While most would be travellers will know Florida for its abundance of theme parks and long stretches of white sandy beaches which provide a mecca for sun worshipers from all over the globe, the Sunshine State also has a lesser known adventurous side.
The subtropical climate and ecological landscape blend well to form the perfect backdrop for a number of adrenaline-pumping activities that will satisfy even the most daring traveller.
Horseback Riding
You might be wondering why horseback riding would make this list, but trust me, you’ve never been horseback riding like this before. From Tampa to North Ft. Myers, horseback riding in Florida is a spiritual activity where you can ride down the beach, through the water, swim in the sea on horseback, listen to the snuffling of wild boar in the woods, and spot armadillos hunting for grubs alongside alligators and deer.
Swimming with Manatees
If getting up close to one of nature’s most extraordinary sea creatures gets your heart pumping, then head down to Florida for a dip with these aquatic giants. Weighing in between 800 and 1200 pounds, these gentle mammals move in large groups and will often gather near the warm water in Manatee Springs State Park and Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in cooler months.
Sleep on The Beach
Finding somewhere to stay in Florida is never going to be a problem but why not shun the norm and instead pitch your tent on the warm sand where you can sleep with the sound of the surf gently lapping the shore. Or, should you be craving a slice of luxury after having an exhausting day of adventure, then consider Solterra Resort where luxury and comfort meet entertainment in a selection of family themed rooms that will keep the kids entertained for hours.
Explore the Swimming Holes
With the highest concentration of freshwater springs on the planet, it’s little wonder that Florida offers such a profusion of springs and water holes to satisfy your adventurous spirit. Diving through the tunnels in the springs of Chassahowitzka River, tubing, snorkeling Blue Hole at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, even jumping 22 feet into the world’s deepest freshwater spring at Edward Ball Wakulla Spring State Park are just some of the exciting activities available.
Skydive
Nothing can beat the view from the sky and Florida’s balmy climate plays the ideal host for skydiving enthusiasts. Drop 14,000 feet from an airplane above the spectacular Lake Okeechobee and see all the way to the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
Underwater Diving
The sea surrounding Florida offers some of the most diverse and exciting diving on the planet. Here, the subtropical waters play host to historic shipwrecks and vivid coral reefs. Divers can even take in the sights of the first permanent Underwater Museum of Art, a sculpture park located off Grayton Beach State Park in Santa Rosa Beach.
With so many activities, it’s little wonder why adrenalin junkies flock to Florida year after year.
