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Florida Travel Guide
Florida, known as the 'Sunshine State' for its warm climate and many sunny days, offers an exciting array of activities and attractions. From pristine beaches and stunning scenery to a wealth of wildlife and exciting watersports, there's something to explore and experience for everyone in Florida.
Beaches in Florida
Blessed with miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, Florida is home to a plethora of stunning beaches. Whether you’re looking for adrenaline fuelled watersports, vibrant beach towns or pure relaxation, Florida’s beaches have something on offer to suit all your needs and wishes.
Siesta Keys
Siesta Key Beach is a strip of pristine white sand to the west of a narrow 'barrier island', itself located in West Florida, just south of Sarasota. The beach is beautiful, with powdery sand, gently lapping turquoise seas and a gentle breeze that keeps it relatively cool throughout the year; no wonder it has twice been voted the best beach in the USA.
The beach is supervised by qualified lifeguards to ensure your safety. It's ideal for seaside or in-water activities and there are plenty of facilities where you can hire equipment, including beach and water toys, as well as the usual sun loungers and parasols. If you arrive early enough, you can even take part in one of the free yoga sessions on the beach, which take place almost every day.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach is the centrepiece of Florida's famous Space Coast. Located on the east coast, it's the closest seaside resort to Orlando and the theme parks, making it an ideal destination for escaping the rides and larger-than-life cartoon characters.
At Cocoa Beach, you'll find plenty of space to relax and unwind on the wide sandy beach or take part in water activities, after all the area is considered the surfing capital of the east coast. Speaking of space, you won't be able to ignore the region's links with the US space programme. The Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Complex is less than 30 minutes away and the beach is a must-see destination for watching rocket launches from Cape Canaveral.
The Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier is an essential part of your visit. Take time to enjoy the many bars and restaurants and explore the specialist shops. Be amazed at the end of the pier by the fishermen trying their luck and the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Pensacola Beach
Pensacola Beach is an eight-mile stretch of powdery white sand on Santa Rosa Island in north-west Florida. The area has all the facilities you'd expect from a quality beach: lifeguards, showers and changing rooms, water and beach activities and more. But we think there are other things you'll enjoy too.
The Pensacola Beach Boardwalk is home to pleasant shops, excellent restaurants and bars, and breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. Take time to visit the Shell Amphitheatre, where you can enjoy shows and concerts throughout the year. For something a little different, hop aboard a bay cruise to see the area from a totally different perspective.
We also recommend the P Morgan Park and Botanical Garden, where relaxation and tranquillity are guaranteed amongst the colourful shrubs and plants. Have some family fun at UFO's Mini Golf, Ice Cream & Arcade; as the name suggests, as well as an eighteen-hole cosmic-themed mini-golf course, there are plenty of opportunities to indulge in your favourite snacks and drinks.
Finally, the Pensacola Beach Pier is not to be missed (at 1,471 feet long, you won't want to miss it). There are shops to explore, views to admire or why not hire a rod or two and join the other anglers trying to catch mackerel, lake trout or flounder?
Florida geography
Florida history
Wildlife in Florida
Activities in Florida
Watersports
Diving in Florida
Florida is a true gem of a dive destination, offering everything from crystal-clear freshwater dives around rivers, springs and caves to exciting marine wreck trails nestled along man-made and natural reefs.
Head to Devil's Den in Williston to marvel as you approach a 120ft wide spring via a steep staircase, before donning your diving gear to explore the surrounding pool and prehistoric cave. For another freshwater experience, try Ginnie Springs, where you can explore the Devil's Spring system, Ginnie Cavern and the Santa Fe River. Both sites offer overnight accommodation, equipment hire and qualified training.
Natural and man-made reefs abound along the Florida coast and are not to be missed. A highlight for many divers is the submerged Christ of the Abyss statue, part of the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park around the iconic Florida Keys. In the same region is the impressive Neptune Memorial Reef at Key Biscayne. Here, an artist has created an underwater wonderland of statues and structures representing his vision of Atlantis - Disneyland beneath the waves!
