Beautiful Miami, Florida
Stunning beaches, world class nightclubs, impossibly tan beach bodies. Miami is the undisputed luxury beach life capital of Florida. But it’s not all about relaxing by the pool for days on end. Miami and South Florida in general offer some of the best outdoor adventure opportunities in the entire state.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing kayak paddle in the Everglades, jet-boating around Biscayne Bay, or a stunning aerial view of the Atlantic Ocean, Miami has it all.
Lamborghini at Miami Exotic Driving Experience
#1: Drive a Super Exotic Dream Car
For gearhead travelers and car afficianados, Miami Exotic Auto Racing offers drivers the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a true exotic sports car. With a fleet that includes Lamborghinis, Ferraris and the Audi R8, visitors can learn to race alongside an expert driver at up to 135 MPH on Miami’s Homestead Speedway.
#2: Go Flyboarding
Flyboarding and hoverboarding are among the newest extreme watersports that use water jets to propel riders through the air. New this year, visitors can take a first time ride right in downtown Miami. Bayside Flyboard notes: “The Flyboard is equivalent to flying like the character Ironman and the Hoverboard is like the Silver Surfer.”
Guys Paddleboarding
#3: Paddleboard the Calm Miami Waters
The waters off the coast of Miami are an ideal spot for stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) as they’re warm, calm, and predictable throughout the year. Hobie Beach near Key Biscayne offers visitors the opportunity to rent paddleboards or stop at the Rickenbacker Causeway at Sailboards Miami to rent paddleboards, kayaks, kiteboards, or windsurfing boards.
#4: Tour the Florida Everglades by High-speed Airboat
No trip to Florida is complete without a visit to the Florida Everglades; and no trip to the Everglades is complete without experiencing the massive swampy preserve on a high-powered airboat ride. Countless tour operators abound, but visit Everglades Holiday Park for a one-stop adventure shop for all things Everglades-related.
Kayaking the Florida Everglades
#5: Explore the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge
Most natives and visitors to Florida know of the Everglades, but few are aware of the beautiful and much less trafficked northern portion of the preserve. The Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is little more than an hour north of Miami — an ideal day trip for outdoor and nature lovers. The nearly 146,000 acres provide some truly fantastic opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and nature watching.
#6: Swim the Venetian Pool
In 1923, eccentric and imaginative designer Denman Fink set about converting a natural rock quarry into an impossibly fantastic swimming pool. Today, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables stands as a public swimming park of sorts, complete with a manmade island, canals, waterfalls, fountains, and coral caves. The pristine pool is a National Historical Landmark and maintained by completely draining and replacing its 800,000 gallons of water daily.
#7: Take Sailing Lessons
Miami, like the rest of Florida, is considered by many to be a world class sailing destination. If you’ve never ventured out on the open water under just the power of the wind, a sailing lesson is a great opportunity. No previous experience is necessary as there are plenty of sailing schools happy to take first timers out on the water. Shake-A-Leg Miami offers classes for budding sailors of all ages.
Kids Snorkeling in Florida
#8: Get Wet at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Some of the area’s best watersports opportunities are just a stone’s throw from Miami proper. Head to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for some of the best diving and snorkeling experiences in South Florida. Established more than 60 years ago, it was the first underwater preserve in the country. Visitors who’d rather stay dry can opt for fishing, kayaking, camping, or glass bottom boat tour experiences instead as the park offers them all.
#9: Escape to Florida’s Largest Urban Park
Surrounded by the constant hustle of downtown Miami, it’s difficult to imagine a place where you can “get away from it all”. Yet, Oleta River State Park is just that. As Florida’s largest urban park, it provides myriad outdoor and adventure opportunities, including off-road bike trails, canoeing and kayaking launches with rentals available, and a quiet, 1,200-foot sandy beach. The park even offers overnight options for those looking to camp out or spend the night in a cabin.
#10: Go Deep Sea Fishing
It’s no secret that fishing is serious business throughout Florida. But, did you know that South Florida boasts some of best deep sea and trophy fishing opportunities in the world? To truly go all out, head to Key Biscayne or, better yet, Islamorada. The charter boats in both places are more expensive, but they’re also larger, more luxurious, and venture further out to sea to where the seriously big fish swim.
Aerial View of Miami, Florida
#11: Take an Aerial Tour of Miami & Beyond
One of the best ways to appreciate the stunning natural beauty of south Florida is by air. Whether it’s by parasail, jetpack, hot air balloon, or seaplane, there’s no shortage of options. To venture even further, check out a romantic seaplane flight for two from Miami to the Florida Keys.
#12: Skydive South Florida
Or if you’re really keen to take an “aerial tour” of Miami, check out any one of the myriad skydiving opportunities over South Florida. No experience is necessary for tandem jumps as first-timers are strapped to a trained, expert skydiving instructor. It promises: “the ultimate adrenaline rush during a 60-second free fall at speeds up to 120 mph (193 kph), followed by a peaceful parachute descent with breathtaking views.”
#13: Rent a Speed Boat
If you’ve always dreamed of reenacting your own Miami Vice marine chase scene, there’s no better place than Miami. As the unofficial home of the cigarette boat, there are countless speed boat rental and speed boat tour options available. Unlike rental cars, there are few requirements to renting a boat beyond a credit card, a pen, and a willingness to take your life into your own hands.
See all that Miami has to offer with these tours!
-Contributed by Mike Richard