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Tackle Your Summer Bucket List

When you live, work, and attend school in a tourist mecca that is packed with fabulous water adventures, it’s not surprising that taking advantage of these exciting experiences geared to visitors tends to be relegated to the “we’ll do that someday” file. We here at Orlando Family,  are committed to ticking off items from our personal Summer Water Fun Bucket Lists and sharing our experiences with our readers. Summer’s almost over and we bet you have a Bucket List of your own that needs some attention. Join us in standing on water, skimming over lakes, soaring above the ocean, and swimming with some gentle creatures, and we guarantee that shortening your Bucket List will make for a memorable summer.

Discovery Cove

A One-on-One Interaction with Dolphin and Fascinating Marine Life
By Eva Kelso

Discovery Cove is a tropical oasis filled with manicured gardens, tropical reefs, winding rivers, cascading waterfalls, and pristine white-sanddiscovery-cove-1 beaches. It’s one of Florida’s hidden treasures and is only minutes from my back door. But best of all, it offers the opportunity to swim with a bottlenose dolphin and interact with a variety of marine life. I was eager to discover this fascinating place with my family and the day had finally come.

First on the list, was the signature dolphin experience which meant wiggling into our wetsuits. Once outfitted, our group waded in very cold, shallow water where we were introduced to a bottlenose dolphin. While getting accustomed to each other, we moved from casual touches to hugs and kisses. In deeper water, we were thrilled to have the dolphin let us hang onto his dorsal fin so he could give us a memorable ride through the water. This experience sparked great conversation between my girls who are now interested in becoming dolphin trainers. After this 30-minute interactive experience, who could blame them!

We worked up an appetite with our exciting dolphin encounter. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that a continental breakfast was part of the day’s adventure.  In fact, I quickly learned that pretty much everything was included with the price of admission throughout the day…lunch, snacks,  beverages, including wine and beer, private lockers, swim vests, wetsuits, towels, and swim gear (snorkel, mask, fins), as well as parking. We never had to go back to our locker for anything, because it was all provided…even eco-friendly sunscreen!

TheGrandReef-_SharkAfter breakfast, we went to the park’s newest addition, the “Grand Reef,” where we snorkeled in deep water with thousands of exotic fish and several species of velvety manta rays.  Stunning habitats create the sensation of swimming with venomous lionfish and sharp-toothed reef sharks, thankfully separated from us by glass. We moved to the shallows to touch and feed friendly rays.

Next on the to-do list was the “Wind-away River.” We spent a couple of hours drifting along this gently flowing river on flotation devices, passing spectacular palm-covered walkways, rocky lagoons, tropical forest, underwater caves, sandy beaches, and waterfalls. When we emerged from under a waterfall, we found ourselves inside an immense, free-flight aviary, home to more than 250 exotic birds. The friendly birds landed on our shoulders and allowed us to hand-feed them.

Surrounding the entire park are sugar-white beaches lined with swaying palms, thatched huts, umbrellas, hammocks, lounge chairs, and beach toys.  It truly felt like we had entered a tropical paradise.

The highlight of the day was the opportunity for my family to forge strong bonds.  Discovery Cove offered a relaxing adventure and was aDC-Avairy-5great way to reconnect with my girls. Our admission was an incredible value when you consider it included our dolphin experience, meals, snacks, equipment, access to the park’s amenities, and much more.

Discovery Cove is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  Discovery Cove limits the attendance to 1,000 guests each day, so advance reservations are a must. Children must be 6 years of age to swim with the dolphins, however, they are free to enjoy the rest of the park activities. Seasonal rates for Discovery Cove’s Dolphin Swim Day Resort Package start at $199 (rates for Day Resort Package without dolphin swim experience and guests ages 3-5 start at $129

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6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821
Reservations 1-877-434-7268 • DiscoveryCove.com

Maui B’s Paddle Board Eco Tours

Dolphin & Manatee Experience

By Eva Kelso

441Stand up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is one of the world’s fastest growing, recreational water sports, suitable for all ages. After watching paddle boarders ride waves on the ocean, and assume yoga stances on Lake Ivanhoe, I thought it was time to investigate this intriguing sport.

My family’s serious fascination with marine wildlife drew us to Maui B’s Dolphin & Manatee Eco Tours at New Smyrna Beach. Our adventure began at Bethune Beach Park, where we met with owner, Scott Bumbalough, and his assistant, Madison.  With only a fifteen-minute instruction on paddle boarding, we were set to go.

I was surprised at how quickly we learned to balance and maneuver this 8-foot board.  Even my 10-year-old daughter was able to keep pace and navigate with ease. To observe nature’s beauty from this unique perspective on top of the water was fascinating, and I now understand why paddle boarding is attracting so many enthusiasts.

Barely five minutes into our journey, a manatee popped his head out of the water behind our guide.  We dropped to our knees for a really close038 look. A couple of minutes later, another manatee greeted my daughter by placing its nose alongside her board– she could feel its breath on her leg.  The gentle giant then proceeded to calmly nudge her board, taking her for a small ride.  That alone was worth its weight in gold!

We spent the next forty-five minutes captivated by a group of friendly manatees. As much as we wanted to touch them, we avoided human contact. Paddling across the Intracoastal Waterway, we saw mullet jumping out of the water, and a variety of birds, including large pelicans, perched atop pilings. After a short break on a mid-river sandbar to take in Florida’s beauty, we headed back to the marina.  Our journey was chronicled on a waterproof camera.

