Explore Florida's Great Outdoors in These Amazing Destinations

Few places celebrate the great outdoors quite like Florida. In an instant, you could be lounging on stunning beaches or zooming through the Everglades on an airboat. From the scenic salt marshes and safeguarded sand dunes of Amelia Island in the northeast to the diverse estuaries and tranquil waters of Martin County further south, nature enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to enjoy and engage with the environment. Even Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts are joining in, offering easy access to eco-tours and activities like fishing, sailing, and renowned golf courses. Ready for adventure? Here are the best ways to experience Florida's wilderness.

Uncover history and outdoor adventures on Amelia Island

With a rich history, pristine beaches, and world-class golf, Amelia Island is a perfect getaway nestled within a unique maritime forest ecosystem. Begin your adventure at the Civil War-era Fort Clinch State Park, where you can step back to 1864. The park features three miles of shoreline for fishing, beachcombing, and swimming, alongside 1,400 acres of marked trails for exploration on foot, by bike, or even on an electric skateboard. Alternatively, take a scenic drive beneath the park's majestic live oaks. Don't miss the chance to wander through Amelia Island’s tranquil salt marsh estuaries, where you can enjoy nature trails with breathtaking views, spectacular sunsets, and abundant wildlife.

Active travelers looking to hone their golf skills will love Amelia Island's 99 holes of championship golf, catering to players of all levels. Little Sandy, part of the Omni Amelia Island Resort, is a new 10-hole short course that delivers a traditional yet enjoyable golfing experience for everyone, guiding players through picturesque lowland oak marsh habitats. Stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island to access the adjacent Golf Club of Amelia Island, an 18-hole championship course where you can feel the refreshing ocean breeze as you play.

Experience the natural splendor of Martin County

Martin County boasts one of the Northern Hemisphere's most biodiverse lagoon ecosystems, making its tranquil shorelines and lush habitats along the Atlantic coast the perfect retreat for outdoor enthusiasts. This hidden gem features over 22 miles of pristine beaches and more than 100,000 acres of parks and conservation areas. Start your exploration of the region's natural wonders in Hobe Sound, where you can bike, hike, boat, kayak, and canoe through the mangroves and flatwoods of Jonathan Dickinson State Park and along the Loxahatchee, Florida's first federally designated “Wild and Scenic River.” Be sure to visit Blowing Rocks Preserve, where waves crash dramatically up to 50 feet high against the Atlantic coast's largest Anastasia limestone shoreline.

On Hutchinson Island, sun-seekers can unwind on the lovely Jensen Beach, enjoying activities like surfing, sailing, snorkeling, swimming, and surf fishing—a beloved local tradition—in the crystal-clear waters. At the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort, Golf & Marina, the condo-style Sandpiper Tower and main hotel offer rooms with balconies showcasing stunning views.

Immerse yourself in the charm of Old Florida, characterized by porch-fronted homes and picket-fenced cottages adorned with carved pineapples. Don't miss the nearby House of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar, the last remaining refuge for shipwrecked sailors, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Plan Your Adventure

Enhance your getaway by choosing a hotel or resort nestled in Florida’s natural beauty. From the sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast to the ancient hardwood hammocks of Central Florida, Marriott Bonvoy properties feature a wide range of amenities and activities designed to connect guests with the outdoors.

Spanning over 10 acres of pristine white-sand beach, the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort serves as the ideal base for exploring the Gulf of Mexico and the Everglades. Embark on a sailing adventure on one of the resort’s spacious catamarans in search of dolphins, sea turtles, and manatees, or take an airboat tour through the mangrove forests of the Ten Thousand Islands.

In Palm Beach, Courtyard Palm Beach Jupiter offers travelers a convenient drive to some of Florida’s finest beaches. When you're not unwinding by the outdoor pool, you can spend your afternoons fishing, boating, swimming, or snorkeling at Red Reef Park.

Further north, The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes reveals the wild side of the theme park capital. Enjoy a sunrise stroll through the resort’s expansive 500-acre grounds while keeping an eye out for alligators, bobcats, and deer. You can also participate in a falconry class, fish in one of the eleven private lakes and ponds, or tee off on the 18-hole championship golf course, which is recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Even in Tallahassee, you can stay close to nature at the new AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol within Cascades Park.