Florida’s Top 5 Adventure Beaches

November 9, 2009

With over 600 miles of beautiful beaches, Florida boasts some of the best destinations for relaxation and tranquility. But the Sunshine State also brings some adventure to its coastline with exhilarating activities that get you out of your beach chair and into the water. Florida Adventure Treks names its 2009-2010 Florida’s Top 5 Adventure Beaches.

5. Sebastian Inlet – Surfing. Long home to international surf champion, Kelly Slater, Sebastian Inlet offers some of the best surfing breaks in all of Florida. Get an up-close view of the pros from the comforts of the beach, or rent your own surfboard to hang ten!

4. Sanibel Island – Parasailing. Florida’s west coast – the Gulf Coast – is protected by the Gulf of Mexico. The waters are warmer than the east coast’s Atlantic Ocean, and the seas usually much calmer. This combination makes for some of the best shelling beaches in all of the United States. The real magic happens from the sky… get lifted 500 feet into the air on a paraglide adventure (a parachute attached to a speedboat). See Sanibel and Captiva Islands along with the sweeping vistas of other islands, unending coastlines, and if lucky, a school of dolphins playing in the water.

3. St. Augustine – Camping. At Anastasia State Park in St. Augustine, set up your tent a short hike from the sand-dune covered beaches of this east coast gem. This beach is the launching point for some many adventurous activities – bird-watching (sort of adventurous!), sailing into the harbor just as Ponce De Leon did centuries ago in search of the Fountain of Youth, sports fishing, and waking before dawn to witness a most spectacular sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean.

Kayaking - Bahia Honda State Park2. Bahia Honda State Park – Kayaking. Consistently ranked one of the best beaches in Florida for its beauty, Bahia Honda also offers some of the most picturesque open-ocean kayaking in the state. From the beach it is a short 5-10 minute paddle to crystal clear waters, views of Old Bahia Honda Bridge, and landfall on your own private island!

1. Everglades National Park – Canoeing. Well yes, the Everglades is technically a river, but if you drive the entire 38 miles into the heart of Everglades National Park you will arrive at the Flamingo Visitor Center and some of the most awesome vistas of uninhabited islands. Those islands are home to secluded beaches and campgrounds, accessible only by canoe. If canoeing through the Everglades isn’t adventurous enough, consider that you will be “swimming” alongside Florida alligators andcrocodiles – the only place on Earth where these two creatures live together.

Honorable Mention: John Pennekamp State Park (Key Largo) – Snorkeling. Because the best snorkeling in Florida is off the coast (and not on the beach), John Pennekamp doesn’t make our list as one of Florida’s Top 5 Adventure Beaches. Its beaches are great, and the snorkeling is awesome.

Florida’s Top 5 Adventure Beaches is selected by Florida Adventure Treks – Florida’s ONLY small group adventure tour company in the state. Our seven (7) and fourteen (14) day tours take you to all of Florida’s most adventurous beaches, as well as tourist hot-spots and plenty of off-the-beaten-path destinations. Check out our itineraries at http://www.floridaadventuretreks.com/our-tours/adventure-tours.

By Florida Adventure Treks | Posted in Adventure Activities, Adventure Beaches, Adventure Tour, Camping Tours, Florida Adventure Treks, Florida Beaches, Florida Travel, Top 5 Beaches | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

Adventure Travel in Florida

November 6, 2009

South Beach HostelYes, Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and, of course, Disney World. We have Miami’s South Beach and Key West. The Space Shuttle launches from Cape Canaveral. The celebrated Florida Alligator lives in our Everglades (sometimes in our backyards!) There are other attractions too, but most visitors to the Sunshine State barely break the surface of Florida’s greatness.

If you dig just a little bit deeper, you will discover a land full of adventurous activities and off-the-beaten-path excursions that makes Florida one of the best adventure destinations in the United States. To participate in these activities and explore Florida’s lesser known destinations, you used to have to rent a car, book your own hotel rooms, and eat most of your meals at fast-food restaurants. Or, you could take a big bus, follow a strict schedule, and feel like a herd of cattle as you are taken from place to place.

Five years ago, travel opportunities in Florida drastically changed. That is when Florida Adventure Treks was formed – Florida’s ONLY small group adventure tour company. We wanted to flip the idea of travel in Florida on its head. And we did just that!

Miccosukee Boardwalk Jumping Everglades Airboat Ride Canoeing Campfire Bone Fishing Biking Seven Mile Bridge Kayaking Horseback Riding

Our tours consist of the seven (7) day Florida Cruisin’ and the fourteen (14) day The Floridian.

  • We wanted to create a new experience – one that combines Florida’s touristy hot-spots with off the beaten path destinations, shared by a small group of like-minded travelers looking to see more of Florida and meet great people along the way.
  • We wanted it to be all-inclusive – covering all local transportation throughout Florida, lodging, camping equipment (when applicable), entrance fees to state and national parks, lots of included activities (e.g. airboat tour, theme park pass, snorkeling), and the 24/7 service of a professional tour guide.
  • We wanted our tours to be budget tours – making it affordable for you, but never taking short cuts to keep our costs down. Instead, we offer more included activities, better lodging locations, and visits to more destinations than any other tour company in the United States.
  • We wanted our tours to offer an authentic Florida experience – any tour company can take you to Disney World, Miami, Key West, and Everglades National Park, but only Florida Adventure Treks takes you to various local destinations while on your tour. Our tour guides grew up in Florida, and so they know the back roads, the best mom and pop restaurants for authentic Florida cuisine, and many local adventure outfitters that offer you an intimate look into Florida’s history and natural wonders.
  • We wanted our tours to be flexible – if you want to stay at a destination longer, make a side trip to a street festival, or visit a site not built into the itinerary, no problem! This is your vacation – you make the rules.

We’ve created a unique Florida experience at Florida Adventure Treks. We are proud to be Florida’s ONLY small group adventure tour company. If you are looking for something different, a travel style that is more intimate with the destination, an experience that you can share with like-minded travelers, and a budget tour that provides four star service, look no further!

Visit Florida Adventure Treks to learn more at www.floridaadventuretreks.com.

By Florida Adventure Treks | Posted in Adventure Tour, Adventure Tours, Florida Adventure Treks, Florida Travel, Off The Beaten Path, Small Group Tours | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (0)