It’s not all theme parks and beaches in Florida. Check out these thrilling nautical adventures sure capture your child’s imagination.
1/5 Swim with manatees
Endangered West Indian manatees head to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge to mate and nurse their young. This is the only place in America where you can legally enter the water with these gentle prehistoric looking giants.
Find out more about swimming with manatees
2/5 Go with the flow
Learn to surf in Ormond Beach with former longboard champion Mimi Munro, or head to Fort Lauderdale to try out the beachside Flowrider surf simulator.
Find out more about the Flowrider surf simulator
3/5 Become a marine researcher
Turn your kids into marine researchers whilst on board the Dolphin Explorer sightseeing cruise out of Rose Marina on Marco Island. Children may complete tasks on-board for the Dolphin Explorer Education Program (D.E.E.P.) and receive a special patch for helping the crew count the number of dolphin seen during their trip.
Find out more about the Dolphin Explorer
4/5 Thrills and spills
Head to Wooten’s to see the resident alligators and take an airboat ride gliding through the Everglade waterways spotting wild alligators, stilt and buzzards.
Find out more about visiting Wooten’s
5/5 Mini snorkelers
The Grand Reef at Discovery Cove in Orlando, one of the Aquatica waterparks at SeaWorld, offers children who may be a bit nervous of the open sea a chance to snorkel a reef with tropical fish and rays.