There probably isn’t any state in the U.S. where water is such an important part of the lifestyle. That state of course is Florida, which being a Peninsula that wherever you are in the state you are never more than a couple of hours from either the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. In keeping with the many things to do for recreation in Florida, one more activity that won’t take a great bite out of your vacation is the many single day cruises from the Florida harbors.
The following are just a few options to get you started:
1. Casino cruises. There are many ports throughout Florida, and many of these ports offer a casino cruise. When you’re in one of these coastal cities, check them out as often free transportation is provided. Just a couple of the excellent options are the casino Princesa, which has 10,000 square feet of gaming and sails out of Miami’s Bayside Marketplace. Another choice is the casino cruise sailing out of Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This is set up just like a Las Vegas casino, and reservations are suggested.
2. Daytrip to the Bahamas. You can take a one-day cruise to the Bahamas, which starts with a breakfast during the four hour jaunt from Miami to Grand Bahama. After spending another four hours on the islands, on the return trip you’ll be served dinner. Throughout the cruise you can use the swimming pools and hot tubs, there is a movie screening room with shows throughout the day, and their casino is also available. This all-inclusive trip makes for a long day, but it’s one way to get out to the Bahamas and back without having to change your hotel room.
3. Sailboat tours. Most of the coastal cities of Florida offer sailing catamaran vessels. They can be chartered anywhere from four hours to 12 hours, and have a wide range of options as far as food (you can bring your own or have it catered). There is truly a wide variety of places that you can visit with these sailing ships, and they provide a relaxing, sunny and picturesque day on the waters around Florida.
4. Cruises to explore nature. From Sarasota Bay you can join a marine biologist for a two-hour cruise to learn the lifestyle and behaviors of bottlenose dolphins that live in the area. The nature cruise out of Tarpon Bay, Sanibel Island explores a mangrove estuary where dolphins, manatees and birds are active. This is a half-day cruise only, which goes out in the morning, as that is the best time to observe these animals when they are their most active