catch a glimpse of the bottlenose dolphin and as the tour continues you’ll get an up close view of the often forgotten about salt marshes. For a romantic getaway, consider booking a room at the Amelia Island Williams House where you’ll have a bed and breakfast excursion you’ll never forget.

Keep your eyes and ears open and you’ll find not only these but dozens of other natural attractions in the state of Florida. You don’t have to spend your entire vacation lounging on the beach or standing in amusement park lines. Take a chance on something different and you’ll be surprised at the incredible sights you find!

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