Do you want to try something new on your next Florida vacation? You want to explore hidden Florida, away from the theme parks and crowded beach? We got you covered. Our local guide to Florida’s hidden gems is a great way to discover all the fun things to do in Florida. We are full-time Florida locals with a passion for adventure and the outdoors. These Florida vacation spots will allow you to get back to nature while learning about its history.
Cayo Costa
Cayo Costa, one of Florida’s hidden gems. If it was in another state, the seven-mile stretch of sandy beach would be flooded with visitors. It’s nestled between Sanibel Island, and Amelia Island. This may be why it is one of Florida’s quietest beaches. It could be because the only way to get there is by ferry or your own boat from the State Park Marina. Cayo Costa, for whatever reason, is a place that is reserved for adventurers, free-thinkers, and explorers who want to go off the beaten track.
Cayo Costa is a world of wonders to discover. Rent a kayak and paddle through the mangroves. Cabbage Key, the alleged birthplace of the original Cheeseburger In Paradise, is only a few miles away. You can find manatees and alligators along the way if you look hard enough. You can take the tram or walk across the island to reach the Gulf beaches, where you will find buckets full of shells or simply to escape from the world. The campground’s primitive cabins were perfect for us as we didn’t think an afternoon would be enough time to see everything Cayo Costa had to offer. There are tent sites available, but adventurers and not savages like us prefer to stay in the cabins. The ferry brought our kayak and we probably should have also brought our bicycles. Cayo Costa offers more than just a fun weekend.
Suwannee River State Park
Stephen Foster’s song “Old Folks At Home” was a smash hit in 1851. If you think that sounds like Florida, then you are right. It’s Florida’s state song. You probably know the lyrics to “Way down Upon the Swanee River …”” too. It’s a pity because it is one of the most beautiful spots in Florida.
Suwannee River State Park is located at the confluence with the Withlacoochee River, making it a kayaker’s paradise. The 176-mile Suwannee River paddling path runs through the State Park. Over 18 miles of hiking trails are available in the park, where you can view karst topology as well as Civil War fortifications. The park has air-conditioned cabins and campsites for those looking to spend a weekend away.
Blue Heron Bridge
The 7 Mile Bridge, in the Keys, is one of the most famous bridges in Florida. Blue Heron Bridge’s fame comes from what lies beneath the surface. For good reason, it’s regarded as one of the best shore dives in the world. Divers often count more than 100 species of fish in a single dive. Blue Heron Bridge is a top choice for divers because of its easy entry, short surface swim and abundance of fish.
Diving Blue Heron Bridge all comes down to timing the tides. Make sure you go at a slack high tide. Park in Phil Foster State Park, and enter the water about an hour prior to peak tides. You can expect a bottom time of over an hour with an aluminum 80. Navigate to the pilings of the bridge east from the swimming beach. Be aware of boat traffic and currents. This area offers a snorkeling route that is not required if you aren’t certified. Divers and snorkelers are both required to carry a dive flag outside the swim zone. Local dive shops get permits to do night diving at Blue Heron Bridge a couple of times per month, when the tides allow. Night diving brings out a whole new group of creatures.
Key West Snorkeling
Key West Snorkeling is one of our favourite Florida tourist attractions. Key West is one of the most popular Florida islands, mainly because you can drive to it. The Keys has a chill island vibe with beautiful blue water and the only coral reef in America.
You can snorkel at some amazing spots from the shore. Jetties are great at Hicks Beach, but you’ll need a diving flag. Snorkeling at Fort Zachary Taylor State will take you to two small rock piles in the swimming zone. (Re: No dive flag required). You have to take a boat if you want to see the best stuff. The shallow reefs around Key West are teeming with tropical fish and colorful coral. We went on a sunset boat cruise to see the famous Key West Sunset from the water.
GGs Waterfront
GG’s Waterfront , our hidden gem to catch the sunsets in Fort Lauderdale / Hollywood Beach is the GG’s Waterfront . There are some stunning beaches, but all of them face east. This is great for sunrises, but not for sunsets. To catch the sunset, head over to the Inner Coastal Waterway side. You can enjoy the sunset from GG’s balcony, which overlooks North Lake and Inner Coastal Waterway.
