Snorkeling | Standup Paddleboarding | Kayaking/Canoeing |
Explore Everglades | Nature Center Tours

By Brad Wells



Green to the west, blue to the east.  The Everglades and the Atlantic Ocean are two giant wildernesses that lie to the west of Miami’s furthest housing development and to the east of the neon lights of Miami Beach.  If you have ever landed at Miami International Airport, the dividing lines are easily observed as you approach for landing. 

This unique landscape creates the perfect place for finding adventures in a natural setting just a short distance from Miami’s urban center.  Here is a list of five great nature adventures that are perfect as a day trip from Miami:

Snorkeling at Jose Cuervo Reef

Jose Cuervo Reef, a great local snorkeling spot in less than 20 feet of water, lies about 200 yards from the white sand of Miami Beach.  On May 5, 2000, a cement structure shaped like a bar, along with a collection of tetrahedrons, was sunk just east of the 2nd Street Lifeguard Tower on South Beach. The whole artificial reef, which was sponsored by the liquor distributor Diageo, now attracts a host of colorful tropical fish among its growing population of corals and fans.   Frequently, larger fish like tarpon will congregate in the waters near the reef.  Rays are also fairly common to the sandy bottom surrounding Jose Cuervo Reef.  It is best to visit on days when there are light winds and flat surf conditions.  Be sure to check with the lifeguards at the 2nd Street Lifeguard Tower to determine if the conditions are right for your abilities.  Rental equipment and information about snorkeling trips to this and many other reefs can be found at the following places:

Miami Area Dive Operators
300 Alton Rd., Suite 110,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305/532-1445

South Beach Divers
850 Washington Ave.,
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Tel: 305-531-6110
www.southbeachdivers.com

Kayaking & Canoeing at Oleta River State Park

Florida’s largest urban park, Oleta River State Park, allows visitors a chance to explore South Florida’s native landscape just 20 minutes from downtown Miami.  The Oleta River, a tributary of Biscayne Bay, is fed by the Everglades.  Oleta River State Park contains protected hardwood hammocks and a mangrove estuary.  The park is rare example of the wonderful natural area that existed before civilization cleared lands to make way for increasing populations on our coast.   While the park can be enjoyed on foot, it is best observed in kayaks or canoes by taking to the many channels that weave through the mangrove estuary.  Rentals and guided tours of the park are provided by Blue Moon Outdoor Center.

IF YOU GO:
Blue Moon Outdoor Center at Oleta River State Park
3400 Northeast 163rd Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Tel: (305) 957-3040; www.bluemoonmiami.com.

Standup Paddle Boarding

Standup Paddle Boarding, or SUP, has recently exploded on to the water sports scene. This ancient Polynesian sport is now being seen on virtually every body of water surrounding Miami.  Standing tall, on a 12 foot x 2 foot board, a single blade is used to propel the craft by dipping the paddle on alternating sides of your body.  The boards can be surprisingly stable once you gain your center of gravity and get moving.  The nearshore areas of Biscayne Bay act as a nursery for much of our marine life, and SUP’s are a great craft for exploring mangroves, as it affords the ability to quietly glide over shallow sandbars.  It is also common for SUP’s to take a route that provides a close up view of opulent waterfront homes.  Especially popular home viewing routes are found in Gables Waterway in Coral Gables, or Star and Hibiscus Islands near Miami Beach between MacArthur and Venetian Causeways.  For SUP rentals and information:

Miami Area
Sailboards Miami
Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149; tel: 305-361-7245
www.sailboardsmiami.com.

Miami Beach Area
F1RST Surf Shop
40 South Pointe Drive, Suite #107, Miami Beach, FL 33139; tel: 305-397-8103
http://f1rstshop.com

Coral Gables Area
Adventure Sports Miami Mathesson Hammock Concession, 9610 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL 33156; tel: (305) 733-1519
www.adventuresportsmiami.com.

Explore the Everglades – Big Cypress Swamp

Visiting the Everglades is a quintessential element of getting to know Miami.  Most trips to the Everglades are a quick jaunt to the closest air boat operator just to the west of the Miccosukee Resort & Casino on the Tamiami Trail (U.S. Highway 41). An hour’s drive past the sawgrass ecosystem of the western glades lies the vastly different Big Cypress Swamp.  Unlike the river of grass to the east, the Big Cypress is a mostly flooded forest of pine trees punctuated with isolated islands of raised, rocky hammocks.  While airboats lend themselves to the exploration of the sawgrass, the best way to see this flooded forest is on foot.  A wet-hike through this dramatic landscape will require a walking stick, as the clear, cool water can rise up and over the waists of hikers.

 

IF YOU GO:
Dragonfly Expeditions, a local sustainable tourism company, offers an all-inclusive package that features great stories and information about the area on their signature wet-hike.  Dragonfly Expeditions, 1200 Anastasia Ave # 216, Coral Gables, FL 33134; tel: 305- 774-9019
www.dragonflyexpeditions.com.

See Natural Wonders at Biscayne Nature Center

The northernmost tip of Key Biscayne is a protected piece of natural land that sits defiantly within close proximity of the skyscrapers of Brickell and downtown Miami.  In addition to the incredible, natural, tropical beach setting, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center offers a wide variety of hands-on exhibits and tours.  There is a wealth of exhibits featuring local flora and fauna, many of them interactive.  It is a great place to learn about Florida’s natural wonders, as the experience is rich with educational information.  Children seem especially intrigued by the immersive nature of the exhibits.  If you prefer a guided experience, the Biscayne Nature Center has a host of guided tours featuring many different eco-activities around the park. 

IF YOU GO:
Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center, 6767 Crandon Boulevard, Key Biscayne, FL 33149; tel: 305-361-6767
www.biscaynenaturecenter.org.