Old Florida Explorer

Land, stock up, get set for wild.

Check into a suite with a full kitchen and a balcony, then run to the Publix five minutes away — you'll want easy breakfasts before a week of early departures. Get the lay of the pool for the recovery afternoons, and we'll help you confirm tomorrow's water temps and tide.

Tonight's easy. Tomorrow you're in the water with 1,000-pound teddy bears.

Swim with the manatees.

About 90 minutes northwest, Crystal River is the only place in North America where you can legally snorkel alongside wild manatees. Suit up, slip into the spring-fed water, and float quietly while these gentle giants drift up to investigate. Guides handle the wetsuits, the boat, and the etiquette — you just remember to breathe through the snorkel.

Out of manatee season (roughly Nov–Mar)? Swap in a Blue Spring viewing day, where the herd packs into the spring run on cold mornings.

Run the swamp at full throttle.

Just south of the resort, Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures launches you across the headwaters of the Everglades — wind in your face, sawgrass blurring past, and the captain easing off the throttle to drift up on a sunning alligator. Bald eagles overhead, turtles on the banks, and that big-fan roar the kids will imitate for the rest of the trip.

Quick, loud, and pure Old Florida — back at the suite with time for a pool afternoon.

Paddle 72 degrees of perfect.

Half an hour north, Wekiwa Springs bubbles up crystal-clear and a constant, refreshing 72 degrees year-round. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and glide the shaded spring run, float the swimming area, and spread out a picnic from the suite kitchen. It's the cool, green, slow-Florida counterweight to all the throttle and adrenaline.

Get there early on warm days — the park caps capacity and the locals know it's this good.

Maximum Florida, zero shame.

Twenty minutes down the road, the "Alligator Capital of the World" is gloriously old-school. Catch the gator-wrestling and jumping shows, meet the rare leucistic white gators, and let the brave one ride the Screamin' Gator zip line over the breeding marsh. For the certified divers in the group, we can help you add an optional cave snorkel or dive at Silver Springs.

The kitschy, perfect cap to the wild week — then back for a final pool float.

One last float, then home.

No alarms today. Sleep in, make a big lazy breakfast in the suite, and let everyone get one more morning at the pool before checkout. Pack up slow and roll out salty, sun-tired, and already arguing about which day was the best one.