Four Must-Do Activities Outdoors

Florida is known as the Sunshine State for a reason. With hundreds of miles of coastline and hundreds more inland, there’s always an open sky above you in Florida. In the great outdoors, you’re never far from water – whether it’s the ocean, a lake, or a spring – and typically within sight of tall trees and natural wildlife. Here are four must-do activities for anyone exploring the outdoors in Florida:

1) Paddleboard:

The best places to paddleboard take advantage of winds and tidal patterns to give you a refreshing ride along with unmatched views. Tourists flock to southwest Florida to explore its bays by paddleboard, but tucked away on central Florida’s east coast is one less visited area that also offers great opportunities: the Indian River Lagoon. The lagoon is brimming with sea life; spotting manatees, dolphins, and even crocodiles are common. On the water with only your board between you and Florida’s wildlife makes for an unforgettable adventure.

2) Surf:

Whether you’re a beginner or a surfing pro, Florida offers ample opportunities to surf in all sorts of conditions. It doesn’t matter whether you want to catch some small waves on a longboard or ride big swells at Daytona Beach – chances are there’s a wave waiting for you in Florida. And while catching a wave may be tough, it won’t cost nearly as much as the plane ticket from back home that puts you within driving distance of central and southern Florida waves on any given day. Even more remote regions of the state offer great surfing opportunities, like Santa Rosa Beach on Florida’s panhandle and Miami Beach on Florida’s southeast coast.

3) Kayak:

Kayaking is without a doubt one of the best ways to explore any waterway, especially when you’re looking for an up-close look at nature. The best kayaking experiences are had in areas where mangroves provide shelter for all sorts of creatures just beneath your line of sight. St. Petersburg’s Weedon Island Preserve State Park is located on an island; it offers amazing kayaking adventures with countless wildlife viewing opportunities along Florida’s west coast.

4) Snorkel or Scuba Dive:

Some of the world’s most awe-inspiring underwater experiences can be found right off the Florida coast. From sea turtles to hammerhead sharks, you never know what’s swimming under your fins when scuba diving off the Sunshine state. Don’t forget to bring your snorkel if you don’t have scuba gear; reefs and shipwrecks are located close enough to shore that it won’t take long for you to hit the water and start exploring.