Ecotourism

Florida's Gulf Islands is a tropical oasis of Florida nature activities including thriving marine life and plenty of options for up-close and personal experiences for visitors.

Anna Maria Island is home to the largest open estuary in Florida, offering daily encounters with manatees, dolphins, roseate spoonbills, egrets and more. Try your hand at kayak fishing in the grass flats and backwaters of Palma Sola Bay for redfish, snook or speckled trout, or paddle through the mangroves in search of the East Indian manatee.

Sightseeing charters in the Bay and along the coast give Florida nature visitors a chance to get acquainted with the many marine mammals, from dolphin sightings to serious Florida bird watching, and hands-on experiences with starfish, crabs and even rays.

Browse our Ecotourism Directory