OCT 21-28 trip to Central Florida

Four adults coming to central Florida October 21-28 (SOON!). Would appreciate suggestions for best locations to snorkel or snuba; see birds, manatees, %26amp; dolphins; go %26#39;shelling%26#39; along the beach; and take an airboat or kayak ride to see nature close-up. Willing to drive 3-4 hours in any direction from Orlando.

OCT 21-28 trip to Central Florida

Wekiva Springs State Park.

(northern part of Orlando - Altamonte Springs area.

Google for more information but...

Wekiwa Springs State Park comprises approximately 7,000 acres of wild scenery that offers an opportunity to see how areas of central Florida looked when the Timucuan Indians speared fish in the spring-fed creeks and stalked the uplands. They left a number of mounds that are still visible today. The main spring pumps approximately 42 million gallons of water each day.

I%26#39;d rent canoes or take a canoe guided trip. It is truly an amazing experience. You feel like you are canoeing through ';Old Florida';.

There%26#39;s an official website and here%26#39;s the website of the canoe company working in the park. www.canoewekiva.com. They also have horseback riding.

OCT 21-28 trip to Central Florida

A lot of the things you%26#39;d like to do seem to deal with the beach and ocean; unless you%26#39;re also doing theme parks, or are staying with family, any particular reason why you%26#39;re staying in Central Florida and not, say, by a beach?

Sanibel Island is known for shelling. The Keys are known for snorkeling. There may be manatees at Blue Springs State Park in Orange City (north of Orlando) if cool enough, but I%26#39;m sure there are other spots nearer the west coast as well.

I agree about staying closer to the beach if that is where your main interests are, but if you are staying in central Florida, have you ever considered the Aqua Tour at Epcot%26#39;s Living Seas? It is a Snuba exoereince inside their massive tank.

I have done ';Dive Quest'; which is the Scuba version. It was great.