To many people, Florida is the perfect family holiday destination, but aside from the thrilling theme parks and magical attractions, the Sunshine State is heaven for couples looking for their own adventure. From the sun-soaked beaches in Miami to the Everglades, the Gulf Coast and the bright blue waters in the Florida Keys, you couldn’t choose a better destination for an activity-filled getaway with your loved one.
Almost everything imaginable, from yoga on the beach to snorkelling trips, hiking through stunning landscapes and kayaking through mangroves can be found in Florida if you just know where to look. We’ve rounded up a few of the ultimate spots and activities in Florida that are ideal for re-connecting and re-charging together.
Orlando
Do you think
Orlando is just all about theme parks and
Walt Disney World? To some extent, it is - and we have some great suggestions on that front, but Orlando is also an outdoor-lovers dream. With 300 days of sunshine each year, taking advantage of the area’s natural beauty is a no-brainer; whether you see manatees in the wild, go kayaking along tranquil rivers or for a bit more action, try something exciting like tubing.
Blue Spring State Park is just 30 minutes from Downtown Orlando and is one of the best places in Florida to see manatees, which you can do if you visit in season from November to March. However, the remainder of the year it’s equally fun because in the crystal-clear waters, you can snorkel, swim, dive and kayak among the lush forest and see other wildlife, like rare birds and deer.
For more adventure, try Wekiwa Springs State Park, which is even closer to the city and has rivers of natural emerald-coloured spring water where you can swim or kayak. To sweat things out together, head to the West Orange Trail in northwest Orlando, which sits right next to the beautiful Lake Apopka. The 21-mile trail is perfect for cycling and jogging, winding past the lake and through downtown Winter Garden, where you can stop for a bite to eat.
Miami
Miami is all about big city lights, great restaurants and bars and beautiful beaches - everything you could want on a couple's trip to Florida. This buzzing metropolis is also the gateway to the Everglades and has a whole host of fun activities that’ll get you bonding with each other in no time. Miami’s golden coastline is the place to start for activities like windsurfing, paddleboarding, diving and snorkelling. In the Everglades, canoeing and paddleboarding are two of the best ways to explore the park at a slower pace while paddling through mangroves, islands, and creeks.
You might also notice that most Miami residents have a healthy, sun-kissed glow about them, and this comes from all the workouts and fun, healthy activities on the doorstep. You can explore the length of Miami Beach by renting a pair of roller blades or a CitiBike, while nearby Collins Park also hosts free yoga classes. If you and your other half are a little more competitive, you can take advantage of all the tennis and pickleball courts scattered around the city before enjoying a couple’s massage or treatment at one of the many spa hotels lining the shore.
Florida Keys
It’s hard to know where to begin in the spectacular
Florida Keys, paradise islands with white sands, sparkling waters and a bottomless list of things to see and do. We recommend starting with the most famous island,
Key West, which has watersports galore.
The snorkelling and diving are unmatched, with a kaleidoscope of marine life and coral reefs waiting underwater, while all of the beaches, such as Smathers Beach and South Beach, have the option to rent jet skis or go windsurfing. For arguably even better diving, swan over to
Key Largo, which has been crowned the ‘Diving Capital of the World’ where you can learn to dive together, or if you’re already pros, dive under the waves into marine sanctuaries and coral reef state parks.
For couples who prefer to stay above water, there are glass-bottomed boat tours, hiking and paddling through John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and sunset cruises to choose from. Don’t skip out on smaller islands in the Keys either: Big Pine Key, Sugarloaf Key, and the Middle Keys are all, if possible, even more picturesque and often see fewer crowds if you’re after a quieter couple’s escape.
St Petersburg & Clearwater
On the opposite side of the state, you’ll find no fewer exciting things to do.
St Petersburg holds the title of the place with the longest consecutive sunny days (768, to be exact) and sits between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, meaning there’s plenty to do both on and offshore for couples.
Let’s start with Honeymoon Island State Park, which couldn’t have a more fitting name. Fringed with miles and miles of untouched beaches and warm water, Honeymoon is ideal for clocking out and spending quality time together. You can also rent bicycles and kayaks or take a scenic walk along the island’s pretty nature trail, where you’ll likely spot unusual birdlife, turtles and tortoises.
The fun doesn’t stop there, with dozens of places to go paddleboarding and kayaking near St Peterburg and
Clearwater, where dolphins and manatees swim around you. Parks like Boca Ciega Millenium Park and Boyd Hill Nature Park are home to shady, forested trails, while the Pinellas Trail is one of the best routes to cycle in the area, stretching for 45 miles past gorgeous scenery.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is just north of Miami and equally exciting, as you’ll often find fewer crowds here than in the Magic City, but the same gorgeous beaches and fun attractions.
Fort Lauderdale has more than 300 miles of waterways, so for couples, taking to the water should be your first port of call.
Boat cruises are a romantic way to get to know the local area. Along the 24-mile coastline, activities like surfing, paddleboarding, and kayaking are everywhere you look, so you can just grab a rental and get going. Some of the best beaches for this are Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-by-the-Shore, which also have stunning coral reefs offshore, and popular Hollywood Beach, where you can jog or cycle on the boardwalk, do yoga on the beach, or go fishing, sailing or paddling on the open ocean.
Fort Lauderdale is also famous for its world-class golf, where even beginners can try their hand at putting - if you’re already an avid golfer, it’s the perfect way to share your love of the sport. Some other fun outings that will combine sightseeing with adventure include segway tours, airboat rides in the nearby Everglades, cycle-boats and sunrise paddleboard yoga, to get your pulse racing while exploring the best of what the city has to offer.
Discover all that the Sunshine State offers with your significant other and browse our adventurous deals on our
Package Holidays to Florida 2024 & 2025 page.
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