This is part 4 of Florida vacation ideas.   To see the other ideas (past, present and future), you can look here to see the posts of ideas.

Florida is known for it’s beaches, for sure.  But not everyone lives by the beach.  For those more inland, cruising or paddling the rivers and lakes of the Sunshine State makes more sense.

For today’s Florida vacation idea, let’s take a look at boats and boat rides!

Go for a Boat Ride

Florida is not only surrounded by water on three sides, but we also have lots of lakes South Florida Kayakingand rivers. From canoes and kayaks to cruise ships, there are boating opportunities galore!

For example, many of the Florida parks run concessions that rent canoes/kayaks.  One Florida state park that has great canoe trips is Wekiwa Springs near Orlando.  Myakka River in SW Florida has excellent canoeing as well. 

And if you’re into kayaks, check out the waterways at MacArthur Beach State Park.  And if you’re curious, the photo to the right was taken on the Loxahatchee River, which flows near Jonathan Dickinson State Park.

And one more:  the Florida Panhandle has some of the most beautiful rivers you’d ever want to paddle in a canoe (or kayak).  You can also motor along some of the larger rivers.

Take a Boat Tour!

Sunset cruises are big in the Florida Keys. And if you’re in SW Florida and hankering to visit Key West — there’s a ferry that departs daily.

The Florida Keys are especially great for boating and boar tours.  The waters there are usually pretty calm on the Atlantic side, due to the protecting effect of the coral reefs offshore.  The Florida Bay side is even calmer!  (I do have the tendency towards seasickness in rougher waters, but I never have been afflicted in Florida Bay, or on the Keys side of the reef.)

Watery eco-tours abound, especially around the Spacecoast on the Atlantic, and the Ft. Meyers area on the Gulf.  Usually canoe or kayak led for a true natural experience, there are also motorized boat tours for those so inclined (usually early and late in the day, so as to see the most wildlife).

So those are today’s Florida vacation ideas.  Check back in again later for part 5 in this series!