Going to Orlando to visit some family for a week with our new baby next month. I figure we'll spend a few days closer to family in Clermont, and a few days further away.
We like being in the water, snorkeling, hiking, kayaking, etc. I'm not a "sit and stare at the ocean" type. I gotta be in it.
Any suggestion on which coast to head to, maybe for 1-3 nights in the middle of the week? I'd like to ride mountain bike in Ocala, that's my only requirement and it's a one-day thing.
Gulf coast, for sure.
Gulf is calm and warm. Atlantic side is still cold. Go to Clearwater.
gulf coast is shallow. Lots of islands and mangroves to explore. Watch out for Gators and snakes. A lot of the smaller keys are overrun with rattlers
Go snorkeling in Crystal River, gulf coast. Not a long trip from Clermont, either.
Im on the east coast. Go west coast for kayaking and most things. West coast is generally less populated and is gonna have more natural areas. Around captiva was very nice.
Gulf all the way. You planning on riding at Santos? Great trail system, I've been down there a few times.
We'd like to find a smaller beach community where we can swim, snorkel around (even if there isn't anything to see) and maybe rent some kayaks for a day, then sit on the back porch and watch the sunset go down over the Gulf.
It looks like around Crystal River, beach front is mostly swamp.
Indian rocks beach is fantastic. Super chill, beautiful sand, calm water. Can't go wrong.
Don't forget the water opportunities between the coasts. You're already going to be in the Ocala Nat'l Forest, so you might want to check out kayaking the Juniper Springs Run (beautiful and challenging), Salt Springs Run (easy and scenic) or, my choice, the Oklawaha River to the Silver River (a true jungle cruise, complete with monkeys, that culminates in Silver Springs where you can kayak alongside the famous glass-bottom boats). You can snorkel in Blue Spring, where you may still see manatees, as well as in Juniper, Silver Glen, Salt and Alexander Springs. Water in all the springs is crystal clear, a constant 72 degrees.
Oh, and edit to add: If you're heading to the Gulf Coast from Ocala area, you might also check out Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River. Prime snorkeling/tubing.
Margie
Marjorie Suddard said:Don't forget the water opportunities between the coasts. You're already going to be in the Ocala Nat'l Forest, so you might want to check out kayaking the Juniper Springs Run (beautiful and challenging), Salt Springs Run (easy and scenic) or, my choice, the Oklawaha River to the Silver River (a true jungle cruise, complete with monkeys, that culminates in Silver Springs where you can kayak alongside the famous glass-bottom boats). You can snorkel in Blue Spring, where you may still see manatees, as well as in Juniper, Silver Glen, Salt and Alexander Springs. Water in all the springs is crystal clear, a constant 72 degrees.
Oh, and edit to add: If you're heading to the Gulf Coast from Ocala area, you might also check out Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River. Prime snorkeling/tubing.
Margie
Lifetime Floridian and outdoorsman here, and I have to say that this is the best advice yet.
I don't know if we're going to have access to kayaks or a way of transporting them.
Marjorie Suddard said:Oh, and edit to add: If you're heading to the Gulf Coast from Ocala area, you might also check out Rainbow Springs and the Rainbow River. Prime snorkeling/tubing.
I may go up to Ocala to ride MTB for a day trip, but we'll be staying south of Clermont, only a stone's throw away from Land der Mäuse.
Crystal River has yaks, can go tandem, or solo there for rent. Might bug Karl Lafolette (sp?) and see if he has a rental open that might have access to a boat in Homosassa. Lots of snorkeling in the springs between Homosassa and CR. Weather has been screwy enough that the main spring in Kings bay will likely be loaded with all kinds of fish. If you've never seen it, it's pretty damn cool complete with a plaque in the bottom of the spring at about 25' Just stay out of the caves in the bottom without a tank, they dip down to about 30' and are pitch black even in the middle of the day.
Rainbow River has pontoon boat rentals, I'm sure there are tube/yak rentals around the area as well.
Little further south is Weeki Wachee, should be yak rentals in that area as well.
I would stay away from Clearwater, if you seen one beach centric tourist trap you've seen that one.
Ft Desoto has one of the best dog beaches in the state if you're bringing fido.
If you end up with a vehicle big enough to transport it, I've got a 16' canoe I can lend you, and I'm roughly a hour away from Clermont. No life jacket's though. (Yes I'm bad, and don't use them though if it's a big deal I can pick up a pair of the lovely orange ones. Probably should do that anyway)
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