Don’t get us wrong—ultra-chill vacations where you fall asleep on the beach, doze in a hammock, and drift lazily around a pool in an inflatable doughnut have their place. But sometimes you want a getaway that gets your adrenaline pumping, tests your stamina, and opens your eyes to the incredible natural wonders our planet has to offer. And when that’s the case, there’s no better place than the Sunshine State.
Whether you dream of reeling in a huge grouper on a chartered fishing expedition, pounding the trails on an e-mountain bike, stand-up paddleboarding alongside dolphins, or spotting wildlife in the Everglades, these three epic destinations will tick all the boxes. Keep reading to find out which Florida adventure should be at the top of your list when it’s time to use up some vacation days.
SANTA ROSA BEACH
In postcard-level pretty Santa Rosa Beach, it’s tough to decide between exciting beachfront adventures and inland exploration that gets your heart pumping. Luckily, you don’t have to choose—you can easily experience the best of both worlds in one day.
Start your day with a trip to Yolo Board & Bike, where you can rent a paddle board or boogie board, as well as a beach cruiser or an electric mountain bike. From there, you can hit the rugged trails of Point Washington State Forest, which is an amazing stretch of wilderness just steps from the beach. Pro tip: Be prepared to get muddy—that’s part of the fun!
Once you’ve had a chance to get cleaned up and refuel with some lunch, it’s time to grab your stand-up paddleboard and see Santa Rosa Beach from a new perspective. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring a few of the 15 coastal dune lakes, the Choctawhatchee Bay, and 26 miles of shoreline along the blue-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Bonus points if you can time your SUP experience to catch an epic sunset—there’s nothing quite like it!
NAPLES
Dubbed Florida’s “Paradise Coast,” Naples is another prime destination for adventure seekers who are just as happy on water as they are on land. Within an easy drive, you’ll find thousands of acres of nature preserves, wildlife refuges, and national and state parks, not to mention mile after mile of pristine coastline that hugs sparkling turquoise waters.
Kickstart your getaway with a chartered fishing excursion that’ll take you anywhere from 30 to 100 miles offshore to fish for blackfin tuna, red snapper, grouper, and more. Don’t necessarily want to try your luck with a rod and reel? Opt for a sightseeing tour instead, where you can cruise around Marco Island and the surrounding Ten Thousand Islands, spotting dolphins, manatees, and sea birds amidst the area’s natural beauty.
Then, head to Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. This 110,000-acre waterway reserve offers walking trails, an aquarium, and an art gallery, alongside 150 species of birds and other wild animals. You can explore the reserve on a guided small boat or kayak tour, but it’s also a great spot to try your hand at a unique outdoor recreation trend: forest bathing. The Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature and engaging with your surroundings through the senses has been around for centuries but has become more popular in the U.S. in recent years. The peaceful trails around Rookery Bay are the perfect place to give it a try.
Wrap up your adventures in Naples with a trip to Keewaydin Island, a natural living barrier island that serves as a shell collector’s paradise. Book a guided tour with a biologist guide to enjoy a secluded beach and expert guidance around all the unique treasures you’ll find in the sand.
MARCO ISLAND & THE EVERGLADES
Just south of Naples on the Sunshine State’s southwest coast, you’ll find Marco Island—the largest and only developed island of the state’s famed Ten Thousand Islands. It’s another dream destination if your idea of vacation involves spotting wildlife, exploring the coastline, and getting out of your comfort zone.
Even if working out during your vacation doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, hear us out: morning yoga on Marco Island is something entirely different. Not your local overcrowded studio, and nothing close to unrolling a mat on your living room floor—instead, you’re surrounded by miles of white sandy beach and the serene ebb and flow of the Gulf of Mexico’s jewel-like waters. Hint: If you’re not a morning person, try the evening class option, instead.
One of the best ways to experience Marco Island is on a CraigCat—a unique two-seater catamaran with a 30-horsepower engine that allows you to reach a cruising speed of up to 30 miles per hour. On a guided expedition, you can drive your own boat while following an experienced guide through the winding waterways of one of the world’s largest mangrove forests.
Back on dry land—well, kind of—the Everglades awaits. Take off from Everglades City and explore Big Cypress National Preserve on a safari-style jeep tour, where you’ll potentially spot Florida panthers, white-tailed deer, alligators, ospreys, great blue herons, and more. If you’re feeling adventurous, book a nighttime tour and take advantage of the opportunity to spot the Milky Way from within Big Cypress.
For more inspiring itineraries for your last-minute Florida getaway, head to VISIT FLORIDA.
