Why Florida is a dream destination for wildlife and nature lovers

Everyone thinks they know Florida, a perennially popular destination for sunshine, beaches and theme parks – the holy trinity of holiday heaven. But, if that’s your sole perception, you’re overlooking one of the biggest secrets in its array of vacation attractions.

Because this is an absolute wonder for wildlife, a serenade of nature, and a panorama of wide, open spaces where you can relax and soak up the laid-back bliss. Even better, you won’t need to break the bank to explore places such as the Everglades, Crystal River and Wekiwa Springs.

Want to see alligators, manatees, dolphins, armadillos and even bears and bobcats in their natural habitat? This is your state – and you can create memories to treasure with British Airways.

Florida’s many visitors are always surprised to find so many memorable natural attractions that are near Orlando, Miami and Tampa, meaning you don’t need to go far to get a feel for the Sunshine State’s wild side.

In Orlando, the fabulous Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive is barely 25 minutes from Walt Disney World and offers a (free) two-hour self-drive tour of its extensive eco-wonderland (alligators guaranteed), while Wekiva Island is only 15 miles from downtown, with its rural setting for kayaking and paddleboarding along the crystal clear spring waters.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park is Miami’s get-away-from-it-all destination, with tree-lined trails, historic lighthouse, bicycle rentals and kayaking, just a 15-minute drive from downtown.

Tampa boasts Eureka Springs Conservation Park, a 31-acre tropical botanical garden that is barely 10 miles from the city centre, while impressive Hillsborough River State Park is 22 miles away.

Exploring beyond the urban centres reveals a state packed with nearly 200 national and state parks that all feature the real Florida, a diverse landscape of forests, marshes, prairies and mangroves. Visit just a handful and you’ll get the feel of the raw, unspoiled country that makes up most of the state.

From the three main cities, look out for the following, which are all within an hour or two’s drive:

Miami: Biscayne National Park, Oleta River State Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Big Cypress National Preserve, a near neighbour of the Everglades.

Tampa: Little Manatee River State Park, Weedon Island Preserve, Rainbow Springs State Park and the beach havens of Fort De Soto, Caladesi Island and Egmont Key State Park.

Orlando: Lake Louisa, Wekiwa Springs, Blue Spring and De Leon Springs State Park, plus Silver Springs State Park with its timeless glass-bottomed boat rides.

Don’t think the natural wonders are confined to the land, either, as the seas are an equal source of superb sightseeing and recreation.

In particular, there are dolphin watch cruises all along the Gulf Coast, notably in St. Pete Beach, Panama City Beach, Naples and Destin, plus Key West in the Keys and Daytona Beach on the east coast.

There’s also the unique opportunity to swim with wild manatees in their natural habitat in Crystal River north of Tampa, home of many natural wonders and some of the best kayaking and snorkelling in the state.

Finally, it’s impossible to mention Florida without adding the Everglades, the vast ‘River of Grass’ that occupies much of the south and south-west of the state.

A designated World Heritage Site, it is a true one-off adventure into peaceful, timeless landscapes and epic wildlife, accessible either from Miami to the east or Naples on the west, with a range of excursions and experiences including airboat rides and tram tours.

Visit Shark Valley, 25 miles west of Miami, for the best overview of this unique habitat, the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles co-exist. The birdlife is equally immense, with hundreds of species, many of them rare, such as roseate spoonbills and snail kites, making for a bird-watcher’s paradise.

Hilton Cocoa Beach – when the beach is only yards away, and the delights of the Atlantic coast are virtually on tap, you have the ideal holiday home for a week or more. Add in a spectacular pool deck, a huge array of activities and even on-site surfing lessons, and you have an adventure in its own right.

The Plantation on Crystal River – you can’t be more central to Crystal River’s amazing selection of nature activities than with the gracious Plantation. Situated on the edge of manatee-rich Kings Bay, you’re perfectly situated for the many tours and wildlife options, while also enjoying classic Southern hospitality and food.

JW Marco Island Beach Resort – combine beachside bliss with your Everglades adventuring as you soak up the superb amenities and service of this Marco Island gem. Nestled on three miles of immaculate south-west Florida beach, it includes a world-class spa, a free-form fantasy pool and totally fabulous array of dining.

To find out more and to book your perfect Florida holiday with British Airways visit ba.com/florida