Fort Lauderdale’s Hidden Gems for Outdoorsy Folks: 5 Can’t Miss Adventures

By: Derek Vitiello | [lmt-post-modified-info]

Every recommendation we make has been used, tested, and expertly selected by us. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission.

I have some bad news for you…..

Ft. Lauderdale is basically a tourist trap. Not everyone wants to sit on the beach or shop all day, at least we don’t.

So the good news?

If you’re the type who craves adventure over lounging by the pool, you’re in the right place.

We’ve made it our mission to uncover exciting outdoor experiences that go beyond the usual cocktail sippin’ and tiny umbrellas.

From kayaking through mangroves to hidden hiking trails, Fort Lauderdale has so much to offer for those willing to get off the beaten path.

Check out these hidden gems and you’ll be more excited than ever to visit this tropical wonderland.

Top 5 Things to do in Fort Lauderdale for the Adventurous Human

These are the destinations where Fort Lauderdale’s soul truly shines.

Kayaking through Mangroves at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

This is our FAVORITE way to experience the nature and wildlife of Ft. Lauderdale.

The on-site kayak rental made it super easy and it isn’t too far from town either.

It felt like we just showed up and paddled away.

These calm, winding green tunnels are home to a ton of wildlife like tropical birds of every color, herons, sea turtles, and… MANATEES!!

Yeah, the beauty of the mangroves was a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of town.

But hanging out with manatees was BY FAR and away our highlight of the area. Don’t miss this.

Snorkeling or Scuba Diving on the Florida Reef

Visiting the Florida Reef is basically like swimming through an aquarium.

Except you won’t see a bunch of 5-year-olds banging on the glass and making faces at you when you swim by.

It truly felt like being the Little Mermaid watching all the colorful fish darting between coral, sea turtles gliding gracefully, and we even saw a stingray!

The fact that this is the only coral reef system in the continental U.S. made it feel even more special.

We accessed the reef at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea right off the beach, making it perfect for us snorkelers.

But one of the locals told us about the SS Copenhagen. You need to have scuba gear to get there, but she had awesome things to say about it.

Snorkeling was incredible either way.

Go Parasailing

When we went parasailing in Fort Lauderdale, it was one of the most unforgettable experiences of our trip.

Booking a tour was super easy—there are plenty of options right on the beach or through local marinas.

Once we were strapped in and lifted into the air, the view took our breath away.

We could see the entire coastline stretching for miles, and we even spotted a few dolphins swimming below us!

The guides made everything simple, so all we had to do was sit back and enjoy.

Honestly, it felt like being a kite, but way cooler—and with views we’ll never forget.

Explore The Everglades

Just an hour from Fort Lauderdale, the Everglades felt like stepping into a completely different world.

When we visited Everglades Holiday Park, we started with a short hike to get a feel for the wetlands.

But honestly, the REAL magic happened when we hopped on an airboat.

Skimming across the water with the wind in our faces was hands down the best way to take it all in.

And the alligators? They were everywhere.

It felt like something straight out of The Crocodile Hunter. (No, we didn’t try wrestling one.)

If you’re looking for a wild and unforgettable adventure, this is it.

Visit the Anne Kolb Nature Center

When we visited Anne Kolb Nature Center, it felt like stepping into a hidden oasis just minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale hotels.

We started by walking the trails, where we spotted ospreys perched in the trees, iguanas basking in the sun, and tiny crabs darting across the path.

The highlight was climbing the observation tower—watching the sunset over the mangroves was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING

We also rented a kayak and paddled around the mangroves a bit again, but we enjoyed Hugh Taylor a little more (no manatees this time around.)

Honestly, the entire place felt like being in a nature documentary.

Share on Social Media

Why Trust Know Nothing Nomads?

Since 2017, Know Nothing Nomads has cemented itself as the “approachable experts” in everything camping, hiking, and adventuring in the Great Outdoors.

With over 60 years of experience in the outdoors, we don’t just talk about outdoor gear or recommend a good hiking trail.

We USE the gear we talk about. We’ve hiked 1000’s of miles and camped 1000’s of nights in the wilderness.

We don’t just know a few things about the outdoors — WE EAT, SLEEP, AND BREATHE IT.

We are not journalists from a magazine telling someone else’s stories from behind a computer. We are the ACTUAL outdoorsmen that those people write about. 

We are not a “gear lab” that runs tests on gear in life-like conditions. We are the seasoned, “trial-by-fire” experts who have taken the gear into the wilderness and USED IT. Read about our gear testing process here

We started Know Nothing Nomads to share our passion and expertise with our readers to inspire, educate, and enable you to explore the outdoors in the way that we have. And you will be more equipped and capable than ever before with the knowledge you gain here guiding you along the way.

And the best part? We are real people that LOVE our readers and this community. If you need anything or have a question about any of the things we have to write about, just reach out. Normally, one of us can respond within 24 hours, sometimes within minutes.

You should also know that advertising does not influence our gear reviews in any way, shape, or form, and it never will.

While we always focus our attention on gear that stands out to us—sometimes we discover that things aren’t up to our standards. This is exactly why we will always talk about the downfalls and compromises that we find while we are testing anything (If we find any).

About The Author

Derek, Co-Founder at Know Nothing Nomads

My goal with my writing and Know Nothing Nomads as a whole is to share my passions of hiking, camping, and a love of the outdoors with our readers.

Making the difficult and uncertain feel more approachable to people that might not know enough to feel comfortable taking their first steps into the wilderness is a driving factor for me.

When I'm not writing you can find me on a trail, in a forest, or next to a river with hiking shoes on my feet and a fly rod somewhere close by.

Related Posts

[crp]

Hey there!

We are Derek and Ashley of Know Nothing Nomads. Whether it is hiking, camping, or just generally being outside, we love it. We are so happy that you have found our little blog and hope that you stick around a while. Feel free to contact us with any questions or get in touch with us on social media!

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Know Nothing Nomads

Unlock our No-Cost Adventure Toolkit

Packing Lists, Itineraries, & Beyond All for FREE

Enter your email to unlock personalized packing lists, detailed itineraries, and a world of resources.