This article appeared in the January Issue of Up and Away Magazine It is reprinted here with permission. Click here to see the original version: Up and Away.
Photograph Credit: iFly
When it comes to adventure, South Florida has something for everyone. Whether you're seeking the thrill of an airboat ride, the tranquility of mangrove kayaking, the excitement of indoor skydiving, or the challenge of indoor rock climbing, this region offers exhilarating experiences suitable for all skill levels. Let’s explore the diverse and thrilling adventures that await you in South Florida.
Air Boating in the Everglades, Near Miami Florida
For those who enjoy their adventures sitting down, air boating in the Everglades offers an unique way to explore this iconic ecosystem. With its vast freshwater swamp lands and shallow canals, the Everglades are best navigated by airboat. This allows visitors to skim across the water and glide through the marshes. The experience provides an opportunity to observe the unique wildlife, including alligators, bobcats and multiple species of birds, all calling the Everglades home.
The Everglades airboat tours often includes knowledgeable guides who offer insights into the unique environment, its history, and the significance of preserving this natural habitat. The one of the best Everglades airboat tours is offered by the Everglades River of Grass Adventures, giving you a 90 minute experience in this unique environment.
Another great tour is the Buffalo Tiger Airboat Tours. This tour company is owned by a native American, Miccosukee Tribe family. Their standard tour focuses on introducing visitors to the homelands of the Miccosukee people. This native American tribe migrated to Florida before it became a state. During the tour, you'll not only see local wildlife, but also will get to see a Miccosukee camp and take a nature walk.
Exploring the Everglades by airboat is not only an exciting and memorable adventure but also serves as a way to appreciate and support the conservation of this vital natural resource.
Essential Online Links For Booking Your Trip to South Florida
Logistics:
There are 3 airports that service Southeast Florida, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach: Uber and Taxis are available. Tri Rail and Brightline trains service Fort Lauderdale and Miami Airports. Private and Multiple Passenger Transfers are available from all three airports: ☆Transportation Service Miami Hotel - Miami International Airport
Advanced Tickets for the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi.
Save on entry fees: If you plan on visiting multiple museums or attractions, it is more economical to purchase a Miami Sightseeing Pass to save money, you can buy this pass for 1, 2, 3, or 5 days.
Top-rated Southeast Florida Tours and Experiences:
☆Seven Isles of Fort Lauderdale Kayak Tour (one of my favorite Southeast Florida experience)
☆Downtown West Palm Beach Food Tour (great for foodies)
☆Wynwood Graffiti Golf Cart Small-Group Tour (perfect for art lovers)
☆Skip the Line: Flamingo Gardens Admission Ticket in Fort Lauderdale (essential to avoid lines)
☆1 Hotel South Beach (Luxury, Miami)
☆Yotel (Budget Friendly, Miami)
☆Hollywood Beachside Boutique (Budget Friendly, Fort Lauderdale)
☆The Pillars Hotel (Luxury, Fort Lauderdale)
☆The White Elephant (Luxury, Palm Beach)
☆The Canopy (Budget Friendly, West Palm Beach)
☆Crane's Beach House Boutique Hotel & Luxury Villas (Amazing Tropical Vibe, Delray Beach)
My favorite Guidebook for Florida: DK Eyewitness Florida
My favorite Novel about Southeast Florida: The Last Train to Key West
Don’t forget to pack: Crossbody Bag for Sightseeing Sun Screen Comfortable Walking Shoes **My Favorite Packable Hat.
Kayaking through Mangrove Tunnels In South Florida
Mangrove kayaking in South Florida provides a serene and immersive way to experience the diverse and beautiful coastal ecosystems of the region, while you get a bit of exercise. As you paddle through the winding waterways of the mangroves, you'll encounter an variety of wildlife, from colorful birds to curious fish and possibly a manatee or dolphin.
The tranquility of the mangrove tunnels and open waterways creates a peaceful and captivating environment, offering a unique vantage point to appreciate the intricate root systems and the abundant life they support. Many guided kayak tours in South Florida include knowledgeable naturalists who share their insights about the mangrove habitat, its importance, and the various species that thrive in these natural surrounding.
Best Adventure Kayaking Tour in the Florida Keys
One of the best mangrove kayaking tours in South Florida is run by Lazy Dog Adventures on Stock Island, the island just north of Key West in the Florida Keys. Their tour includes visits to the abandoned salt ponds, created by the first settlers of the Keys. If you prefer a “do it yourself” option, head to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park on Key Largo, the first key south of Homestead, FL. Here you can explore 50 miles of mangrove wilderness trails by kayak. Kayaks are available for rent at the park’s concessionaire.
Best Adventure Kayaking Tour neat Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida
You can also experience kayaking through mangroves without a trip to the Keys. Conveniently located in North Miami Beach, Oleta River State Park is situated along the scenic Oleta River and Biscayne Bay. This park offers visitors the perfect setting for kayaking through mangrove forests. The Oleta River Outdoor Center rents canoes, kayaks, and standup paddleboards for self guided tours. They also offer sunset guided tours through the mangroves.
Mangrove kayaking in South Florida offers an enriching and peaceful way to connect with the natural world, making it a memorable and educational experience for nature enthusiasts and adventurers alike.
Indoor Skydiving Near Fort Lauderdale
Indoor skydiving at iFLY in South Florida offers an exhilarating and safe way to experience the sensation of free falling without having to jump out of an airplane. The facility utilizes a vertical wind tunnel that generates enough upward airflow to lift participants off the ground, creating the feeling of skydiving.
Indoor skydiving provides an adrenaline rush and a sense of weightlessness that mimics the feeling of actual skydiving. It's a fantastic option if you are seeking an adventure or for those who want to overcome the fear of traditional skydiving. Additionally, the controlled environment of the vertical wind tunnel allows for longer flight times, providing ample opportunity to practice and enjoy the experience.
Indoor skydiving at iFLY in South Florida offers an unforgettable and accessible way to feel the thrill of skydiving, making it a popular choice for locals and visitors alike. It is conveniently located just west of the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Indoor Rock Climbing in South Florida
Indoor rock climbing in South Florida is a challenging experience for adventure enthusiasts. It is for the person looking for some serious physical exertion with their adventure. While South Florida may not have the natural rock formations found in other regions, the indoor climbing gyms offer an excellent alternative for climbers to hone their skills and beginners to experience the thrills of climbing.
These gyms feature a variety of climbing walls, from bouldering areas to tall walls with different routes designed to accommodate everyone from beginners to advanced climbers. Some facilities also include features like belay systems and top-rope climbing options, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all participants.
There are three indoor rock climbing facilities in South Florida. The Edge Rock Gym located in southwest Miami. Coral Cliffs Rock Climbing Center, just west of the Fort Lauderdale Airport, as well as projectROCK in the Oakland Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, just north of downtown.
Engaging in indoor rock climbing is not only a fun and physically invigorating activity, but it also serves as an excellent way to stay active while traveling. It's a great option for individuals and families seeking a unique and adventurous way to stay fit and have fun, regardless of the region's lack of natural outdoor climbing opportunities.
These four adventures give you an opportunity to explore unique parts of of South Florida while getting as much physical activity as you are comfortable with.
Looking for more information on visiting Southeast Florida, check out these Blog Posts:
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