Florida’s sunshine draws travelers year-round—but for a growing number of visitors, it’s not just about beaches and palm trees. In 2025, sustainable travel is in, and that means more guests are seeking low-impact experiences, conservation-focused tours, and activities that connect them to nature—not just entertain them.
From kayaking through mangrove tunnels to helping restore coral reefs, Florida offers more than a place to vacation—it’s a place to make a difference. Whether your guests are families with kids, solo travelers, or couples on a slow-travel escape, there’s an eco-adventure waiting near every one of our properties.
Here’s a curated guide to Florida’s most inspiring, accessible, and environmentally responsible outdoor experiences—each one located near Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach, Hollywood, Pompano Beach, Jensen Beach, Miami, Tallahassee, Tavernier, or Wilton Manors.
1. Paddle the Mangroves in Aventura & Hollywood
Oleta River State Park (Aventura/North Miami): Glide through quiet mangrove creeks by kayak or paddleboard in Florida’s largest urban park. Look for herons, crabs, and even manatees in cooler months.

Anne Kolb Nature Center (Hollywood): Rent a canoe or SUP and explore this vast estuary. Great for spotting wading birds and learning about mangrove preservation.

Good For: Families, beginner paddlers, and wildlife lovers
Sustainability Highlight: These mangrove habitats filter water, protect shorelines, and serve as nurseries for marine life.
2. Snorkel Artificial Reefs & Coral Gardens in Pompano Beach & Hollywood
Shipwreck Park (Pompano Beach): Dive or snorkel around sunken ships and underwater sculptures turned coral habitats. Great for divers interested in marine conservation.

Guardians of the Reef (Hollywood): Snorkel-friendly reef sculptures seeded with coral fragments to help restore marine ecosystems.

Good For: Confident swimmers, teens, underwater photographers
Sustainability Highlight: Artificial reefs reduce pressure on natural ones and serve as marine life sanctuaries.
3. Discover Wildlife Sanctuaries in Fort Lauderdale & Wilton Manors
Flamingo Gardens (Davie): Rescue sanctuary for Florida panthers, bears, birds of prey, and of course, flamingos.

Secret Woods Nature Center (near Wilton Manors): Boardwalk trails through tidal mangroves, perfect for slow walks and learning about coastal ecology.

Good For: Families, photographers, quiet nature seekers
Sustainability Highlight: Wildlife education and rehabilitation efforts are central to both locations.
4. Explore Estuaries & Wetlands in Jensen Beach
Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center (Hutchinson Island): See rescued sea turtles, touch stingrays, and learn about lagoon restoration efforts.

Savannas Preserve State Park: Hike or paddle through freshwater marshes—home to scrub-jays, alligators, and wildflowers.

Good For: Science-loving families, birders, and slow-travel couples
Sustainability Highlight: Supports estuary and seagrass restoration projects.
5. Dive into Conservation in Tavernier & the Upper Keys
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park: Take a glass-bottom boat tour or snorkel Florida’s only undersea park.

Coral Restoration Foundation (Key Largo): Certified divers can help plant nursery-grown corals onto struggling reefs.

Wild Bird Center (Tavernier): Boardwalk sanctuary for rescued birds in coastal mangroves.

Good For: Divers, conservationists, hands-on travelers
Sustainability Highlight: These programs restore fragile reefs and protect native species.
6. Kayak Urban Rivers in Wilton Manors
Middle River Loop: Kayak around the city island of Wilton Manors via tidal waterways fringed with native vegetation.

Richardson Historic Park: A quiet launch spot with nature trails and riverfront views.

Good For: Couples, beginner paddlers, urban explorers
Sustainability Highlight: Encourages car-free exploration and supports urban nature restoration.
7. Go Reef-Free: Land-Based Eco-Options Across All Locations
Butterfly World (Coconut Creek): The world’s largest butterfly house promotes pollinator education and habitat preservation.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center (Boca Raton): Sea turtle research, mangrove boardwalks, and marine education close to Deerfield Beach.

Manatee Watching (Jensen Beach, Fort Lauderdale canals, Tallahassee’s St. Marks Refuge): Best in winter months when manatees seek warm waters.

Good For: Kids, quiet moments, indoor days
Sustainability Highlight: Focused on awareness and habitat conservation.
Florida’s natural beauty goes far beyond its famous beaches—and today’s travelers know it. Eco-tourism isn’t a niche; it’s a movement. Whether guests are kayaking mangroves, helping coral grow, or just spending the day in a butterfly garden, they’re not just exploring the state—they’re giving back to it.
These eco-adventures invite guests to slow down, look closer, and leave South Florida better than they found it. For short-term rental hosts, curating this kind of responsible experience isn’t just good stewardship—it’s smart hospitality.