{"id":6554,"date":"2017-05-22T15:17:07","date_gmt":"2017-05-22T15:17:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lifestyle.acqualinaresort.com\/?p=1858"},"modified":"2018-07-30T08:07:07","modified_gmt":"2018-07-30T14:07:07","slug":"into-the-florida-wild-four-day-trips-from-miami","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.acqualinaresort.com\/blog\/family\/into-the-florida-wild-four-day-trips-from-miami\/","title":{"rendered":"Into the Florida Wild: Four Day Trips from Miami Beach"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Paul Rubio<\/em><\/p>\n

In the thick of Miami\u2019s bustling beaches, dazzling skyscrapers, and superb nightlife, it\u2019s easy to forget that incredible nature surrounds us. But head ninety minutes up the coast, and arrive at the planet\u2019s largest nesting ground for loggerhead sea turtles. Travel ninety minutes southwest to Florida Bay<\/a>, and discover the only place on Earth where alligators and crocodiles coexist. Or go even deeper into the 2400-square-mile subtropical wilds of Everglades National Park<\/a> to spot river otters, manatees, dolphins, some of the park\u2019s 347 bird species (including our national bird, the Bald Eagle), and possibly catch a glimpse of an elusive Florida panther.<\/p>\n

While it may not be an African safari, a day immersed in Florida nature is undoubtedly worth a missed day of shopping and sun worshipping on Miami Beach outside Acqualina Resort<\/a>. So pack your best DSLR camera (you\u2019re bound to get some great shots), high SPF sunscreen (note that some places have limited shade), bug spray (the mosquitos aren\u2019t as bad as the rumors but they do bite), and your sense of adventure, and embark on one of these four, non-touristy day trips into South Florida\u2019s ecological treasure trove.<\/p>\n

Experience Baby Sea Turtle Nirvana<\/h2>\n

\"Sea

Watching hundreds of just-born, baby sea turtles make their pilgrimage to sea is arguably one of nature\u2019s most inspiring sights. And, during summer birthing season (which peaks in August), chances of witnessing this phenomenon are high, as Florida\u2019s Atlantic coast constitutes Earth\u2019s largest nesting ground for loggerhead turtles. Reserve in advance to participate in a naturalist-led, hatchling release program at Loggerhead MarineLife Center<\/a>, a conservation and education facility located off prime loggerhead real estate in Juno Beach (85 minutes north of the resort). If you\u2019d rather meet the moms, from June to September the Center also offers nighttime \u201cTurtle Walks\u201d to observe pregnant females surface from the ocean and lay their eggs on the beach.<\/p>\n

Your experience continues back at the resort, where Acqualina is proudly partnering with EcoAdventures<\/a> at Miami Dade Parks to provide a unique encounter with sea turtles on Miami Beach. Join us<\/a> for the opportunity to see and learn about nests close to the resort, including interactive educational sessions led by a nature expert from EcoAdventures.<\/p>\n

Bike Among Alligators<\/h2>\n

\"Alligator

At the \u201cShark Valley\u201d entrance point to Everglades National Park<\/a> (70 minutes southwest of the resort), a 15-mile bike loop penetrates untamed subtropical wilderness, where massive alligators and wading birds rule. Old school two-wheelers can be rented from the park welcome center, but don\u2019t expect to speed through the \u2018glades on your Huffy Bike. The park\u2019s prolific alligator population loves to sunbathe along the bike path\u2014meaning, yes, you\u2019ll be a few feet from some very stubborn gators, hoping they move out the way! (Don\u2019t worry: Such proximity may sound dangerous, but no accidents or injuries have ever been reported.) If you love this adrenaline-packed bike ride\u2014and we\u2019re pretty sure you will\u2014make plans to return in February and March when park rangers host special night bike tours to watch alligators mate under the full moon (advanced reservations required).<\/p>\n

Go On A Florida Wildlife Boat Safari<\/h2>\n

\"Boat

If you ever thought the Everglades to be nothing more than a boring, mosquito-infested swampland, the national park\u2019s southern reaches will surely prove you wrong. Drive to the \u201cFlamingo\u201d entrance point (2 hours southwest of the resort) to reach the brackish waters and marine-rich, saltwater flats of Florida Bay. Here, park-sponsored \u201cFlorida Bay Tours\u201d and \u201cBackcountry Tours\u201d<\/a> take to the bay to expose a wild world rife with dolphins, manatees, and white pelicans and where an abundance of apex predators\u2014from crocodiles and alligators to bull sharks and lemon sharks\u2014peacefully and naturally coexist.<\/p>\n

Bird Watch In The Ten Thousand Islands<\/h2>\n

\"Bird

Serious bird watchers and nature lovers should consider driving due west, across the state (but still under 2 hours from the resort), for a private Birding Photography Tour with outfitter Everglades Area Tours<\/a>. Cruise through the Everglades\u2019 10,000 islands, and saturate memory cards with breathtaking scenes of roseate spoonbills taking flight, predatory hawks fishing for breakfast, terns blanketing entire sand bars, bottlenose dolphins leaping through the air, and frenzied rookeries teeming with just-hatched pelicans, ibises, and egrets calling out for mama. Bonus: This region of Everglades National Park tends to have few mosquitos and bugs during the summer months.<\/p>\n

To make personal arrangements for any of the above day trips, please contact the Acqualina concierge. <\/em><\/p>\n

*All photos courtesy of Everglades National Park<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

About the Contributor<\/strong><\/p>\n

Travel journalist Paul Rubio is a Miami native who has lived in nine countries and traveled to 110 (and counting). Rubio\u2019s writing appears in Cond\u00e9 Nast Traveler<\/em>, LUXURY<\/em>, Robb Report<\/em>, Private Clubs<\/em>, and ultratravel<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Paul Rubio In the thick of Miami\u2019s bustling beaches, dazzling skyscrapers, and superb nightlife, it\u2019s easy to forget that incredible nature surrounds us. 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