Eco-Miami: Natural Wonders of South Florida
Visitors can escape the man-made theme parks and get a real experience in one of South Florida's natural wonders.
With a mild climate year-round and beaches that offer a Caribbean flair, Miami is the ideal international destination for families who like to spend their time enjoying the outdoors. Whether lounging on one of the family-friendly beaches, scuba diving in Biscayne National Park, or canoeing through Everglades National Park, visitors can escape the man-made theme parks and get a real experience in one of the natural wonders of the South. from Florida.
Natural wonders
Everglades National Park is the third largest of the US National Parks. Comprised of grasslands, mangroves, subtropical rainforests, and the warm waters of Florida, this park is home to an exotic number of endangered plants and animals who inhabit their lands.
Those who visit the park may have the opportunity to take guided tours with the rangers or they may enjoy self-guiding. They can also choose two styles: the main part of the park or a deeper experience in Everglades including the possibility of visiting the desert.
Families can choose to drive to the south of the city of Flamingo, 70 km from the park's main entrance, where they can enjoy the rarest bird species and the most exotic wildlife.
Interesting sites along the drive include the Anhinga Trail and the Pahayokee Overlook, which includes nature tours and world-class fishing. The north side entrance, The Shark Valley offers the opportunity to take a tram tour or rent a bike for a very scenic 25km route. A 25-meter viewpoint will allow you spectacular bird watching.
If you want to experience something new within national parks, Biscayne National Park is the place. Mainly aquatic, 95% of its 70,000 hectares is under water. Full of sea life and plants, the park encompasses the turquoise waters of Bizcayne Bay, the longest left stretch of mangrove forest, coral reefs, and all 40 North Florida Keys. Going by water is the key to discovering the wonders of Biscayne National Park.
At Dante FascellVisitor Center you can choose to take excursions in glass-bottomed boats, snorkel or rent canoes and kayaks to immerse yourself in the aquatic life of this park.
Practicing fishing can be a great experience. Crappie, Bass and Barracuda are the most common fish that can be caught. In the shallow waters of less than 10 meters, coral reefs are home to a wide variety of aquatic life, including tropical fish, sponges, and spiny lobster.
Manatees, dolphins, and five species of sea turtles live in the waters of Biscayne Bay, as do moray eels, rays, squid, starfish, and hundreds of varieties of fish.
In the city there are also options that allow you to enjoy the turquoise waters of the Bay, such as sport fishing, renting a catamaran, jet skis or even kayaks.
Oleta State Park in Miami Beach is an excellent option: it has bike trails and adventure Eco-Tours that travel through the ecosystems of the region. Some of the outings can be sunrise/sunset/moon kayaking/diving and canoeing.
They also have a program inspired by sea turtles, it is a summer program. Families will be able to learn a lot about these fascinating and vulnerable creatures, as well as help them as they embark on their journey to the sea.
The historic Deering Farm in Cutler offers canoe rides to Chicken Key as part of the county's Eco-Adventures program, and hosts The Living Classroom, an environmental education management center guiding the curriculum in ecology, geology, marine biology, archaeology, history and art.
In South Beach, children can play on the beach and parents can rest easy, since they all have lifeguards. When it's time to eat, they can stroll down Ocean Drive. And when it's time to play again, teens and parents can rent jet skis, go rollerblading, or join a game of beach volleyball.
Crandon Park, in Key Biscayne, offers some of the prettiest beaches in the area, as well as a carousel and playground suitable for younger children.
The Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center offers marine exploration, coastal walks with the possibility of sleeping in hammocks, fossil rocky reef walks, bike rides, local history classes and water beach tours.
At Cape Bill Baggs Florida State Park, active families can choose to enjoy the beaches, bike, canoe and even camp.
While in Matheson, Hammock has a calm lagoon where children can walk without problems.
One of Miami's historic sites is Coral Gables' Venetian Pool, a pool formed from an ancient excavation of coral rock. It is considered one of the most original and spectacular municipal pools in the world. This natural pool is chemical free, providing a welcome break from chlorine and salt water, and the beautiful coral rock keeps the water nice and cool even in the summer sun.
