http://www.visitflorida.com/nature/ There's more to Florida than beaches, though waves colored emerald to azure, crashing into sugar sand, hold a natural attraction. Oceans trickle inland forming estuaries and coastal hammocks that beckon birders, kayakers and hikers; swamps to the south and forests both central and north greet outdoor enthusiasts with cycling trails, natural springs for diving, campgrounds and further opportunities to eye wildlife. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-water-lovers-dream http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-water-lovers-dream A hidden treasure on Florida's East Coast, Indian River County - from Sebastian Inlet to Vero Beach - is a water lover's paradise. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-charms-of-the-farms-in-manatee-county http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-charms-of-the-farms-in-manatee-county Imagine what it's like to drink milk fresh from a cow, taste sweet honey from local bees, sip wine where the grape was grown, or sink your teeth into a just-picked peach or an ear of corn so juicy and tender that it's delicious even raw. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/plush-poolside-experiences http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/plush-poolside-experiences Poolside fun and relaxation merge into one luxurious experience at these unique pools around Florida. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/keys-please-see-the-keys-from-the-water http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/keys-please-see-the-keys-from-the-water The rest of Florida makes you choose between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. This is not the case in the Florida Keys. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/bird-watching-at-its-best-in-pasco-county http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/bird-watching-at-its-best-in-pasco-county I was walking down the nature trail that runs along Rocky Creek when the morning stillness was shattered by the cry of not one but two osprey in flight. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/unleash-your-wild-side http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/unleash-your-wild-side Are you an animal lover? Are your kids? Jungle Island in sunny Miami is where you need to be. With its unique and up-close animal encounters, once-in-a-lifetime experiences happen every day. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-home-run-hit-for-the-family http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-home-run-hit-for-the-family Head to The Palm Beaches during major league spring training for a vacation that's sure to be a hit with the whole family. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/kiteboarding-at-hawks-cay-ride-like-the-wind http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/kiteboarding-at-hawks-cay-ride-like-the-wind Paradise awaits. Ditch the snow shovel, pack your swimsuit and head to The Florida Keys. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/five-wild-hikes-in-hernando-county http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/five-wild-hikes-in-hernando-county These hiking trails provide a corridor to an abundance of parks, preserves and state-managed lands to explore. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/shake-it-up http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/shake-it-up Ten water sports to spice up your time by the Florida seashore. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/surfing-for-a-cause http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/surfing-for-a-cause Hundreds of surfers, thousands of spectators, millions of dollars raised to benefit the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), and barrels of beachin’ fun in Cocoa Beach. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/take-to-the-hills-for-outdoor-adventure-in-tallahassee http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/take-to-the-hills-for-outdoor-adventure-in-tallahassee Topography is the name of the game in Tallahassee, making Florida's state capital a prime playground for outdoor enthusiasts. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sunny-days-starry-nights-in-the-palm-beaches-&-boca-raton http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/sunny-days-starry-nights-in-the-palm-beaches-&-boca-raton Celebrate the beauty and culture of The Palm Beaches & Boca Raton with these great activities. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/ten-must-do-hikes-in-florida http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/ten-must-do-hikes-in-florida A Florida outdoors enthusiast - and avid hiker - shares his favorite places to explore nature on foot. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/outdoor-adventures-in-palm-beach-county http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/outdoor-adventures-in-palm-beach-county Take an airboat ride through the Everglades, fish in Boca Raton or look at lions in West Palm Beach. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/an-all-american-beauty http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/an-all-american-beauty Discover the natural features of the Florida Keys via the Overseas Highway, one of the best scenic road trips in the U.S. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/pensacolas-great-outdoors http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/pensacolas-great-outdoors Urban travelers don't have to go far to unplug city stress and enjoy Mother Nature's gifts. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/its-a-wild-wild-life-in-naples http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/its-a-wild-wild-life-in-naples From bird watching to beachcombing, the Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades tantalizes outdoor enthusiasts with miles of natural thrills. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/natural-kissimmee http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/natural-kissimmee Get out of Orlando and into the "real Florida," a place where Cracker cowboys and Seminole warriors once ruled. