While the Florida Key’s are known for memorable outdoor and wildlife experiences, Florida has a number of other options as well. Here are a few of our favorites:
LEE COUNTY – FORT MYERS, SANIBEL AND CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Lee County is located on the Gulf of Mexico in south-western Florida, is home to both the popular mainland resort city of Fort Myers and charming Sanibel and Captiva islands. Sanibel is known for both the alluring array of shells that wash up on its beaches and the rather lyrically-named J N ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Stroll through its mangroves on boardwalks or kayak through its waterways to view roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, ospreys and alligators. Take a boat trip from Captiva to one of the numerous smaller islands and chances are you will be accompanied by convoys of frolicking dolphins. Arrive between May and October and you might view loggerhead turtles laying their eggs along Sanibel’s beaches. Visit the Lee County Manatee Park and/or Lovers Key and you may discover large, lazy cruising manatees.
CRYSTAL RIVER
Crystal River is about three-quarters of the way up the Gulf coastline before it turns to the west, is the only location in North America where you can legally swim and interact in the wild with the endangered West Indian Manatee. Manatee tours are offered year-round, but, in the winter, guests are guaranteed to see these gentle giants at the eco-friendly Plantation on Crystal River. Surrounded by the natural springs of King’s Bay and pristine lakes and rivers, the Plantation also has on offer a marina, guided fishing tours, an 18-hole golf course, spa, dining and accommodation.
PANAMA CITY BEACH
Panama City Beach is on the north-western Florida Panhandle claims to offer some of the best Florida diving, much of it around artificial reefs and sunken ships. And while down in the clear waters that give the Emerald Coast its name, you might spot sea turtles, dolphins, giant manta rays, octopuses and a variety of colourful fish.
KISSIMMEE
Kissimmee is next door to Orlando’s huge cluster of major theme parks (some offering opportunities for regional and exotic animal encounters), lures visitors in with such back-to-nature alternatives as bird watching, canoeing and fishing, particularly for bass, on its 80,000 acres of lakes.
THE PALM BEACHES
The Palm Beaches are primarily known for the star in its crown – posh Palm Beach itself – this collection of Atlantic Coast resorts also encompasses numerous wildlife attractions. You can view both birds and alligators and perhaps even the rare Florida panther in Jupiter’s Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, observe sea turtles nesting and hatching between April and October at Boca Raton’s Gumbo Limbo Nature Center and at Juno Beach and spot manatees, dolphins and rays while paddling around North Palm Beach’s Lake Worth Lagoon. West Palm Beach is particularly well blessed by McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary, the Panther Ridge Conservatory and, for more-exotic animals, the Palm Beach Zoo and Lion Country Safari.