Many shipwrecks can be explored in Florida. The Maritime Heritage Trail in Biscayne National Park allows you to explore shipwrecks dating from the 1800s to the 1960s. The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail is equally impressive, providing access to twelve sites between Pensacola Beach and Port St Joe. Finally, no wreck diving expedition would be complete without a visit to the SS Copenhagen steamship sunk at Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. This 325-foot wreck, dating from the turn of the century, is now part of a thriving coral reef.
Surfing in Florida
Numerous geographical and climatic conditions conspire to make sure that the majority of Florida's coastline is not conducive to surfing and that experienced surfers the world over are in for a disappointment. Experienced surfers the world over are likely to be disappointed. However, there are some great local experiences to be had and a trip to Florida should not be dismissed as an experience devoid of surfing interest.
Cocoa Beach, near Orlando, is widely regarded as the best surf spot on the entire east coast of America and it's no surprise that it's at the centre of Florida's surfing community. It's also a great place to learn or perfect your skills, with a shallow sandy bottom and consistent but relatively gentle waves. Just south of Cocoa Beach is Florida's surf city, at Sebastian Inlet. Surfers love this spot, as waves are amplified by the inlet jetty and forced onto shallow sandbanks, creating an interesting and challenging surfing experience.
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Florida
Florida is one of the best destinations in the US to enjoy a spot of windsurfing or kitesurfing. Miles of sandy beaches, an agreeable temperate climate and year round winds provide an almost perfect cocktail of conditions for hours of wind and sea based fun.
Southeast Florida probably offers the best locations during the colder months being slightly warmer. The sport is particularly popular around the Miami and Keys areas and boasts a good supporting infrastructure. If you want larger waves then the area around Cocoa Beach, near to Orlando is for you and has all the facilities you will need for a great experience. Those wanting a bigger challenge should plan to head to the Northeast coastline, particularly during winter, when strong winds generate large waves which will leave you exhilarated.
Sailing in Florida
With a sailing culture as part of its DNA, a great supporting infrastructure, 300 near perfect sail days each year, protected bays, amazing destinations and guaranteed sunshine, Florida is a sailing heaven.
Head to the Keys to experience some of the best sailing to be found along the whole East coast of the US. Charter a boat to sail yourself or relax as you are looked after by experienced skippers and crews as you meander through the many islands, enjoying the views and abundance of wildlife; or why not be more adventurous and set sail for the Bahamas, only some 50 miles (ca. 80 km) away. Further North Miami and Fort Lauderdale are another two sailing hot spots that are sure to satisfy and provide unforgettable experiences.
Before we leave this subject just one small word of warning, Florida can be subject to Hurricanes and it is advisable to avoid the months of September and October as they can be particularly prone to storms.
Fishing in Florida
For those looking to add another dimension to their Florida holiday, why not take a look at the many fishing opportunities available in the Sunshine State. The choices are almost endless: saltwater or freshwater, sport or family fishing, from a boat, pier or beach, hiring a boat or chartering one? The decisions to be made are incredible, but whatever you choose, prepare yourself for an extraordinary experience.
With 1,350 miles of coastline, 7,700 freshwater lakes and some 10,550 miles of rivers, Florida offers habitats for a diverse, abundant and often delicious selection of waterfowl.
Try your luck casting from a jetty in Pensacola Beach or Lake Worth, paddle along a shady creek or shoot a few speckled trout from Tampa Bay; whichever you choose, you're sure to have a great time.
Southwest Florida is renowned globally as a premier destination for saltwater deep-sea fishing excursions. Among the most sought-after sportfishing spots is the Swordfish Grounds, approximately 20 miles off the coast of Miami, providing a rich habitat for a variety of prized game fish, including swordfish, marlin, tuna and mahi-mahi (dolphinfish).
Canoeing & kayaking in Florida
Canoeing and kayaking opportunities abound throughout Florida. So whether you choose to hug the shore, float serenely along a creek or get your adrenaline pumping by mastering fast-flowing rivers, you'll never be far from a great place to satisfy your paddling desires.
