Wildlife nature days out

[sammyteach]

We are staying a week at Sanibel (probably)then ten days at disney (free dining) then universal. As we have done Disney twice we are hoping to branch out a bit more. Does anyone have ideas for natural/wildlife days out from Orlando in august? Things suitable for Mum Dad and 10 year old and 8 year old would be great. Not sure about gatorland it sounds a bit commercial and we like the more natural attraction.

 

[Giddy Kipper]

We are stopping between clearwater and st.petes and are going to do the dolphin watch, dont know who with yet but there seems to be plenty to choose from...We are also looking for more ideas..

 

[paulh]

boggey creak tours a good option
Paulh

 

[Netty]

we went to silver springs last august and thoroughly enjoyed it! Its about 11/2 hours drive away but well worth the visit.heres their website
http://www.silversprings.com/

 

[cleo]

I second the motion for Boggy Creek Airboat tours and their new Wildlife Safari (in a 'monster truck' type vehicle). We've been recommending Boggy Creek for years and they consistantly get high marks when readers email about their experiences there. We also recently did the Wildlife Safari and had great luck with lots of animal sightings (including armadillos the last two times out!). Their staff could not be friendlier. You feel like family when you visit Boggy Creek. Check www.bcairboats.com for more info, and tell 'em the Venesses said HI!

If you get to the Clearwater area give Dolphin Landings a try. They do an excellent dolphin tour and are very family-friendly. Another good choice (but without guaranteed dolphin sightings) is Clearwater Marine Aquarium's Sea Life Safari, which takes you out to the intracoastal waterway for some up-close encounters with whatever they dredge up in their net (for research as much as for guest enjoyment). Check here for the Sea Life Safari or try www.cmaquarium.org for the Aquarium. You won't want to miss meeting Winter, the little dolphin baby who was rescued from a fishing line tangle that caused her to lose her tail. She survived (somehow!) but lost her tail. She is now being fitted for a prosthetic tail so she doesn't have to swim like a shark any more. She's a real trooper, that girl, and you'll be glad you saw her.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

Whilst you're staying on Sanibel, you could have a trip around the Everglades on an airboat - would thoroughly recommend Speedy Johnsons. There is a lot of wildlife around the Everglades, always worth a drive around.

Also whilst down on the Southern gulf coast, if you fancy a 2.5 mile boardwalk walk, visit the Audubon Society's reservation (like our RSPB) which is just outside of Naples (45mins from Sanibel). It's a lovely walk and you get to see many creatures in the wild - from gators, to many different birds (we've seen golden eagles, kites, ostrich!!, eagles, owls . . .), raccoons, even wild boar.

Sanibel Island and Captiva are always lovely to hire a cycle to ride around, although it will be very hot and humid in August, so time it right during the day. The pace on Sanibel is very laid back

If you need any more info, do shout

 

[sammyteach]

Thanks to everyone some great ideas so far. Makes me look forward to our hols even more

 

[castanea1985]

We are going Kayaking next July watching out for manatees and dolphins - if you're interested?!

http://www.advkayak.com/index.html

 

[Ware Bears]

or try www.cmaquarium.org for the Aquarium. You won't want to miss meeting Winter, the little dolphin baby who was rescued from a fishing line tangle that caused her to lose her tail. She survived (somehow!) but lost her tail. She is now being fitted for a prosthetic tail so she doesn't have to swim like a shark any more. She's a real trooper, that girl, and you'll be glad you saw her.

DH saw about her on the television recently and said we have to take a trip there. My middle DD is dolphin mad.
We are staying at St Pete for 3 nights so our plan is to visit the Clearwater aquarium, do a Dolphin Landings cruise and spend a day at Fort de Soto Park.

 

[tashasmum]

Another great place to try is Forever Florida

http://www.floridaeco-safaris.com/

It located off the 192 past Holopaw, they do various types of tours and even have walkways built so you can walk with a guide into the swamp areas and visit.

 

[cleo]

DH saw about her on the television recently and said we have to take a trip there. My middle DD is dolphin mad.
We are staying at St Pete for 3 nights so our plan is to visit the Clearwater aquarium, do a Dolphin Landings cruise and spend a day at Fort de Soto Park.

You're in for a real treat, Ware Bears!

I second the motion for Forever Florida. Another fabulous nature day!