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/from-beaches-to-rivers http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/from-beaches-to-rivers From beaches to rivers, enjoy the Florida sun, surf and sand in Santa Rosa County. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/splash-down-in-key-west http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/splash-down-in-key-west These adventurous offshore activities won't leave you high and dry. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/pasco-county-hike-paddle-and-ride http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/pasco-county-hike-paddle-and-ride Explore this Central Florida county by land or by sea. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/okeechobee-outback http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/okeechobee-outback Natural Florida is full of surprises for backpackers and outdoors enthusiasts. http://visitflorida.com/articles/adventure-bound http://visitflorida.com/articles/adventure-bound On the Paradise Coast of Naples, Marco Island and the Everglades, the locals will tell you that summer is when nature really comes alive. Spend your long summer days exploring this wild region, from Naples to Everglades City, by motor, sail, paddle and foot. http://visitflorida.com/articles/summer-splash-on-the-space-coast http://visitflorida.com/articles/summer-splash-on-the-space-coast Bounded by the St. Johns River and the Atlantic Ocean with the Indian River Lagoon in between, the Space Coast is the perfect place to make a summer splash. Whether paddling, casting or cruising, cool off as you experience these wild places from the water. http://visitflorida.com/articles/a-treasured-trip http://visitflorida.com/articles/a-treasured-trip An outdoors girl at heart, I grew more and more energized as I planned a trip to the Treasure Coast, an area on Florida's east coast that's brimming with natural beauty. The possibilities endless, I formulated a plan: work my way from north to south discovering all that the area's three counties have to offer. http://visitflorida.com/articles/cool-ways-to-chill-out http://visitflorida.com/articles/cool-ways-to-chill-out It's no secret that Florida gets hot. And as Floridians will tell you, we're always looking for new ways and places to cool off. So while instinct may tell you to pack your beach bag and head to the coast – why not head inland instead to cool off like locals do: in Florida's crystal-clear freshwater springs. http://visitflorida.com/articles/natures-finest http://visitflorida.com/articles/natures-finest Known for waterfront sunsets, seashells and sandy beaches, Sanibel Island on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast is a tranquil retreat that's a natural choice for outdoor lovers. And my stay at the luxurious, world-class Sanibel Harbour Resort & Spa placed me within easy access to all it has to offer. http://visitflorida.com/articles/key-west-calls http://visitflorida.com/articles/key-west-calls Sipping a tropical drink in Mallory Square, watching a schooner slip past the setting sun, is something everybody should experience at least once in their lives. But this island city, once home to pirates, fishermen and high-sea traders, has more to offer when it comes to the great outdoors. http://visitflorida.com/articles/wild-wanderings-in-sarasota http://visitflorida.com/articles/wild-wanderings-in-sarasota The idea of Sarasota as a wild vacation destination isn't as far-fetched as it sounds. If your idea of "wild" involves seeing giant alligators up close, walking among the treetops, kayaking scenic rivers and bays, and coming nose-to-snout with a 1,200-pound manatee, then the Sarasota area is as wild as it gets. http://visitflorida.com/articles/pensacolas-natural-lure http://visitflorida.com/articles/pensacolas-natural-lure From the "Canoe Capital of Florida" to the world's largest artificial reef, the Pensacola Bay Area's outdoor offerings attract and amaze everyone from fun-loving kids to serious nature enthusiasts. Pack your paddles, tackle and binoculars and head to this part of the northern Gulf coast. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/castaway-for-a-day http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/castaway-for-a-day As an alternative to a Tahiti vacation my husband, James, and I sought to find our fantasy island closer to home – the keys and islands of the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area. We began with one of the most celebrated islands in the area, Caladesi Island, which regularly ranks among the nation's best beaches. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/paddling-through-paradise http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/paddling-through-paradise Taking to the water is one of the best ways to explore the natural beauty of Martin County, located on Florida's east coast, just north of Palm Beach and halfway between Miami and Orlando. Navigate the serene waters of the Loxahatchee and South Fork rivers, or cruise along one of the county's 16 beaches. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/four-if-by-sea http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/four-if-by-sea No matter where you are in the St. Petersburg/Clearwater area, you're never more than a few miles from the sparkling blue waters of the Gulf, the Intracoastal or Tampa Bay. I charted a course on four vessels; a ferry, deck boat, kayak and paddle wheeler; for a dolphin's-eye view. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/anglers-welcome http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/anglers-welcome For sport fishing enthusiasts, the Tallahassee area's lakes, rivers and wilderness preserves (and longer, cooler fishing season) are a major Florida attraction. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-new-frontier-the-florida-everglades http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/a-new-frontier-the-florida-everglades Explore the Western Everglades, where Ten Thousand Islands coax you beyond the coast. http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-art-of-doing-nothing http://www.visitflorida.com/articles/the-art-of-doing-nothing Though you can find plenty to do on Captiva Island that will keep you busy day night, you can alternately, simply, relax.