I can’t wait to sign my family up for another Maui B’s Eco Tour adventure at Little Econlockhatchee River and Wekiva Springs.

The Dolphin & Manatee Eco Tour cost $75 per person, and a portion of all tours is donated to dolphin & manatee preservation organizations. They do offer group discounts and party packages. Fitness & yoga lessons are available at Lake Ivanhoe, and ocean paddle boarding at Daytona and Cocoa Beach.  They operate 7 days a week.

MauiB_SUP_NoBoards
1-800-671-9905 • mauib.com
New Retail Store – 116 S. Semoran Blvd. Winter Park
(Inside The Fitness Showcase)

Daytona Beach Parasailing

By Eva Kelso

Parasailing had been on my bucket list for years, but I kept putting it off.  When my teenage daughter expressed interest recently, I knew it was time. I selected Daytona Parasailing because of their many years’ experience and licensed captains. The experience required no special skills, no age limits, and relatively no weight restrictions.

IMG_6293We headed to the quaint little town of Ponce Inlet, just south of Daytona Beach Shores. We had the option of five flight elevations ranging from 800 feet to a dizzying 2,000 feet.  With summoned our courage and chose to go to the maximum height. With Captain Tom at the helm of our boat, Flight Instructor, Wayne, helped us into our harnesses. My daughters and I decided to go tandem to share the experience, even though we had the option to ride doubles or even solo.

About a mile from shore, the crew released a giant, colorful parachute into the air. We were guided to the back of the boat , harnesses clipped in place, and told to sit on the back deck. “Just realx,” we were told. In one graceful movement, our bodies were gently lifted off the boat. We rose into the air until we reached our chosen altitude.

Soaring high above the ocean with only the sound of a light breeze whispering in our ears made for a truly amazing

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, serene sensation.  The panoramic views of the open sea and miles of coastline were simply breathtaking.  During our fifteen-minute flight, we gazed down on alarge group of stingrays swimming in formation.  We also observed sea turtles floating on the surface, and a few sharks lurking in the shadows.

We were reluctant to see this remarkable experience end as we were gently reeled back to the boat. We were almost back to the boat, when the Captain cut the engines and let us drift slowly down toward the ocean. Just as our feet touched the waves, the engines came back to life, lifting us back up to the sky. That was the only time we got wet, and this, too, was an option we selected.  Our flight ended with an incredibly easy landing into a standing position on the back of the boat.  I was surprised at how smooth the entire experience was.

IMG_6340I would definitely recommend this adventure to families looking for a memorable adventure. My daughters and I hope to soar over the ocean again before the summer ends. If you decide to try it, don’t forget to get some photographs to mark the occasion.

Parasail flights cost between $65 and $100 per person, depending on the desired flying height.  They also offer eco tours, fishing trips, a private charter boat, banana boat and speed boat rides, kayak & paddleboard rentals, and fun cat sailing (up to 40 people).

Daytona Beach Parasail

4936 South Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet
386-547-6067 • daytonaparasailing.com

Black Hammock Adventures –

The Thrill of an Airboat Ride

By Margie Sloane

Airboat-out-of-marinaLast year, my daughter and grandchildren ages 9, 7, and 3 years, came for a visit. I’d always wanted to try the ultimate Florida experience, an airboat ride. We could tick off a bucket list item for me, and give the grandchildren a memorable encounter with an alligator…lots of alligators.

The Black Hammock Adventures airboat rides in Oviedo is a fish camp that includes a wildlife exhibit, a restaurant, a marina, and the requisite gift shop. It’s located on Lake Jesup at the end of a road that winds through citrus groves. The historic lake is home to 9,000 alligators, the largest concentration of these sinister, prehistoric-looking beasts in any lake in the country. (OK, so the baby gators are really cute!) Chances were good the kids would get to see a gator and I’d get my exhilarating ride on an airboat.

One morning, we headed to the lake and met Captain Mike, our licensed airboat driver, who conducted safety checks for the ride. Most important rule…don’t feed the alligators. We were each issued a life vest and some ear protectors and boarded our airboat.

We glided away from the shoreline and headed out into the lake. As we rounded the inlet, Capt. Mike gunned the engine, and we were soon skimming the lake’s surface, traveling at speeds up to 45 miles per hour. I strongly suggest bringing sunglasses or

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goggles for everyone on the boat, as unprotected eyes tend to shut involuntarily in 45 mile-an-hour wind and you’ll miss all the great sights. “We have a lot of hidden coves along the shoreline,” noted Capt. Mike. We saw snakes, herons, osprey, and even a bald eagle. These boats can travel into narrow creeks and shallow wetlands. We zipped across the lake, and zoomed headlong into the reeds and marshland, skimming over everything in our path. We saw what looked like sticks and logs floating in the water. Turned out to be alligators! Capt. Mike, an expert gator hunter, pulled up to a huge alligator sunning himself on the water’s edge. The gator let us know with a hissing lunge that we were getting too close. I turned around and saw the wide eyes of my family and knew they were having a great experience.

If your bucket list beckons and you want to experience breathtaking speed and an encounter with nature, our family can recommend anairboat ride at Black Hammock Adventures.

Airboat rides run from 30 to 60 minutes and range from $24.95 to $45 for adults depending on the length of the ride and the time of day. Thirty minute rides do not require a reservation.

Black Hammock Adventures

2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo, FL 32765
(407) 365-1244 • www.blackhammock.com.