In North Florida, visit Coastal Dunes Lakes in South Walton for tranquil tea-coloured waters surrounded by sand dunes, behind which you can see the deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You can also hire a canoe at Destin Beach to see dolphins, sea turtles and manatees up close.
To the south, the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge offers a spectacular bioluminescent spectacle. Naturally growing seaweed glows blue-green below the surface as it bobs about doing what seaweed does, creating a magical and spectacular show. You can also take advantage of the cooler winter months to see the largest gathering of manatees in North America, some 300 of them congregating in the temperate waters of Crystal Rivers at this time of year.
Finally, there's the experience of paddling along the surreal 'rivers of grass' that make up the Everglades. We recommend you take a guided canoe trip to see the best this region has to offer and to maximise your safety - after all, 'gators may not respect your status as a visitor.
Land activities
Golf in Florida
The state of Florida is rightly often described as the golf capital of the world. With over 1,100 courses, you're never more than a few kilometres from a tee or a green. The courses cater for all abilities and offer magnificent courses and facilities designed by some of the best: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson and Greg Norman have all contributed to the golfing landscape.
Links courses are scattered all along the Florida coast, with the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort being one of the best, offering a superb six-hole course on the edge of the Atlantic; or why not try the prestigious Key West Golf Club to discover America's only Caribbean course.
If you fancy a water challenge, try the par-3 17th at TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course, Ponte Vedra Beach, and try to avoid adding your golf ball to one of the 100,000 deposited in the water hazard each year. You can also tackle the 5th course at the Nicklaus Course in Panama City Beach, where you have to land on an island in the fairway before chipping onto the green.
The variety of courses on offer should satisfy all golfers, but there are also non-golfing pleasures to discover. Visit the World Golf Hall of Fame in St Augustine to discover amazing facts about many famous players. And don't forget that the Sunshine State plays host to many professional championships throughout the year, so find out which players will be playing near you during your holiday (we're sure the family won't mind).
Cycling in Florida
While the theme parks, Miami and the Keys are undoubtedly great places to visit, wouldn't it sometimes be nice to sample the quieter and more surprising aspects of Florida? Why not consider taking the whole family on a bike tour for a few days? Many tours offer a complete experience: they provide all the equipment, stay in comfortable small-town hotels and eat in quality restaurants. It's also possible to extend the back-to-nature experience by opting for wild camping.
Make new friends while cycling in relatively flat terrain and pleasant weather conditions. Experience hikes with views of Florida's magnificent coastline, or pedal along trails that wind beneath the forest canopy. You'll sneak up on wildlife and see sights far removed from the usual tourist routes. Whichever type of bike you choose, you'll end up refreshed and rejuvenated, ready to take on the rollercoaster ride of life once again.
Walking & hiking in Florida
While you won't be climbing mountains or traversing wild, arid landscapes, walking in Florida still has plenty to offer, with plenty of opportunities to spot alligators, wading birds, wild horses and bison as you traverse lush, colourful landscapes.
Take time to explore Fakahatchee Strand State Park, Florida's largest, near Everglades City. It's an easy walk, mainly on ancient forest trails through large cypress forests. Take a picnic lunch by a secluded lake or a long-disused cabin and enjoy the tranquillity of the area. Paynes Prairie is another great state park. Enter from the north end to discover the La Chua Trail, where you're guaranteed to see happy, well-fed alligators enjoying life to the full, wallowing in the marshes. The southern end offers a complete contrast and is a great place to spot bison.
The Little Big Econ State Forest offers the best hiking near Orlando and consists of 5,000 acres of forest nestled between the beaches of Orlando, Cocoa and Daytona. Head to the Central Highlands if you fancy a walk on the ridges, where Tiger Creek Preserve provides access to Florida's highest point, Lake Wales Ridge, which stands 312 feet above sea level. For wildlife, we recommend the Circle B Bar Reserve between Orlando and Tampa. This oasis attracts thousands of migratory birds such as pelicans, spoonbills, cranes and eagles, to name but a few.
