How to Have the Ultimate Outdoor Adventure in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Written for Greater Fort Lauderdale
Ah, the great outdoors...
From providing beautiful views to being an instant mood booster, it’s there for us in more ways than one. And yet, as adults, we spend the majority of our time inside cooped up behind a desk. All those hours filled with longing looks out the window are there for a reason: Nature is calling, and an escape to Greater Fort Lauderdale is the answer.
It turns out outdoor travel activities in Broward County consist of so much more than lounging by the pool and sipping from a cocktail with a tiny umbrella. (Not that we’re bashing that.) The pool is just the start to your outdoor South Florida adventure, and, to prove it, we’ve gathered the top things to do in nature that are sure to make your trip here a breath of fresh air.
Explore the Florida Everglades
What Greater Fort Lauderdale has that other beach destinations don’t is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The Florida Everglades is a nationally protected region of wetlands made up of coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes and pine flatwoods. The legendary preserve contains more than 350 species of birds, 300 species of fish and 36 species that are endangered or threatened. It is also the only place on Earth where the alligator and crocodile coexist.
A must for all visitors, the “River of Grass” introduces you to a new side of nature. Hold on to your hat--the best way to observe the Everglades is to go for an airboat ride. At up to 40 mph, airboats whisk you across miles and miles of swampy waters. The knowledgeable guides at Everglades Swamp Tours navigate you through the tall sawgrass and share fascinating facts at every turn. From the moment the fan starts spinning, everyone immediately is on the lookout for a gator. It almost becomes a competition to see who spots one first. The anticipation is real, and when you finally encounter one, everyone wins. Seeing these reptiles up close in their natural habitat creates a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
As for the rest of your journey, your airboat tour guide will assist in pointing out any more surprises along the way. In addition to daytime airboat tours, both Everglades Swamp Tours and Sawgrass Recreation Park in Weston also offer kayak rentals and allows you to catch a glimpse of nocturnal nightlife on their private evening airboat tours.
Sawgrass Recreation Park provides an exciting Everglades experience that extends beyond the water. You can stop by their featured exhibit areas to see more than 100 reptiles and mammals, from colorful peacocks to the Florida panther. Don’t miss out on a visit to their Swampyard Island exhibit, where you can interact with and even feed many of the animals. For all you brave souls out there: get the chance to hold a gator and live to tell the (scaly) tale.
Dive Beneath the Surface
While there is plenty to unearth on our shores, many of Broward County’s hidden gems are not actually visible on land. A whole new world of discoveries lies underwater. Bordering the Atlantic ocean, we have unique access to marine life that’s closer than you’d think. Your underwater voyage can begin as soon as you hit the sand. Greater Fort Lauderdale is the only place in the continental United States where you can snorkel and dive on a living coral reef right off the beach. You can actually grab some gear, walk into the ocean, swim for just a bit, and be treading water above a colorful world of fish within a matter of minutes.
Deep Blue Divers
Located in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Deep Blue Divers hosts snorkeling and scuba diving adventures just a hundred meters' swim from the shoreline. It’s a good thing you will have masks on--these nearby natural coral reefs are truly breathtaking. Deep Blue Divers offers charters that depart at 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. every day. And if your love for scuba is really deep, professional instructors can help you become a PADI-certified diver in only three days.
South Florida Diving Headquarters
If you are staying elsewhere, direct your attention to the South Florida Diving Headquarters. You can have your pick at their daily snorkeling and diving trips on 8 beaches in Broward County. There is fun in store for all ages and skill levels. While you have the option to see over 23 miles of coral reefs, you also get the rare opportunity to explore over 30 shipwrecks.
As for finding a sunken treasure chest, our inner pirate likes to think anything is possible. Shipwreck Park In Pompano Beach, Shipwreck Park is a mesmerizing underwater playground. With rotating underwater art exhibits, the cultural arts park has ships with specific themes and entertaining underwater events. One of their tanker ships, The Lady Luck, is longer than a football field and wows any diver, advanced or beginner.
Most importantly, Shipwreck Park is a key tool in preserving the area’s abundant marine life. Underwater excursions not your thing? South Florida Diving Headquarters has boats with glass bottoms, so you can chill on deck and see what all the fuss is about without actually going in the water. Deerfield Beach also has a snazzy underwater beach camera that allows you to take a stroll along the pier and sneak a peek online at what’s below.
Stick Around After Sundown
Calling all night owls--this one’s for you. We may be the sunshine state, but when the sun finally sets, your time in nature is far from over. There’s a great deal of outdoor activities here that take place at nighttime. Don’t worry; we won’t keep you in the dark any longer. Jungle Queen The Jungle Queen Riverboat is a nighttime staple in Greater Fort Lauderdale.
It’s been entertaining visitors since 1935. Once you score a ticket, you get to sail down the historic New River, also known as the “Venice of America.” Be sure to take in the stars around you--both in the sky and in the mansions they own on “Millionaire Row.” The Jungle Queen Dinner, Show and Sightseeing Cruise treats you to a visit on their tropical isle, where you’ll be served an All-You-Can-Eat Dinner featuring BBQ baby back ribs, BBQ chicken, shrimp and more. There’s even live entertainment during the meal and a laugh-out-loud variety show later on.
Go around and observe the island’s lush foliage and exotic animals throughout the evening. Of course, most creatures need their beauty sleep. If you want to see an alligator show, more exotic birds, monkeys and lemurs, you can always go on the Jungle Queen Afternoon Cruise and Tropical Isle Tour for a more interactive experience.
Turtle Walks
In the wild, animals can put on a show at night with or without applause. In fact, one of nature’s greatest seasonal events takes place on our coasts from June to September: Sea turtle nesting. Newly hatched baby turtles must make their way across the beach from their nests to the water’s edge, and you have the chance to observe the trek in person.
Reservations for a lucky few can be made through the Museum of Discovery and Science, Dr. Von D. Mizell–Eula Johnson State Park, or Anne Kolb Nature Center. Nature experts at Anne Kolb Nature Center host an annual program that includes a one-hour video presentation and lecture, as well as a trip to the beach to watch hatchlings journey into the surf. Even though the walks take place in the dark, it is a remarkable event to witness first-hand. Not to mention, the adorable baby turtles will make your heart melt. (Consider yourself warned!)
Anne Kolb Nature Center Anne Kolb Nature Center also has other compelling experiences available. Located in Hollywood, the complex is a 1,500-acre coastal mangrove wetland that's home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Tour the exhibit hall to see simulated mangroves or the 3,500-gallon aquarium to see dozens of fish. End your visit on a high note — at the top of their 68-foot observation tower.
That spectacular view, plus free admission on weekdays, makes this environmental hotspot a worthwhile stop on your South Florida vacation.
Now that we’ve covered all that ground, it’s up to you to start planning which to step foot on first. Look away from the window and into what lies ahead. Florida’s environment is yours to protect, enjoy and explore. Take only photos, leave only footprints and use the Visit Lauderdale Vacation Planner to set your outdoor adventure in motion.