GG is more than a great restaurant with delicious food and a beautiful view. This former speakeasy is steeped in history. This was Al Capone’s home. Florida was a neutral place when mobsters ruled. Chicago land gangsters were able to dine with New York bosses without fear of being shot. It was packed. The place was always crowded with celebrities, gangsters and south Florida’s venerable “who’s who”. You never knew exactly what was on the menu at GG’s but you could always expect something special.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key lies just off the coast in Sarasota. Sugar sands beaches stretch for miles. As the warm Gulf waves gently crash onshore, you can hear the white powdery silica under your feet. Wait until you hear what happens next. Siesta Key Beach may be rated one of the top beaches in Florida but there’s much more to see and do.
Siesta Key Village is an assortment of shops and restaurants located right on the beach. Enjoy live music at Siesta Key Oyster Bar. Get a frozen drink during happy hour at Daiquiri Deck. Have a Billionaire burger at Cottage. Eat amazing gelato at Made In Rome. The shuttle bus runs along the entire length of the island, so you won’t need to drive until you’re ready to leave. Siesta Key also offers other watersports. We enjoyed snorkeling at Point of Rocks and paddleboarding in Blind Pass. Siesta Key offers a relaxing beach vacation, without the hassles of South Beach.
Crystal River is a great place to swim with manatees.
Crystal River is one of the best places in Florida to swim with manatees . Each winter, manatees migrate to Florida springs in order to escape the cold. Manatees cannot survive in water that is below 68 degrees. The springs, however, are always 72 degrees. Crystal River is the only clear-water spring open during this time. It’s working. Florida’s manatees represent the only population of manatees that is increasing. They have been so successful that they were recently removed from the endangered species list. Crystal River has the highest survival rate on the West Coast. Come for the cuteness, but you’ll leave with more knowledge about the world. It’s cute and we think it counts as Orlando Date Ideas.
Manatee tours can be a simple experience. The tour is simple. You’re not given fins and are required to stay on the surface and use a float. You can’t go wrong with these tactics to have a good interaction with manatees. As calm and still as possible is the goal. You might be lucky and they will come to you. You’ll at least get to see the beautiful animals in their own environment. It’s an enjoyable day, no matter what.
Silver Springs Monkey
You should visit the Silver Springs Monkeys if you are looking for fun things to do. You heard me. Around 200 monkeys are running wild in the forest near Ocala. These monkeys are not native to Florida. In 1938, Colonel Tooey brought them to an island on the Silver River for his wild jungle tour. He didn’t realize monkeys can swim and soon they were running wild.
Kayaking from Silver Springs State Park up to Ray Wayside Park is the best way to view monkeys. This is a 5.5-mile run on calm, easy water. Silver Springs is the largest artesian water spring in the world by volume, pumping out more than 500 million gallons a day. The spring run is so clear that you can see the bottom for the first few miles. You’ll see a number of old boat wrecks, and perhaps even a couple manatees. The tannin-rich water seeps in from the forests. You’ll see a lot of birds and turtles here, maybe an alligator in the backwaters and if you are lucky, monkeys. It’s not necessary to travel to Asia to view monkeys in their natural habitat!
Florida Animals
This article will end with some of our favourite Florida getaways. All of them involve seeing Florida wildlife in the wild. There are so many more things you can do. We have already talked about scuba diving, swimming with manatees and kayaking with the monkeys. The Key deer is a cute animal. The Key deer are only found in Florida Keys. They are roughly the size of small dogs and live there. The Everglade Swamp, a vast ecological site located on the edge south Florida’s development, is also a significant eco-site. You can camp or take an airboat ride. South Florida is also the largest nesting area for Loggerhead Turtles in the world.
This type of tour not only raises funds for conservation but also helps to increase awareness. All of these animals have made dramatic recoveries, including sea turtles, manatees and Florida panthers. Hope is there, but work must be done. Coral diseases threaten America’s one living reef, located off the Keys. South Florida is awash with invasive animals such as pythons, iguanas and other invasive species. Crystal River and Suwannee River are being invaded by invasive plants. Silver Springs is being reduced by groundwater pumping. Cayo Costa, Siesta Key and Cayo Costa are under threat from red tide blooms. Visits to natural Florida are a wonderful experience, but we must protect it if we wish for our children to also enjoy this.
Florida’s Hidden Gems: Parting thoughts
Florida is a state that has been visited by many people in search of hidden gems. Ponce De Leon lived his entire life in search of the fountains of youth, while treasure hunters are combing the Keys for lost Spanish galleons. Wild Florida is still a great place for tourists who are looking for something different and more natural. These hidden gems can also be incorporated into romantic escapes for active couples. We know someone who loves to be active by day, but pampered at night.