Why Nature Lovers are Moving to Florida in 2023
It’s no secret that Florida is home to some of the best amusement parks in the world… not to mention beaches, water sports, and all the year-round golf you could possibly play! But you may not think of Florida as an outdoors hotspot (beaches excluded). We’re here to tell you that nothing could be further from the truth. If you love getting out into nature, Florida is a fantastic place to live. Why not plan your next weekend around one of these outdoor destinations?
1) Only two hours from Tampa and an hour and a half from Orlando is the stunning Ocala National Forest. Those crystal-blue waters are the real deal – and are home to manatees, migratory birds, and a variety of plant life. It’s a great spot for bicycling, bass fishing, hiking, and canoeing!
2) Torreya State Park lies just an hour west of Tallahassee, and features high plateaus, and ravines rarely seen in the Sunshine State. If you’re craving a hike with a bit more elevation, this is the place to go. …Not to mention, you’ll have the unique opportunity to see a Torreya tree… which is extraordinarily rare since it grows nowhere else in the world!
3) From June to October, Florida’s Space Coast glows with bioluminescence. The best way to see this natural wonder is via kayak! There are a number of tours to choose from, and every one of them is well worth it. 
4) Florida panthers tend to make themselves scarce in the wild… but if you wanted to try seeing one from a distance, the Big Cypress National Preserve is the place to go. This 729,000-acre habitat is located near the Everglades, and offers hiking, canoeing, and camping. The preserve is also one of the few designated International Dark Sky Sites on the east coast.
5) For the scuba divers in our community, don’t forget about Florida’s Coral Reef, which spans nearly 350 miles from Key West to the St. Lucie Inlet. Florida’s Coral Reef is the continental US’s only coral reef system, and is a favorite destination for divers from all over the world! If you prefer to stay on land, check out the Coral City Camera – a real-time underwater livestream of the marine ecosystem off of the shoreline of Miami.
So if you’re looking for some variety in your Florida destinations, grab some sunscreen and get out into nature!