Actually, it’s not easy to find activities for around $50 on Florida’s gulf coast. That’s because the area is a very economical beach vacation destination with many attractions either free or in the $10 to $25 range. However, some things are well worth the money for visitors willing to spend a little extra. After all, it’s still a lot less expensive than other parts of Florida.
Northwest Florida has thousands of acres of protected lands and waterways, making ecotourism one of the top things to do in the region. Marine life abounds, both in the wild and in gulf coast marine parks. Visitors can enjoy a boat trip on the bay or wave action in a water park. The options are endless.
Most of the following tourist attractions are day-long activities, but some offer alternate prices for half day or fewer options. Visitors arriving later in the day may sometimes find reduced prices. A phone call ahead is often a good way to assess the price and whether or not there’s a crowd.
Adventures Unlimited, 800-239-6864, located about an hour west of Destin in the town of Milton, Florida, offers kayak trips, canoeing and inner tube float trips on both Coldwater Creek and the Blackwater River, one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation. These pristine waterways are in the Blackwater State Forest, one of the largest state forests in Florida. Trips range in distance from 4 to 15 miles and last from two to five hours. Kayak trips start at $32 per person, canoes start at $25 per person with a two person minimum. Overnight trips are available starting at $40 per person.
Big Kahuna’s Water Park, 850-837-8319, is Destin’s oldest theme park and includes monster slides, waterfalls and a continuous wave for surfing and bodyboarding. Land lubbers will enjoy the mini-golf, the sky coaster thrill ride and the speedway track for a separate fee. All day water park admission is $36.99 for adults and $29.99 for children under 48-inches tall. Twilight admission (3 hours before closing) is $26.99 for both adults and children.
Shipwreck Island, 850-234-3333, is a Panama City Beach staple, with slides, slides and more slides. Dive into the “shipwreck” pool, float on the lazy river, or hang on for dear life on the “white knuckle river.” There’s even a separate area for “tadpoles.” Prices for all day water park fun are $32 for people 50 inches and taller, and $27 for people 35 to 50 inches tall. Tadpoles shorter than 35 inches are free.
Gulf World Marine Park, 850-234-5271, in Panama City Beach is the place to see marine life up close. Not only is it a tourist attraction, Gulf World Marine Park serves as the area coordinator for the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Daily parks shows include the dolphin show, the sea lion show, the All-American High Diving Show and the all around favorite Magic of Noah Wells show. Prices for a full day of fun are $25.44 for adults and $15.90 for children ages 5 to11.
Booking.com
Betsy Ann Riverboat, 850-233-7487, once plied the waters of the Alabama River. Now she takes passengers around St. Andrews Bay on dinner cruises, dolphin cruises, murder mystery dinner show cruises, and has the “world’s only floating comedy zone” on the first Saturday of the month. Dinner cruise prices include a two hour sunset cruise, dinner and live entertainment for $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for children 3 to 11.
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise, 850-234-7400, is a swashbuckling adventure for the whole family. Passengers join Capt. "Fearless" Phil and his crew for a two hour cruise aboard an 85-foot pirate ship. Dolphin sightings are the norm and there’s lots of mayhem and music. Prices are $22.26 for adults, $18 for children 3 to 14 and $11.66 for toddlers 1 to 2.
Northwest Florida has thousands of acres of protected lands and waterways, making ecotourism one of the top things to do in the region. Marine life abounds, both in the wild and in gulf coast marine parks. Visitors can enjoy a boat trip on the bay or wave action in a water park. The options are endless.
Most of the following tourist attractions are day-long activities, but some offer alternate prices for half day or fewer options. Visitors arriving later in the day may sometimes find reduced prices. A phone call ahead is often a good way to assess the price and whether or not there’s a crowd.
Northwest Florida Ecotourism
Adventures Unlimited, 800-239-6864, located about an hour west of Destin in the town of Milton, Florida, offers kayak trips, canoeing and inner tube float trips on both Coldwater Creek and the Blackwater River, one of the purest sand-bottom rivers in the nation. These pristine waterways are in the Blackwater State Forest, one of the largest state forests in Florida. Trips range in distance from 4 to 15 miles and last from two to five hours. Kayak trips start at $32 per person, canoes start at $25 per person with a two person minimum. Overnight trips are available starting at $40 per person.
Water Park Fun on the Gulf Coast
Big Kahuna’s Water Park, 850-837-8319, is Destin’s oldest theme park and includes monster slides, waterfalls and a continuous wave for surfing and bodyboarding. Land lubbers will enjoy the mini-golf, the sky coaster thrill ride and the speedway track for a separate fee. All day water park admission is $36.99 for adults and $29.99 for children under 48-inches tall. Twilight admission (3 hours before closing) is $26.99 for both adults and children.
Shipwreck Island, 850-234-3333, is a Panama City Beach staple, with slides, slides and more slides. Dive into the “shipwreck” pool, float on the lazy river, or hang on for dear life on the “white knuckle river.” There’s even a separate area for “tadpoles.” Prices for all day water park fun are $32 for people 50 inches and taller, and $27 for people 35 to 50 inches tall. Tadpoles shorter than 35 inches are free.
Gulf World Marine Park
Gulf World Marine Park, 850-234-5271, in Panama City Beach is the place to see marine life up close. Not only is it a tourist attraction, Gulf World Marine Park serves as the area coordinator for the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Daily parks shows include the dolphin show, the sea lion show, the All-American High Diving Show and the all around favorite Magic of Noah Wells show. Prices for a full day of fun are $25.44 for adults and $15.90 for children ages 5 to11.
Booking.com
Panama City Beach Boat Trips
Betsy Ann Riverboat, 850-233-7487, once plied the waters of the Alabama River. Now she takes passengers around St. Andrews Bay on dinner cruises, dolphin cruises, murder mystery dinner show cruises, and has the “world’s only floating comedy zone” on the first Saturday of the month. Dinner cruise prices include a two hour sunset cruise, dinner and live entertainment for $34.95 for adults and $24.95 for children 3 to 11.
Sea Dragon Pirate Cruise, 850-234-7400, is a swashbuckling adventure for the whole family. Passengers join Capt. "Fearless" Phil and his crew for a two hour cruise aboard an 85-foot pirate ship. Dolphin sightings are the norm and there’s lots of mayhem and music. Prices are $22.26 for adults, $18 for children 3 to 14 and $11.66 for toddlers 1 to 2.
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