Florida’s Can’t Miss Eco Tours
Eco tourism has gained popularity among travelers visiting the Sunshine State in search of something more than a typical sightseeing tour. Eco tours focus on educating visitors about the conservation and preservation of Florida’s diverse wildlife and habitats. Plan your next eco tour vacation with a guided walk, paddle board, airboat, kayak, or diving tour!
EXPLORE BIG CYPRESS. Get up close and personal with the Everglades on a Big Cypress Swamp Walk! This two-hour guided tour takes you on a watery trail through the Big Cypress Nature Preserve, where you will learn about the diverse plants and wildlife in the Everglades. The freshwaters of Big Cypress Swamp play a key role in the health of the Everglades as well as the marine estuaries along Southwest Florida’s coast. This tour is not for the faint of heart, as some areas will have you wading into waist-deep waters. But the journey is worth it, as you won’t get this kind of experience anywhere else. You can also book a stay at one of two exclusive nature retreats, which sit on 13 lush acres of Big Cypress Swamp. These bungalows and cottages put the wildlife of the Everglades right at your doorstep with a blend of pristine natural surroundings and modern amenities.
explorebigcypress.com
RIDE AN AIRBOAT THROUGH THE EVERGLADES. Everglades Safari Park takes you on a 30- to 40-minute educational tour of Everglades National Park, where you will learn about the native flora and fauna and see exotic wildlife species in their native habitat. Experience breathtaking views of the park with stops on levees along the way as a professional tour guide narrates your journey through the preserved jungle of wilderness. You may encounter a variety of wildlife, such as alligators, turtles, deer, wild boar, and raccoons, as well as a variety of tropical plant species. Groups can reserve 40- to 60-minute private tours when booked in advance. Every tour also includes an informative wildlife nature show and access to walking trails, an observation platform, and other exhibits located throughout Everglades National Park.
evergladessafaripark.com/buy-everglades-airboat-ride-tours
SEE A ROCKET LAUNCH FROM THE WATER. Kennedy Space Center offers some of the best views of rocket launches, but you can see one from your kayak while learning about native wildlife at the same time! Merritt Island offers two-hour kayak tours where you can learn about manatees, dolphins, sea turtles, and rays. In the summer months, you will get to experience the once-in-a-lifetime bioluminescence in the water. Bioluminescence only occurs in certain areas, so this is definitely something you don’t want to miss! In addition to all of this, you get a front-row seat to see the next amazing rocket launch. Due to fluctuations in rocket launch schedules, there is a chance you won’t get to see a rocket launch on your tour. Be sure to check the latest rocket launch schedule as well as the weather before booking your kayak tour.
adventuresinflorida.com/day-trips/rocket-launch-kayak/
BIRD WATCHING ON THE PALM COAST. Princess Place Preserve on the Palm Coast is home to more than 200 bird species, and is the only park in the area with a known bald eagle nest. Whether you hit the trails on foot or a bike ride, you’re sure to see some of these amazing species of birds that come to roost here. Besides the bald eagle, Princess Place Reserve is home to the brown pelican, yellow-rumped warbler, northern gannet, and many more. For complete information about these beautiful bird species, visit the Flagler County Audubon Society for a guide book.
visitflagler.com/listing/princess-place-preserve/270329/
A PADDLE BOARDING ADVENTURE IN CRYSTAL-CLEAR WATER. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home to the deepest freshwater cave in the country and the park contains an abundance of protected wildlife. The park is also well-known for its mermaid shows, which delight both kids and adults. Explore the park with a guided tour during The Ranger Experience, or embark on the Wilderness River Cruise for a full tour of the river. For a truly immersive experience, visit Weeki Fresh Water Adventures to rent a kayak or stand-up paddle board to float your way down the 2.8 miles of unspoiled beauty along the Weeki Wachee River. Under the shade of palms, cypress, and oak trees, you can gaze into the crystal-clear waters to see the endangered West Indian manatees, turtles, and otters, as well as storks, pelicans, and a wide variety of wildlife that inhabits this peaceful ecosystem. Be aware that the park does not allow any disposable containers, so ensure you bring non-disposable containers for food and water.
weekiwachee.com/kayak-rentals/plan-your-trip/
SWIM THROUGH REEFS AND SHIPWRECKS IN KEY LARGO. Learn about the importance of reef conservation when you visit the Sea Dwellers Dive Center in Key Largo. Take part in the Coral Restoration Foundation’s program for divers, where you get a course in reef conservation and a part of your diving fee is donated directly to the foundation. The center is located on the blue waters of Key Largo and is home to the only coral barrier reef in the United States. In addition to the coral reef, you will see fish like grouper, snapper, snook, yellowtail, angelfish, and moray eels, as well as long-lost shipwrecks on your diving journey. The most famous landmark for divers is the iconic Christ of the Abyss statue, which sits a few miles offshore in 25 feet of water. The statue was placed there in 1965 and serves as a memorial to Michael Kevorian, who was a pioneer dive shop owner in Miami. If you are planning a family trip with small children, board the Key Largo Princess for a two-hour glass-bottom boat tour of the reef. This cruise includes a climate-controlled cabin and a full-service snack bar. Your tour guide will point out sea fans, sea plumes, and hundreds of fish species for an educational experience.
seadwellers.com/
TAKE A HIKE THROUGH A PEACEFUL PRESERVE. Discover an abundance of wildlife at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, which focuses on the protection of valuable water and wildlife resources and the restorations of the Banana Creek marsh system. The reserve is named after a cattle ranch that once existed on the property before being acquired by the Polk County Environmental Lands Program for nature preservation. As a result of these preservation efforts, the reserve is now home to a tremendous bird population as well as other native wildlife. Expect to see animals like alligators, bobcats, frogs, and otters along with several species of birds, including bald eagles, barred owls, red-shouldered hawks, white ibis, great blue herons, and many more! Visit the Polk County Nature Discovery Center for educational exhibits on the environmental and hydrologic functions of Florida’s natural resources. You can also experience the reserve with a free guided tram tour.
polknature.com/explore/circle-b-bar-reserve
keylargoprincess.com/tours/glass-bottom-boat-cruises/
ECO-CRUISE IN STYLE. Cruise in comfort while seeing an array of wildlife when you book a tour with Living Water Cruises in Winter Haven. Several cruise options are available, including one- and two-hour cruises, early morning cruises, and sunset cruises. During your tour, a guide will educate you on the variety of wildlife you will encounter, including alligators, otters, blue herons, anhingas, white ibis, and more! The tour lets you experience the beauty of the canals, ancient cypress trees, and seas of lily pads as you make your way through the Chain of Lakes. You will also learn the history of the famous Cypress Gardens. This eco-tour is a great option for both nature lovers and history buffs alike. You can even turn a day cruise into a lunch cruise with reservations at the Harborside restaurant.
livingwatercruises.com/
KAYAK THROUGH A ZOO. It’s not everyday that you can kayak through a zoo, and the Brevard Zoo is the only one in the country that has this feature. Visitors can board kayaks for a guided tour of the Expedition Africa exhibit. You will see animals like giraffes, ring-tailed lemurs, klipspringers, ostriches, zebras, white rhinos, impalas, and marabou storks. The tour takes around 30-45 minutes, and a knowledgeable guide tells you about everything you will see. There is also a self-guided kayaking tour in the Wild Florida exhibit where you can see native Florida wildlife. Once you have finished your kayaking tour, take a stroll through the rest of zoo to see a wide variety of animals. Take part in one of the many educational programs offered by the zoo to learn more about the importance of conservation and the Brevard Zoo’s conservation efforts.
brevardzoo.org/adventures/kayaking/
