Bright lights and beautiful beaches abound in Greater Fort Lauderdale, but the South Florida region has an impressive natural side as gateway to the amazing Everglades, an expansive national park for nature exploration, fishing for bass and other freshwater species, and, of course, those famous airboat tours.
Almost two-thirds of the Everglades total area is wild, and visitors will certainly see alligators, and if lucky, a rare Florida panther. About 350 birds species, including bald eagles call the ‘glades home.
Visitors of all ages looking to get up close-and-personal and into the wild can glide on airboats through acres of the untamed Florida Everglades at Sawgrass Recreation Park or Everglades Holiday Park, which offer 30-minute airboat tours that can go as fast as 55 kph.
Anne Kolb Nature Center
Close to a dozen other nature preserves dot the Greater Fort Lauderdale region, including the Anne Kolb Nature Center and West Lake Park, one of the largest urban parks in Florida. Situated along the Intracoastal Waterway in Hollywood, the nature centre features an exhibit hall with a 13,200-litre aquarium and a hands-on EcoRoom; outdoor amphitheatre; a 21-m. observation tower; an Intracoastal fishing pier; and nature, biking, and paddling trails. Admissions is free on weekdays.
Beyond the untamed Everglades and nature preserves, visitors can also discover the horse culture of the “wild west” region around Davie and the Southwest Ranches, with activities that include a horseback ride along tree-lined trails, riding lessons, and rodeos.
Sea turtles
Back on the coast, the natural phenomenon of marine turtle nesting takes place along Greater Fort Lauderdale’s 40 km. of beaches annually (March 1-Oct. 31). Each year almost 2,000 Green and Leatherback turtle nests are deposited in the sand, resulting in as many as 150,000 hatchlings making their way to the ocean.
The beachfront communities and residents are required to dim their lights during this time in order to ensure the safety of the turtles and protection of the environment where the hatchlings will emerge.
Families can enjoy guided nighttime “Turtle Walks” and educational experiences at various locations throughout Greater Fort Lauderdale in June, July, and August including the Museum of Discovery and Science or at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park, where participants can search for sea turtles with a park ranger.
Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens
Nature doesn’t have to be wild, as evidenced by Butterfly World and Flamingo Gardens, which offer nature lovers experiences on the softer side.
Butterfly World, in Coconut Creek, allows visitors the freedom to walk among 20,000 butterflies from around the globe and free flying birds in the Tropical Rain Forest Aviary while strolling along the banks of the lake and taking in the blooming botanical gardens.
Flamingo Gardens, in Davie, boasts 24 hectares of natural botanical gardens and a wildlife sanctuary, with daily live wildlife encounter shows, exhibits, and guided tours of the historic 1930s Wray Home year-round.