Page 24 - Travel Guide to Florida 2020

ECOTOURISM

UNCOVER NATURE’S BEAUTY

BY SALLY WHITE

SWIM WITH THE MANATEES, CRYSTAL RIVER • DISCOVER CRYSTAL RIVER FLORIDA
nown for glistening sugar sand from the Everglades to Pensacola Beach, native assets for future generations to enjoy
beaches and sparkling turquoise while others prefer to drink in the vista while allowing visitors unique opportunities
K waters, Florida draws visitors from views from the canopy walkway of Myakka to experience wild Florida.
around the world. With more than 80 River State Park or climb the limestone
different ecosystems and a vast array of bluffs above the whitewater rapids at Big SNORKEL LIVING REEFS AT
natural resources, this sun-kissed state, Shoals State Park. 1 DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL
known for balmy winters and sultry Eleven thousand miles of waterways, the PARK IN THE FLORIDA KEYS
summers, offers something for everyone. warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Vibrant tropical fish dart past, ducking to hide
The glittering depths of Williston’s cooler Atlantic entice paddlers to investigate the in the depths of the colorful living coral and
subterranean underwater caverns of Devil’s wilds and anglers to cast their lines in hopes of sponges at Dry Tortugas National Park,
Den and the saltier explorations around the snagging a bass or prize-winning cobia. situated within the Everglades & Dry Tortugas
shipwrecks from Pensacola to Port St. Joe, With an extensive variety of natural Biosphere Reserve. This 100-square-mile
serving as artificial reefs to the local marine resources available, it can be difficult for reserve encompasses seven islands and the
life on the Florida Panhandle Shipwreck travelers to choose how to spend their time. tail end of a reef that stretches from Miami to
Trail, beckon avid scuba divers. Hiking These top 10 Florida ecotours not only aid this national park, 70 miles from Key West.
enthusiasts find themselves drawn to the the state’s ecotourism through public The remote location has minimized human
challenges of the 1,400-mile Florida Trail, education, but also give back to their impact on the reef, making it one of the best
the state’s National Scenic Trail stretching community to help maintain these diverse underwater snorkeling and diving locations in

22 2020 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA