It’s vacation time once again, and where are you planning to head off to? Why not set your sights on the Sunshine State, and have the time of your life exploring a paradise that provides fun for all ages. Florida is located on the southwestern coast of the country, where the climate is generally warm all year round. This state is home to more than 18 million denizens, and you can find dozens of breathtaking beaches and other attractions that the whole family can enjoy on your holiday.

As said before, nobody goes to Florida without setting foot on its many picturesque beaches, which are popular destinations for both locals and tourists alike. Florida beaches have been featured in several movies and TV shows, and you probably are more familiar with names like Miami Beach, Daytona Beach, Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, among others. Water sports like surfing and wind surfing are great things to try out here, but if you’re up for a little nature tripping, then you can rent out a boat and explore the many islands in the region.

For a group of eight persons, you can rent a 21 foot all purpose cruiser or speed boat, for about $200 to $400 per full day. It is cheaper for tourists to rent on weekdays, as rates are generally lower. Most of these boats are already equipped with coolers and fishing lines for you to use. You can choose to have a guide take you island trekking, too. For an idea of where to go, here are some choice picks for you:

Shell Island is about 8 miles to the south of St. Andrews, on the northwestern shores of Florida. Shell Island is only accessible if you rent out a boat, and this offers an uninhabited retreat for people who want to go snorkeling or diving. Surfing is also a fun activity here.

Here is another slice of paradise: Caladesi Island State Park, which is only accessible by boat, and camping overnight on the area is not allowed. However, during your day tour, you can go hiking, swimming, biking, fishing, and kayaking in Caladesi. It simply is a nature haven, well-preserved, and worth coming back to.

The Florida Keys are truly unforgettable sights to behold in the Sunshine State. Here you have more than 1,700 island options. They are grouped in to the upper keys, middle keys, lower keys. Maybe in the future, you can schedule your Florida vacation to visit as many keys as you can by boat.

Heather recommends getting a waterproof GPS unit or checking into marine GPS chartplotters to make your boating expeditions more interesting, easier, and safer as well!

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